Artists' Travel Journal

The first thing you notice on arrival in the town of Annecy high in the Haute-Savoie region is the fresh alpine air and clear blue sky. Its cobbled, medieval streets have that Swiss vibe. Situated as it is on a pristine lake and surrounded by the French Alps, Annecy is the perfect Switzerland proxy. Every bit as charming and sketchable though far less pricey. From the vantage point of the leafy Jardin de l’Europe, the eye travels past the micro Île des Cygnes to the mountains on the other side of Lac d’Annecy: Mont Veyrier, La Tournette and at a distance...

Bruges and Ghent are two nearby medieval towns with stunning architecture and a rich cultural heritage, known for their artisanal beers, charming canals, cozy cafes and magnificent Flemish art. Both towns are UNESCO World Heritage sites. While chocolate and waffles and sweets of all kinds are ubiquitous, these towns are also eye-candy. Colourful buildings, zigzag roof lines, and Flemish spires reflect in the calm canals. It is sketching paradise! Bruges, sometimes called the "Venice of the North" is, of necessity, a city of many many bridges all of which contribute to the abundance of serene landscapes available to sketchers and painters....

Umbria, in the heart of Italy, is a region characterized by gorgeous mountains, valleys and medieval hilltop towns. It's the birthplace of the saints-- St. Benedict, St. Valentine, and of course, St Francis making Assisi a pilgrimage destination since the 13th century. But even with all these attributes it is still less touristy than its neighbour Tuscany though no less gorgeous. 

You're still in North America but it's like stepping into a town in France--old stone houses built in the 17th century, old world charm, Quebecois culture, and magnificent vistas.

Rhodes is the fourth largest Greek Island in the southeastern Aegean Sea and a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Passing through the fortification walls that surround the old city is a step back in time to the middle ages when the Hospitaller Knights of St. John ruled the city for 200 years. Even further, Rhodes is dotted with ruins dating back to ancient times. The question is, where to start sketching first?