Sketching & Painting Holidays In Exotic Locations

Welcome to Vistas and your gateway to a new world, where hidden landscapes lie waiting to be admired and captured; a world of artistic exploration and immersion in the sights, sounds and smells of some of the most beautiful corners of the world. ‘Vistas’ offers you something completely different.

The unique ‘Sketchbook Journey’ Painting Holidays take you deep into the culture, history and landscape of lesser-visited regions, while relaxing Sketching/Painting Breaks, Retreats and Intensive Courses ensure there’s a perfect holiday experience to suit everyone.

Professional artist and teacher Mary King leads you to unforgettable destinations in small, friendly groups for learning, developing or simply enjoying the wonderful experience of sketching in an inspiring new environment.

responsibletravel recommends Vistas Sketching Holidays

Sketching & Painting Holidays in Italy

The Italian Dolomites offer a virtually infinite source of creative stimulation for the landscape artist: towering rock spires, alpine meadows ablaze with wildflowers, rustic timber barns and villages steeped in Ladin culture. Our Enrosadira trip bases itself in Alta Badia for 15 nights, exploring this UNESCO World Heritage landscape from the Sella Pass to Passo Gardena. Suitable for beginners and experienced painters alike, with daily tuition and a set of artists’ watercolours included. Next departure: 18 June 2026 / 19 June 2027, from £3,000 (sharing). Read the full itinerary →

Sketching & Painting Holidays in Morocco

Morocco has captivated artists for centuries — Winston Churchill among them — with its snow-capped High Atlas peaks, crumbling kasbahs, palm-lined valleys and vast desert plains. Three itineraries cover the country from different angles: Discover Morocco is a comprehensive 12-day sweep from Marrakech through the Atlas and Dades Valley to Ait Benhaddou; Painted Desert bases itself near Fez with an overnight camel trip into the dunes; Argans & Almonds is a relaxed artists’ retreat in the rural Anti-Atlas. All include expert guidance, watercolour materials and full-board accommodation. Trips run October to March, from £1,350. Read the full itinerary →

Sketching & Painting Holidays in Sri Lanka

Voted the world’s smiliest country, Sri Lanka delivers lush tea plantations, golden beaches, ancient temples and unmistakably warm hospitality. Land of Smiles is a 14-night sketchbook journey from Negombo through the hill country to Sinharaja rainforest and the south coast, taking in elephant spotting and Sri Lanka’s highest waterfall. Ocean Breezes is a more relaxed 7-night break based at a single boutique hotel near Bentota, ideal for those who want to settle in and paint without moving location. Both suit painters of any level, with daily tuition available. From £1,280. Read the full itinerary →

Sketching & Painting Holidays in Scotland

The remote north-west Highlands offer some of the last true wilderness in Europe: ancient rock formations, golden eagles, the Summer Isles and the iconic peak of Suilven. Four itineraries explore this landscape: The Bonnie Broom (Ullapool, 4 or 7 days), Windswept Wilderness (an active sketching adventure from Lochinver), Around the Blooming Heather (a 10-day tour from Inverness, ideal for those without a car) and Where the Corncrakes Sing, a relaxed artists’ retreat on the Inner Hebridean island of Colonsay. All suit beginners through to experienced painters. From £750. Read the full itinerary →

Sketching & Painting Holidays in Greece

The Greek Dodecanese — sun-drenched islands in the eastern Aegean, from well-known Kos and Rhodes to quieter Symi and Kalymnos — offer whitewashed chapels, colourful fishing harbours and some of the warmest, clearest water in the Mediterranean. Realm of the Nesoi is a 15-night island-hopping sketchbook journey from Kos to Rhodes, taking in tranquil Telendos, Symi’s iconic harbour and the historic Old Town of Rhodes, with swimming built into most days. Suited to painters of any level, with daily tuition and frequent sketchbook appraisals. Next departure: 17 September 2026, from £2,700. Read the full itinerary →

Sketching & Painting Holidays In La Gomera (Canary Islands)

La Gomera and La Palma, the quietest of the Canary Islands, offer misty laurel cloud forest, dramatic volcanic peaks and a slower pace of life. Mists of Time is a 9-night sketching break exploring La Gomera’s Garajonay National Park and coastal villages from comfortable hotel bases. Edge of the World spends 8 nights on volcanic La Palma, taking in Santa Cruz, black sand beaches and the island’s renowned dark-sky observatory. Both can be combined into a 16-day island-hopping holiday. Suited to painters of all levels with a reasonable level of fitness. From £1,780. Read the full itinerary →

Tailor-made Sketching & Painting Holidays

Beyond the six main destinations, tailor-made trips can be arranged for groups of 3–6 people wanting a bespoke sketching or painting holiday — anywhere from Sardinia to Costa Rica. Existing itineraries can also be tweaked, extended or scheduled on an alternative date for groups booking together. Get in touch to discuss possibilities →