Painting holiday

Italy • Abruzzo • Barrea

Lakes and Valleys
High in the Apennines and home to brown bear, lynx, chamois and wolf lies the Abruzzo National Park, the oldest in Italy. Here we sketch in the high meadows, alongside fast flowing rivers, beside mountain lakes in the some of the many medieval stone villages.

Some of our days

Arrival day

Leaving Rome we arrive in Barrea in time for a short walk to explore by the lake to get to know the local area before dinner.

Down by the waterside

We start our week by the side of the lake. Over the water the medieval village of Barrea climbs the hill reflecting in the lake along with the mountains and skies.

Doorways and geraniums

We start our week in the village of Barrea, with its pretty medieval streets, cascading geraniums, ancient arched doorways and views of the lake.

Watching for wolves

A day in the high meadows enjoying the tranquillity, the flowers, the grandeur of the peaks and the feint possibility of sighting bears and wolves.

Reversing the views

At the far end of the lake lies Villetta Barrea, which offers us images of stone houses, geraniums, the Sangro River and a very different view of the lake.

Free day

A chance to relax, walk or cycle around the lake.

Sketching around Scanno

Made famous by Henri Cartier-Bresson, this lakeside village offers intricate angles of alleys, narrow streets and stairways and more delightful reflections. If you believe Edward Lear it is also home to the most beautiful women in Italy.

Departure day

We depart for Rome airport after an early breakfast.