Your 6-Day Creative Escape in the Catalan Hills
Astrid is inviting you to the Catalan hills for 6 days of watercolor, creativity, and relaxation.
Whether you’re a total beginner or a more experienced sketcher, this retreat is designed for all levels, giving you space to learn, create, and relax in a beautiful surrounding.
Daily sketching & painting workshops by Astrid
Stay at a beautiful Catalan villa
Fully Taken Care Of & enjoy delicious food
Stay at the beautiful villa:
Mas els Igols
Just an hour outside of Barcelona, Mas els Igols is a beautifully restored 18th-century farmhouse, surrounded by vineyards.
You'll find cozy rooms (private or shared), an indoor and outdoor studio, a saltwater pool, and plenty of quiet corners to read, sketch, or unwind.
All food during the retreat will be prepared by local Chef Fabricio Robles
Daily watercolor & sketching workshops by Astrid
Throughout the week, Astrid will give daily sketching and watercolor workshops to help you create your own travel illustrations. Whether you’re new to drawing and painting or have years of experience, after this retreat you will have more confidence to fill those pages of your sketchbook.
Watercolor & ink techniques
Learn essential techniques to bring your sketches to life with fluid lines and vibrant washes.
Travel Sketchbook Practice
Build a personal sketchbook filled with memories, scenes, and creative impressions from the trip.
Finding your own style
Explore your unique visual voice through observation, intuition, and playful experimentation.
Plein-air urban sketching workshops
Capture the energy of Barcelona and a nearby village through on-location sketching sessions.
The programme
We’ve put together a relaxed and creative 6-day programme that gives you the best of both worlds.
All breakfasts, lunches, dinners and drinks at the villa are included.
Day 1 | Arrival Day
From 17:00 onwards, we’ll welcome you to Mas els Igols. Take your time to settle in, explore the house and surroundings. In the evening, we’ll gather for our first shared dinner and welcome.
Day 2 | Paint workshop
After breakfast, we dive into our first guided watercolor workshop by Astrid. She will teach you new techniques to capture your surroundings with watercolor and ink.
After lunch at the villa, you've got the afternoon all for yourself. Enjoy some free time: Continu painting, relax at the pool, or explore the beautiful surroundings.
In the evening, we gather again to share a delicious dinner by our private chef.
Day 3 | Barcelona Day trip
After breakfast, we’ll head out for a day of creativity in the vibrant city of Barcelona (just about an hour away). In the heart of the city, Astrid will guide you through a live urban sketching session, capturing the energy, colors, and charm of Barcelona right in your sketchbook. So yes, be prepared to sketch out in the open!
After the workshop, you’ll have free time to enjoy the city at your own pace. Grab lunch, explore hidden streets, visit a museum or art supply shop, or simply soak in the atmosphere. We’ll share plenty of creative tips and local suggestions to inspire your afternoon.
Later in the day, we’ll regroup and travel back together to Mas els Igols, where a delicious dinner by our private chef awaits.
Roundtrip transportation to and from Barcelona included
*Lunch, souvenirs, additional activities in Barcelona at own expenses
Day 4 | Strolling & sketching Vilafranca
After breakfast, we visit one of the pitoreske nearby villages for an outdoor urban sketching session and some strolling around. If you like, join us for a long, tapas lunch* at the village and have some time to explore the village. In the afternoon we return to the villa and have dinner.
Roundtrip transporation to and from the village is included
*lunch at the village is at own expenses
Day 5 | Relaxing & painting at the villa
After breakfast, we begin the day with a morning workshop at or around Mas Els Igols.
After lunch, you've got the afternoon all for yourself. In the evening, we have our last dinner together.
Day 6 | Goodbye
Hopefully you are totally relaxed, inspired and energized again after these creative and relaxing days. After breakfast, it's time to say our goodbyes... You have to check out at 11:00.
All-inclusive Retreat
Shared room: €1795,- | private room: €2295,-
What's included
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6-days / 5 nights at a Catalan farmhouse with private or shared en-suite rooms
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Daily watercolor & sketching workshops by Astrid ten Bosch
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Daytrip & Urban sketching workshop by Astrid in Barcelona (including transport)
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Trip to the village VIllafrance for a sketching workshop (including transport)
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All meals at the villa are included: fresh, local breakfast, lunch, and dinner prepared by a private chef. This includes 5 breakfasts, 3 lunches, and 5 dinners.
