You are invited to an exciting 5-day painting holiday in spectacular Mykonos featuring art classes taught by renowned UK artist, Hazel Soan. This is off-season which means the typical hordes of cruise ship passengers and tourists will be hugely diminished. Uncrowded and unhurried, we will discover sunny Mykonos and take an excursion to the island of Delos, one of the most important archeological sites in Greece. Together our small group of 10-15 participants will discover the food, cycladic architecture, culture and art of this country. We are looking forward to making art in good company. 

Meet Hazel Soan

Hazel trained at the Camberwell College of Arts and the Leicester College of Art. She has exhibited worldwide and is remembered well as an Art expert on Channel 4’s popular daytime television programme Watercolour Challenge and for her two series’ of Splash of Colour, made by Anglia TV. Hazel is a bestselling author of numerous highly regarded art tutorial books. Hazel resides in London. Check out Hazel Soan on Wikipedia.

About Mykonos

Mykonos is a premier Greek island in the Cyclades group of islands just 178 km from Athens. It is world-renowned for its stunning beaches and maze of narrow streets built to confuse pirates. The streets are characteristically white-washed and pristine dotted with colourful bright blue doors and shutters and topped by red-roofed domed churches. Some of its iconic windmills are lined up neatly along the shore; the rest scattered about the island.  Mykonos can be reached via a short 45 minute flight from Athens. Average temperatures for that week in November are highs of 18°C (65°F) night time lows of 13°C (56°F)--perfect for a lovely painting holiday!dk

When to Arrive?

Saturday November 21, 2026

Welcome to Mykonos!  Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive by at least Saturday November 21 so that you have time to settle in and possibly to adjust to a new time zone or the vagaries of travel which, as we know, could include a missed or delayed flight. Better to be relaxed at the start of your vacation workshop. **

Warm Up Sketch + Welcome Reception

Sunday November 22, 2026

All workshop participants and nonPainter Companion ticket holders are invited to a welcome reception at 6pm. Below is our proposed itinerary. 

PLEASE NOTE: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Day 1--Workshop #1 Windmills & a Walking Tour

Monday November 23, 2026

Today we will take a short walk from our hotel to Mykonos old town where we will explore some of the 16 windmills still standing on Mykonos. Constructed by the Venetians in the 16th-century, these windmills leveraged the island’s gusty weather to mill primarily wheat, capitalizing on Mykonos’ strategic position along a bustling trade route. Here Hazel will teach Workshop #1.

After lunch we will meet our guide for an historical walking tour of Mykonos.Optional: Meet up in the hotel bar in the evening to finish our paintings.

Day 2--Workshop #2 Little Venice & the Folklore Museum

Tuesday November 24, 2026

Today we will learn more about cyclidic culture with a visit to the Folklore Museum. 

In the afternoon we will explore some of the lovely white-washed streets and alleys in old town Mykonos then settle at a spot right next to the beach where Hazel will teach Workshop #2. 

From here we can see the many colourful balconies on the white house that seem to rise up out of the water and give this area the nickname "Little Venice".

Optional: Meet up in the hotel bar in the evening to finish our paintings.

Day 3--Workshop #3 and a visit to the Delos Archeological Museum + Site

Wednesday November 25, 2026

Today we will visit the neighboring island of Delos, reachable by a short 30-minute boat ride. It is a renowned UNESCO site and you can read more about it HERE. Delos is an uninhabited island, that was was first settled in the third millennium BC. It is considered “the most sacred of all islands” and is protected as an ancient sanctuary and the mythical birthplace of Apollo and Artemis.

Here we will visit the archeological museum and explore the remnants of an ancient civilization at the archeological site taking lots of reference photos for our afternoon Workshop #3 in Mykonos.

Optional: Meet up in the hotel bar in the evening to finish our paintings.

Day 4--Workshop #4 The Village of Ano Mera

Thursday November 26, 2026

Today we will visit the Monastery of Tourliani located just 7km from old town Mykonos in Ano Mera, a traditional village in the heart of the island. Here Hazel will teach Workshop #4.

The monastery, called "Panagia Tourliani", was built in 1542. Panagia means "most holy" and is the primary title for the Virgin Mary in the Eastern Orthodox Church. Greeks often say "panagia mou" (meaning my Holy Mother) when surprised, scared, or to express admiration for something and we'll be keeping our ears open for that :)

Optional: Meet up in the hotel bar in the evening to finish our paintings.

Day 5--Workshop #5 White-washed homes & the Mykonos Archeological Museum

Friday November 27, 2026

Today we will wander along the pristine streets to the port where Hazel will teach Workshop #5.

In the afternoon we will visit the Archeological Museum of Mykonos.

