Painting Holidays in Puglia

Nicknamed the heel of Italy, Puglia, in Italy’s warm south, offers a charming laid-back atmosphere. The sun-baked land is dotted with fortified castles and whitewashed trulli, Puglia’s distinctive conical-shaped dwellings, and carpeted with a silvery sea of ancient olive groves. It also has an incredibly rich natural larder. The area produces most of the country’s extra virgin olive oil, excellent full-bodied wines and is famous for intensely flavoured olives, almonds and figs. Other specialities include orecchiette pasta, seafood risotto, fava beans and burrata, the supremely creamy cheese similar to mozzarella. You won’t go hungry between your painting holiday sessions here in Puglia.

Sights to savour with your artistic eye include the turquoise sea and long sandy beaches, as well as 13th-century Swabian castle, the city of Lecce’s Baroque churches, the hillside views from Specchia and Otranto cathedral’s amazing mosaic floor, the work of a 12th-century monk. There’s plenty of inspiration for sketching and painting, with help and advice from our resident tutor.

Your Holiday Price Includes:

  • 5 days painting tuition on and-off site with our experienced painting tutor.
  • Private, en-suite accommodation with pool.
  • All meals and wine, including 2 meals at local restaurants.
  • Visits to local towns as per itinerary Lecce, Otranto and Specchia
  • Transport throughout stay in private minibus.
  • Group airport transfers*
  • No single supplement

* Provided you are able to meet them. Please ask for transfer times.

Dates for 2025

Reserve your holiday by paying a deposit of £599 today.

DatePriceAvailability   
Sun 5 Oct - Sun 12 Oct£1899Available Ask a question »

Dates for 2026

DatePriceAvailability   
Sat 9 May - Sat 16 May£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 16 May - Sat 23 May£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 30 May - Sat 6 Jun£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 6 Jun - Sat 13 Jun£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 13 Jun - Sat 20 Jun£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 20 Jun - Sat 27 Jun£1899Available Ask a question »
Sat 5 Sep - Sat 12 Sep£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 12 Sep - Sat 19 Sep£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 19 Sep - Sat 26 Sep£1999Available Ask a question »
Sat 26 Sep - Sat 3 Oct£1899Available Ask a question »
Sat 3 Oct - Sat 10 Oct£1999Available Ask a question »

Painting in Puglia - Itinerary


Day 1 - Group transfer to the villa.

Benvenuti! Welcome to Puglia! You will arrive at the villa where you can settle in, meet your teacher, chef and host. You have the afternoon to relax and explore your surroundings followed by welcome drinks. Dinner this evening is at the villa, prepared by your chef.

Serving Prosecco

Day 2 - Your first painting session: watercolour techniques.

This morning you have your first sketching and painting session with your teacher. This will include discussing the course outline, aims and expectations and getting started. In order to draw, the artist must “see” and your teacher will get you “seeing” and drawing with some practical exercises in beautiful surroundings! The session will be followed by lunch prepared by your chef. The afternoon is yours to continue sketching and painting, or to relax by the pool. Dinner is prepared for you at the villa.

Guests at Santa Maria di Leuca

Day 3 - A visit to Specchia to take in the views.

After breakfast, you will head to Specchia, built on a hilltop position, characterized by noble palaces, historic churches and narrow streets. You will return to the villa for a delicious lunch and then will the afternoon with your tutor to work on your technique. Dinner will be at villa prepared by your chef.

Specchia

Day 4 - Painting session, followed by visit to Castro.

This morning, another painting lesson with your teacher before lunch at the villa. This afternoon, you’ll visit Castro where you’ll have a chance to sketch and explore, enjoy an aperitivo whilst taking in the atmosphere with the locals. You will then return to the villa for dinner.

Painting Holiday

Day 5 - Spend today relaxing by the pool or painting.

Today’s lesson will take place after breakfast and you will develop your watercolour and drawing skills in another painting session with your teacher. The afternoon is yours to continue painting, or to spend relaxing around the villa and pool. Dinner tonight is at the villa.

Holidays in Puglia

Day 6 - A day trip to explore Lecce, Puglia’s most splendid city, plus a stunning local cathedral.

Following breakfast, you’ll have some time to continue with your paintings or relax by the pool. After lunch you’ll be leaving for an afternoon sight-seeing, firstly to Lecce to enjoy a walking tour around the “Florence of the South”. This undiscovered gem hides a wealth of beautiful architecture – it’s even known as the Pearl of the Baroque. You’ll have time for some sightseeing (don’t miss the Roman Amphitheatre or the Basilica di Santa Croce), and some shopping before dinner at a local trattoria.

Gallipoli Puglia

Day 7 - Spend today relaxing by the pool or painting.

Today is your final day of drawing and painting, with time to finish off your works and relax at the villa. Later this evening, we’ll have an exhibition of your artwork to the group, followed by a special farewell dinner prepared by your chef.

Guests Relaxing Chatting by the Pool

Day 8 - Breakfast before our transfer back to Brindisi Airport.

After breakfast, your transfer will collect you and return you to the airport. Arrivederci!

Photography holiday Italy guests banner

* Please note the itinerary is subject to change depending on the weather.

No Single Supplement

A room to yourself. We never charge a single room supplement.

Solo Traveller Friendly

Over 70% of our guests travel solo taking advantage of our no single supplement policy.

Travel Information

The following flight meets our transfer/pick-up times:

London Heathrow (LHR)
British Airways
Outbound 09:45-13:35
Return 14:45-16:45

Please see our transfer times below:

  • On the first day of your holiday, your transfer driver will meet you in the arrivals hall of Brindisi Salento Airport at 2:30 p.m. 
  • On the final day of your holiday, you will be dropped off at Brindisi Salento Airport by noon.

Brindisi Salento Airport Map

Download Our Holiday Brochure

Our brochure includes detailed holiday itineraries, dates and prices, experiences shared by fellow travellers, profiles of our team in Italy, and travel tips.

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Flavours Holidays Brochure Cover

If you might be interested in activities other than Painting, you can find out more about the Pilates, Cooking, Photography activity holidays that we offer in Puglia.

All your questions answered

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