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Coffee, tea, drinks & wine (during dinner) at the villa included
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Saltwater pool, yoga deck & cozy corners to unwind
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Small group setting (max 13 people) with space for connection & alone-time
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Free time in the afternoons to explore the surroundings, read a book or paint some more
What's not included
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Your flight or transport to the retreat (Don't worry, it's easy to get to Mas Els Igols from Barcelona, we will provide you more info how to get there)
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Travel insurance (recommended)
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2x Lunch and snacks during the Barcelona daytrip & trip to Villafranca
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Watercolor materials: We will provide you with a list of the recommended materials to take.
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Optional additional activities, souvenirs & personal expenses
There is room for you
We have two types of rooms at the venue: Shared bedrooms and Private rooms. All rooms have a en-suite bathroom.
Meet your instructor
Astrid
Watercolor artist & teacher and adventurer
I’m an art teacher who can’t help but get excited when someone discovers the magic of making something with their own hands. Helping people tap into their creativity, try new techniques, and see what they’re capable of is what gets me out of bed in the morning.
I never travel without my watercolor sketchbook (sometimes even 5): and it has taken me to different corners of the world: from the fjords of Scandinavia to the Souks of Morocco and the colorful streets of Mexico. Sketching and painting helps me slow down, observe, and stay curious to the world around me. II’m adventurous, endlessly curious, and love sharing my passion for making with others.
Organising this retreat is a dream come true, a way way to bring creative people together in a relaxed, inspiring setting.
Everything in one overview
All-inclusive:
Travel & Stay
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Stay: 5 nights in the beautiful villa "Mas els Igols" surrounded by vineyards and hills , Catalonia, Spain (1 hour from Barcelona)
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Closest Airport: Barcelona (BCN)
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Check-in: Day 1 at 17:00
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Check-out: Day 6 at 11:00 (after breakfast)
Creative Programme
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Daily sketching & watercolor workshops with Astrid (all levels welcome)
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Special excursions:
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Urban sketching day trip to Barcelona
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Sketching trip to a nearby Catalan village
(transport included)
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Food & Chef
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5x breakfasts, 3x lunches, 5x dinners. All meals prepared by our amazing private local chef
Investment
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Shared room (en-suite bathroom): €1795*
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Private room (en-suite bathroom, very limited): €2295*
*Not included: flight, travel insurance, personal expenses, 2x lunch during excursions, art materials
Group
Maximum group size: 13 participants
Language: English spoken (unless the full group is Dutch-speaking)
Drawing or painting level: No prior skills needed, this retreat welcomes beginners as well as more experienced artists.
In the rare case of fewer bookings, the retreat may be canceled and you will be refunded. Please refer to the 'algemene voorwaarden'.
How to get there?
Even though Mas els Igols feels remote and peaceful, yet it’s surprisingly easy to reach. The nearest major airport is Barcelona El Prat (BCN). From Amsterdam Schiphol, there are at least 8 flights a day leaving to Barcelona.
Coming from the city centre of Barcelona?
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Hop on the R4 train from Plaça Catalunya, which runs twice an hour. In about an hour, you’ll arrive at the station Vilafranca del Penedès. From the trainstation Vilafranca del Pendès you can:
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Take a 20-minute taxi ride from Vilafranca to the farmhouse (around €20,-)
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or catch the local Igualadina bus in the direction of Pontons. Get off near the gas station ‘Benzinera de Sant Marti’, from there it’s a 15-minute walk (1.5 km) to the house.
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It's also possible to take a taxi from Barcelona Airport (around €100-120,-)
If you’d like, you can try to share a taxi with other guests from Vilafranca or the airport. We can provide contact information so you can connect with fellow participants to arrange a shared ride.
If you have any doubts, of course Astrid is here to help you.
Driving yourself?
There’s on-site parking for up to six cars if you’re arriving by rental car. Just let us know in case you arrive by car.
Still have questions?
Check out these FAQ's.
If there is anything we haven’t covered here, don't hesitate and send an email to Astrid: info@astridtenbosch.com
Dit aanbod valt onder de garantie van STO Garant.
Je kunt de voorwaarden van deze garantieregeling vinden op de website van STO Garant (www.sto-garant.nl/downloads).
