TRAVEL and MAKE ART
in 4 beautiful locations
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with
2027 - dates to be confirmed (15 days/14 nights)
- LISBON (6 nights)
- ALENTEJO MONASTERY (3 nights)
- ARABIC HILL TOWN (3 nights)
- MOUNTAIN SPA RESORT (2 nights)
Here is a warm invitation to join me in Springtime Portugal to make art every day alongside practicing artists and craftspeople whilst exploring the vibrant arts scene of Lisbon, before we head off towards the Spanish border and wend our way through the Alentejo. Staying in wonderful locations, working with more artists and tucking into the fabulous wines and food of this distinctive region, you'll spend the last two days basking in the warm mineral waters of a famous spa resort!
This creativity retreat is for only 12 curious travellers who love learning about culture, creating art and trying new things ... suitable for newcomers and anyone who loves making stuff, drawing,, printmaking, and creating ceramic designs ... for starters!
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You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.
MAYA ANGELOU
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WHY PORTUGAL?
Lisbon is one of the most dynamic and vibrant European cities I know - steeped in history, yet forward -looking with a style that is uniquely Portuguese. I lived here half a lifetime ago and taught English. During that time I was friends with artists, including a memorable acquaintance with Paula Rego, probably Portugal's most recognised female artist of the C20th.
In 2025, after spent many weeks living in Lisbon and travelling slowly through the south I curated this arts journey to distill the best that I experienced. Designed to connect you with the teachers whose tuition and outcomes I found most successful, staying in places that may not jump to mind immediately, but which repay the journey ... and of course the history. The history:
When Portugal’s King Joao set his sights on wresting the lucrative spice trade from the Venetians’ monopoly,
he needed, first, to learn the secrets of the Indian Ocean, whose currents and had long been mastered by Arab sailors. Along its treacherous, watery perimeters, merchants from ‘the east’ had traded for centuries, bringing all manner of exotica to Cairo, from whence it made its way, prices increasing with each transaction, to satisfy the cravings of medieval and early Renaissance Europe.
The man whom history remembers as the first to discover a sea route from Europe to India, dwelt, not on a rocky cliff overlooking the Atlantic, but deep in the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo region; it was from here, Evora, that Vasco da Gama rode to nearby Estramoz, to personally accept from King Joao, his instructions to lead the fleet which would initiate Portugal’s spectacular naval dominance and the birth of global trade.
Just 130 km east of Lisbon, Evora is so precious that the entire town has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With its uniquely rich history during which Neolithic man, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors have all played their part, this walled city will be celebrated as the European City of Culture in 2027. It's our first port of call when we leave Lisbon.
In 2026 you are invited to join Anna Kwiecinska here on a journey of arts discovery
What You'll Do In The Workshops - all private classes for our group
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A cyanotypes workshop
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a book-binding workshop to create your own travel journal for this trip
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an urban sketching workshop with an artist/ architect
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a botanical sketching workshop in a unique location with one of Portugal's noted graphic artists
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3 ceramics workshops to design and decorate table ware forms using a variety of techniques all taught by a professional ceramicist in a private class. This is chosen instead of hand-building, as usually it's the glazing and decorating that is most difficult for which to find studio opportunities. Your work will be fired and ready for you to use.
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Arabic calligraphy workshop
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Jewellery making workshop - you'll take home a pair of silver earrings!
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en plein air urban sketching in an ancient hilltown with a long history of Arabic occupation and culture
Come with curiosity, and return home with all the techniques you've learnt, the drawings you've made, the ceramics you've painted, the prints you've created, a hand-made travel journal to store your impressions, dreams and ideas ... and wearing the earrings you made yourself!