In the evening we will meet one last time to celebrate an amazing week at our Farewell dinner (included).

Departure

Saturday November 28, 2026

It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or you might consider extending your stay so that you can explore on your own some of the nearby towns that we missed!  You're here now--why not enjoy a long, relaxing holiday?

PLEASE NOTE: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Recommended Workshop Supply List

Click HERE.

FAQs

Q: What will my spouse/travelling buddy do while I'm in my art class?

A: Your art class is your time and your spouse/buddy can take this time to explore each village on their own. They will see parts of the village, museums and cafes that you will not have time to see because you will be in your art class. At lunch you can share what you learned in your class and your spouse can tell you about what they discovered during their adventures.

Click HERE for more FAQs.

For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray at Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.

Tour Includes

• A welcome reception
• All art classes
• Ground transportation to the villages and to the museums and sites mentioned
• A farewell dinner 

Tour Excludes

• Flights to/from the area
• Hotel
• Airport pick-up and drop-off
• Meals (except those listed above)
• Painting supplies
• City taxes payable by guest at check out
• Tips and gratuities
• Porterage/luggage handling
• Travel insurance
• Expenses of a personal nature
• Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list

Ticket Prices in USD

Save money by taking advantage of the $200 Early Bird discount!    

*NonPainter Companion tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.

VIP Members get an additional $100 off their ticket price!

This Studio 56 VIP Rewards Program is a new loyalty incentive for VIP Participants who have previously taken part in a Studio 56 Vacation Workshop. Click HERE to learn more.

How to Register for this Workshop

To reserve your spot in this workshop, a $500USD nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300USD nonrefundable deposit is required for nonSketcher Companions 150 days prior to the start of the workshop, that is, June 26, 2026. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop, that is, July 26, 2026.

To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.

PLEASE READ OUR  REFUND POLICY.

Bring a Friend and Get a $50 Rebate

Click HERE to learn more.

Greenlighting a workshop

Workshops are greenlighted when the minimum number of tickets (10) has been sold. All ticket holders will be notified by email when this happens. Please do not book non-refundable flights or accommodation until we have given the go-ahead for the workshop.

Accommodations

Hotel accommodation is not included in this package but a group rate is has been arranged. The Tour Manager and the Workshop Instructor will be staying in a 5-star hotel in old town Mykonos. The hotel features two restaurants, several pools, gardens and a spa.  This hotel is 2.6 km from Mykonos Airport and complimentary round trip airport transfer is included (reservation required). The rooms rates start at 173.40€/night incl tax for a superior double room including breakfast with free cancellation up to 7 days prior to arrival. 

OPTIONAL: Participants may wish to stay in the charming 3-star hotel right next door.

The room rates of the 3-star hotel next door start at 161.50€/night. Email for more info about hotel options and room rates info@studio56boutique.com.

How to Make a Hotel Reservation

Before you make a hotel reservation, click the blue BOOK NOW button below to make your deposit that will ensure that you have a spot in this workshop.

After you have secured your spot in this workshop, you will be sent information about the hotel with instructions for how to book a room. Please do not make nonrefundable flight or hotel reservations before the workshop has been greenlighted.

Participants can stay in this hotel or book into another nearby hotel or Airbnb if they prefer. 

Travel + Medical Insurance

Last minute cancellations in this workshop for any reason are nonrefundable therefore protect your investment in this vacation by purchasing trip cancellation insurance. Click HERE for a list of US trip cancellation insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip using that credit card. Be sure to get medical insurance as well.

Insider Tips

Tip #1

Mykonos is extremely sunny, boasting over 300 days of sunshine annually and a dry, Mediterranean climate. A sunhat and sunscreen are advised. Also clips to hold down your paper as the island can be windy.

Tip #2 

Of course you must try the traditional cuisine of Mykonos! Try as many local specialities as you can. Click HERE to download our recommendations.

Travel Tips

 Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.

Pedestrian Friendly?

Mykonos old town is famously a "pedestrian-only" zone where motorized vehicles are prohibited from the narrow labyrinthine streets. Nevertheless, the streets and sidewalks are cobbled and participants must be fully mobile and able to walk for up to 20 minutes. If you are not fully mobile and able to walk up to 20 minutes, we recommend you consider a different Studio 56 workshop that is less physically demanding. 

Your Tour Manager

Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor, to lead the cultural activities and to ensure that everything runs smoothly.  She has completed the St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid - CPR C - AED training. Learn more about Brenda HERE. 

For More Information

Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.

Book Now

To guarantee your spot in this exciting vacation workshop, participants must pay a $500 deposit by clicking the BOOK NOW button below.

Interested but you have questions? Email Brenda at info@Studio56Boutique.com