Cecelia Jurgens
Painting Adventures
Painting Adventures
Portugal Enjoy a week filling your sketchbook journal from the ocean vistas to the stunning hills of Portugal. Start with a few relaxing days on the Atlantic Ocean in picturesque San Martinho do Porto with colourful fishing boats in the bay. The hubbub of the Atlantic port of Porto will offer many sketching opportunities from antique boats to the interesting architecture of the waterfront buildings. Happily we spend the next four days in the tranquility of the Douro Valley to capture the steep terraced vineyards and the placid Douro River below.
Pencao Atlantico, San Martinho (3–night stay) Your first few days in Portugal you will have the luxury of your own private room in this beach town hotel. This hotel is family run and offers a lovely breakfast and full restaurant services.
Hidden amongst the vineyards in the Douro Valley the picturesque Casa do Visconde de Chanceleiros, Pinhao (4–night stay) will entice you to stay forever. Cecelia calls this "a piece of paradise". Ursula and Kurt with their friend Adelaide have welcomed visitors to their guesthouse for over 14 years and offer exquisite meals with an Austrian flare. http://www.chanceleiros.com
Spain Not far from the Spanish–Portugeuse border is our next stop in Toro, Spain. Storks reign in this medieval town as their nests are found on every bell tower in sight. It is easy to capture these awkward birds as they hover over their offspring. The half timbered houses and crooked roofline of the main streets could keep you sketching for hours. Then we are off to beautiful Madrid where we will stay in a modern hotel in the center of the old city within walking distance of all the sites. A city tour will acquaint you with the unique architecture of this magnificent city. Enjoy many sketching opportunities in the plazas of the neighbourhood and a visit to the famous Prado Museum. A Flamenco dinner evening will have us bid adieu to Spain.
Hotel Juan II, Toro (2–night stay) The location of this hotel is perfect as it has a watchtower view of the fertile Douro Valley and is within the perimeter of the ancient city of Toro. From here it is easy to wander around in this quiet cobblestone town to stimulate your senses. The hotel has full restaurant facilities and a great view. http://www.hoteljuanii.com
Hotel Alicia, Madrid (2–night stay) In the heart of Madrid this modern, upscale hotel has all the comforts of home and is situated within walking distance of the Prado Museum and the Plaza Mayor. Many outdoor cafes and tapas bars offer a wide array of Spanish delights including jamon, queso and sangria. http://www.room-matehotels.com
Morocco Extension – This little extension on the Sketchbook Artist Workshop will transport us back in time 2000 years as we stay in the heart of the medina in Marrakech. Unbelievable is how Cecelia described her first impression after alighting from the taxi in front of our Riad Catalina. A Riad in Morocco is a luxury guesthouse whose entrance is a garden with a fountain. Outside the friendly Moroccans will greet us, show us things we can’t imagine and coax us into buying spices, trinkets and natural paint pigments for our art supply boxes. Enjoy this different world in the Souks (covered markets) and the bustling FNAA (large plaza) with exotic sights, sounds and smells to stimulate our senses.
Riad Catalina, Marrkech, Morocco (3–night stay) It is hard to describe the contrast of the luxury of this riad in the heart of Marrakech and the narrow streets with donkey carts and local wares. We have the privilege to use the Riad’s pool as well as dine in the restaurant. A typical Moroccan breakfast of breads, crepes, fruits and homemade jams will await us in the mornings. You have your choice of strong coffee or mint tea served in a very exotic fashion. http://www.riadcatalina.com
| May 4 | AC flight | Saskatoon to Lisbon |
| May 5 | Arrival in Lisbon Airport | Transfer to San Martinho, Portugal |
| May 5 – 11 | One week in Portugal | Atlantic Ocean and Douro Valley |
| May 12 – 15 | Four nights in Spain | Toro and Madrid |
| May 16 | AC flight | Madrid to Saskatoon |
| Marrakech Extension | May 16 – 20, 2009 | |
| May 16 | Flight | Madrid to Marrakech |
| May 16 – 18 | Three nights | Marrakech, Morocco |
| May 19 | Flight and overnight | Madrid |
| May 20 | AC flight | Madrid to Saskatoon |
| Tour package with International flight | $4540 |
| Tour package without International flight | $3090 |
| Artist Tuition | $200 |
| Marrakech option (based on 16 PAX) | $1290 |
| Deposit to hold space | $500 |
| Installment – October 1, 2008 | $2040 |
| Marrakech option – January 20, 2009 | $1290 |
| Final Payment – March 1, 2008 | $2000 |
What is included:
What is not included:
| Home | Watercolours | Pastels | Acrylics | Painting Adventures | Workshops |