photo by Lavinia Cernau, on retreat 2019
Slow art Sicily
Salina Island, Sicily / June 7-12, 2026 / (5 nights, 6 days) / from $4100
I LOVE early June by the Mediterranean! Wildflowers, sun and sea, and peaceful pre-holiday travel.. And we’ll be on the prettiest and greenest of the seven Aeolian Islands, and my favorite, Salina. This will be my fifth time hosting a retreat on Salina— and each time I discover something new that I love about it. This year we’ll stay at the most elegant Hotel Signum, where views of the sea are everywhere! A two minute walk into the little town, fifteen minutes to the sea, and an amazing calm throughout — you’ll just have to see it to believe it :) Travel sketchbooking, swimming in the turquoise sea, incredible meals, sunset sea views.. The good life! Slow Art Workshops are for everyone (only draw stick figures? This is for you too!), we’ll let our sketchbook and watercolors be our mindfulness practice to slow down and soak in all the beauty around us. Let the fun begin!
WHAT’S INCLUDED
I’ll organize group transportation from/to Catania CTA Airport and on the island
Accommodations, 5 nights & 6 days
Most meals, seasonal & local
Guided Meditations & Journal Prompts Daily
Daily Slow Art Workshops (Sketchbooking & Watercolor): Still life to color stories, landscapes and abstract.
Prospective Adventures: Visit & swim at Pollara where Il Postino was filmed, a boat trip along the coast to secret swimming spots
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare
Lunches/ free time meals
Art supplies (I’ll give you a list of my favorites & top suggestions)
Transportation if/when traveling separately from the group
Drinks & cocktails (outside Welcome Ceremony and wine with dinner)
Slow Art Prospective Itinerary
Day 1
1:00pm Meet at CTA Catania Intl Airport for group transport (car-ferry-car)
5:30pm Check-in, time to unpack and relax
6:30pm Welcome Ceremony Soirée
7:30pm Sunset Dinner
Day 2
8-10am Breakfast (fit for a queen!)
10-1:00 Sketching & Watercolor Workshop: Still Life and Watercolor Fundamentals, inspired by the island
1:00pm Free time— Lunch at our place, by the pool, in town, or at the beach
5:30pm Meet for cocktails on the terrace for a Sip n’ Sketch* :)
7:00pm Dinner out - handmade pasta, fresh fish, amazing cannoli.
Day 3
8-10am Breakfast
10-1:00 Sketching & Watercolor Workshop: Flora & Fauna, inspired by the island
1:30pm Boat trip or Pollara visit with picnic lunch
5:30pm Sip n’ Sketch :)
7:00pm Free time, Dinner on the terrace?
DAY 4
8-10am Breakfast
10:00 Slow Art Workshop: Color Stories Around Town
1:00pm Free time, perhaps lunch in town then to the beach?
5:30pm Sip n’ Sketch :)
7:00pm Dinner, out on the town!
DAY 5
8-10am Breakfast
10-1:00 Sketching & Watercolor Workshop: Landscapes/ Seascapes
1:00pm Lunch at our place, pool time then shopping in town or to the beach
5:30pm Sip n’ Sketch :)
7:00pm Farewell dinner by candlelight (let’s dress up! Sparkles encouraged)
9:30pm DANCE PARTY !
DAY 6
8-10am Breakfast
11am Check-out, Group travel (car-ferry-car) to Catania Airport CTA, to arrive 2:30-3:30pm
Please submit your requests below, I will consider each according the the order they are received, and for newcomers will schedule a phone interview. We have two retreats here, October 14-19 & October 21-26. Please indicate your preferred dates below.
Room options, priced per person: $4100 Shared Room* (2 twin beds or 1 double bed), $5700 Private Superior Room (Garden View), $6500 Private Deluxe Room (Sea View).
To hold your spot you may pay a deposit of $2000, non-refundable. Remaining balance due in 30 days. * Shared rooms are not bigger and have 2 twin beds. Group size is limited to 10 people.