THE ITINERARY
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DAY 1 MAY 5 ARRIVAL DAY into LISBON (x nights)
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DAYS 2 MAY 6 - ART workshops and guided tours and visits in LISBON
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DAY 3 MAY X Private bus transfer to historic ALENTEJO CONVENTO (3 nights)
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DAYS 4- 8 MAY X - X 2 days in secluded countryside monastery retreat
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DAY 9 MAY x Private bus transfer to MERTOLA - ancient Arabic hilltown (3 nights)
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DAY 10 MAY x 2 days in Mertola with 3 private workshops and guided walk
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DAY 12 MAY x Private bus transfer to historic mountain spa resort MONCHIQUE (2 nights)
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DAY 13 MAY x Spa package t relax and rejuvenate in mineral waters
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DAY 13 MAY x Private bus transfer via west coast and lunch at ZAMBUJERA, to LISBON (1 night)
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DAY 14 MAY x DEPARTURE DAY
Following a full week staying in the picturesque district of Alfama, with daily workshops, private guided museum visits and gastronomic forays, and exploring Lisbon with Anna and our professional guides, whose walks will highlights aspects of Portuguese history that live below the surface, you’ll travel by private coach to our first destination in the Alentejo.
Although one can travel for kilometers and see only cork tree plantations, it makes the appearance of the towns even more anticipated. Discover squares beyond their whitewashed walls as you follow alleys to find an astonishing range of restaurants, patisseries and cafes tucked into corners - Alentejo’s cuisine is rooted in its past – since Roman times the region has produced some of the finest olive oil and today produces 90% of all Portugal’s olives, and 50% of its wines. Traditional restaurants take superb local ingredients and with simple cooking techniques, create regional cuisine based on rich and robust flavours – aromatic herbs, tangy cheeses, smoked meats, Atlantic fish and celebrated hams.
We will head to Evora - the town where Vasco da Gama lived - a beautiful walled town of Evora, and a UNESCO World Heritage site, chosen to be the European City of Culture in 2027. We'll take a guided walk and enjoy some free time to enjoy a coffee before continuing towards the Sanish border to spend 3 nights in a magnificent monastery - called a convento.
Immerse yourself in the contemplative beauty of this magnificent 17th century rural monastery nestled amongst cool pine forests. With exquisite cuisine taken in the frescoed refectory and the opportunity for a guided wine tasting, you can relax by its two swimming pools, walk its forested tracks, sink deeply into comfy armchairs in hidden nooks, and marvel at the 54,000 hand-painted azuelos tiles that line the hundreds of meters of its elegant corridors. Take this quiet time to write, draw, paint or work in your journal.
Refreshed and ready for the next destination, travelling southwards to spend three nights overlooking the famous Guardiana River, who navigable reaches made this town, protected for centuries on a whitewashed hilltop, a critical transport hub for European trade.
Mertola, known as the 'town of museums' is small and easy to explore on foot, and our local guide there, Fernando, is already looking forward to revealing his town's secrets.. We''ll be staying across the river, with splendid views, in a boutique hotel with a swimming pool. In Mertola over the following two days you'll meet an artist with whom you'll make a pair of earrings, send a half day with a sketching workshop en plein air, and take a calligraphy workshop with one of the residents whose history harks back to Mertola's Arabic past. Through meeting these people you'll be amazed at how much Portuguese history you are learning!
Complete your stay in Mertola with a cruise on the Guardiana River.
Your next destination is the mountainous thermal spring spa resort of Monchique in the Algarve- the only natural spa resort in Southern Portugal, and a regular destination for Lisbon royalty over the years - where you spend two deeply relaxing nights. Surrounded by nature and views of the Algarve coast Monchique Resort & Spa is situated in the Serra de Monchique and features restaurants, 2 outdoor pools and a variety of Spa experiences.
On the way back to Lisbon you'll travel to the Atlantic coast for lunch at the beautiful , quiet seaside village of Zambujera.
Return to Lisbon for the night before your retreat ends., where your ceramics are ready and waiting for you!
On this retreat in mid Spring, you can expect average temperatures of Celcius 24- 28 day / C 12-.17 night.
Your retreat is fully supported by Anna Kwiecinska before and during the retreat.
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It's hard to describe the level of care, detail, kindness and beauty that Anna provides in her extraordinary retreat in Bali.
