Your painting holiday in Barcelona and the Costa Brava begins with a warm welcome. Upon arriving at Barcelona Airport, meet your fellow travelers and board a comfortable private bus transfer to your seaside retreat venue, set against the easy beauty of the Catalan coastline.

Once you arrive, settle into your comfortable room and take time to unwind after your journey. When you're ready, begin exploring the hotel's inviting amenities: a swimming pool with a sun-drenched solarium overlooking La Marina Beach, a relaxed bar, and the Iris Gallery restaurant, where Mediterranean cuisine is served in elegant surroundings—an ideal spot to sketch or simply linger over a glass of local wine.

At 7:00 PM, gather with your art instructor Elizabeth Fusco, your tour guides, and your fellow artists for an Orientation Meeting. You'll be introduced to your week ahead and to the plein air painting spots handpicked to spark your creativity—a program designed to fill the days with immersive sessions, cultural discovery, and memorable moments.

Cap off your arrival day with a chef-prepared three-course welcome dinner, paired with locally sourced wines from the region. It's the perfect beginning to your art retreat in Catalonia, where painting, culture, and connection come together.

Begin your day with a generous buffet breakfast overlooking the Marina de Aiguadolç, then let the morning unfold at your own pace. Relax beside the pool, or take a gentle stroll along the quiet, beautiful beach just steps from your hotel—a slow, restorative start before the afternoon's discoveries.

After lunch, board your private tour bus into the heart of Barcelona to encounter the masterwork of Catalan architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner: the Sant Pau Art Nouveau Site. Let yourself be inspired as you take in the splendid architecture of its pavilions and learn about the site's remarkable heritage and its place in the history of medicine. As you paint, you'll breathe in the fragrances of gardens planted with orange and lemon trees and medicinal herbs—lavender, sage, and rosemary—each one a quiet invitation to look more closely.

Meanwhile, the non-painting group will explore the magnificent interiors of the historic hospital alongside their tour guide, discovering its stories from within.

After a nourishing breakfast, hop aboard your bus for a short, scenic ride into the Penedès region for a day you'll long remember.

Surrounded by rolling vineyards, you'll be captivated by the serenity of an estate owned by the pioneers of organic viticulture in the region. Five generations have tended the vines that stretch out before you, framed by a garden with spectacular views. Let your creativity flow as you build a beautiful collection of paintings, working to capture the authentic charm of this historic winery.

Pause for an outdoor lunch and an enlightening wine tasting beneath the pine trees. Afterward, you'll have time to put the finishing touches on your paintings—or simply surrender to the meditative calm of the gardens.

Guided by their expert tour guide, the non-painting group will explore the beautiful Penedès region and its many celebrated wineries.

Start your day with an early breakfast, then set off for one of the most idyllic painting spots on the Costa Brava: the old fishing village of Calella de Palafrugell. This quaint harbor rests in a beautifully preserved cove, with narrow streets and views that hold you in place.

Elevate your craft in the shade of the pine trees and gather lasting memories of this exceptional vantage point over the Mediterranean. Stretch your legs along the Camí de Ronda, the coastal footpath, and discover the neighboring charm of the cove at Llafranc.

Enjoy a delicious lunch by the sea and let yourself sink into the natural beauty of this seaside town. After your painting session, take up your camera for a delightful wander through the hilly streets, past whitewashed fishermen's houses and the boats lined up along the beach.

In the meantime, the non-painting group will be enchanted by the botanical gardens of Cap Roig, home to an extensive collection of some 8,000 species drawn from every Mediterranean-climate region of the world.

After a fulfilling breakfast, ease into a relaxing day by the sea. Wander along this beautiful stretch of Spanish coast, paint the stunning views from your terrace balcony, or set off to discover the historic center of Sitges and its marvelous museums.

There will be no shortage of moments to take photographs, fill a sketchbook, and let yourself be inspired by the tranquil atmosphere of this seaside town—a day to follow your own rhythm.

In the evening, an unforgettable culinary experience awaits. Near the bustling La Boqueria Market, you'll push your creative boundaries with Spanish cooking techniques, mastering the flavors of an authentic paella you can recreate once back home—a masterclass you'll remember long after the trip ends.

Savor this wonderful dinner alongside your fellow artists, accompanied by delectable wines from the Catalan region.

After breakfast, your morning begins with a journey to Besalú, a magnificent example of the Catalan Middle Ages in the province of Girona.

Upon arrival, you'll be captivated by the 12th-century Romanesque bridge that spans the Fluvià river. Draw inspiration from this singular view over the water, or from the cobbled streets and timeworn façades of the town center. During the art workshop, the non-painting group will set off for the historic quarter with their guide, discovering its religious and civil monuments and the old Jewish quarter with its medieval public baths.

At lunchtime, everyone gathers to enjoy a generous selection of Spanish and Catalan dishes at a buffet restaurant with an incredible view over the iconic bridge.

The afternoon is given over to exploring the town: crossing the bridge with its eight pointed arches, wandering the narrow cobbled lanes, and making your way up to the viewpoints that open onto panoramic views of the surrounding countryside.

Begin the day with a refreshing breakfast, then regroup for a remarkable excursion to the most iconic of Barcelona's landmarks: the temple of the Sagrada Família by Antoni Gaudí.

Experience this World Heritage monument together with your group of fellow art lovers. Immerse yourself in the basilica's many secrets alongside your official tour guide, and discover how Gaudí drew such profound inspiration from the natural world. Take time to gather reference photographs for future sketches and paintings, and try to capture the details of this expressive, still-evolving architecture.

Pause from the wonder of the morning for lunch in the Gothic Quarter, where you'll spend the afternoon exploring its many boutiques and artisan shops, the Cathedral of Barcelona, and the famous La Rambla.

The retreat draws to a close with a special farewell dinner and wine, marking the end of this artistic journey through Barcelona and the lands around it.