Painting holidays in Italy

Where we paint - click on a region

From the lakes and mountains in the furthest north to the archaeological wonders of Sicily off the southernmost tip, everywhere you look in Italy there is a view to inspire art, nowhere more so than in Tuscany and Umbria.

In Tuscany we find ourselves stepping straight into the landscape of a Renaissance painting; rolling green hills and vineyards with rows of cypress trees creating perspective. Our painting holiday is based in the little Etruscan town of San Quirico d'Orcia, near Pienza in the province of Siena, with open squares, historic churches and views to paint at every turn.

Umbria is the green heart of Italy, with its patchwork of olive groves, cheese farms, almond and apricot orchards, tranquil river valleys and fortified hilltop towns. We stay in Todi, a handsome town with castellated historic buildings and plenty of fashionable shops and terrace cafes.

We are delighted to launch two new painting holidays in Italy. Venice is simply unique. One of the most cultural cities in the world, it was a hub for the art academies founded in the Renaissance. The grandeur of St Mark's Square and open vistas of the seashore contrasts with narrow misty canals, moonlight reflected on the waterways, romantic foot bridges and masquerade shops. Your sketchbook will be filled with ideas.

Our holiday in Sicily offers painters a taste of la dolce vita. We stay in a country house estate with botanical gardens where we can work on our paintings or relax by the pool. Those who can pull themselves away are free to explore the island's ancient wonders and heritage sites. Sicily has hosted every major culture over 3000 years, presided over by Mt Etna. Phoenicians and ancient Greeks have left their Doric temples, Romans and Byzantines their relics. Archimedes had his Eureka! moment here and St Paul founded the Roman Catholic empire preaching in Syracuse.