Tour Details
Our Art Retreat takes places in a unique location on the Aeolian Islands of Stromboli and Salina. On Stromboli, daily painting and drawing classes are held on location in the villa and the lush gardens of local sculptor Salvatore Russo whose award-winning sculptures are carved out of the island’s volcanic rock. Russo’s sculptures are dotted throughout the gardens, nestled amongst prickly pear bushes and palm trees, and against the backdrop of Stromboli’s awe-inspiring volcano. We will also visit the neighbouring islands of Lipari, Salina and Panarea for more art inspiration.
Art classes
Classes are run by professional artists with many years of teaching experience. Leading the Retreat in 2024 is ‘Mister’, a London-based artist who exhibits regularly, from London to Los Angeles, and his wife Deborah who collaborates with him, and also exhibits her own work. Both have worked in art education in London previously, have participated in Art Fairs and led many art workshops in the UK and abroad. They will provide personalised guidance and feedback to elevate your artistic skills.
The art classes will explore the unique and captivating surroundings of the islands, using watercolours, with photography as a source material, and also drawing on location with chalk pastels. All materials will be provided, including a sketchbook, backpack with portable chair and easel.
Itinerary
We start with a welcome dinner and an overnight stay in the vibrant city of Catania in western Sicily and then set off early the next morning for the island of Lipari where we enjoy an excellent introduction to the islands on a private guided tour of the ancient citadel and archaeological museum. After a delicious lunch at a renowned fish restaurant, we take a private boat trip to Stromboli.
The first part of the week is an opportunity to experience life in Stromboli, with art classes in and around the island. As on any Aeolian Adventure, exploring food and wine on the islands shares centre stage. We explore culinary traditions and savour the local delights at an agriturismo on the slopes of the volcano.
For anyone with a passion for volcanoes and geology, Stromboli highlights include our hike up Stromboli’s volcano, accompanied by a local volcanology expert, and our evening boat trip, with dinner on board, to watch the night time eruptions. We also take a boat trip to the pocket-sized village of Ginostra, a sleepy hamlet in the south west of the island that is only accessible by sea. A boat trip to the captivating island of Panarea and the islet of Basiluzzo, with its dramatic lava stratifications, is dependent on sea conditions.
During the second part of the week, on Salina, our art locations will include the hotel’s honeysuckle scented terraces and the iconic Bay of Pollara. During our stay here, we also enjoy a wine tasting and lunch at a rustic vineyard overlooking the sea.
Accommodation
Our accommodation on Stromboli is the delightful Gabbiano Relais, a complex of comfortably furnished apartments with a shared pool, just 20m from the water’s edge. We indulge in sumptuous lunches and dinners set in spectacular locations. Breakfast is provided each morning, in the garden, or in the comfort of your own room. On Salina, we stay in the enchanting Hotel Signum, a restored pastel-hued country home where head chef Martina Caruso, the daughter of husband-and-wife owners, is the youngest chef in Italy to receive a Michelin star.
