LIVING THE ARTIST’S DREAM IN PORTUGAL
Medieval castles and villages, golden beaches, great food, haunting music and idyllic scenery. Join English artist, Noel Bensted & host Kerri Ainsworth for an 11-day painting and sightseeing adventure, based in Lisbon and Óbidos.
11-DAY ART WORKSHOP IN PORTUGAL (MAY 27 - JUNE 6, 2024)
Lisbon is a city of Moorish castles and Gothic cathedrals, of solemn monasteries and whitewashed villas tumbling all the way down to the sea. Its traditional music, Fado will captivate your imagination - mournfully beautiful, haunting ballads about lost sailors, broken hearts and bittersweet romance. We will be staying in a beautiful boutique hotel in a very traditional part of Lisbon, the Alfama, a maze of narrow Medieval streets, small squares, and charming historical buildings, on a hill between the Tagus river and the São Jorge Castle.
Enchanting Óbidos, our second location, is one of Portugal's most beautiful destinations and one of Europe's best-preserved medieval villages. Perched on a hilltop and surrounded by a fortified wall, it is a maze of narrow streets, white houses, colourful window boxes and picturesque views.What better way to absorb the wonders of Portugal than to spend time drawing and painting in the company of like-minded people under the guidance of a gifted teaching artist.
ABOUT THE ARTIST | NOEL BENSTED
Noel's love of colour and light and his fascination with people and culture have developed into a passion for travelling, painting and exploring the exotic landscapes of Morocco, Seville and Cuba. Noel's artwork is driven by a love of narrative, capturing fleeting moments in time and imbuing them with a filmic quality. For this reason, he always works from life.
Noel has a BA and MA from the Royal College of Art, London. He has exhibited extensively throughout the UK and the USA, including solo shows from 2004 at the Medici Gallery in London. As well as Morocco, he has travelled and painted throughout the cities and landscapes of America, Cuba and Europe.
HOST | KERRI AINSWORTH | ART TRAVEL ADVENTURES
Kerri is an Artist and Set Designer with over 25 years’ experience working in the film, television and events industries. Her creative career has included illustration, set design, installation art and teaching. Kerri has a Degree in Drawing and Masters Degree in Design from the University of NSW, specialising in Public Art Installation, Event Design and Sustainable Practice. Inspired by her passion for art and travel for people, like herself, looking for a more authentic and memorable travel experiences, she founded ART Travel Adventures. Kerri has travelled extensively and like Noel, speaks Spanish.
ACCOMMODATION IN LISBON - POUSADA DE ALFAMA
The Pousada de Alfama came about from the restoration of a historic building while combining the traditional with the contemporary, right in the heart of the Portuguese capital. Located in the Alfama district, it is the perfect spot to explore the city by foot and from where you can experience the city’s most beautiful sunsets.
ITINERARY
DAY 1 - MONDAY, MAY 27 (LISBON)
Welcome to beautiful Lisbon, where you will be spending the next 5 days painting, drawing and exploring this fascinating city. On arrival, you will be met by our representative and transferred to your accommodation. We will be based in the centrally located boutique hotel Posada Alfama. In the late afternoon, Noel and Kerri will discuss with you the workshop itinerary. This evening enjoy a Welcome Dinner at Ousada de Lisboa with the group, our host Kerri Ainsworth and artist Noel Bensted. (D)
DAY 2 - TUESDAY, MAY 28 (LISBON)
This morning after breakfast we will explore our local area on foot with a guide (3 hrs), soaking up Lisbon’s lifestyle, history and culture. We will explore Baixa, the old downtown district of the city – tasting the famous Pastel de Nata (custard tart). Get to know Chiado, the glamorous part of the city with its iconic cafés and shops. Visit Alfama, a beautifuly ancient Moorish neighbourhood and stop at a wine bar to taste the local wine. This afternoon we will paint and draw on location with Noel. (B)
DAY 3 - WEDNESDAY, MAY 29 (LISBON)
Today after Noel’s demonstration and talk, we will spend the day painting and drawing around Alfama, one of the more traditional disticts of Lisbon, capturing its village flavour, in the medieval alleys with their wrought-iron balconies and tiny squares.
