Welcome to Heidi’s Art Retreats
Heidi’s art retreats are art holidays either in the UK, France, Italy or Spain. The retreats are mostly all inclusive (with catering, transportation and excursions included). During these trips, guests will enjoy art holidays in small, friendly groups, with plenty of relaxation and exploration.
The Art retreats vary and may consist of the following:
a) Art retreats with painting tuition: These include abstract landscape painting tuition by myself, where I give guidance and teach my style of painting during 3 half-day workshops, while also encouraging your own artistic development. At least two excursions to explore the local region are also included
b) Art retreats with unguided painting: These retreats are without tuition and guests are free to paint unguided at their own leisure while also including excursions to explore the local region
c) “Arts and Culture” retreats: These retreats don’t include painting and are suitable for those who are interested in local arts and culture but who don’t paint. Guests will explore the arts, crafts, culture and festivals (if applicable) of the region, such as trips to local contemporary galleries, and visits to local artisans at work. They may include workshops by local artisans (such as a pottery class etc)
Handpicked boutique B&B’s will be recommended and we will immerse ourselves into the landscapes and culture surrounding us. There will be plenty of good food and time to explore with like-minded friends.
Please see each retreat page for more detailed information
How It Works
Step One:
Read the detailed information about the retreat you’re interested in on the relevant retreat page.
Email any questions and organise a phone or video call with me to run through any queries you may have
Heidi’s Art retreats are collaborations between myself and accommodations or between myself and a tour company (depending on the retreat). It’s important you familiarise yourself with both my Booking Conditions and also the accommodation’s or the tour company’s Terms and Conditions. Both conditions apply as you’ll be booking the art retreat and the accommodation separately. (The total cost of the retreat includes both prices)
Check the dates are suitable and research flight and travel insurance costs
Express your interest in the retreat
Step Two:
You’ll be sent further information about the retreat and how to pay your deposit
Reserve your spot on the retreat by paying the deposit
Print and read the booking conditions, sign the last page and return it by email.
At this point you will be emailed a suggested art supply list and information about travelling with art supplies
Step Three
Once all the spots on the art retreat are filled, you will be notified that it’s ok to go ahead and pay for the full cost of the retreat.
The payment for the retreat will be in two parts. Firstly you will pay the accommodation or tour company directly in Euros (unless it is a UK retreat, in which case it will be in £UK).
Secondly you will then be emailed payment details for the second instalment. This will need to be paid directly to me in £UK minus the deposit.
Once both payments have been received, you will be emailed a booking confirmation
Step Four
You should book your travel insurance and prepare any necessary visa/passport entry requirments
You should now go ahead and book your flights. You will be given instructions about destination pick ups in due course.
I recommend getting What'sApp if you don’t already have it as it will be a good and free way to contact each other once abroad
Begin to gather your art supplies together and look forward to a fantastic art retreat experience!
Flights, travel insurance and art supplies are not included in the retreat costs. Ground transport is included when mentioned on the retreat page.
Cancellation policy:
If you cancel 90 days or more: Loss of deposit
If you cancel 61 days or more: Loss of 50% of the retreat cost
If you cancel within 60 days or less: Full charges will apply
Read here for our full booking conditions and please read your accommodation’s booking conditions as well.
If for any reason, I am unable to travel at the last minute (such as due to illness) I will endeavour to find a replacement tutor. If this is not possible, the group can still travel and enjoy the accommodation without art tuition if they wish, or contact their own travel insurance to see what refunds may be given in those circumstances).
A note on expectations
The art retreats vary and each retreat page will specify what type of art holiday it is and what is included or excluded. Please check each of the retreat pages for details.
Mostly we will be staying in Bed and Breakfasts and these run differently to hotels. We are in people’s homes where they live and as such things might be different to what you are used to or how hotels are run (for example, rooms are not cleaned each day, only after we leave). We must respect the owners’ homes and how they choose to run them
We aim to cater to everyone’s needs and there will be different age groups, personalities and cultural differences within the group and also with accommodation hosts. Please be patient and respect each other’s ways.
Heidi Laughton art is not a tour operator and these art retreats are small, intimate groups where more attention can be given to individuals in a friendly setting. The retreats might run differently to larger tour operator groups where schedules are more strictly defined. Please know that our itineraries are more laid back and subject to change. We aim to make things work the best we can and we go with the flow!
If you feel this suits you, then please do go ahead and express your interest on the relevant retreat page!
I look forward to welcoming you at one of the art retreats soon!
