Join artists Melanie Barash Levitt and Lucy Coe of Jackson Art as we "Paint Portugal" through an unforgettable, week-long cultural immersion.

This eight-day and seven-night journey with an intimate group of 10 people will explore the historic cities, quaint coastal towns and stunning countryside of Portugal  including:
-Lisbon's Charming Alfama and Baixa Districts
-Évora in the historic Alentejo Region and the Spectacular Convento do Espinheiro Hotel & Spa
-Stunning and Tranquil Comporta Beach

We will soak up Portugal's landscape and architecture through “plein air” painting taught by nationally renowned artist Melanie Barash Levitt. Through demonstration and individual attention, students will learn how to distill the important information from their observations and translate it onto the canvas. Melanie will address the importance of sketching, how to create depth and light in a painting, composition, color mixing, and other tips for painting outdoors. Each session will begin with a demo using both brush and palette knife. Both total beginner and intermediate painters are welcome and Melanie will work one-on-one with students at the easel at their level. At the end of the week, participants will have a collection of small unique paintings from their Portugal adventure.

This exciting trip begins in Portugal's historic capital Lisbon known as the “City of Light.” Set against a dramatic hillside, the Portuguese capital is characterized by distinct white, limestone buildings and cobblestone streets that descend down to the Atlantic Ocean. We will stay at a five star hotel in the Alfama district for two nights. This part of the “old town” with its vibrant architecture and lively atmosphere will completely immerse us in Portugal's culture. Here we will learn the history of “azulejo” tile painting and have the unique experience of participating in a private tile painting class with a local artist. After lunch, we will head to a pastry shop where the ringing of a brass bell announces a fresh batch of the world-famous Portuguese custard known as “pastel de nata.” A unique four-course dinner experience featuring local wine and live Fado music will be the perfect way to end our evening. The next morning, Melanie will lead a plein air painting session starting with a demonstration. Students will capture a “snapshot” of Lisbon’s colorful city on canvas.

On day three, a private shuttle will transport us to Évora in the historic Alentejo region. We’ll stay at the luxurious, five-star Convento do Espinheiro Hotel & Spa, housed in a renovated 15th-century convent. The buildings are surrounded by tranquil pools, gardens, and vineyards that offer endless opportunities to relax, to revitalize and to be inspired. At the hotel’s very own vineyard, we will enjoy a wine tasting from their private label. A daily smorgasbord breakfast of local offerings is included with your stay and the hotel has a variety of excellent restaurants and bars catering to lunch and dinner guests. In addition to plein air painting each day, there will be restorative down-time to book a spa treatment, relax by the pools or take a morning walk through the property’s extensive gardens.

We will take two day trips from Convento de Espinheiro via private transportation. Our first trip will take us to the well-kept secret of Comporta Beach. Renowned for expansive stretches of fine golden sand, turquoise waters, picturesque dunes and red sandstone cliffs, Comporta is often said to be a more peaceful version of Ibiza. We’ll pack our supplies to paint by the ocean and then explore the colorful town, stopping for a seaside lunch. On our next day trip we’ll explore downtown Évora, the capital of Portugal's south-central region. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a treasure trove of architectural wonders, cultural heritage, and culinary delights. We will have a traditional lunch in town, explore the local shops, and visit historic sites such as the Roman Temple of Diana, the city’s 12th-century Cathedral, and the “Chapel of Bones”.

Our last evening will be a farewell party, with wine and cheese, celebrating our paintings and time together! On the following day, you will take a private shuttle to the Humberto Delgado Airport to connect with your flight back home.

Recommend to Reserve Early! Small-Group Limited to 10 people!

DURING OUR TRIP YOU WILL LEARN:

• -How to capture the landscape “en plein air” in a short timeframe.
• -Lessons in  sketching, composition, value, color mixing, brushwork and palette knife painting.
  
• -All about “azulejo” tile painting from local artisans
• -About local cuisine and wine
• -Brief history of Portuguese art and architecture

OUR TRIP INCLUDES:

• -Pre-trip zoom sessions on how to pack art supplies and answer questions
• -Wine and cheese welcome upon arrival and departure wine and cheese Farewell Party
• -Seven nights of accommodations at five-star hotels
• -Seven breakfasts
• -Two lunches
• -One four-course traditional dinner with local wine and live Fado
• -Pastel de nata (custard) tasting
• -Local vineyard wine tasting
• -Private ground transportation to and from the Humberto Delgado Airport, to the Convento de Espinheiro Hotel & Spa and day trip locations
• -Five plein air painting classes with demos and instruction
• -Private tile painting class with shipping to US included
• -Group walking tours led by Melanie and Lucy of the cities, countryside and coastal regions of Portugal