This afternoon is at your leisure, as tonight we will go on an evening walking tour of Lisbon’s musical and culinary heritage in the heart of the old district of Mouraria to view the city by night and enjoy authentic Fado music at a local restaurant. Take in sweeping views of the sunset in this intoxicating city from the viewpoints of the Castle Hills, some of the city’s best-kept secrets. Next, travel deep into the soul of Lisbon while exploring the Alfama neighborhood. This is the oldest quarter in the city, dating back to the Moorish occupation of Lisbon. Explore Alfama’s small squares, rustic buildings and dark alleyways as you wander along the winding, cobblestone streets. Stop to breathe in the exciting atmosphere as the local taverns and music venues come to life for another evening of melodic tunes and gastronomic delights. (B,D)
DAY 4 - THURSDAY, MAY 30 (LISBON)
This morning Noel will give a painting demonstration after which we will base ourselves on the hotel terrace, a perfect vantage point, looking across the bay from which to draw and paint. This afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
DAY 5 - FRIDAY, MAY 31 (SINTRA)
Today we will go to Sintra, a place full of magic and mystery famous for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture, historic estates and villas, gardens, and royal palaces and castles, which resulted in the classification of the town as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a walk through the mysterious Pena Park , with an astonishing variety of plants and trees and the romantic Pena National Palace at the top of the Sintra Mountain with amazing views of the Moorish castle.
After lunch visit Quinta da Regaleira which is like travelling to an imaginary universe full of symbols and metaphor. We head back to Lisbon in the late afternoon. (B,L)
DAY 6 - SATURDAY, JUNE 1 (OBIDOS)
Today we depart Lisbon for the next part of our Portugal Art adventure, arriving in the beautiful medieval village of Óbidos. This afternoon at 4.30pm we will go on a guided walking tour of the village, through its narrow, cobblestone streets of Moorish and Jewish neighbourhoods. (B)
DAY 7 - SUNDAY JUNE 2 (OBIDOS)
After a painting demonstration in the morning, we will spend the day exploring, painting and drawing under the guidance of our teaching artist, Noel Bensted. (B)
DAY 8 – MONDAY, JUNE 3 (OBIDOS)
This morning after breakfast, Noel will give a painting demonstration. The rest of the morning will be spent painting out on location. The afternoon is at your leisure. (B)
DAY 9 – TUESDAY, JUNE 4 (OBIDOS)
Today will travel to the town of Coimbra famous for its university and Joanine Library, where we will commence our visit. After lunch we will explore the historic centre stopping by the Coimbre Contemporary Art Centre. After we will visit a special street art/intervention, a project sponsored by the City Hall. Before returning to Óbidos, we will stop at Coimbra train station to see a wall covered in street art. (B,L)
DAY 10 – WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5 (OBIDOS)
We will spend the morning finishing off our paintings under Noel’s guidance. This afternoon is at your leisure and this evening we will get together for a Farewell Dinner at Pousada do Castelo. (B,D)
DAY 11– THURSDAY, JUNE 6 (LISBON)
Today is our last day. After a long and lazy breakfast, we say farewell to our newly made friends and continue our onward journey back to Lisbon where our bus will drop us off at the airport or the hotel, if you are extending your visit. (B)
NOTE:
This workshop is suitable for all levels of experience. For partners who don’t wish to participate in the workshop, there are plenty of activities of interest. There are great places to just wander, explore, photograph and hang out.
This trip involves walking to locations each day on uneven surfaces, so for this reason is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.
All our tours are very flexible and this one in particular is based on the principle of slow-travel. Apart from your art materials, all you need is a creative spirit and sense of adventure.
A NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT OF $1,000 IS REQUIRED TO CONFIRM YOUR BOOKING
ART Travel Adventures Pty Ltd
www.arttraveladventures.com.au
Phone: +61 (0) 417 033233