Art Workshops – 7 nights
September 14, 2025 – September 21, 2025
This is a six-day workshop in the foothills of the Appennini mountains of Emilia Romagna. It offers a chance for beginners to learn the techniques of painting, sketching, and photography. It also provides an opportunity for accomplished artists to fine-tune their skills alongside our expert teachers. At the same time, you will be fully immersed in various aspects of Italian culture. You will enjoy good food and great wine. Explore art history and medieval architecture. Experience cinema and pasta making, and more…
WHAT IS INCLUDED:
Unlock Your Creative Potential with Our Professional Art Program.
ART CLASSES
🎨 Get ready to be inspired! Our art classes are proudly led by the world-renowned artist, Guy Portelli. Join us for an unforgettable journey into the world of art. Classes will be held twice a day.
🖌️ Explore your creativity through sketching and painting sessions at diverse and inspiring locations.
👩🎨 Delve into the art of life drawing with a professional model to hone your skills.
🎨 Master composition and color theory through engaging talks and hands-on practical classes
🏞️ Enjoy all-day access to our well-equipped art studio, giving you the freedom to create whenever inspiration strikes.
📸 Enhance your skills with additional mobile photography courses (Optional).
MORNING AND EVENING ACTIVITIES
🏋️♀️ Energize your mornings with invigorating activities like power walks, cycling, running, or a gym workout.
TASTE OF ITALY EXPERIENCE
🍷 Savor the flavors of the region with delightful wine-tasting sessions.
🍝 Discover the secrets of Italian cuisine with pasta-making courses and indulge in the local honey tasting.
🍽️ Dine like royalty at Ristorante Stradivari, once owned by the legendary Antonio Stradivari.
HISTORY AND CULTURE
🏰 Experience history through daily excursions to historic towns and medieval castles. This includes visits to Castell’Arquato, Città di Bobbio, Roman bridge, Monastero di San Colombano, and the Duomo.
🏛️ Explore the rich cultural heritage with a visit to G. Verdi’s home and the Teatro Giuseppe Verdi Tour.
🎶 Immerse yourself in classical music concerts that resonate with the soul.
RELAXING EVENINGS
🍿 Indulge in indoor cinema featuring specially selected documentaries, films, music, and live performances for unforgettable evenings.
STRESS-FREE TRAVEL
🚗 Enjoy stress-free travel with complimentary transportation to and from the airport. You will also receive transportation during our daily excursions.
Elevate your artistry, embrace inspiration, and create lasting memories. Join us for an unforgettable artistic journey
About ART WORKSHOPS
The BOIArt Workshops are fully accessible to all ages, from millennials to baby boomers, and to all levels of experience. You will be guided through the different art techniques, like watercolors, acrylic painting, or sketching. Different options will give those with more experience to challenge themselves, whilst ensuring that the basic variations keep the course inclusive and fun for all. There will be a relaxing and fun focus, not academic teaching. You will also have direct access to your art teachers throughout your time on the retreat to share your own personal creative journey.
There will be enough time each day to enjoy painting or drawing, with the morning options for an active start of the day. With the optional “mobile photography” course, you will be able to improve your photography skills. Whilst the evenings will bring more relaxing and calm atmosphere with additional activities like live music and cinema evening.
All classes will be held in the grounds of the monastery and our studio space, right beside the retreat residencies, or at the location of medieval castles you will visit, in the clean Appenini mountain air, with all basic art equipment provided.
Our mentors will advise and support you throughout the week of ‘Best of Italy Art’ holiday. You’ll develop your artistic practice in peaceful surroundings and discover the best of Italy.
Itinerary (example)
Arriving
*FREE COLLECTION
Collection from either Milano Linate or Milano Bergamo.
*Please book a morning flight.
If you arriving later (pm flights) please take a direct train from Milano Central Station to Fiorenzuola.
If you coming by car, we do offer free parking at the location.
- Afternoon Collection from the airport (Milano Bergamo)
- Accommodation Check-in
Free time to relax. - 19.00 Aperitif and dinner in Rabbini.
- 20.30 Cinema or live music evening.
Day 1 Itinerary
- 07.00 Tea and coffee will be available in the main house daily.
- 07.30 – 08.30 Workout options, guided walks, 30, 45, 60 minutes, cycle or running tuition, or gym.
- From 08.30 Buffett Breakfast in the main house.
- 10.00 Excursion to Castell’Arquato, 30 mins drive, Medieval Castle Town, sketching class, photo opportunity.
- 13.00 Lunch at the local restaurant
- Drive back along the vineyards and valley of Chiavenna and into the mountains back to Rabbini, if time permits, we will stop by Veleia, a Roman city once home to 3000 people, and check out its amphitheater and Romanesque Church.
- 15.00 – 16.30 Art classes
- 17.30 – 18.30 Stretching class 30 mins followed by relaxation and meditation – 15 min.
- 19.30 Supper at Rabbini.
- 21.00 Concert, live music, or documentary at the Cinema (TBC)
Day 2 Itinerary
- 07.30 – 08.30 Walk, gym, or cycle.
- 08.30 Buffet breakfast.
- 09.30 Leave for pasta making course in the local restaurant La Rocchetta in Chiavenna.
- 11.00 Wine tasting in the town of Vigolo Marchese, visit the Roman church on the way, then the Cantina Pusteria with Francesca.
- 13.30 Lunch back at La Rocchetta to sample our own made pasta.
- 15.00 – 16.30 Art class back at Rabbini
- 17.30 Local honey tasting with cheese and wine accompaniments.
