Painting Holiday with Hazel Soan

May 11-15, 2027

PLEASE NOTE: THE $200 EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT EXPIRES Dec 12, 2026

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 Puglia

Puglia, the "heel of Italy's boot", is celebrated for its sun-drenched coastlines, ancient olive groves, and whitewashed hill towns. It offers a slower, authentic Mediterranean lifestyle, iconic conical-roofed trulli houses, and incredible cucina povera dishes like orecchiette pastaOur home base will be Bari which is just a short flight from Rome. Average temperatures for that week in November are highs of 20°C (67-69°F) night time lows of 11°C (51-54°F)--perfect for a lovely painting holiday!dk

When to Arrive?

May 9, 2027

Welcome to Puglia!  Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive by at least Sunday May 9 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

May 10, 2027

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 Bari

May 11, 2027

Today we will take a short walk from our hotel to the historical centre of Bari where we will explore

Here Hazel will teach Workshop #1.

[insert painting Hazel]

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

Day 2--Workshop #2 Martina Franca

May 12, 2027

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

[insert painting Hazel]

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". 

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

Day 3--Workshop #3 Alberobello

May 13, 2027

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.

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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.

[insert painting Hazel]

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

Day 4--Workshop #4 Matera

May 14, 2027

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.

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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 Polignano + Monopoli

May 15, 2027

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

Departure

May 16, 2027

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, Dec 12, 2026. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop, that is, Jan 11, 2027.

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

Travel Tips

 Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.

Pedestrian Friendly?

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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, Croatia, Cuba, England, France, Germany, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Montenegro, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Scotland, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Turkey, 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