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Frequently Asked Questions

Accomodation & Food

Accomodation & Meals

Our guests will be staying at the Baglio Custera, a boutique resort hotel nestled in  Marsala’s countryside. Known for its gardens and luxurious swimming pool, this ultramodern resort stands on the Rakalia hill, the site of an ancient shrine to Hercules, surrounded by centenary olive trees and fragrant orange groves. Baglio Custera is a brand new hotel built on ancient lines, those of the "baglio," or Sicilian farmhouse.

 

Sicily boasts an extraordinary cuisine influenced by the unique flavors of the Mediterranean region. Its mainstays are garden-fresh vegetables and fruit, ancient grains, local cheeses and seafood. All meals, accommodation and transport are Included in your package, including a celebratory welcome dinner with the instructor.

 

Car rental is not necessary but suggested if you'd like to explore on your own.

I have food allergies/dietary requirements

Not a problem. Please let us know as soon as possible and we will accommodate you as best we can.

Package Details

Are your workshops wheelchair accessible?

Unfortunately, they currently are not.

Can I bring my partner?

Participants can bring a non-participating partner for an additional lodging and transportation cost. Please let us know as soon as possible if you’d like to bring a guest.

What will I need?

You will need comfortable clothes, shoes and hat for painting, either in studio or in the field. You may need to walk and carry materials on a few days so please dress comfortably. Spring and autumn in Marsala are warm, with cooler evenings and occasional blustery weather; summer weather is hot, so layered clothing is recommended. We also suggest you bring a bathing suit and something smarter to change into for group dinners.

 

Our studio provides many basic materials, including solvents and studio easels. You will need to bring your own paint and brushes. Please consult the materials list in your welcome packet for further details. If you wish to travel lightly, consider purchasing or renting materials through us. Everything needed for your workshop will be available for purchase or rental at the Sicily Artist Retreats studio in Marsala. We recomend ordering in advance through  this website. 

 

Naturally, if you’re not an EU resident, you will need a valid passport. We strongly recommend Travel Insurance and Trip Cancellation Insurance, and an international driver's license if you plan to drive.

What to pack?

A complete materials list  will be sent to you. But here are some things to consider bringing to make the most of your trip:

 

Painting supplies:

Do bring your favorite brushes for oil painting, or watercolor workshops, palette and paints.  For outdoor painting, bring a plein-air painting set-up that has worked well for you and that you are familiar and comfortable with. Sicily Artists Retreats will provide all solvents and mediums, as these can not be brought with you on the plane, checked or carry-on. Brush soap, rags, paper towels, studio easles  and overnight oil paint storage on palettes are all provided.Remember to bring any specialized tools that you rely on for clay sculpture workshop.  Basic tools will be provided.

 

Painting surfaces:

Sicily Artist Retreats stocks a variety of canvas, paper and boards available for purchase.

Advice and recommendations on painting surfaces as well as how to safely bring finished paintings home will be sent out to participants in advance. 

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Materials Purchase and Rentals:

Should you prefer to travel without carrying your materials, you may purchase a "Paint Pass" available for all our workshops.  The Paint Pass includes everything you will need for the specific workshop, including oil or watercolor paints, plein air easle and set-up, and glass palette (refundable cash deposit only). All items may be purchased or reserved on this website; see SHOP.

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Clothing:

Pack comfortable, lightweight clothing that is suitable for warm weather. You should also bring a hat with a good brim and sunscreen for outdoor painting sessions.

Choose comfortable shoes good for walking, as not all place we will go have paved roads.

And a small, light, day backpack and reusable water bottle.

Evenings can be a little cooler so be sure to bring a light jacket.

The hotel has a lovely pool, so bringing swimwear is recommended!

With these items in your suitcase, you'll be well-prepared for an enjoyable and productive painting workshop in Sicily!

How does Sicily Artist Retreats chose its instructors?

