25th May – 1st June 2025

1st – 8th June 2025

If you have always wanted to draw or paint, you can do so under the tutelage of Loreto Reilly, a fully qualified art and design teacher, with over 20 years of professional experience, including 15 years running this course. Loreto is an adept and accomplished teacher as well as a successful Irish artist who exhibits regularly at home and abroad.

Loreto will host this year’s painting courses in the beautiful coastal town of Taormina in Sicily. The location is set in the family-run residence, Terra Rossa, surrounded by lush mature Tropical gardens, filled with sunshine but also with many areas shaded by olive trees overlooking beautiful Isola Bella and the Mediterranean Sea.

​The residence is located between the center of Taormina and the sea. The center of Taormina is uphill and can be reached by foot in about 20 minutes, or by car, and also by taxi.

The nearest beaches (called “Isola Bella” and “Mazzarò”) are 500 meters downhill. At the same distance, you will find the “Taormina Mazzarò” cable car, which connects the sea area to the city centre.

The pool with its panoramic views is always a cool option to swim or simply sit back and enjoy the warmth. For more information, please contact Loreto by email or phone.

Classes

The course is all about painting your own original landscape. Beginning with selecting a subject, learning how to make a preparatory sketch, and then working that to a finished painting. Each step is demonstrated to the group and then developed through one-to-one tuition. Students are encouraged to work at their own level of art experience.

During the course of the week, you will sketch a number of subjects, often completing several paintings by the end. Following this course, whenever you encounter a striking subject, at home or while traveling, you will have the skills to sketch and paint it.

The group is kept to a maximum of ten, to ensure that every student receives the maximum assistance and encouragement from the tutor at all times. The synergy of working together with like-minded people brings its own rewards, and many of our students have become close friends. Many people also return from year to year.

Among the painting and drawing media used during this course are graphite pencils, acrylics, and watercolours if requested. Most materials for painting and drawing are included.  For a list of things to bring click here.

For more information, please contact Loreto by email or phone.

Accommodation

All care is taken that your stay is an enjoyable experience while attending the course and this includes the accommodation. 

The house, gardens, pool, and terraces of the house are open to all students and wifi is available throughout. All apartments have a full kitchen, dining area, bathroom and terrace.

Afternoon Time to Yourself

• Walk into the centre of Taormina and visit one of its cafe terraces or restaurants. The centre, through the ancient arched entrances, leads to historic winding streets with exquisite shops and boutiques. The sacred ritual of the passeggiata for southern Italians each evening is an experience in itself. Order an Aperol and listen to the hum of the locals as they stroll arm in arm and seem to chatter incessantly. It is also an opportunity to admire the style with which they dress, seemingly effortlessly.
• Walk to the beach and enjoy a swim or a cool glass of prosecco.
• Try one of the many picturesque walking routes in the local area or explore scenery further afield by bus or with a car rental.
• Take an organised tour of Mt. Etna and sample some wines for which its slopes are famous.
• Take some time for personal painting development.
• Or simply relax in these beautiful surroundings and take a siesta by the pool
  
  

Car rental, shared or otherwise, is the ideal way to explore this fascinating area and is recommended. Information on alternative private transport can be provided.

Accommodation Cost: Week 25th May – 1st June 2025

• Double Bedroom: €800
• Double Bedroom en suite, with kitchen corner, single-use: €900
• Studio Apartment shared: €550 / single-use: €1,100 (Sea view + €50)
• Two-bedroom apartment shared: €650 per person / single-use: €1,300 (Sea view +€50)
• Non-painting partners: €150 plus above prices.
• Early booking, 90 days before check-in date: 10% discount
• 2-week stay: 10% discount
• Both offers combined: 18% discount

Accommodation Cost: Week 1st – 8th June 2025

• Double Bedroom: €890
• Double Bedroom en suite, with kitchen corner, single-use: €1,000
• Studio Apartment shared: €600 / single-use: €1,200 (Sea view + €50)
• Two-bedroom apartment shared: €700 per person / single-use: €1,400 (Sea view +€50)
• Non-painting partners: €150 plus above prices.
• Early booking, 90 days before check-in date:10% discount
• 2-week stay: 10% discount
• Both offers combined: 18% discount

Cost of course:

• €500 for course attendees

What is Included:

• Three hours of painting with tuition each morning.
• Painting materials and equipment.
• A welcome aperitif shared on arrival.
• Transport arrangement.
• Organization.