It's rare and precious to be treated, fed, and held with such tenderness. It had been a deeply healing experience and
I'm very grateful
Donna J.S.. Bali Writing Retreat with Joanne Fedler 2025
ABOUT ANNA
With a background as an art historian and gallerist, Anna's collaboration with artists and writers continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
Over the last 14 years, hundreds of people over dozens of retreats have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster. Creative Living Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively.
Anna lived in Portugal, where she taught English. The arc of this writing journey combines some of her most beloved locations, where art, literature, history, gastronomy and the enduring beauty of Portugal's beautiful southern region, the Alentejo are highlighted along with memorable boutique hotels of exceptional historical significance.
The photographs on this site are hers.
WHERE DOES THE RETREAT TAKE PLACE?
Anna has carefully selected these hotels with all the criteria of comfort and convenience in Lisbon, privacy, excellence of facilities and historical beauty in Mertola and in the Alentejo, an important religious building whose history makes it an artform in itself - the cuisine is something else too... and finally, your retreat at the thermal springs spa resort of Monchique in the Algarve.
LISBON - a 4-star hotel In the heart of downtown Lisbon, ideal placed to stay and discover the city of the seven hills. with plenty of shopping and dining options, and within easy walking distance the sights of the Baixa, Alfama, the waterfront and museums.
ALENTEJO CONVENTO - a contemplative hillside sanctuary over-looking the vast Alentejo plans towards Evora, with suites and 'best rooms' . This unique venue features a sommelier and excellent Alentejo cuisine, forest walks, two swimming pools, spacious rooms to relax, sunny terraces, hidden nooks - and 54,000 hand-painted azuelos tiles. adorning its walls.
MERTOLA QUINTA - a comfortable residence with swimming pool and grounds in a tiny hamlet from where you can reach Mertola via a walk onthe bridge, or by taxi
MONCHQUE SPA - nestled in the serene Monchique Mountains of Portugal, this is the only thermal spa resort in the Algarve.
Surrounded by breathtaking nature, it offers elegant accommodations, a Thermal Spa that uses the pure and therapeutic waters of Monchique, and indoor and outdoor pools, ideal for year-round relaxation. With scenic hiking trails to explore and a dining experience celebrating the authentic flavors of the Algarve, this Portuguese retreat is perfect for an end -of-tour wellness escapes, a truly unique experience of renewal and tranquility in one of Europe’s most beautiful regions.
WHAT DOES YOUR RETREAT INCLUDE?
see all the inclusions >
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x nights own-room or twin accommodation at a boutique hotel in Lisbon
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3 nights own room or twin accommodation at the Convento in Alentejo
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3 nights own room accommodation in Mertola
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2 nights own room own room accommodation in Monchque thermal spa resort
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Breakfast 12 days
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Welcome Dinner Lisbon
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Arrival Night Dinner in the monastery with a guided wine tastin
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Lisbon walking tour with Anna and our specialist history guide
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Walking tour in Evora
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Welcome Dinner + ceramics workshop in Lisbon
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Book-binding workshop with Anna
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retreat bag
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fully supported by Anna with pre-departure information and throughout the week
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pre-retreat Reading Suggestions List
What's Not Included
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airfares
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Lisbon airport transfers
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hotel porterage
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your personal insurance
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all meals and beverages not mentioned in the retreat inclusions
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any entrance tickets to places not described in the itinerary supplied on this site
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all personal expenses laundry, telephone etc
COST
All of our Creative Living Retreats are designed to offer you maximum comfort and relaxation and personal space - so you have your own bedroom unless you choose one of the ' two-room' twins
ROOM CATEGORIES
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COSY - single occupancy 'standard' (14 m2) room in Lisbon and Evora; a deluxe room in the convento
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SUPERIOR - single occupancy 'standard' room in Lisbon; single occupancy 'superior' room in Evora; deluxe room in Convento
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DELUXE - single occupancy 'superior' rooms in Lisbon ( 23m2 ) and Evora; deluxe room in convento
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TWIN - twin share rooms in Lisbon and Evora; deluxe single occupancy rooms in the convento
places are limited. To secure your place a DEPOSIT of Euro 750 is required, with balance payment due 3 months prior to the retreat beginning.
Please check the Terms and Conditions and if you have any queries please contact Anna
