Barcelona Coast in Oils & Watercolor w/ William Graf
Tickets
Barcelona Coast in Oils & Watercolor w/ William Graf
Tour Program
📅 September 3-10, 2025 🌏Sitges, Spain 🎨Oils & Watercolor
Join Artist William Graf and create vibrant paintings that reflect the unique charm of Barcelona and the Costa Brava.
Embark on a journey filled with amazing discoveries of UNESCO World Heritage sites as much as hidden places in Barcelona and its surroundings. With the guidance of your Art instructor William Graf, capture the essence of iconic landmarks like the Modernist hospital of Sant Pau, an Art Nouveau Masterpiece where you will perfect your plein air techniques.
Led by a passionate tour guide, explore the Spanish coast with your brushes and learn all the stories of an ancient fishing village at Calella de Palafrugell. Be inspired by the medieval atmosphere, the majestic Romanesque bridge and the memory-filled streets of Besalú. Get ready to also indulge in the delicious Catalan cuisine and learn how to make a Paella in an instructive Mastercooking class, a stone’s throw away from the world famous market La Boqueria,
Enjoy 7 nights at the 4* Hotel Estela in Sitges located in a peaceful seafront cove where you will be mesmerized by the sea views from your room. An hotel filled with original art in every corner, located a 5 minute-walk from the well-defined architectural style of the marina of Aiguadolç and its extensive options of restaurants.
Create within a group of 12 supportive artists and let us guide you through this artistic and cultural experience discovering the beauties of the Catalunya region.
Non-painting partners and photo enthusiasts are also welcomed on this tour. A special program of guided visits is designed for them during the painting sessions.
Arrive at Barcelona Airport and board the 1:00 PM private bus transfer to your retreat venue. Settle into your comfortable room and take some time to relax after your trip. Explore the hotel amenities with a swimming pool with a solarium facing La Marina Beach, the bar and the inviting Mediterranean cuisine of the Iris Gallery restaurant . Gather at 7:00PM with your lovely art instructor, your fellow artists and your tour guides for an Orientation Meeting. Get excited for the week ahead with the presentation of your program and plein air painting spots curated for your art workshop. Celebrate your arrival with a delicious chef-made 3-course-dinner accompanied by some locally sourced wines.
Start your day with a delicious buffet breakfast with a view on the Marina de Aiguadolç and enjoy a morning relaxing by the pool or taking a little walk on the beautiful and quiet beach in front of your hotel.
After lunch, get on your private tour bus to downtown Barcelona to discover the most important work of Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner: the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. Be inspired as you observe the splendid architecture of the pavilions and learn about its heritage value and its contribution to medicine. While painting, you’ll be breathing the fragrances of the gardens filled with orange or lemon trees and other medicinal plants such as lavender, sage and rosemary.
During this time, the non-painting group, will explore the fantastic interiors of the old hospital with their tour guide.
After a nourishing breakfast, hop on your bus for a short ride to the Penedes Region for a day you’ll remember.
Surrounded by vineyards, you'll be mesmerized by the serenity of the estate owned by the pioneers of organic viticulture in the region. Five generations have farmed the vineyards you’ll discover from the garden with spectacular views in front of you. Unleash your creativity while creating a superb collection of paintings trying to capture the authentic charm of this winery.
Take a break with an outdoor lunch and enlightening wine tasting under the pine trees. You will have some time to finish up your paintings after lunch or simply enjoy the meditative atmosphere of the gardens.
Lead by their expert tour guide, the non-painting group will explore the beautiful Penedes region and its numerous wineries.
Start your day with an early breakfast then head to the idyllic painting spot in the old fishing village of the Costa Brava: Calella de Palafrugell. This quaint harbor is located in a preserved cove with narrow streets and mesmerizing views.
Elevate your craft in the shade of pine trees and create fantastic memories of this exceptional viewpoint on the Mediterranean sea. Take a stroll on the Cami de Ronda and discover the next charming cove of Llafranc.
Enjoy a delicious lunch by the sea and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of this seaside town. After your painting session, take your camera for a delighful exploration of the hilly streets, the white-washed fisherman houses and the lined up boats on the beach.
In the meantime, the non-painting group will be enchanted by the botanical gardens of Cap Roig with its extensive collection of 8000 different species from all the world’s regions with a Mediterranean-type climate.
After a fulfilling breakfast, enjoy a relaxing day by the sea walking along this beautiful Spanish coast, painting the stunning views from your terrace balcony or discovering the historic centre of Sitges and its marvellous museums.
There will be plenty of choices to take photos, create sketches and let yourself be inspired by the tranquil atmosphere of this seaside town.
In the evening, an amazing culinary experience awaits for you. Near the bustling La Boqueria Market, you will push your creative boundaries by experimenting with Spanish cooking techniques to recreate the delicious flavors of a Paella once back home! A Mastercooking class you'll remember forever!
Enjoy this amazing dinner with your peers accompanied by delectable wines from the Catalan region.
