Creative Escape to Kalymnos
27th September – 4 October
After a long and difficult year, we all deserve to escape, to forget everything except beauty and gentle enjoyment in a small group of likeminded souls, to restore our health and wellbeing.
Helle at Discover Kalymnos and artist Alison Cotton have teamed up to offer a week on the beautiful and unspoiled Greek island of Kalymnos. We hope to achieve a perfect balance between relaxation and creative exploration during late Summer, when the sea is warm and the sun rays are still strong enough to bask in. You will have a taste of the culture and history of the island, sample authentic local food, be inspired by stunning scenery and try out some art techniques.
Alison is an experienced painting tutor and inclusive arts practitioner, offering creative mentoring whatever your chosen media. She will share her own techniques for artmaking in the outdoors, from simple mindfulness exercises to colour collecting, quick gestural drawing and traditional watercolour painting, aiming to add to your creative self-care toolkit. Complete beginners and seasoned painters are all very welcome.
ITINERARY
27th September Travel to Kalymnos via Kos, stay at Hotel Hermes, hosted by Kathy (a local who speaks Australian-English)
28th September. The morning is for you to relax or explore.
2pm Welcome session and introduction in the garden of the privately owned church of St Nicolas, in Myrties. Refreshments of homemade lemonade and traditional local sweets will be provided.
Evening Group dinner at Smugglers restaurant. (Included)
29th September TOUR – Discovering the island of Kalymnos. 10.30 start – a little history and culture to put your visit in context. The day will include a visit to the Monastery of Agios Savvas, a sponge divers’ factory, the village of Vathy, a Kalymnos olive press and traditional weaver. Lunch and refreshments will be included, and there will be time for late afternoon relaxing or swimming.
30th September Free morning. 13.30 boat to Telendos, a quiet islet with no cars, dramatic scenery and wonderful eateries. You are welcome to take the 15 minute crossing earlier in the day to enjoy some free time on Telendos. Afternoon lesson in Telendos will break at 16.00 for refreshments, then we relocate to paint the sunset.
You can choose to stay on Telendos for drinks, an evening meal or return to Myrties. The boats sail all evening so you can enjoy a starlit crossing after your meal.
1st October All day at Emborios. Depart by taxi 10.00. Art sessions morning and afternoon, followed by swimming and relaxing. If conditions are right we will return by boat to Myrties.
2nd October Visit to the main town of Pothia. Depart 9.30, orientation and coffee in Pothia followed by drawing in the nautical museum.
Free afternoon, choose either to return to Myrties or stay in town.
3rd October Beach of Melitsachas – 10.00 – 14.00
Evening – private viewing and discussion by the group of each other’s work, with buffet supper.
4th October Travel from Kalymnos home or onward…
Creative escape to Kalymnos – Price list
Painters 985 pounds
Non painting partners or friends – 485 pounds
There is 15% discount on the whole booking to participants who share a room either with a painter or non painter friend of partner.
To book your place all you need to is do confirm your commitment. A deposit of 35 % of your total booking will be payable two months before departure date and confirmation that the the trip will go ahead. The outstanding amount will be two weeks before departure.
If the event is cancelled all monies will be refunded.
Any deposit will be returned if you cancel however if cancellation is made within two weeks of the departure date unfortunately the deposit will not be returned unless the cancellation is due Covid -19 flight cancellations.
The price includes for painters.
All tuition from Alison. (Three half days and two full days)
Hotel – including breakfast
All transfers
Transport on the island to all painting locations
Island tour which includes lunch
Two evening meals as detailed in the schedule
Refreshments where detailed in the schedule
Information and gift pack
The price for non-painting partners or friends.
Includes all the above accept tuition
Not included in the price.
Flights
Travel insurance
Alison will advise all participants regarding a material list