Retreat description
This is so much more than an art retreat. It’s an opportunity to gather in an inclusive community and find unbridled freedom and joy in intuitive painting. I’ll gently guide you every step of the way in the spirit of play, where experimentation is celebrated, and without judgment. Using inspiration from our gorgeous surroundings in Southern Italy, we’ll explore an array of abstract painting techniques using acrylic paint and mixed media. We’ll be painting authentic and heartfelt work from our guts and letting our unique lived experiences shape our canvases. Through mind, body, and soul practices, we will enliven your already established creative practice or offer a start fresh. I will offer instruction into the intuitive painting process, including prompts to get your started, tips for expressive mark making, techniques for building layers, lessons in color theory, ways to elevate your value and contrast, and so much more. While I'll share plenty of painting tips, techniques, and "rules", I'll also encourage you to break them all. The goal of the retreat is to help you tame your inner critic and release expectations so that you make more instinctual choices and create more freely. There are no mistakes here, perfectionism is a trap, and the possibilities are endless. We’ll focus on the process and not the end result. All art supplies are provided and all levels are welcome.
Dates and pricing
$4,199 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
for our early bird and non-painter discounts contact us at italianatours@gmail.com
Oct 14-20, 2025
SOLD OUT ONLY WAITING LIST
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.
whats included
Private transfer to and from the Brindisi airport, BDS airport (*see time stipulations)
6-night accommodation, breakfast included at https://www.borgoterra.com/
6 dinners & 5 lunches - beverage included
Welcome Aperitif with the artist
Private Aloe plant workshop and dinner at Naturalis Bio Resort
Private tour of Martano and Cistercensi’s monastery
Private guided tour of Lecce
Workshop with Becky at Lecce’s square
Boat day trip and lunch by the seaside in Otranto
Private stunning studio at Palazzo Micali
Opportunities to meet local artists and artisans
All activities for “non painters” included in the itinerary
Exclusive week-long class with Becky Springer
Week-long private guide with Certified International Sommelier
itinerary
Day 1
-Arrival (*BDS Brindisi is the recommended airport). In our commitment to making your traveling experience to Salento as easy and convenient as possible, your host, Piero Pagliardini, will meet you at the airport (*see time stipulations) and escort you to the hotel.
- Take time to settle in, unpack and explore before we all meet up. The hotel is totally immersed in the Martano village life, unspoiled by time.
- Becky and Piero, our host, will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the week to come. Then pizza night! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria. End the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 2
- Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel followed by our first full studio day painting class with Becky. 9-12 pm
- Break for a light lunch at the studio (aka in Italy – two courses only).
-After lunch, time to relax or work independently on your project, followed by afternoon studio class with Becky. 2-5 pm
-Non painters will have the opportunity to discover the Grecìa Salentina: scenic drive to visit nearby villages, to sit with the locals for an espresso and gelato. With Piero you will never get bored!
- After class, all group we will explore village life, the “Antica Terra” charm. Learn about Martano’s traditions, spanning over centuries, including its castle, the old Palazzos and the fascinating Menhirs.
- Time to relax then group dinner at one of the best restaurants in town!
Day 3
- Enjoy a local breakfast of cappuccino and pastries (or pasticciotti) at your hotel.
- Morning studio time with Becky. 9-12pm
- Non painters will venture out for a visit of the Trulli, the traditional dry stone huts with a corbelled roof. We’ll go to visit Alberobello (1 hr drive)
- After lunch, time to relax or work independently on your project, followed by afternoon studio class with Becky. 2-4 pm
- Late afternoon all group, private Aloe plant workshop. Visit to the first organic Aloe and Olive trees farm in Italy! Naturalis Bio Resort is making the history of organic farms!
- Dinner at the Naturalis Bio Resort only with organic and local products.
Day 4
- Grab your swimsuit and sunscreen: a boat day trip to the seaside is awaiting you!
Enjoy the marvelous sea in Puglia: this unpolluted and crystal clear water will take your breath away. We will be able to explore the coastline from an other point of view, while sipping a nice glass of wine, and taste outstanding grilled fish made by the local fishermen. Then, time to discover Otranto on your own or sit down for a gelato or an aperitif.
Late afrternoon return to our hotel for relax time
- Dinner in town!
Day 5
- Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel (have you tried the pistachio pastries yet?), followed by a private guided tour of Lecce.
“Lecce may be called the Florence of the Baroque. In this artistic tendency in Italy, there is nothing that can be compared.” This is how that the historian Gregorovius described Lecce.
It’s a minor Baroque masterpiece, built of a limestone called pietra leccese, that glints gold and cream in the sunlight and that will fascinate you.
- After a traditional lunch, free time to explore more!
- Return to the hotel in the afternoon, time in the studio with Becky. 5 - 8 pm
- Dinner in Martano!
Day 6
- Leisurely morning and breakfast at the hotel.
- Half studio day with Becky. Usual break for lunch then return to the studio for your last class with Becky! We will finish up our paintings and review lessons shared.
- Non painters will visit a typical masseria, where olive oil, wine and other traditional Apulian products are produced. You will taste them all and try to decide which one is your favorite!
- Afternoon free time to pack and shopping at the hotel.
- Meet that evening for a farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our week in Puglia. Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next year!
Day 7
- We recommend booking a night or two in Brindisi at the end/beginning of your trip to explore this beautiful city and to make your departure/arrival flights more convenient. Please contact us for recommendations.
- Departures , hotel check-out at 11:00
Time Stipulations:
-Arrival day pick-ups at BDS Brindisi airport will be offered between 12:00-3:00 p.m.
Departure day, in order to arrive for your flight with ample time, we recommend scheduling departing flights after 4:00 p.m.
- Pick-up and Departures from other locations, or at times outside these parameters can be arranged at an additional fee.