CREATIVE RETREAT IN ANDALUCIA
May 27th to June 3rd 2027
Inspirational excursions and workshops.
Sketch, stitch, do water colours, take photos, do collage or journal.
Relax and do absolutely nothing.
Connect with other artists.
Eat well, drink well.
MAXIMUM 8 PARTICIPANTS.
ONLY FIVE PLACES LEFT!
We´re staying at beautiful Almond Hill House on the outskirts of the pittoresque little town of Orgiva in the mountains of Andalucia, 1,5 hours drive from Malaga.
The old, lovingly restored house is full of nooks and corners and is beautifully decorated. The garden feels like a quiet paradise. Here are plenty of spaces both indoors and outdoors where we can be together – or you can easily find a place to be alone, if you need some peace and quiet. We will have a dedicated studio where we can gather around the big table and work together. The bedrooms are not very spacious, but very cozy and tastefully decorated.
Our hosts at Almond Hill House are mother and daughter Kay and Becky, who do absolutely everything to make our stay as comfortable as possible. Kay is an acclaimed artist herself, and I am happy that we can add a workshop with her to our program.
Orgiva is situated on the south side of Sierra Nevada, the highest mountain chain in Spain, in an area called La Alpujarra. La Alpujarra consists of a total of 50 villages, established by the Moorish (Islam) poulation that fled or escaped Granada when Spain occupied Granada and the Alhambra palace in 1492. Many of the Moorish villages look like they did back then, and the Moorish influence on architecture, art, craft and decoration is still very strong both in Granada and in La Alpujarra. Not to forget the food!
Guaranteed to inspire you.
Questions? You can always contact me at tove@tovececiliefasting.com
THE PROGRAM:
Small adjustments can happen…
Thursday: Pick up in Malaga. Transport to Almond Hill House. Dinner and get to know each other.
Friday: A day to land and take in the environment, and to go for a lovely walk through the olive groves surrounding Almond Hill House.
Saturday: Guided tour to Alhambra and Granada. On the UNESCO world heritance list, the stunning Moorish palace and gardens of Alhambra, is an incredible experience. We´ll add extra time for sketching/photos, before walking down to the city centre where we´ll have lunch. After lunch we´ll get to know the Albaicin, the Arab quarters. before returning to Orgiva in the afternoon.
Sunday: 4 hours water colour workshop at Almond Hill House with our host, Kay Elliot. Afternoon free.
Monday: Workshop at The Geometric Art Studio in the coastal town of Nerja. We learn how to recreate the mosaics and patterns of the Alhambra, making a piece of art to bring home. Lunch in Nerja. And maybe a dip in the sea before we turn home. Afternoon free.
Tuesday: 4 hours morning workshop with Kay. Afternoon free.
Wednesday: Time to go back in time, and explore some of the charming Moorish mountain villages, Capileira, Pampaneira and Trevelez. We´ll visit ceramic artist Emily Pranger, who lives and work in the tiny Moorish village of Fondales. Lunch. Return to Orgiva and afternoon free.
Thursday: After breakfast we´ll put our suitcases in the bus, then walk into Orgiva for a few hours at the market, before the bus driver will pick us up and take us back to Malaga.
THE FOOD
Good food is an important part of your retreat! All meals at Almond Hill House will be cooked by Tove, who after 30 years living in Mediterraenan countries (France, Greece and now Spain) has developed a deep passion for the Mediterranean kitchen: Food made from scratch with natural ingredients, mainly local and in season. Tove has written several books about food, taught hundreds of people the secrets of the healthy Mediterraen diet in her cooking classes and has kept a food blog since 2011. Feel free to join her in the kitchen during the retreat.
Breakfast will be a buffet of homebaked bread, homemade granola, Greek yoghurt, fruit salad, scrambled eggs, vegetables and Kay´s homemade jams, made from organic fruits from Almond Hill House. Tea, coffee and juice.
Lunch will be a rich salad, soup or pie.
For dinner, there will be mainly vegetarian dishes, inspired by different Mediterranean countries. A couple of nights we´ll also lit the barbecue and Kristian (Tove´s husband, our driver and assistant during the retreat) will grill meat, veggies or seafood. And of course, no dinner without dessert!
We serve local, natural wine with the food.
We cater for participants with allergies or food intolerances, so make sure you let us know up front if there are any food or ingredients that you can not eat.
WHAT IS INCLUDED
- Transport to and from Malaga
- Accommodation 7 nights
- Breakfast and dinner with dessert and wine, plus lunch the days we´re not eating out
- All excursions, entrance tickets, guide and workshop fees
NOT included: lunch in Granada, Nerja and on our excursion to the mountain villages.
PRICE AND BOOKING
Click HERE to check the rooms.
Almond: 1950 euros (single occupancy)
Fig: 1750 euros (single occupancy)
Olive: 1550 euros (double occupancy). 1950 euros (single occupancy) RESERVED.
Lemon: 1550 euros (double occupancy). 1950 euros (single occupancy)
Orange: 1550 euros (double occupancy). 1950 euros (single occupancy)
Wisteria: 1550 euros (double occupancy). 1950 euros (single occupancy) RESERVED.
SEND YOUR BOOKING REQUEST:
You can also use this form if you have any questions or contact me at tove@tovececiliefasting.com.