Have you dreamed of traveling to Greece? Well, your dreams can come true! Escape with Lori McNee for a plein air painting workshop to historic and magnificent Athens and Hydra (Greek Islands) for a very special Paint Europe Trip , October 8-14, 2023.
Join me (Lori McNee) on a 5 Star, plein air painting workshop adventure hosted by my friend Tom Harter of Walk Europe/Paint Europe – specialty tours with concierge service.
We will be traveling from Athens to Hydra (Greek Islands) for a spectacular plein air painting and cultural trip of a lifetime! As a result, this will be another bucket-list trip for me! Read on to discover more…
“There are places on Earth where God has reached down from Heaven and touched in a special way, places where you feel like you’re standing in the palm of His hand. When you find it, you know it, your soul knows it.” – Michael Traveler, author of MIRACLE ROAD
Why Hydra? Here are some compelling reasons…
- Hydra has always been the artists’ muse of the Greek Islands. A magnet for artists with a picturesque harbor, hillside mansions and sparkling seas, Hydra boasts a relaxed artsy vibe.
- Known as the Pearl of the Aegean Sea, Hydra is favored for its marvelous pebbled beaches with crystalline waters and spectacular sunsets.
- In Hydra, dolphins and seals come to play in its waters without fear and visitors experience kindness, generosity and hospitality.
- There are hiking routes across the island where wildflowers bloom and orange trees grow in abundance.
- Cosmopolitan and chic, Hydra has managed to preserve its traditional flair as its original architecture. The picturesque port is dotted with lavish, pastel-hued mansions that date back to the late 18th century.
- Hydra is known for its marvelous pebbled beaches with crystalline waters and the sunsets are spectacular to watch.
- Everything you need is within walking distance. But, should you decide to venture a bit further, the island’s mules, donkeys and horses are the favored mode of transportation. There are over 1000 donkeys on Hydra! Visitors can ride the donkeys from the port and through the cobbled lanes which are home to the revered Aegean type street cats.
Hydra is famous!
- Many Hollywood movies have been filmed in Hydra. When asked, Sophia Loren praised Hydra as “one of the most beautiful places in the world.”
- Hydra mesmerized Jackie Kennedy and has been a favorite playground to the likes of Aristotle Onassis, Elizabeth Taylor, Richard Burton, Sophia Loren, Princess Di, The Beatles, Eric Clapton and The Rolling Stones, to name a few.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE AMAZING PICTURES OF HYDRA
HYDRA (GREEK ISLANDS)
EN PLEIN AIR PAINTING TRIP
with ARTIST LORI McNEE
7 Days / 6 Nights
October 8 – 14, 2023
From $4,725
($4,725 – Early-Bird Discount – Save $250 by signing up and full payment before January 30, 2023)
The Itinerary Cliff Notes:
*There will be an optional pre-tour guide tour of the Acropolis on Sunday for anyone arriving to Athens early.
SUNDAY, MONDAY
- Our Grecian plein air painting workshop adventure starts with two nights (Sunday & Monday) in an oasis luxury hotel in Athens in the historical heart of the city. On Sunday evening we will enjoy a welcome dinner with our fellow workshop participants.
- Monday will be a full day spent painting in Athens where we will paint Athens archeological landscapes and neighborhood scenes. The morning will start with a painting demo and then group plein air painting in The Agora archeological site with the Temple of Hephaestus. Then, in the late-afternoon I will lead a “golden hour” painting session in Athens’ historical and colorful Plaka neighborhood, with its labyrinthine streets and Neo-Classical architecture.
TUESDAY
- On Tuesday morning we will take a 1-1/2 hr jet-foil ride from Athens’ port to the Greek Island of Hydra, one of the prettiest spots in Greece. We will check into our luxury hotel and then paint in Hydra on Tuesday afternoon. We will be staying in at a luxury boutique hotel and painting each day at different locations.
WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY
- On Wednesday, Thursday & Friday we will paint the island’s whitewashed houses and churches, ancient stone windmills, and stunning coastline scenes.
- There will be personal free time for added individual painting, shopping in village boutiques, going for a horseback ride, swimming in the Aegean Sea, taking a Greek cooking class or relaxing at outdoor cafes.
- Optional before breakfast group pleasure walks are organized for travelers who want some morning exercise before starting their vacation day.
*The trip includes many extras including a welcome reception with Greek wines and hors d’oeuvres, Greek wine tasting session, and a farewell gala dinner with traditional Greek cuisine and wines.
($4,725 – Early-Bird Discount – Save $250 by signing up and full payment before January 30, 2023)
Each day we’ll feed our creative souls. There will be plein air painting sessions in a variety of beautiful locations with demos and individual instruction as well as free-time to explore offered each day.
- Open to painters of all levels – beginners to professionals.
- Non-painter friends and spouses of artists are invited to join the trip at a reduced cost.
- Oil, gouache and watercolor are welcome! Sketchbook journal artists are welcome too. (I will be painting and demoing in solvent-free oils and gouache).
- Don’t forget to bring your camera!
Each day provides beautiful settings for a week filled of joyous plein air painting! We will be painting daily. You will take home your paintings along with many treasured memories of a fabulous Greece painting holiday & creative adventure.
What’s Included:
- Daily demonstrations by Lori McNee.
- Daily sketching and painting sessions with Lori McNee.
- Six nights in personally-selected premiere/luxury 5-star hotels.
- Daily hotel buffet breakfasts.
- Welcome Reception – with Greek wines and hor d’oeuvres hosted by Lori McNee and Paint Europe.
- Retsina Wine Tasting Session hosted by Paint Europe.
- Cocktail Hour Soirees – enjoy before dinner gatherings with local Greek wines hosted by Paint Europe.
- Gala Farewell Dinner – with Greek cuisine and wines hosted by Paint Europe.
- Castle/fort/palace and villa/garden entrance fees for all group activities.
- Optional Morning Pleasure Walks – before breakfast group pleasure walks.
- Villa/garden/museum entrance fees for all group activities.
- Ground transportation for all group activities, including inter-Greece ferry transportation, and local water taxis.
individual painting, shopping in village boutiques, going for a horseback ride, swimming in the Aegean Sea, taking a Greek cooking class or relaxing at outdoor cafes.
Trip Cost:
Premiere/Luxury 5-Star Hotels
$4,725 – Early-Bird Discount – Save $250 by signing up and full payment before January 30, 2023
$4,975 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room. Tour cost does not include airfare.
$1,250 – Added cost for single room accommodation option (limited availability).
Arrival & Departure City:
Athens, Greece
Trip Hosts:
Lori McNee, Artist & Instructor – More About Lori
Tom Harter, WalkEurope President – More About Tom
