Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation in Greece
Art classes and island-hopping fun with Koosje Koene. Spend 12 nights visiting Athens, Amorgos, Naxos, and Santorini Book Now
Sketchbook Journaling, Slow Travel, and Serious Fun
Dates: September 24 – October 6, 2024
Duration: 12 Nights
Location: Greece: Athens, Amorgos, Naxos, and Santorini
Cost: from $4595 based on double occupancy
Single Supplement: from $795
Maximum Class Size: 14
All prices in US dollars. Land only. Program subject to change.
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation with Koosje Koene
Overview
Sketchbook Travel Journal Workshop in Greece
Art Workshop Program
Experience a 12-night sketchbook travel journal workshop that is equal parts an art program and a discovery of Greece. Teaching artist Koosje will lead a daily, on-site class inspired by the places we visit. Using drawing, watercolor, and possibly writing and emphemera, your sketchbook journals will capture people, places, and moments experienced along the way. Perhaps more importantly, each page will be rich with vivid memories of your travels.
Koosje believes life is better when you draw it, and her methods will instill fun, approachable techniques. Throughout the tour opportunities to sit and sketch with like-minded artists spur creativity and presence. A week with Koosje can inspire new, or enliven established, daily creativity. The practice is to be present and in the moment.
Travel and Touring
Imagine visiting the beautiful Greek Islands with an insider-guide leading the way. Leave the cruise ships and tour buses behind. Discover Greece on your own two feet and at eye level. A small group of artist friends will be your company.
For 12 nights, your sketchbook travel journal vacation in Greece will island-hop through the Cyclades. First we arrive in Athens with its ancient history and vibrant café scene. Next you’ll unwind for 6 days on Amorgos. An undiscovered gem, Amorgos is an authentic, lost-to-time Greek island. Then for two days explore the wide beaches, charming harbor, and quiet countryside of Naxos. Finally you’ll have 3 days in Santorini. A bucket-list destination, Santorini is known for its rich history, iconic views, and cliff-top villages perched high above the sea.
Each morning we leave the crowds behind and set off for a new, unique destination. There Koosje will lead a class. Along the way we will incorporate a walk or sometimes have an option for a more challenging hike. The remainder of your day is free to spend on your own or with fellow students.
See yourself sketching on a shady terrace only steps from the Aegean. You’ll have space to contemplate one of the hundreds of little churches that dot the islands, or blend into the background as you sketch the everyday activities and people around you. There are so many beautiful opportunities to see, sketch, and experience on our Art Walk Greece!
(This is an active program. You should be able to comfortably walk for an hour at a time at a leisurely pace. We will be walking on trails, cobbled paths, pavement, and lots stairs.)
What You’ll Love
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation in Greece
1. Planning with care
We take care of the details. You enjoy your vacation!
2. On-site sketching
Develop skills and techniques to use whenever you travel. Specifically, learn to pack light and create as you go.
3. Small group classes
With a maximum class size of 14, you can expect quality time during art classes. Additionally, we travel to small, local places large tour groups can’t.
4. Slow Travel
Not only will you have time to relax and unwind from your everyday life; you will experience Greece as few do. Far from the crowds, and led by local knowledge. Off-the-beaten-path encounters await!
Itinerary
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation with Koosje Koene
Program subject to change. Actual daily schedule may differ.
Day 1
Gather at our hotel for a meet and greet. After we will set out for an orientation walk of the Plaka neighborhood and visit a family run rug store to learn about Greek textiles. Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation
Day 2
Our morning walk takes us to the foot of the Acropolis. You may opt for the private guided tour, or to follow your own path of discovery. After capturing memories of this dynamic city in your sketchbook travel journal, we board our ferry to the island of Amorgos.
Day 3
A day to relax and fully enjoy our view-filled hotel. After a leisurely morning with a tour of the grounds, we will take a stroll along the beach and into the harbor village of Aegiali. The day ends with a welcome feast of traditional Greek specialties.
Day 4
We climb the steps to a 12th century monastery built into a cliff high above the sea. The views are literally breathtaking! Afterward we will explore the winding alleys, colorful doorways, and traditional cafes in the island capital of Chora.
Day 5
The village of Tholaria offers beautiful views to Aegiali Bay. We will walk through the terraced farmland to a small chapel perched above the sea. An optional cooking class shares the tastes and traditions of the Greek kitchen handed down through generations.
Day 6
In the village of Langada we will visit a herbal distillery that produces essential oils made only from plants found on the island. Afterward, the walk back to our resort follows the ancient path that once was the island’s main thoroughfare.
Day 7
An easy morning stroll along the sea offers scenic views – and lots of goats! On our way back to the hotel we may take a break at one of our favorite spots to capture the many shades of blue found all around.
Day 8
A morning ferry brings us to the island of Naxos. After checking into our hotel the day is free to explore Naxos’ historic old town or enjoy its famous beaches.