Not Included in the Price:

• Flights
• Obligatory travel insurance
• Cost of transport 
• Cost of chosen accommodation

Lunch/dinner can be enjoyed in one of the many excellent local restaurants/pizzerias in Taormina.  Or you may wish to use the facilities to cook at your own apartment. Food from local restaurants can also be ordered and delivered to your own terrace. To book today or for more information please contact Loreto by email or phone.

Cancellation Policy

• Please read the Cancellation Policy here before booking.

Getting There

The nearest airport is Catania. Aer Lingus flies direct from Dublin. The cost of flights booked early is reasonable and tends to rise closer to the travel dates. So early booking is highly recommended.

Ryanair fly direct from Stansted to Catania on Sundays. Low fares at present in January.

British Airways direct from Gatwick.

The UK has many direct flights to all three airports

Transfers can be arranged from the airport to Terra Rossa. This service will be arranged by the hotel and when a group arrives at a similar time the cost is shared and so making this a convenient and affordable choice.

There is also a train service to Taormina Giardini and a bus service right to the town centre. For more information, please contact Loreto by email or phone.

Map

Gloss Magazine January 2020

Read the article here.

Gloss Magazine July 2017

Read the article here.

Handmade Irish ceramic and pottery pieces by Irish artist Loreto Reilly are individually formed by hand. Clay is an unyielding material when fired, but to work with is soft and malleable, and these qualities are retained in her finished work: Irish handmade ceramics and pottery of the finest quality.

Her range includes:

• Lamps
• Vases
• Candle-lights
• Platters
• Bowls
• Personalised Dinner Sets

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I’ve just booked my 3rd painting holiday with Loreto, a testament to the wonderful experiences I’ve had on the previous two! In a nutshell…. Top class, patient & encouraging art tuition where nothing was a bother & each level catered for (in my case, you couldn’t go much lower but I felt very proud of my work!), stunning surroundings especially in Taormina – it really is a special place, wonderful company & getting to know people – we had great laughs & chats, the swimming pool in Taormina, relaxing afternoons & in some cases day trips to Mount Etna & lovely coastal routes, dinners in the fab restaurants in the old town. Sometimes we went to local supermarkets to buy in salad/fruit/bread etc to self cater for breakfasts & lunches. Car hire was a great idea as we saw far more of the area. Loreto, and Marie our yoga instructor, are warm, welcoming & encouraging in every aspect of the holiday. It’s a very unique & special experience & I can’t wait for the next one in June!

Thank you Loreto & Marie!
Paula Lyne, Clare

I had the pleasure of joining a wonderful group of women on Loreto’s painting course in divine Taormina. The location was incredibly beautiful, a perfect setting for an art course, and its many magnificent views were an inspiration for even a total novice like myself. For somebody with no painting experience, I found Loreto to be patient and attentive as she guided me towards my first “masterpiece”! For those who were more experienced painters, Loreto encouraged and inspired, offered suggestions, and enabled the artists to produce works that were uniquely theirs.

