Leros (5 nights) Lipsi (5 nights) Kalymnos (9 nights), with optional excursions to Patmos, Kos and Turkey

Day 1/ LEROS (Wed. 27th) FREE DAY 

In Athens, connect with your domestic flight to Leros. You will be met by your host at Leros Airport and transferred to your hotel. Passing along the peaceful bay of Agia Marina with its pretty villages set amongst almond trees, we reach Hotel Alinda with its panoramic vista of the distant fortress. Welcome sunset cocktails.

Day 2/ LEROS (Thurs. 28th)

Alinda: The view of the islands’ main village clustered around the medieval fortress is superb.

 

Day 3/ LEROS (Fri. 29th)

Pandeli: This morning we head off to the sheltered fishing village of Pandeli surrounded by windmills and colourful fishing boats .

Day 4/ LEROS (Sat. 30th)

Xirokambos: Our painting location, situated under a vine by the edge of the sea, overlooks a serene inlet and the distant craggy mountains of Kalymnos.

Day 5/ LEROS (Sun. 31st)

Agia Marina: The white washed village with its’ little harbour adorned with quaint cafes is a popular meeting place for the locals (afternoon critique)

Day 6/ LIPSI (Mon. 1st) FREE DAY

Leave Leros 8:30. Arrive Lipsi 9:45. Our studios overlook a small cove and rural landscape.

Optional evening at the local ouzeri, a ritual among the locals!! A wonderful spot to sit back with a glass of Ouzo, complemented by dish after dish of Greek appetizers!

Day 7/  LIPSI (Tues. 2nd)

Plati Yialos: Today we will head off to the emerald – green inlet with its single taverna surrounded by olive trees and wandering geese.

Day 8/ LIPSI (Wed. 3rd)

Enjoy painting the vista of the bay with its blue-domed churches.

Day 9/ LIPSI (Thurs. 4th)

Katsadia: Small farms and orchards grace the countryside dotted with blue-domed churches leading to the protected cove of Katsadia,sheltered by bamboo reeds. (afternoon critique)

Day 10/ LIPSI (Fri. 5th) FREE DAY 

Optional excursion to the beautiful island of Patmos. The world-wide fame of the Monastery of St. John attracts pilgrims from all over the world. The main town of Chora, clustered around the monastery, is filled with narrow winding medieval alleys, its white-washed cubed houses connected by impressive stone arches.

Day 11/ KALYMNOS (Sat. 6th)

(afternoon workshop)

Day 12/ KALYMNOS (Sun. 7th)

Arginontas: Driving along the spectacular coastal road we pass wild thyme and oregano covered mountains leading to the deep inlet of Arginontas. We set up in the olive grove to paint these ancient trees with their sinewy trunks and silver-flecked leaves. The taverna situated under a vine overlooking the beautiful inlet is the perfect lunch spot !

Day 13/ KALYMNOS ( Mon. 8th)

Telendos: Departing from the small jetty of Myrties, we cross the narrow strait to the picture-postcard isle of Telendos, steeped in time with a mere 50 inhabitants .

We will spend the day painting a choice of crimson bougainvillea-filled alleys, fishermen’s dwellings and boldly coloured fishing nets.

Optional evening BBQ at Babis Bar.

Day 14/ KALYMNOS (Tues. 9th)

FREE DAY.  Optional excursion to Turkey to visit the coastal town of Bodrum with its exotic restaurants and colourful bazaar – a shoppers paradise !!

or Optional excursion to Kos ( the birthplace of Hippocrates ) its town a blend of Greek and Roman ruins, medieval fortifications , Turkish minarets and florid Italian buildings.

Day 15/ KALYMNOS (Wed. 10th)

Vathy: Crossing the island, descending into this fertile valley with its great groves of mandarins is an unforgettable sight as it also has one of the deepest and most beautiful natural harbours in the Aegean. The day will be spent under the grapevine painting this beautiful turquoise bay.

Day 16 / KALYMNOS (Thurs. 11th)

Emborios: A boat trip to a secluded cove where we will sketch the fisherman Theofillis with his magestic moustache. Harrys taverna, set in the islands most beautiful garden with its potted geraniums is a beautiful setting for our afternoon painting

Day 17/ KALYMNOS (Fri. 12th)

Myrties: The bay of Myrties, its tiny jetty dotted with colourful wooden boats, is an idyllic spot to paint.

Optional evening with music and local dancing.

DAY 18/ KALYMNOS (Sat. 13th)

Aghias Savas: The rich terra-cotta domes of this beautiful monastery contrasted with the cobalt blue sky and sea is a scene to capture! (afternoon critique)

Day 19/ KALYMNOS (Sun. 14th) FREE DAY

Optional picnic boat trip to tiny islands and secluded coves where can swim off the boat. Viewed from the sea the boat trip offers a wonderful opportunity for some paintings of the honey-combed coastline with its ochre rocks and idyllic turquoise sea.

Sunset farewell cocktails

Day 20/ DEPARTURE (Mon. 15th)

Transfer to Kalymnos or Kos Airport to connect to return flight to Athens.

FOR FURTHER DETAILS:

email :   artemisarttours@hotmail.com or  0412 599 328