After breakfast, our morning begins with a trip to Besalú, a monumental example of the Catalan Middle Ages in the province of Girona.
Upon your arrival, you will be mesmerized by the 12th century Romanesque bridge that crosses the Fluvía river. Draw inspiration from this unique view over the river or from the cobbled streets and facades of the city centre. During the art workshop, the non-painting group will be heading to the historic centre with their guide, discovering the religious and civil constructions and the Jewish quarter with their medieval public baths.
At lunchtime, everybody meet to enjoy the huge selection of Spanish and Catalan dishes at a buffet restaurant with an incredible view on the iconic bridge.
The afternoon is dedicated to exploring the the city walking on the bridge with its eight pointed arches, wandering the narrow, cobbled streets and making your way up to the viewpoints offering panoramic views of the surrounding landscapes.
Begin the day with a refreshing breakfast then regroup to go to your fantastic excursion discovering the most iconic architecture of Barcelona, the temple of La Sagrada Familia by Antoni Gaudi.
Experience this World Heritage monument with your group of art lovers. Immerse yourself and learn all the secrets of the Basilica with your official tour guide and how Gaudí found great inspiration in nature. Spend time taking some reference pictures for future sketches or paintings and try to capture details of this expressive architecture still under construction.
Take a break from this incredible experience for a lunch in the Gothic Quarter where you’ll spend the afternoon discovering the numerous boutiques, artisan shops, the Cathedral of Barcelona and the famous Rambla.
The retreat concludes with a special Farewell dinner with wine to mark the end of this artistic journey discovering Barcelona and its surroundings.
Enjoy a tasty breakfast before taking your 10:00AM bus transfer to Barcelona airport. Time to say goodbye to your new friends hoping to meet them on their next painting tour destination!
*Program & itinerary subject to change due to scheduling considerations & weather conditions.
Check-in at the Estela Hotel Sitges starts at 4:00 PM on September 3, 2025 and check-out is after breakfast on September 10, 2025 by 10:00 AM.
Booking information
Painter Pack: €3,890/pers. (Single room extra fee: +€550) - Non-Painter Pack: €3,690/pers.
- A €1,000 deposit per person is required upon booking to secure your spot
- Remaining balance is due by June 3, 2025
- 100% Refund if cancelled before June 3, 2025 (minus admin. fee). TERMS & CONDITIONS
Please note that the tour includes some daily walking (couple of hours/day) and carrying your own painting supplies. Participant must be able to walk comfortably.
What's included
✅ Instructed painting workshops: oil & watercolor painting classes in plein-air at different locations each day, demonstrations with artist William Graf & individual tuition
✅7 nights of accommodation at 4 star hotel Estela in Sitges with access to swimming pool, bar & restaurant
✅ Expert Tour Guides all week leading the Painting Group and guiding the Non-painting Partners during workshop times
✅Outdoor Painting workshop equipment provided with small tables, foldable chairs, lightweight premium easels, paper towels and disposable bags
✅All group meals including 7 buffet breakfasts with daily-made pastries, cured meat, cheeses and fresh fruits ; 5 lunches at local restaurants with a special selection of Spanish dishes ; 2 celebration dinners with a 3-course welcome dinner & a Farewell Dinner Party
✅Local wine served with group meals
✅Coffee & Tea available in your room
✅Daily trips to various painting locations with guided visits, walking tours, time for shopping
✅Special program for non-painting partners during painting sessions led by a local Tour guide
✅Private Tour bus with AC for all planned activities
✅ Round-trip group transfers from/to Barcelona airport
✅ All local tourist taxes and fees
Not included
❌ Airfare - Recommended Group Flight information (New York (JFK) to Barcelona (BCN) & booking details with our partners will be communicated upon booking
❌ Travel insurance - available with our partners
❌ Art materials - a list of art supplies recommended by artist William Graf will be provided three months before the tour
❌ Tips for staff
❌ Other expenses guests might incur on their own
Instructor
William Graf is a fine artist, professional illustrator and international instructor of drawing, oil and watercolor in both plein air and studio painting. He teaches at The Atelier at Flowerfield in St. James, the Art League of Long Island and the National Art League of New York. He also conducts plein air painting workshops in US and Europe.
His extensive art career began after completing his drawing and old master painting studies at the Art Students League of New York and in Florence, Italy, at the Cecil- Graves Studio. William continues to be commissioned for work as an illustrator for major publishing companies as well as his portraiture. One of his noteworthy commissions was for a mural depicting a scene of President Theodore Roosevelt’s children in the White House, which was painted to be displayed in the Museum of American History.
Recipient of numerous awards from the NYC Students Art League Figure, Huntington NY Arts Council and NY Nassau County Art Leagues, he also received Honorable Mention & Merit Awards in the prestigious Richeson75 International Show for Portraiture.
"My goal as an artist is to seek beauty and truth in my paintings and to find an element that viewers can relate to."
Don't miss out on this dream escape!
Reserve your spot before it's too late!