- 19.00 Dinner in Rabbini.
- 20.30 Film night at the Cinema (TBC)
Day 3 Itinerary
- 07.30 -08.30 Walk, gym or cycle.
- 08.30 Buffet breakfast.
- 09.30 Trip to Busseto – the birthplace of Giuseppe Verdi, tour of the 18-century house of his birth. Then to the town center for a private visit to the G.Verdi Opera house set in a 15c Palazzo, now the Town Hall.
- 13.00 Lunch in Ristorante Osteria Via Romana sample for locale menu.
- Back to Rabbini.
- 15.30 – 17.00 Art classes
- 17.30 – 18.30 Stretching and Relaxation exercises
- 20.00 Dinner in Rabbini.
- 21.00 Cinema – Music, Documentary or Film evening (TBC)
Day 4 Itinerary
- 07.30 – 08.30 Breakfast.
- 09.00 Leave for a 60-minute drive to Graziano Visconti a unique Medieval Castle Village for sketching and photography opportunities.
- 13.30 Lunch in Vecchia Osteria Da Luigi a local restaurant since 1930.
- Back to Rabbini.
- 16.30 – 18.00 Afternoon art course.
- Free time.
- 19.00 Supper in Rabbini – BBQ night
- 20.30 Cinema – Jazz Concert, Documentary or Film night (TBC)
Day 5 Itinerary
- 07.30 – 08.30 Walk, gym, or cycle.
- 08.30 Buffet Breakfast.
- 10.00 – 12.00 Art classes at Rabbini.
- 13.00 Lunch in Ristorante Pie Dei Ponti.
- 15.00 -16.30 Art class.
- 17.30 -18.30 Stretching and relaxation class.
- 19.30 Local vineyards wine tasting
- 21.00 Cinema – Documentary, Film or Live music (TBC)
Day 6 Itinerary
- 07.30 – 08.30 Walk, gym, or cycle options.
- 08.30 Buffett Breakfast.
- 10.00 Leave excursion to Castle of Vigoleno for sketching including a visit to the ancient Church dedicated to St.George and the Dragon.
- 13.30 Lunch on the terrace at Ristorante Valtolla near the Lake and Dam of Mignano.
- 15.30 – 17.00 Art class Rabbini or free time.
- 19.00 Drinks followed by Dinner Rabbini.
- 20.30 Cinema – Documentary, Film or Live music (TBC)
Sunday / Leaving
- 06.00 Check out Pie Dei Monti, just leave the room key in the door.
- Flight from Bergamo Linate.
Retreat
Art Workshops
Affordable Art Workshops
Short Breaks
Wellness Retreats
Art Holidays
Art Workshops for Beginners
Art Workshops for Established Artists
Mindfulness Retreats
Relaxation Retreats
Reset Retreats
Beginner
Intermediate
Advanced
Expert Guidance
Inspiration
Skill Development
Confidence Building
Portfolio Enhancement
Artistic Perspective
Exposure to New Mediums
Credibility
Personal Growth
Lifetime Experience
Relax
Recharge
De-stress
Healthy body and mind
Location
Getaway
Structure
Discover yourself
Live music events in our amphitheater
Films in our 5m screen indoor cinema
Mobile Photography Course
Pasta Making and Wine Testing
Trips to medieval towns and castles
English
Italian
OPTIONS
Shared room
Double or Twin bed
All inclusive
SINGLE ROOM
Single accommodation
All inclusive
What’s included in YOUR package and PRICE
Daily Art Classes
Basic Art equipment
Water, tea, and coffee served throughout the day
Daily meals: Breakfast, Luch, Dinner, Tea, Coffee, Cold Drinks, Wine (Lunch and Dinner)
Cooking classes – pasta-making workshops
Free Wifi connection
Specialised workshops (Mobile photography, stretching )
Free Parking (we offer complimentary transportation to and from the airport, as well as during our daily excursions, so the car is not necessary, however, if you decide to rent a car, we do have free parking)
Accommodation ( Twin/Double or single-occupation )
Free Airport pick-up and drop-off
Transportation during the treatment
Luggage storage
Welcome drink
Professional event photos and app-sharing photo album
FREE GIFT – Welcome pack
Accommodation
We provide local R&B accommodations, conveniently nestled just a 1-minute walk from our vibrant center. Your comfort is our priority.
Simple ensuite double shared room (twin or double bed)
Simple ensuite single accommodation room.
What’s NOT included in this package
Travel Insurance
Flights costs
Visa fee
Additional activities not included in the itinerary
ABOUT L’Anfiteatro di I Rabbini
Idyllic location in the foothills of the Appennini mountains of Emilia Romagna.
Situated in the picturesque Vale of the river Arda at over 1000 ft in the foothills of the Appennini Mountains. It’s surrounded by nature, green fields, and lush forests, wonderful light, fresh air.
The weather is usually 5C lower than the PO Valley plains a retreat for city dwellers seeking cooler climates in the height of the summer. Average early summer Temperatures are from 25C to 28C during the day dropping to 20C at night for a good night’s sleep.
The emphasis will be on a healthy lifestyle, mainly vegetarian food from markets and local farms. Lots of options to keep fit with daily activities and classes, our own gym and cycles available, or just relax and embrace the mountain air.
Address
Travel Help
A recommended Packing list will be sent out when booking courses, yoga, and other Equipment all provided in-house, including fresh towels etc.
Free collection in the morning from Milan Bergamo.
Free collection from Fiorenzuola Train Station (direct train from Milan Central Station).
Free parking at the center if you coming by car.
BOOKING