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation
Day 9
At the verdant green center of the island, the village of Halki is charming all on it’s own. Our walk through the surrounding countryside wanders through ancient olive groves and sleepy villages.
Day 10
A fast ferry brings us to the iconic island of Santorini. After checking into our family-owned hotel in Fira, we will have lunch and an orientation walk to get your bearings. Lunch will be at one of our favorite loctions for gyros. You won’t want to miss sunset on the caldera’s edge with a spectacular view over the Aegean. Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation
Day 11
Our morning walk is filled with spectacular views as we meander between whitewashed villages perched high on the caldera’s edge. There is an optional hike for those who are feeling ambitious. The day ends with an optional private sunset cruise, a guest favorite and highlight of the trip.
Day 12
A private tour of the ancient ruins of Akrotiri reveal the sophisticated culture that existed before it’s volcanic destruction. At the end of the day we will meet for a farewell dinner after a convivial aperitivo and sketchbook travel journal share. Departures are the next day after breakfast.
Day 13
After a delicious breakfast we bid farewell to the magical islands and new artist friends until the next sketchbook travel journal vacation.
Greece Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation
Make memories to last a lifetime.
Inclusions
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation in Greece
Art Walk Greece:
- Friendly and fun, fourteen student maximum (non-student companions are welcome for a special rate)
- Sketchbook travel journal program by Koosje
- Itineraries exclusive to The Blue Walk
- Carefully selected hotels
- All ferries between the islands
- Transfers to and from all ferries
- Hearty buffet breakfasts daily
- Welcome and farewell dinners
- Two lunches
- Optional guided morning walks
- Fully escorted and hosted throughout
- All hotel taxes and service fees included
- Suitable for most fitness levels – daily guided walks are included, but optional. Guests should be able to comfortably walk at a leisurely pace for at least an hour over mixed terrain including stairs.
- Program begins and ends at our hotels. Onward travel not included
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation
Athens (1 night):
- One night at our wonderful 4-star hotel near Syntagma Square, in the heart of the city
- Orientation walk through Athens’ famous Plaka and Monastiraki areas
- Visit to family-owned rug shop to learn about the tradition of Greek textiles (and taste a local liqueur)
- Morning guided walk by the Acropolis
- Optional private tour of the Acropolis with local archeologist guide
- Option to visit changing of the guards
Amorgos (6 nights):
- 6 nights at our family owned beach front hotel
- Incredibly uncrowded, relaxing island
- Welcome dinner
- Family-owned hotel restaurant features organic produce from their gardens
- Visit an essential oil distillery where all herbs are harvested on the island
- Full program of beautiful island touring including transportation
- Morning seaside guided walks
- Optional hiking on Amorgos’ extensive network of marked hiking trails
- Visit to the cliff-side monastery
- Arrival and departure transfers
Naxos (2 nights):
- Orientation walk of Naxos town and historic center
- Visit to Apollo’s Gate
- Visit the village of Halki and walk through the countryside
- Outdoor pool, and hotel is right by a beautiful white sand beach
Santorini (3 nights)
- Three nights at our favorite centrally located hotel in Santorini
- Outdoor pool with pool bar
- Orientation and daily walks to discover the island’s hidden gems and spectacular views
- Bus trip to Akrotiri historic site
- Farewell dinner at family run taverna
- Optional guided tour of Akrotiri
- Optional hike between Oia to Fira on caldera’s edge
- Optional caldera sailing tour
Important Notes
Sketchbook Travel Journal Vacation in Greece
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... We offer a single supplement for an additional fee if you wish to guarantee a private room.
If you do not request a private room, you will share a twin room with another trip participant of the same sex (Roomshare). When you sign up, if no Roomshare is available, a 50% single supplement will be included on your invoice and is due at final payment. However, if a roommate is found before your trip departs, you will be matched and the single supplement will be removed or refunded.
A single supplement guarantees a private room. Whenever possible singles will be placed in the same room type 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. 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. 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.)
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.
Where in the World?
Your Art Walk sketchbook travel journal vacation begins in Athens, Greece. We then spend most of our time island hopping through the Cyclades. The Cyclades is a group of Greek islands southeast of the mainland in the Aegean Sea. It is a perfect place for a walking vacation. The islands are known for their beaches, ancient sites, rugged landscapes and traditional blue-and-white stucco towns overlooking the sea.
Airport Information
The Athens International Airport is the entry airport for our Greece sketchbook travel journal vacation. It is located approximately a 40-50 minutes drive from our hotel.
At the end of the tour, the most convenient departure is from the Santorini Airport. It is located about 10 minutes from our hotel.
All things being equal, for our itinerary it is preferred to book flights into Athens and out of Santorini. Alternatively, if you reserve roundtrip flights between your home airport and Athens, for your departure a separate flight from Santorini to Athens may be booked. If that is the case, we advise leaving at least 3 hours between landing in Athens and departing on your international flight.
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