The Retreat

The Painting, Cooking and Yoga course at the Retreat was a real TREAT.Upon my retirement, I picked up painting using oil and acrylic paints to produce large abstract paintings. Looking for a medium to be easily used while traveling led to me to consider watercolors.The Retreat came up in a web search. I was attracted by its remote location. The unspoiled hill towns and the open vistas in the Marche seemed to offer a terrific setting for outdoors watercolor painting. The Marche and the Retreat have exceeded my expectations.Outdoor painting is in John’s DNA. He is a terrific teacher who enjoys sharing his theory on outdoors painting and the effective use of watercolors. His painting demonstrations have provided me the foundations needed to pursue the newly chosen medium.The Retreat is a renovated farmhouse that offers modest but authentic country environment to relax, to learn and to enjoy Jana’s backing and cooking, as well as the local wine. The atmosphere created by the family and their numerous pets made it difficult to leave

This painting holiday experience was nothing like that portrayed on The Retreat web site. The accommodation in a 2 star renovated" farmhouse was so far removed from luxury it was ridiculous.the squeaky bed came complete with hard mattress

is this an art gallery showcasing paintings of Italy during WW2?