20th - 27th June 2026 Travel Journalling & Sketch-booking with Travel Journalist Shikha Shah
The Retreat, Le Marche, Italy
Step off the beaten path and into the hidden gem of Le Marche, where the rhythms of rural life, terracotta towns, and Adriatic breezes awaken the senses and stir the soul. This 7-day retreat is a sanctuary for writers, artists, and thoughtful travelers seeking creative renewal in an inspiring, underexplored corner of Italy. On this unforgettable creative retreat in the heart of Italy, where rolling hills, sun-drenched villages, and centuries-old traditions will be your muse. Over the course of this immersive week, you’ll explore the art of travel writing and sketchbooking—two deeply personal ways to preserve the magic of a place.
This extraordinary writing and sketch-booking retreat stands out because it offers more than just a quiet space—it is a transformative experience, and this is what makes it exceptional:
ITINERARY
TAKE AWAYS FROM THIS RETREAT
Guided by your experienced instructors, you’ll wander cobblestone streets with a journal in one hand and a sketchbook in the other, pausing to document fleeting scenes, local encounters, and breathtaking views. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a beginner with a pencil, this retreat is about slowing down, observing deeply, and finding your creative voice.
Workshops & Activities include:
- Travel journaling and storytelling techniques
- Writing sessions on memory, place, and storytelling
- On-location sketching and watercolor instruction
- Group critiques and one-on-one coaching
- Instruction in travel sketching, line work, and watercolor techniques
- Guided walks in hill towns like Ascoli Piceno, Offida, or Montefalcone, Torre di Palme
- Vineyard Sip & Sketch
- Cultural outings to markets, vineyards, ancient villages, historic towns and hidden gems
- Tastings of regional wines and traditional local cuisine from the coast to the mountains
With a small, supportive group and plenty of free time for reflection, this is more than a vacation—it’s a journey inward as much as outward. Return home with a hand-crafted travelogue filled with your own stories, sketches, and memories of Italy that will last a lifetime
MEET THE TUTOTS
Shikha Shah Desai - Travel Journalist and Sketcher
..is an Indian travel journalist with more than 15 years of experience in lifestyle writing. She writes about food, travel, culture, art, and architecture, focussing on slow, mindful, and sustainable travel. You will find her work in some of the leading Indian and international publications like the BBC UK, The Times of India, Travel & Leisure, Conde Nast Traveller, Architectural Digest, Vogue, Namaste.ai - Air India's in-flight magazine, Singapore-based Lightfoot Travel, The Straits Times Singapore, The Destinasian Magazine, A+ Singapore Luxury Magazine, Outlook Traveller, Indulge Express, Spice - India Today's Luxury Magazine, New Zealand Herald and India Outbound among others. Art and travel are close to her heart, and she takes inspiration from her journeys to create vivid paintings using pen and watercolour.
John Skelcher - Fine Artists and Painting & Drawing Tutor
"In over 30 years’ of tutoring, I have helped many budding artists achieve their artistic goals. I love the challenge of capture the light and reflections of the landscapes and urban scenes that inspire my work. In my urban work, I seek to capture the serenity that can be found in even the busiest locations and eternalise those brief, fleeting moments in time of every day situations.In my landscape work, I follow the natural lines that draw the eye along a naturally flowing path, along highlights in the panorama, eventually arriving in the mysterious far distance. With years’ of practice, I have developed quick and effective techniques in my work, I introduce my students to use as effective tools to enrich their work in style and detail."
COST/DETAILS
€ 2.500 p.p. single en-suite
€ 2.250 p.p. twin/double en-suite
Deposit: €600 on booking
Full amount due 21 days prior to arrival.
Non-painting partners sharing room with participant at discount
See our Terms & Conditions.
INCLUDED*
- 7 Nights Accommodation/8 Days
- Daily breakfast, lunch, dinner, aperitivi, coffee/tea breaks at The Retreat (Lunch on full day excursion not included)
- tuition & demonstrations
- drawing & sketchbook tuition
- all day open studio
- painting excursions to select locations in the area
- Sight-seeing visit to historic Villages and towns such as: Ascoli Piceno, Offida, Montefalcone, Torre di Palme
- all sketch booking & journalling materials for this course
- pick up and drop off at San Benedetto del Tronto train or coach station for all main-line and Rome and Rome airport connections
*Airfare and travel insurance not included
The LOCATION
This creative escape takes place at The Retreat, a beautifully restored countryhouse retreat centre. A large studio and multi purpose space dedicated to inspirational activities. Set in the heart of the beautiful Italian countryside of the Le Marche Region, it has hosted Painting Holiday Italy and The Retreat Art Workshops & Creative Holidays for over 15 years.
Beautifully appointed, air-conditioned en-suite bedrooms, provide comfort and relaxation. Each room has been styled in a charming country house style to reflect the peaceful surroundings and character of the rustico. A large guest lounge, gym, furnished terraces and refreshment area with tea/coffee and snacks available all day, a large garden with panoramic views and pool area and yoga/exercise area are available for guest use.
The FOOD
Culinary delights and deliciously fresh and healthy mediterranean meals are prepared by our very own nutritional chef, Jana who not only runs her own Cooking School, but she also has been a nutritional chef for a UK healthy ageing platform for numerous years. She has written over 2000 recipes for healthy living and has taken care of The Retreat guests’s meals for 15 years. Her daily fresh and vibrant meals are a feast for the senses and will have your taste buds working in overdrive. From delicious breakfasts, to lunches, dinners and her speciality aperitiviti for our critique sessions -each meal is different and inspiring. All dietary requirements are catered for. Make sure though, to leave space in your notebook for new recipes!
IS THIS RETREAT FOR ME?
The Retreat has welcomed painters and creative minds from all over the world for many years. Those who are looking for tranquillity, a relaxed and supportive creative atmosphere allowing guests to fully focus on their art work, find new inspiration, and re-charge their batteries. This retreat doesn’t require any prior experience. Artists of all experience levels are welcome to sketch, paint and write on the go. The retreat is essentially about slowing down in this fast-paced world, centring yourself, seeking inspiration in your surroundings and letting the art of travel journaling transform you.
If you love amazing landscape, rural tranquility and enjoy spending creative time in the company of like-minded people, then this retreat is for you. Coupled with deliciously healthy, mediterranean meals, cultural and artistic explorations and a big portion of relaxation, this retreat will not only energise your creative vibes, inspire your art work, and built beautiful memories. Nothing spells ‘Bella Italia’ more, than the uninterrupted panoramic views towards the mystic mountains of the Sibylline, the sandy beaches of the Adriatic coast, and the quintessential vineyards and olive groves that adorn the gently rolling hills. A dream for any experienced and beginner plein-air painter alike.
