Painting holiday in Chianti, Italy

2nd June - 9th June 2025

The perfect place for an art retreat. Ancora del Chianti is an ancient stone farmhouse located in the Chianti wine region in central Tuscany, surrounded by spectacular scenery. An unforgettable experience in this charming hilltop retreat located near the market town of Greve and the medieval hilltop village of Montefioralle. Enjoy a rejuvenating week of painting and sketching with tutor Pam Smart. The farmhouse is surrounded by gardens offering a peaceful area for sunbathing where deckchairs and comfortable hammocks invite guests to experience the “Dolce far Niente” (the sweet joy of doing nothing!). Enjoy the breathtaking scenery with distant views of historic villas, castles and hill top villages set amongst vineyards and olive groves.

The rooms are simple and decorated in traditional rustic Tuscan style with terracotta tiled floors and wooden beamed ceilings. All rooms have an en-suite bathroom. Laura, the owner, has managed to retain the typical rustic style of the farmhouse, adding discreet personal touches which, alongside her watercolours, enhance the surroundings with refreshing originality. Each room is individually styled and reflects the owners’ passion for art, creativity and the Chianti countryside.

In the bathroom, toiletries (hand soap, shampoo and shower gel) have a rich nourishing formula based on Tuscan olive oil with a pleasant and fresh natural fragrance assuring wellbeing to body and mind.

“I learnt so much from the demos and you were always in the wings to give me advice on colour mixing and much more. I feel that, through your teaching I improved a lot and it inspired me when I got home to paint more. Hard to put into words but it is one of the best holidays that I have been on and I'm looking forward to a week next year” HP

Your wonderful hosts for the week are Laura and Filippo who moved from the city to embrace rural life in Chianti. They restored the old farmhouse, the vineyards and the garden with great enthusiasm, and Ancora del Chianti, became the first eco-friendly Bed and Breakfast in Chianti. Now they produce their own wine and olive oil.

"We believe in the promotion of sustainable tourism and are dedicated to organic farming methods. The vines, the olive trees, the garden and the vegetable patch are tended without the use of pesticides weedkiller or chemical fertilisers, favouring more traditional farming, pruning and harvesting methods in order to enjoy the authentic flavours of the past in a beautiful and healthy environment for ourselves, our guests and the animals that live here."

Teaching sessions take place in the spacious light studio which has panoramic views overlooking the garden, vineyards and olive groves. The teaching group will be small and between 9 and 12 people. Laura, your host has created a beautiful garden which is in tune with the natural landscape and there are plenty of quiet corners if you prefer to work outside. A full day sketching trip to Montefioralle and Greve is included and you will also have the option for a wine tour or visit to Florence.

“The best saved to the last - Pam’s teaching was effective and enjoyable. Activities were well planned and prepared. Introductory demonstration and ‘talk through’ was supported by follow up guidance as required and was always developmental and insightful. Participants were able to follow their own artistic inclination should one aspect of the course capture their particular interest. The group was mixed, some experienced and talented painters, though to me ‘the beginner’. My apprehensions were laid to rest. Pam’s course was pitched to be inclusive and I was able to progress with my desire to paint flowers, throughout the week, using the impressionist techniques which Pam introduced at the beginning. I learned a lot and look forward to next year’s ‘jolly’ with Pam which I have already booked” LE

The holiday includes breakfast, lunch and dinner (except 2 lunches on days out) Laura is an excellent cook and dishes are homemade and freshly prepared using local tuscan produce. They also grow their own tomatoes and vegetables for use in the kitchen. A delightful breakfast is served on the outdoor terrace or in the breakfast room - it offers sweet and savoury delights including yoghurt, cereal, muesli and an assortment of hot drinks (coffee, tea, herbal teas) and fruit juices together with cold cuts, cheese, fresh fruit or vegetables. A light lunch and three course dinner will be served on the terrace.

Drinks are not included but they have an honesty bar with a selection of soft drinks, local wines and alcoholic beverages.Tea and coffee-making facilities are included and are available in the communal kitchen.

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Cost of holiday

Sharing a double or twin room with en suite: TOTAL £1255 per person - this includes the tutor’s fee of £300 which is paid as a deposit to Pam Smart. The payment for accommodation and food etc is paid in euros (€1135 pp) directly to the hotel. Ask about non painting partners.

Single person in a double en-suite room: TOTAL £1520 - this includes the tutor’s fee of £300 which is paid as a deposit to Pam Smart. The payment for accommodation and food etc is paid in euros (€1450 pp) directly to the hotel

What is included

5 days of tuition with Pam Smart

7 nights accommodation in a double/twin room with en suite

7 breakfasts

4 lunches

7 dinners - including 1 night out at a local pizzeria

Tea and coffee available in the communal kitchen

Exclusive use of the studio

1 day sketching trip to Montefoiralle and Greve

Private taxi transfer from Pisa Airport (1h 30 min transfer)

Not included

Flights - you must arrange your own flight