JOHN COSBY is an american impressionist painter
"While standing on location in a place I have never visited, I begin to recognize what is different about it from all the other places I have been. I try to capture that, the uniqueness," says Cosby
When you paint a scene in any medium there are many decisions that need to be made, both before and during the execution of the painting. In my years of teaching I have found that growth comes most quickly from both in studio and outside instruction, skills that are best delivered in the studio environment and then applied in nature. We will be studying the landscape, architecture and people of this wonderful hill town and the surrounding area. I will present a design and color talk and with animated graphics and lecture to build your understanding of how to control the eye in a painting. I will also teach through Demonstration at my easel and a lot of personal attention at yours. Painting requires making many decisions and if you have the tools to implement them you can capture the look you want in your work, I do my best to put those tools at your disposal.
Refer to the website for details but this 10 days trip will have 5 days of painting and instruction plus 5 days of some interesting side trips. We will take most meals as a group.
Look forward to sharing this special time with you and your plus one if you bring one.
With his bold contemporary style Cosby has captured the imagination of some very important collectors. His work can be found in many private, public and corporate collections around the world. Cosby is recognized internationally. Currently there is a documentary being made about Cosby’s life adventures and accomplishments. This will be released in late 2022 or early 23
You can find out more about John Cosby https://www.cosbystudio.com/
$5,799 per person ($800 fully refundable deposit*)
for non-painter or returning people discount, contact us at italianatours@gmail.com
4-13 October, 2025
Book Now to save your spot!
Terms and Conditions, including our refund policy, are located on the Book Your Tour page.
Dates and pricing
Private transportation to and from Brindisi BDS airport to Martano (please check our time stipulation on day 10)
9 nights accommodation with breakfast at the charming hotel https://www.borgoterra.com/ all bedrooms ensuite (NO supplement for single rooms)
9 dinners, 6 lunches with full beverage service, including wine
Welcome aperitif with John and Piero
Private studio at stunning Palazzo Micali
Opportunities to meet local artists
Private trip on boat and day at the beach
Private Lecce stone workshop
Visit and food and wine tasting at Masseria
Private visit and workshop at the Aloe farm
Private transportation on all excursions
Exclusive 10 days with John Cosby, 24 hours of workshop guaranteed with optional time for plein air
All activities for “non painters” included in the itinerary!
Week-long private guide with Certified International Sommelier Piero
whats included
2025 itinerary
Day 1
-ARRIVAL. *Brindisi BDS is the recommended airport. 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.
-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 our fascinating hotel https://www.borgoterra.com
- Take time to settle in, unpack and explore the beautiful Martano before we all meet up. The hotel is within walking distance of shops, markets, restaurants and village life, unspoiled by time.
- John and our host Piero will welcome you over drinks and give an overview of the 10 days to come. Then pizza time! Enjoy the best pizza in town in an authentic Italian pizzeria.
Day 2
- Wake up to the smell of pastries and espresso. Enjoy a local breakfast at the hotel.
- First full class day with John 9-12: set up the studio and start your adventure!
-NON PAINTERS will have the opportunity to discover the Grecìa Salentina: scenic drive to visit nearby villages. Sit with the locals for an espresso or gelato. With Piero you will never get bored!
- Break for a light lunch in the village center (aka in Italy – two courses only)
- Continuing the class with John 2-5 pm
- Late afternoon we will explore village life, the “Antica Terra” charm. Learn more about Martano’s traditions, spanning over centuries, including its castle, the old Palazzos and the fascinating Menhirs.
- Time to relax and then meet back up for a group dinner at one of the best restaurants in town!
Day 3
- Taste “pasticciotti” and espresso for breakfast at the hotel, followed by our studio painting class with John 9-12:00pm.
-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) . Lunch there and return late afternoon.
- Break for a light lunch
- Afternoon Plein Air session with John in a truly authentic location, 2-5:00pm.
*plein air locations are carefully selected to be near basic amenities such as public restrooms and establishments to buy water.
- Time to relax then group dinner at a new restaurant nearby.
Day 4
- Have you tried the pistachio pastries yet? After breakfast, you will have a morning workshop with John 9-12.
-NON PAINTERS will visit the west coast on the Ionic side. A completely different landscape from the west side coast, with soft sandy beaches called the Maldives of Italy. Opportunity to visit Gallipoli on your own. Piero will provide transportations and logistic info. Return in the afternoon for relax time.
- Break for a light lunch
- Afternoon studio class with John 2-5pm. Take advantage of John’s experience to share and improve your art!
- Dinner in town. One of our favourite degustations!
Day 5
- Leisurely morning and breakfast at the B&B.
- Full studio day en plein air. Morning Outside session near the studio, 9-12 noon.
-Non painters morning dairy experience in a “Caseificio”
- Usual break for lunch
- Afternoon continues with the workshop with John. 2-5 pm
-Non painters afternoon Quad and electric car tours
- Meet that evening for an another amazing dinner at our place: by this point you will know why!
Day 6
- Breakfast at the hotel.
- Aloe Plant Workshop all morning.
-Martano is the “City of the aloe plant”; you will be able to enjoy a private Aloe plant workshop at one of the most traditional Aloe farms of Italy. It’s a great opportunity to discover the Aloe Vera plant in all its uses and healthy properties. The farm is 100% organic, enstablished 20 years ago, and includes olive oil trees, fruit trees and much more.
- Break for lunch.
- Painters in the late afternoon will be able to work independently on their projects.
-NON PAINTERS will be able to enjoy a free afternoon, to visit something new or just unwind. Ask Piero for suggestions.
-Group dinner at “L’ Armonia dei Sapori”, one of the most popular restaurants in the area.
Day 7
- After breakfast, grab your swimsuit and sunscreen: a boat day trip to the seaside is awaiting you!
-Enjoy the marvelous sea of Puglia: this unpolluted and crystal clear water will take your breath away. We will be able to explore the coastline from multiple points of view, while sipping a nice glass of wine and delicius aperitif. Then, time to lay on a sandy beach for a lunch in the marvelous Laghi Alimini area and relax for the rest of the day.
- Return to our location. Dinner in town and end the night with a stroll, a nightcap, and a good night’s sleep.
Day 8
- Breakfast at the hotel and then ready for another authentic Salento’s experience in 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.
-Lunch in Lecce return late afternoon and relax/
- That evening, fancy dinner at one of the best restaurants of Salento.
Day 9
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at the B&B.
-Now that you have all the basics to live like a local, enjoy your free morning with Piero and his team available -for what is possible- for transfers, suggestions and all the help.
- Return to our homebase late afternoon for a group aperitif and farewell dinner where we will raise a glass (or two, or three!) to our 10 days in Salento. Cin-cin! Cheers! And a warm salute until next year!
Day 10
- 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.