Mixed Media Art Workshop in Spain
Join artist Tammy Gilley for a weeklong vacation visiting lively Barcelona and Costa Brava's coastlines and backroads
Dates: June 6 – 12, 2027 SOLD OUT
Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
Start: Barcelona, Spain
End: Barcelona, Spain
Visit: Barcelona, Palamós, Pals, Peratallada, Calella de Palafrugell
Cost: from $3795 based on double occupancy
Mixed Media Art Workshop in Spain
Join Tammy Gilley’s travel journal-based, mixed media art workshop in Spain for an enchanting journey of travel and artistic expression. Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Barcelona’s bustling city streets and uncover the hidden wonders of Costa Brava. Laugh, explore, and forge lasting friendships with fellow travelers as you embark on this intimate, small-group vacation. Discover the art of capturing your adventures in a personal travel journal, guided by Tammy’s expertise and inspiring art classes. Experience the perfect harmony between creativity and exploration as you delve into the beauty of both destinations, creating lifelong memories along the way.
Tammy is the perfect instructor for a travel workshop. She has an infectious excitement about her surroundings that makes exploring together a joyful adventure. She also has a calm presence and an easy-going teaching style that makes class time instructive but also filled with laughter and fun.
What to Expect
Travel Journal Workshop in Spain
Join us for a perfect blend of creative mixed media expression and immersive travel. Discover the vibrant city of Barcelona. Relax and unwind on the golden sands of the Costa Brava. In 2-3 hour sessions in our informal “studio” space on the hotel’s seaview terrace, each art class will be inspired by and include content from the locations we visit. Feel free to extend your creative time as you take in the relaxed vibe and inspired atmosphere.
Art Program
Each day Tammy will lead you through how to make your very own vintage mixed media travel journal. On our daily walks you’ll search for what inspires you. If you dig a scavenger hunt… If vintage and handmade papers, old maps, magazines, and ephemera are your jam… And, if you love creating, laughter, and maybe a little Spainish wine… This is the workshop vacation for you.
Your found objects will create and fill your vintage travel journal with memories of Spain. First, our early excursions will provide foundational materials and inspiration. Next, you will begin to build collaged pages of your European vacation adventures. Then, using collected ephemera, Tammy will guide you in using color, pattern, small sketches and text to create a rich, personal, and unique chronicle of your experience.
In this workshop you will learn:
- Foundations & Gathering – Finding and preparing vintage materials
- Marks & Meaning – Creating unique marks with found objects
- Layering & Textures – Building depth using ephemera, gesso, and fabrics
- Storytelling & Composition – Arranging elements to tell a story on the page
- Trusting Your Intuition – Making bold choices
- The Poetry of Layers – Experimenting with textures
- Creative Play & Serendipity – Letting go of control
Touring
Barcelona
First, you’ll arrive in beautiful Barcelona, Spain. Tammy’s art workshop begins with one night exploring food, culture, and the historic center of Barcelona. Our urban strolls will introduce you to lesser known destinations off the usual tourist map.
Together, we will travel by metro to the district of El Poblenou. Caught in the flux between aging workmens’ housing and grandiose re-gentrification projects, El Poblenou is Barcelona epitomized. There you can treasure hunt at the Encants Vells Flea Market – one of the oldest flea markets in Europe. Then we will tour the impressive Sant Pau. A former hospital, it has been beautifully restored and is now a spectacular Art Nouveau site.
There will also be opportunities to visit La Sagrada Familia, Gaudi’s architectural masterpiece, or experience the passion of traditional flamenco so close you will feel the heat. In the heart of historic Barcelona, from our hotel you can easily explore the unique neighborhoods and nearby attractions such as the La Rambla or any of Gaudi’s Art Nouveau buildings.
Costa Brava
Next, it’s off to the coast. The Costa Brava extends northeast from Barcelona to the French border. It is known for its charming fishing villages and dramatic coastlines with stunning beaches, bays, and inlets. Here we spend five nights at Calella de Palafrugell. Still a small fishing village, it hosts an array of family run restaurants, cafes, and interesting galleries.
