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PORTOFINO & LAKE COMO 
PAINT EUROPE WORKSHOP 
with
MAGGIE HELLMANN

PORTOFINO & LAKE COMO
PLEIN AIR PAINTING WORKSHOP 
w/ ARTIST MAGGIE HELLMANN

Includes

 Bellagio / Varenna

Portofino / Santa Margherita

1 Spot Left.

7 Days / 6 Nights

June 2 - 8, 2024

From $5,475

 "Maggie, I thoroughly enjoyed our time together and feel I learned so very much from you. You have a delightful way of teaching and allowing us to each be ourselves, explore or styles." Mary P.

 "What I liked best about the workshop was Maggie's approachable manner and encouragement. Her clear understanding about color and light. And how to make poetry out of a simple landscape." Frank S.

 "Maggie, it exceeded all my dreams! It was perfect! " Deone  K.

 "Maggie, thank you for the fabulous workshop. The concepts you presented were exactly what I was looking for, without even knowing what to call them. It helped so much to focus on one or two concepts each day, and then practice integrating the concepts into my style of painting." Marilyn H.

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Villa Balbianello

Portofino Harbor

Bellagio on Lake Como

Italy's magnificent Italian Riviera and Lake Como are two breathtaking locations for a plein air painting holiday!

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Whether you're a seasoned artist... or you've never painted before and have always wanted to learn... join award-winning artist and instructor Maggie Renner Hellmann in early June to the glittering turquoise Mediterranean Sea of the Italian Riviera to paint in picturesque Portofino with its majestic harbor surrounded by colorful buildings... then travel to stunning Lake Como in Northern Italy's Lombardi Region to capture the beauty of Italy's famous lake, with its charming villages, grand villas and lush gardens... painting en plein air in your own unique style.

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Each day we'll feed our creative souls. There will be demonstrations by Maggie and painting sessions in scenic locations. Maggie will provide individual instruction to improve your painting skills and expand your art experience... seasoned artists are free to be on your own to paint and enjoy.

 

You will take home your Italian paintings along with many treasured memories of a wonderful painting holiday and creative adventure.

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The first two nights we’ll stay in Santa Margherita Ligure, a jewel Italian Riviera resort town on The Mediterranean.

 

We'll travel to nearby Portofino, a fairytale-like fishing village, one Italy's most beautiful seaside locations. Maggie will lead a painting session providing a morning demonstration... giving each artist one-on-one personal consultation.

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Midweek we'll travel by train 1st class to stunning Lake Como and stay in the quaint lakeside village, Bellagio. We’ll be based in a charming boutique overlooking the lake.

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We'll arrive to Bellagio in the early evening. 

 

One day we'll take a private boat cruise on the lake stopping to visit and have a guided tour of Villa Del Balbianello, Lake Como's most magnificent villa with its enchanting manicured gardens. Afterwards, we'll reboard our boat for a slow cruise on the lake going past lakeside villages and famous villas. 

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Another day we'll take a short lake ferry ride from Bellagio to beautiful Varenna, a village set along the eastern shore of Lake Como, for an early morning demonstration and painting session with Maggie.

 

The Portofino and Lake Como painting workshop trip includes many Italian extras -- a welcome reception with regional hors d'oeuvres and wines... a Northern Italian cooking class... an Italian wine tasting session with a region expert... a gala farewell dinner with traditional Lombardy cuisine and wines.  

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There will be personal free time for... individual painting... exploring and shopping in village shops... taking leisure walks along the waterfronts... interacting with locals... relaxing at outdoor cafes... enjoying many delicious Italian cuisine meals.

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Non-painter friends and spouses of artists are welcome to join.

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Optional before breakfast group pleasure walks are organized along the Mediterranean and Lake Como for travelers wanting some morning exercise before starting their vacation day.

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Maggie Hellmann

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Villa Balbianello

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Paintings by Maggie Hellmann

The Portofino & Lake Como Painting Workshop is Designed to Provide:

  • A fabulous vacation and painting experience in two of Italy’s most picturesque regions – Portofino & Lake Como.

  • Painting technique demonstrations and individual one-on-one personal guidance with Maggie Renner Hellmann.

  • Friendly and fun small group environment limited to 15 painters. Enjoy the camaraderie and begin friendships with like-minded travelers.

  • Many activities for artist and non-artist travelers.

  • Free personal time for added painting... exploring & sightseeing... shopping... relaxing.

  • Optional group morning pleasure walks led by WalkEurope president, Tom Harter.

  • Recommended restaurants should you want to explore on your own, yet everyone is invited to join local-cuisine group meals.

  • Concierge service & support – fully escorted tour, personal & customized service for a WORRY-FREE vacation!​ 

 

What's Included:

  • Daily demonstrations by Maggie Hellmann.

  • Daily painting sessions with Maggie Hellmann

  • Six-nights in personally selected charming boutique hotels.
  • Santa Margherita Ligure (2 Nights) - Stay in lovely boutique hotel located in the heart of Santa Margherita Ligure. The hotel overlooks the Mediterranean Sea.
  • Lake Como (4 Nights) - Stay in a small boutique Bellagio hotel facing the lake, located in the old part of town by the ferry landing. Convienient access to shopping and restaurants.

  • Daily breakfast at the hotels. 

  • Welcome Reception – with Lugurian hors d'oeuvres and local wines hosted by Maggie Hellmann and Paint Europe.

  • Painting session in Portofino with Maggie to paint the colorful buildings & boats located in Portofino harbor.
  • Demonstration and painting session in Bellagio along Lake Como with Maggie 
  • Private cruise on Lake Como with a visit and guided tour of Villa Del Balbianello.
  • Morning demonstration and painting session in Varenna on Lake Como with Maggie.
  • Italian Cooking Class – Lake Como cooking lesson and lunch with celebrated Lake Como chef.
  • Italian Wine Tasting Session - with region expert in Santa Margherita.
  • Farewell Dinner – gala dinner with provincial Italian cuisine and wines.
  • Optional before breakfast pleasure walks along Santa Margherita's seaside promenade and Lake Como's shoreline.
  • Entrance fees for villas, gardens and parks for all group activities and day trips.
  • Ground transportation, ferry and train tickets and group transfers between Santa Margherita Ligure and Bellagio.
  • 1st-class train travel from Santa Margherita to Lake Como.
  • Concierge service & support.
 

Arrival & Departure Cities:

Arrival City: Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy (Airports - Genoa or Milan)

Departure City: Bellagio, Italy (Airport - Milan)

 

Trip Hosts:​

Maggie Renner Hellmann - Artist & Instructor - More About Maggie

Tom Harter - PaintEurope President - More About Tom

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Trip Cost:

  • $5,475 – 7 days / 6 nights per person in double occupancy shared hotel room.
  • Added cost for private single room hotel accommodation option - $1,600       

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Space Is Limited to 15 Artists.

Additional WalkEurope Tours to Travel for 2 Weeks:

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Pre-Tour

Best of Norway Discovery Tour

Oslo, Fjords & Bergen

May 26 - June 1, 2024

Click here for trip description

Please Note: Paint Europe strives to operate according to our published itinerary. However, in the event of unforeseen circumstances beyond our control or opportunities that would enhance the itinerary, adjustments may be necessary. Hotels and itinerary are subject to changes. Trip subject to eight person minimum participation.

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