I would happily return to Taormina with Loreto.
Caitriona O Donnell, Cavan

Many, many thanks Loreto for another wonderful week of joy, inner peace, and new learning experiences of painting with you in Taormina in Sicily. I had previously painted with Loreto in Soulitre in France in a beautiful chateau. What a wonderful experience that was. I always wanted to paint, but confidence in painting was an issue for me, so when the opportunity presented itself I decided to take the risk and try. Loreto’s course was perfect.
I learned so much in the short 7 days. She explains everything as you go along, never overwhelming or critical. She has a lovely gentle confidence-building approach and explains how sketching, colours, and shades work. And so much more.
I also loved that everything for the class is supplied. It’s also a good mix of group learning and one-to-one guidance in progressing at your own pace.
I couldn’t believe I completed several paintings whilst looking out over the Mediterranean.
Beautiful food, local wine, and bubbles were the order of the day. Plus it was a holiday I could do on my own, and meet lots of different nationalities. Who just wanted to learn to paint?
I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of every class. Thank Loreto.

Looking forward to painting wherever the brushes take us!!!
Jacqueline Smith, Meath

I did a painting course in Italy with Loreto. I learned so much in the week but she also allowed and encouraged me to develop my own style. She explained how to choose a subject, how to see it, colors, etc…. I left at the end of the week with a love for painting. The ladies on the course with me were so much fun. We laughed all week.

I cannot wait for the next trip !!
Regina McCarthy, New York

Another fantastic week with Loreto painting in France. This year we were in the beautiful Chateau de Brussons, an authentic French secluded chateau on beautiful grounds where we were blessed with options to paint whichever way we turned.

This year we had the added bonus of yoga each morning with Marie. We stretched and meditated and with Marie’s encouragement, we grew to love and enjoy the morning yoga. This was so (early!!) relaxing and set the tone for the day. The food was excellent, as usual, and the wine flowed, and sing songs and laughs with this lovely group made the experience very relaxed and enjoyable.

Loreto’s expertise and gentle tutoring coaxed us along ensuring we grew in confidence and learned to experiment and put our new learning into practice, The culmination of this was our Exhibition on our final evening. We celebrated with champagne with Veronique and her husband, owners of the chateau, who were affirming and appreciative of our week’s work all based on the chateau de Brussons.

I now equipped myself with the basic paint colours, brushes, and boards and have the confidence to go forth and paint!

Many thanks Loreto and Marie!
Katerine Kennedy, Longford

I’ve just returned to England following a week in France!
Loreto’s course was splendid and as a novice ‘artist’ I learned so much in 7 days. She is an encouraging, enthusiastic teacher who offers positive advice yet with suggestions of how I might improve my work. Nothing was too much for her and I never felt belittled or dismissed as a non-painter.
Marie with her yoga was an inspiration too. The morning sessions set the pace of the day and allowed me to feel relaxed yet invigorated.
A truly memorable week – for many reasons!
Sally Edwards, Exeter

Thank you Loreto, for a wonderful week in the amazing Chateau de Brussons, loved every minute, especially the painting in the very inspiring surroundings of the chateau, the amazing food, and of course all the great wines. Marie’s yoga each morning was so good, especially after the late nights. Thank you again for all your encouraging words and patience. Looking forward to going back once again in 2018.
Maura Harty. Dublin

I have just returned from a wonderful week painting with Loreto in the lovely sunny Loire Valley in France. As a beginner I was encouraged by both Loreto and the rest of the class, she is an excellent teacher and was always available for support. All good quality materials were provided and we were introduced to various locations and landscapes which catered for students of all levels. The group comprised of many nationalities, abilities, and friendly people who all shared a love of painting, good food, local wine, and a sense of fun. I would thoroughly recommend this type of holiday to my friends and I am looking forward to going again next year, to Provence.
Breda Fordham, Essex

Thank you Loretta and Marie for painting and yoga in Chateau de Brussons. Lovely meals and wines. Trips to Le Mans and Tours. Going to France with Loretta and Marie for many years each year brings new things. Looking forward to 2018 in Provence.
Maura Rooney, Longford

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By Domhnall O Suibhne

Anyone who ever approached a canvas with the intention of starting a painting feels the tension of getting it right. However according to Loreto that shouldn’t ever be the approach. There is no right. According to Loreto it’s like taking a plunge into a river.

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