Painting in Portugal with Michael Solovyev

This art retreat is based in a renovated 19th century building on a tree-lined avenue in the old town. Low-key bars, restaurants and ice-cream parlours are virtually on the doorstep and within 10 minutes’ walk are the waterfront promenade, the market (designed by Gustav Eiffel) and the ferries which run to the beautiful islands just offshore. This is a great base for our included excursions, to use one of our bikes to discover local villages, or follow an eco-guide in search of wildlife. Casa Rosa is also a boutique retreat where you can slow right down to Portuguese pace: tanning on the roof terrace before strolling out to a café for lunch, or spending all on one of the islands’ superb beaches.

If you live in the USA or Canada – we have direct flights available to Faro. Ask for further details and prices in dollars.

This art retreat is led by Michael Solovyev from Canada. Michael is a watercolor artist of great renown, with exhibitions and workshops all over the world, from Bolivia to France to Australia. Learn more about Michael by clicking here.

All 7 night painting retreats include – 5 days of painting tuition, 7 buffet breakfasts, 4 lunches (at hotel or picnic or Island), 5 dinners with ½ bottle of wine per person, one return ferry boat ticket to local islands with a 2-course lunch included, double or twin room for sole use and bed sheets and towels changed mid-week.

Casa Rosa Boutique Hotel offers 10 smart rooms, and welcomed its first guests in March 2022. The property was fully refurbished over the last 3 years and has been finished to a high standard. The hotel looks traditional from the outside: pink plaster walls, classical details. Inside, it offers relaxed coastal living using natural materials with a contemporary twist.

At ground level there is an open-plan living/dining room which opens onto a tiled courtyard with plunge pool and sociable seating. Upstairs (via a staircase – no lift), is a beautifully-furnished roof terrace – a real suntrap! Wherever you are in Casa Rosa, you should be able to pick up the free Wi-Fi.

Please note – The art studio for painting at Casa Rosa is upstairs and the property does not have a lift.

We include a buffet breakfast spread each morning, 3 lunches and 4 dinners with wine. We run an honesty bar during the day, with a wider drinks range served in the evening, from cocktails to a wine list. There is plenty of choice nearby for nights out, at own expense.

Please note – A new local tourism tax has been introduced by the government in Olhao since June 2023. All guests must pay locally to the hotel €2 per night up to a maximum of 5 nights. This is not included in your holiday costs.

All 10 rooms are of a slightly different size and are simple but stylish, with retro 1960s colour schemes and cool tones. Each is furnished with a comfortable king-sized bed, bedside tables, chair and desk/dressing table, hair dryer plus a walk-in shower (pool/beach towels provided). Air-con is included. Some rooms have a town view; others look on to the roof terrace or courtyard.

Prices are based on standard ground floor room (rooms 3 and 5), upgrades are available to a ground floor executive room at £15 extra per night, ground floor standard room with shared terrace at extra £15 per night, 1st floor standard rooms at £20 extra per night and deluxe suite at £25 extra per night.

Once Casa Rosa is full we can offer 2 rooms at a nearby hotel – ask for more details.