Each day, private transfers to our half-day walks will explore pristine coastlines and nearby towns. The walks from Calella de Palafrugell to Palamós showcase the Costa Brava’s natural beauty, with sparkling seas, pine forests, and hidden coves. Between Pals and Peratallada, you’ll journey through serene fields and olive groves, starting in the medieval charm of Pals and ending in the picturesque stone streets of Peratallada.
Our program will end the morning of the last day with a transfer to Barcelona airport.
What You’ll Love
Mixed Media Art Workshop in Spain
1. Small group classes
With no more than 14 guests, expect a friendly intimate feel and quality time during art classes
2. Movable Studio
Develop skills and techniques to use whenever you travel. Specifically, learn to pack light and create as you go.
3. Capture Your Experience
Your sketchbook will evolve into a personal travel journal filled with memories to last a lifetime.
4. Planning with Care
We take care of the details. You enjoy your vacation!
Inclusions
Travel Journal Art Workshop in Spain
- The assistance of your Art Walk tour directors throughout the week
- Daily mixed media journal art classes with Tammy Gilley
- All transfers per the itinerary
- Full buffet breakfast daily
- All hotel taxes and service fees
Barcelona:
- One night at our select, centrally located, 4-star hotel
- Orientation meeting and walk
- Welcome dinner
- Admission to the Art Nouveau site Hospital de Sant Pau
- Visit the Mercat dels Encants Flea Market
- Visit wonderful boutique art store
Costa Brava:
- Private group transfer from Barcelona hotel to Calella de Palafrugell
- Five nights at our waterfront, family-owned hotel
- Orientation walk
- Guided daily walking itineraries unique to The Blue Walk
- Easy coastal walk Calella de Palafrugell to Llafranc
- Through pine forests and along dramatic coastlines, Cap Roig to Palamos
- Pals to Peretallada, through the rolling Spanish countryside between beautiful medieval villages
- Farewell lunch
- Private group transfer from Calella de Palafrugell to Barcelona Airport arriving by 10:00am.
- All hotel taxes and service fees
Example Itinerary…
Travel Journal Art Workshop in Spain
Actual daily schedules may differ.
Day 1
Start our art workshop at our centrally located hotel in historic Barcelona, Spain. It’s in a quiet location and situated just blocks from La Rambla. After a meet-and-greet and program overview, we will set out for an orientation walk to get to know the neighborhood. Then finish the evening with an abundant welcome dinner at our favorite tapas restaurant. Mixed media art workshop in Spain
Day 2
Begin the day with a visit to the vibrant Recinte Modernista de Sant Pau a foremost Art Nouveau site. Then, we will visit the Mercat dels Encants Flea Market – a treasure hunting extravaganza. After a little retail therapy our group will transfer to the Costa Brava. After a smooth check-in, Tammy will lead art class on the seaview terrace. In the evening an orientation walk will introduce your home for the week.
Day 3
After a leisurely breakfast, Tammy will teach her mixed media workshop incorporating the ephemera collected in your first days. This is a day to relax and enjoy the beautiful seaside village of Calella de Palafrugell. Later, for those who would like to join us, we will walk the coastal path to the nearby village of Llafranc. Finally, the colors of sunset will lead us home on our return.
Day 4
Today your art workshop in Spain will be inspired by medieval towns and rolling countryside. Start in Pals, with its winding stone alleyways and many artisan shops. From there walk country lanes to the town of Peretallada. This is a beautiful walk through olive groves, oak forests, vineyards, and rolling fields. After lunch and free time we will return to the hotel terrace for art class.
Day 5
Join us for a walk through pine needle-carpeted paths and along sandy beaches. From the botanic gardens at Cap Roig we will walk through a coastal pine forest. Our destination is the sprawling, golden sand beach of Platja de Castell. After a lunch break enjoy the view, you can return with the group or choose to spend a few hours relaxing in the sun before taxi-ing back to the hotel for class.