OUR TRIP DOES NOT INCLUDE: 

• -Airline tickets and travel insurance
• -Those dinners and lunches that are not listed above
• -Spa services
• -Art Supplies
• -Alcohol purchases not listed above
• -Personal purchases
• -Ground transportation not listed above

PAINT PORTUGAL PACKAGE PRICING:

• $3,995-EarlyBird Price (Valid until 7/10/25 Per Person/Double Occupancy Room, 7 nights
• $4,495-EarlyBird Price (Valid until 7/10/25 Single Occupancy Room, 7 nights 
  
  After 7/10/25 Pricing Increases
• $4,195-Per Person/Double Occupancy Room, 7 nights (after 7/10/2025)
• $4,695-Single Occupancy Room, 7 nights (after 7/10/2025)

NOTE: Prices DO NOT include Airfare, travel insurance, meals if not listed above, alcohol if not listed above and any personal purchases. Please refer to the above list for a complete list of items NOT included in our trip.

PAYMENT INFORMATION:

50% Deposit Due at Time of Registration:

• $1,998-EarlyBird Per Person/Double Occupancy Room (Valid until 7/10/25)
• $2,248-EarlyBird Single Occupancy Room (Valid until 7/10/25)

50% Deposit Non-Early Bird

• $2,098-Per Person/Double Occupancy after 7/10/25
• $2,348-Per Person/Single Occupancy after 7/10/25

PLEASE NOTE:  Balance due  on 7/25/2025 - 90 days before our trip

CANCELLATION & REFUND POLICY:

• 120 days notice or more you will be refunded 100% of your payment to date minus a $500 deposit for administrative and third party administrative fees.
• 90 days notice or more you will be refunded 100% of your payment to date minus a $1,000 deposit for administrative and third party administrative fees.
• Less than 90 days NO REFUNDS OR EXCEPTIONS (we recommend purchasing travel insurance)
• In the event that you have to cancel your trip with us on the 90 day or less cut-off date, your deposit and/or installment payment will be forfeited as detailed by the dates listed above.
• It is highly recommended you purchase quality travel insurance in the unlikely event you must cancel your travel plans. Your deposits are used so that we may reserve our accommodations, transportation, activities and dinner reservations and are tied to binding contracts with third party members. Because of this we have a strict refund and cancellation policy that we must adhere to which honors those contracts with third party entities.
• Your REGISTRATION for this trip is our confirmation you have read and agreed to the refund and cancellation policy stated above.

*A detailed itinerary and art supply list will be forwarded upon registration. 

Lucy and Melanie have been friends for 40 years since they were 16 years old. They both attended the Rhode Island School of Design and then moved to Boston after graduation where they were roomates. Currently, they work together on gallery events, art shows and classes. They have traveled extensively world-wide and are excited to be collaborating on this exciting trip to Portugal! 

Melanie Barash Levitt graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1990. She currently lives in the White Mountains of NH and is the owner of Jackson Art Studio & Gallery.  Melanie is an award winning artist who paints in a loose, impressionistic style with a brush or a palette knife in oils. As a plein air artist, Levitt paints on location braving the elements to capture the mood of the scene. Her favorite subjects are the mountains, rivers and small farms of NH and the rugged coasts of Maine. Her artwork resides is in the home of many collectors through the US, Canada and Europe. She exhibits her work in galleries and shows throughout NH, ME, VT and NY. She has been featured in Boston Chronicle (WCBV TV, ABC), NH Chronicle (WMUR 9), and has been published in various newspapers and magazines  She also has received numerous awards for her paintings in regional shows and juried events and is a member of the Salmagundi Art Club in NYC. She will also be on the staff for the 2025 Plein Air Convention in Lake Tahoe and will be giving a demo on stage.

Lucy Coe lives and paints in both North Conway, NH and Cape Cod, MA. She graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. Studying under amazing illustrators and painters such as watercolorist Tom Sgouras, painter Richard Merkin, illustrators Chris Van Allsburg and David Macaulay she was taught to create work that tells a story. Winding roads, distant dwellings, expansive dunes and mountains all have stories to tell and are her favorite subjects. After working for many years in Providence, New York City, Boston and a tiny rural town in Massachusetts as a freelance illustrator and designer she made the move to the Mount Washington Valley. Her work is in private collections in Washington, DC, Massachusetts and New Hampshire.