Visit breathtaking locations, take in exotic cultures and paint the landscapes with the guidance of a professional artist. Read on for some of our favourite painting holidays.

Painting Holidays - Rovinj, Croatia

Rovinj, an old fishing town known as the Pearl of the Istrian Riviera offers a stunning harbour and vibrant café scene, and has long been a popular artists’ haunt.

You’ll have the opportunity to explore and paint the whole area with its traditional mountain villages, ancient cobbled streets, medieval churches, spectacular architecture, caves, gardens, sculptures and monuments, and taste typical Istrian food and wine. You won’t want to miss Pula, the old Roman capital with its amphitheatre, Arch of Triumph and Augustus temple.

Painting tour leader Muriel Owen, a well-known watercolour painter, will tutor you in sketching and then painting the picturesque villages and idyllic scenery you encounter.

Visit www.industours.co.uk

Painting Holidays - Provence, France

The beautiful Mediterranean paradise in the south of France is the perfect spot to enjoy a relaxed country holiday and the stunning scenery is guaranteed to inspire the artist in anyone.

Arts in Provence offers a whole range of artistic courses tutored by well known artists in an informal and relaxed atmosphere, and there’s also room for non-painting partners.

Stay in a stunning Provençal village house in the tiny hamlet of Les Bassacs, right in the shadow of the Luberon and the Vaucluse mountains and surrounded by vineyards and olive groves.

After a day’s painting, relax on the terrace overlooking the valley or go for a dip in the pool before dining on fresh local produce with a deliciously Provençal flavour, as well as some delightful local wines.

Visit www.artsinprovence.com

Painting Holidays - Niagara Falls, Canada

Paint right at the base of the Niagara Falls and experience its beauty and power up close. The massive trio of waterfalls on the border of Canada and the United States are renowned for their beauty and are surrounded by a number of national parks, all perfect for a painting holiday.

Here, you’ll be given painting workshops and demonstrations, and tutored in how to engage with light and the environment to capture the essence of the falls. You can choose between two and three-day courses, so this trip is a perfect addition to a longer sightseeing tour.

Visit artworkshops.homestead.com

Painting Holidays - Tuscany, Italy

Tuscany is renowned for its tranquil beauty and its charming rolling rural landscapes, with its cypress groves, vineyards and terracotta farmhouses, as well as the stunning renaissance towns are a painter’s dream.

You’ll stay in the medieval town of San Quirico d'Orcia, right in the heart of Tuscany – it was the stunning setting for the film version of The English Patient.

Besides painting with professional artist Christine Russell, you’ll also explore the beautiful region, have fabulous country picnics, go wine and olive tasting, sample the fabulous local food and wine and visit Montepulciano, Pienza, Montalcino and Sienna.

Visit www.andalucian-adventures.co.uk

Painting Holidays - Gwalior, India

The Indian jungle is the perfect exotic location to inspire creativity at the same time as having the holiday experience of a lifetime.

Capture the spirit of India with Indus Tours’ exciting new painting holiday concept – you’ll even get the opportunity to show your newly completed works of art in a professional gallery as part of the holiday.

Commencing in Delhi, the tour explores Gwalior with its impressive 1000 year old fort and the extravagant Jai Vilas Palace, the island haven on Orchha set in the Betwa River amongst beautiful forested surrounds, and World Heritage listed Khajuraho with its 10th century erotic temples, before culminating in Delhi for the exhibition and a preview evening with special guests.

‘Creative Impressions – Capture the Spirit of India’ includes tutoring with respected artist Nick Tidnam.

Visit www.industours.co.uk