Day 1: Sunday Oct 3, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
Workshop members will be met at Marseilles airport at 3.00PM (Please ensure you allow enough time to collect your luggage from your flight prior to the transfer time). You will be transferred by air-conditioned coach to a centrally located workshop hotel in Aix en Provence. Aix en Provence is one of France’s most graceful cities, with its majestic public squares, shaded avenues and charming fountains. Aix en Provence is also famous for being the home and inspiration for Paul Cezanne, who did much of his painting in and around the city. After a welcome drinks party the group will enjoy an included welcome dinner.

Day 2: Monday Oct 4, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
This morning we will take a sightseeing tour of Aix en Provence with a local guide who will provide background on all the important sights. The tour will visit Vieux Aix, the charming old town of Aix with its elegant mansions, pleasant squares and charming fountains, and Cours Mirabeau, a stunning boulevard with a beautiful canopy of fine plane trees and fountains. After lunch Alvaro will start the painting program with a demonstration in a picturesque part of the town and give you personal assistance and helpful advice as you work. We will recommend a good value local restaurant near the hotel for dinner.

Day 3: Tuesday Oct 5, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
You will spend this day exploring the countryside of Provence. We will take you to the delightful St Remy de Provence to see the asylum where Vincent Van Gogh was confined in 1889 after he cut off his ear following his split with Gauguin. There will be a painting session in the nearby olive groves. In the afternoon we will return to Aix en Provence.

Day 4: Wednesday Oct 6, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
You will enjoy a full day of painting in spectacular Aix en Provence under Alvaro’s helpful eye. In the afternoon there will be the option to visit Paul Cezanne’s studio. A large number of Paul Cezanne’s works, which are kept in renowned museums such as “Grandes Baigneuses”, were painted in this studio of light and beauty.

Day 5: Thursday Oct 7, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
Today the group will visit the historic town of Avignon where Alvaro will join you as you explore and paint subjects such as the impressive Palace of the Popes and old Avignon, as well as the museums and the market area. We travel back to Aix en Provence for an evening at leisure.

Day 6: Friday Oct 8, 2010 Aix En Provence, Provence
Our last full day in historic Aix en Provence will commence with a demonstration followed by individual teaching. Helpful assistance will be provided to individual workshop members.

Day 7: Saturday Oct 9, 2010 Villefranche Sur Mer
This morning workshop members will be transferred by air-conditioned coach to nearby Villefranche-Sur-Mer, a beautiful Italian style fishing port and holiday resort a short distance from Nice. The town owes its name to the Count of Provence, Charles II of Anjou, nephew of St Louis, who founded it at the start of the 14th century and gave the town its commercial freedom. The workshop hotel commands wonderful views over the ocean and is close to the fishing port and the local shops and many good restaurants.

Day 8: Sunday Oct 10, 2010 Villefranche Sur Mer
After breakfast the workshop group will take a sightseeing tour of Nice, the neighbouring towns and the nearby Principality of Monaco with a local guide. We will commence by exploring Nice and the famous pebble beach, the Promenade des Anglais, the colourful market area and the narrow streets of the old town. We will then travel to Monte Carlo, playground of the rich and famous. Interesting sights include the casino, the port and the rock where the Royal Palace stands. After lunch Alvaro will commence the painting program with a demonstration followed by individual tuition.

Day 9: Monday Oct 11, 2010 Villefranche Sur Mer
A full day of painting in the old town with Alvaro. There is much to paint including the row of brightly painted houses that line the waterfront, and the Rue du Poilu. The main street is the centre of a network of narrow streets, some of which are stepped and vaulted. Great subjects.

Day 10: Tuesday Oct 12, 2010 Villefranche Sur Mer
Today workshop members will join a private coach for a day of painting and exploration of the French Riviera. We will spend most of the day painting in Antibes. For a long time Antibes was the only large town between Marseille and Italy. It was the only town on the coast to be protected by ramparts, and thus it has managed to conserve historic monuments from each period in its heritage. The Chateau, bastion and towers have today been transformed into a magnificent Modern Art Museum, History and Archaeology Museum and museum of traditional crafts and local culture.

Day 11: Wednesday Oct 13, 2010 Villefranche Sur Mer
Our last day of painting in the Villefrance Sur Mer. Alvaro will lead the group to a great painting location and paint a demonstration and then assist group members individually. Later in the day there will be a final critique session, followed by a farewell dinner.

Day 12: Thursday Oct 14, 2010 Departure
Time to say farewell. After breakfast you will be transferred to Nice airport for flights departing after midday.