Day 6
Today is all about coastal views and trails. We will pass fishing villages and Roman ruins before reaching our destination of Palamós. There we will enjoy lunch at a family-run, Catalonian restaurant. In the afternoon Tammy will teach a final mixed media workshop class on the terrace. Later, as we watch the moon rise over the sea, we will celebrate our week together with a convivial beverage on the terrace.
Day 7
Finally it is time to say adiós to your art workshop friends. After breakfast a private transfer will deliver our group to the Barcelona International Airport by 10am. There we will bid farewell until the next time.
Leisurely Walks, Inspired Art Classes, and Copious Creativity
Where in the World?
Barcelona, known for its art, architecture, and cuisine, is located at the Mediterranean sea in the very north of the Spanish coast. It is certainly the most cosmopolitan and economically most active city in Spain. The Costa Brava is located to the north of Barcelona, and stretches for more than 200 km from Blanes to Portbou. It is renowned for the diverse landscape of its beaches and coves, the quality of its waters, its excellent cuisine and centuries-old cultural legacy. We are excited to introduce this region through our Spain walking vacation.
Airport
There is one international airport in Barcelona, El Prat (BCN), located about eight miles southwest of the city center. It has two terminals: Terminal 1 is the arrival point for international flights, as well as the Spanish carrier Vueling; Terminal 2 serves mainly low-cost European carriers, such as Ryanair and easyJet.
If you’re flying from the US, even if you’ve passed through customs in another European airport, you’ll likely be landing in Terminal 1.
There are a variety of transportation options from Barcelona’s airport to the city center including private driver, taxi, bus, train, and metro. No matter which you choose, you can get from the airport to the center in about a half hour.
Important Notes
Mixed Media Art Workshop in Spain
Deposits
Your place on a tour is secured once we have received and confirmed your deposit payment. Before the final payment date, a non-refundable deposit of $500 for walking vacations and $750 for art vacation workshops is required. After the final payment date, the entire tour amount must be received to hold a space on a program.
You may cancel for any reason up to 90 days prior to departure and your non-refundable deposit may be forwarded to a future tour. Any balance on your account will be returned. For complete details please see our Terms and Conditions.
Solo travelers and single supplements
For our guests who are traveling solo... for your comfort we offer private rooms. Whenever possible singles will be placed in the same room category as our double or twin rooms.
Twin / Double Rooms
Please be aware twin beds in Europe may have very little or no space between beds. Also, for double beds, instead of a king or queen mattress, double beds are often two adjoining twin mattresses secured together and made with double bedding.
Fitness
Walking is a part of this program. It is both a means of visiting locations and a way to immerse yourself in a place. Our scheduled walks are usually 1-2 hours long at a casual pace. Participants should be able to comfortably walk 2 miles in an hour. We provide a general description of our walks here. It is your responsibility to know your own physical and medical condition with respect to the advisability of participating in a chosen trip. Please be realistic about your physical abilities when booking an active walking vacation. We suggest you prepare by doing at least 1 hour of walking several times per week, and a longer walk at least once per week. Ideally, include walks with elevation change and stairs. (There are always stairs.) If you have compromised knees, hips, back this tour will be challenging and perhaps not appropriate.
As with any exercise program, we recommend you consult with your physician prior to your arrival regarding the suitability of a walking tour.
Some of our guests find trekking poles helpful on steep or uneven terrain. In Europe they are quite common. Before using them on a vacation, please practice at home. We strongly advise you get comfortable using trekking poles on familiar paths first.
For additional information on these topics and more, please see our FAQ page.
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Walking Tours
Are you looking for a leisurely European walking vacation or a travel journal-based art vacation? To learn more, select your destination country or program type below. We will take you there!
To learn more about The Blue Walk difference please read our About The Blue Walk page.
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