All of our faculty are hand-picked for experience and acclaim in the United States and Europe. Many of them teach or have taught at schools like the New York Academy of Art,  the Art Students League of New York, and private studios throughout . We trust them to direct each workshop according to their own specialties, while offering meaningful feedback and direction to every single participant.

The Sicily Artist Retreats team bring years of teaching and management experience to the process, ensuring the highest quality experience for our guests.

How big is each workshop?

Most workshops are capped  at13 people, ensuring maximum attention for each participant from our instructors. Historically, we’ve averaged about ten participants per workshop. 

Do I need to speak Italian?

No! Obviously speaking Italian in Italy is a tremendous advantage, but our workshops are conducted in English. All Sicily Artist Retreats staff and vendors speak English as well.

Will I have a chance to see Sicily?

Yes! Our plein air sessions will bring you to places of staggering beauty along Sicily’s western coast. Our workshops also make an ideal part of a longer sightseeing holiday; we are happy to recommend places to visit in the area.

What is included in my package?

Your Sicily Artist Retreats package will vary slightly depending on which workshop you’re attending. Generally, your tuition costs cover five days of intensive studio work with our faculty; workshop-related day trips around western Sicily for plein air painting or sightseeing;  hotel lodging with breakfast and dinner included; lunch every day, and celebratory meals. It also covers scheduled transportation to and from the airport; daily transportation to the studio; and some basic painting, drawing, and sculpting materials.

Reaching Us

Travel Advisory

There are no travel advisories at this time but please be sure to check the Italian Ministry of Health for current updates.

Tell me about transportation

All transportation between your lodging and our studio will be by charter bus. On the day of arrival there will be 2 pickup times at Palermo’s Punta Raisi International Airport (PMO)--11:00AM and 2:30PM; please consult your welcome package for further details on exact timing. If you are arriving at a time that does not fall within this schedule, you have several options: Hotel Baglio Custera is able to pre-arrange private pick-up for you at a cost of 130 euro, which may be paid directly to the hotel.  Costs for a Taxi from the Palermo Airport to Baglio Custera Hotel is about 150 euro. Palermo Airport has many major car rental services on-site, including Hertz and Avis. In addition, public bus transportation is available at a cost of 30 euro from Palermo Airport to the regional airport in Birgi (TP), where a taxi can take a taxi to the Hotel for a nominal cost.   Consult your packet for Point of Contact information.

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Can I arrange private transportation?

Certainly, but please consult with Hotel Baglio Custera at info@bagliocustera.com, Attemtion: David Castiglione,  to help arrange it-- our partners and vendors need to know how many people they’re taking care of. 

Who is my point of contact?

 Your welcome packet will include contact information for a  staff member and your instructor; it will also include emergency phone numbers and other useful information. Of course, you can always reach out to us at info@artistretreats.com with any questions or info@bagliocustera.com for hotel-related questions. Please  identify yourself as part of Sicily Artist Retreats when contacting Hotel Baglio Custera.

Payment Options

What is your deposit/refund policy?

We ask a 50 percent deposit of the total cost of your workshop as a confirmation of your booking. (Of course, you can pay the entire sum upfront if you prefer.) The deposit is non-refundable. If you need to cancel your reservation, we ask that you inform us at least 90 days in advance; we cannot refund payments within 90 days of the workshop’s start date. Financial fees related to cancellation are not refundable. We strongly encourage all our guests to purchase Trip Cancellation Insurance from their Travel Insurance provider.  Please consult our terms and conditions, and feel free to contact us with any questions.

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us a question.

Covid 19 Policy

What is your deposit/refund policy?

In the event that a workshop is canceled as a result of Covid-19 government restrictions, or if a participant is prohibited from traveling to attend a workshop due to applicable Covid-19 travel restrictions, Sicily Artist Retreats will refund any payments made (minus a 4% transaction fee).

What If I get sick and can't travel?

We do not issue refunds for the inability to travel due to illness or other personal issues. We recommend all our participants get travel insurance to cover any event where travel becomes impossible due to extraneous circumstances.

See our cancellation policy.

Can't find what you're looking for? Ask us a question.

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