Sketching Spain: La Rioja!
October 14 - Oct. 19, 2020
Judith Cassel-Mamet and Adler & Marlowe Bespoke Travel
Plans are subject to change based on weather, energy of the group or other unforeseen circumstances.
Judith Cassel-Mamet and Adler & Marlowe Bespoke Travel
Plans are subject to change based on weather, energy of the group or other unforeseen circumstances.
Wednesday Oct 14th
Our adventure begins in Bilbao. The group will meet in the morning and then board a private coach for a 1.5 hr drive south to Spain’s most famous wine region, La Rioja. Once we arrive, our first stop will be for lunch in a family run winery. Here we will have a fantastic meet & greet Spanish style lunch with wine pairing and go over plans for our extraordinary trip while getting to know our fellow travelers. After lunch we will take a short drive to the charming town of Laguardia and check into a lovely hotel. Once settled, we will have our first lesson on the Simple Sketching method with northern Spain as our backdrop. You will then have free time in town to explore before we meet again as a group for an evening tapas and wine party.
Thursday Oct 15
After breakfast, we will head back out into the town for a morning of sketching on site. At noon we will meet our driver and visit the famous R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, widely regarded as one of the top wineries in the area for a truly unique experience. We will have a guided tour of their facilities, learning about their incredible history and wine making process. Even if you have been to wineries before you will be amazed at this unusual location. We will enjoy a quick tasting then head for a rustic Riojano lunch. After this Spanish style lunch we continue onward to the 10th Century Davalillo castle for stellar views of landscapes for sketching in the late afternoon light. There will be an optional hike up the steep hill to see the ruins close up. For those who choose to forgo the hike, there is plenty to sketch from level ground. We end the day back in Laguardia with dinner on your own at one of many small cafes.
Friday Oct 16th
After breakfast, we drive to a great look-out point where we will set up our chairs to explore the Frank Gehry Marques de Riscal (a wild building with bizarre colors and angles) using a unique travel journal technique. We will then return to Laguardia for a free afternoon with lunch on your own. After the relaxing afternoon, we will enjoy a fascinating evening first with a local artist and visit to his studio, then a light group dinner at a local’s home. Clearly off the traditional tourist path!
Saturday Oct 17th
After breakfast we check out of our hotel we’ll drive 2 hrs north to Zumaia for our next few days along the water. There are stellar views here overlooking the Atlantic and the air will fill us with joy. We will have a look at some famous sites used in Game of Thrones then spend time sketching the sea and the interesting rock formations. When we are feeling hungry, we will drive along the coast to the next town over, Zarautz, where a tasty seaside lunch of grilled fish awaits. Onward to San Sebastian for check-in at another excellent hotel; the rest of the evening and dinner will be on your own.
Sunday Oct 18th
Today is a relaxed day of San Sebastian Sketching. We will begin with an early morning meeting and demo. We will sketch La Concha beach front and the Brexta Market. Every view is full of energy, whether from the natural beauty, the architecture or the crowds. Our pace slows and students are encouraged to follow their own interests to sketch in the afternoon or to work on pages from previous days.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Monday Oct 19
Ready for a day in France? After breakfast, we drive to the French Basque area. Upon arrival, enjoy a wonderful historical walking tour of St. Jean de Luz with an expert guide. We will sketch together to capture the French v Spanish architecture, then you will have a bit of time to explore (and find a lovely cafe for lunch on your own) before returning to San Sebastian in the early evening. You will have some time to freshen up before we meet again for our final meal. You are in for a treat as we will be granted access to a private Gastronomic Society, a famous tradition in San Sebastian. Here we will wrap up our time together and then have a fantastic traditional meal ~ a perfect way to celebrate our adventure before saying goodbye! Your lodging for this night is included.
Tuesday Oct 20th
Students are expected to check out of the hotel by 11:00am.
For those wishing to return to Bilbao for outgoing flights: Danny will offer an add-on transport back to Bilbao that will include a stop at a cave with prehistoric art and visit to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. If you wish to extend your stay you can make arrangements with Danny, there will be an extra charge. For those flying out of San Sebastian, Danny can advise on airport transfers.
Our adventure begins in Bilbao. The group will meet in the morning and then board a private coach for a 1.5 hr drive south to Spain’s most famous wine region, La Rioja. Once we arrive, our first stop will be for lunch in a family run winery. Here we will have a fantastic meet & greet Spanish style lunch with wine pairing and go over plans for our extraordinary trip while getting to know our fellow travelers. After lunch we will take a short drive to the charming town of Laguardia and check into a lovely hotel. Once settled, we will have our first lesson on the Simple Sketching method with northern Spain as our backdrop. You will then have free time in town to explore before we meet again as a group for an evening tapas and wine party.
Thursday Oct 15
After breakfast, we will head back out into the town for a morning of sketching on site. At noon we will meet our driver and visit the famous R. López de Heredia Viña Tondonia, widely regarded as one of the top wineries in the area for a truly unique experience. We will have a guided tour of their facilities, learning about their incredible history and wine making process. Even if you have been to wineries before you will be amazed at this unusual location. We will enjoy a quick tasting then head for a rustic Riojano lunch. After this Spanish style lunch we continue onward to the 10th Century Davalillo castle for stellar views of landscapes for sketching in the late afternoon light. There will be an optional hike up the steep hill to see the ruins close up. For those who choose to forgo the hike, there is plenty to sketch from level ground. We end the day back in Laguardia with dinner on your own at one of many small cafes.
Friday Oct 16th
After breakfast, we drive to a great look-out point where we will set up our chairs to explore the Frank Gehry Marques de Riscal (a wild building with bizarre colors and angles) using a unique travel journal technique. We will then return to Laguardia for a free afternoon with lunch on your own. After the relaxing afternoon, we will enjoy a fascinating evening first with a local artist and visit to his studio, then a light group dinner at a local’s home. Clearly off the traditional tourist path!
Saturday Oct 17th
After breakfast we check out of our hotel we’ll drive 2 hrs north to Zumaia for our next few days along the water. There are stellar views here overlooking the Atlantic and the air will fill us with joy. We will have a look at some famous sites used in Game of Thrones then spend time sketching the sea and the interesting rock formations. When we are feeling hungry, we will drive along the coast to the next town over, Zarautz, where a tasty seaside lunch of grilled fish awaits. Onward to San Sebastian for check-in at another excellent hotel; the rest of the evening and dinner will be on your own.
Sunday Oct 18th
Today is a relaxed day of San Sebastian Sketching. We will begin with an early morning meeting and demo. We will sketch La Concha beach front and the Brexta Market. Every view is full of energy, whether from the natural beauty, the architecture or the crowds. Our pace slows and students are encouraged to follow their own interests to sketch in the afternoon or to work on pages from previous days.
Lunch and dinner are on your own.
Monday Oct 19
Ready for a day in France? After breakfast, we drive to the French Basque area. Upon arrival, enjoy a wonderful historical walking tour of St. Jean de Luz with an expert guide. We will sketch together to capture the French v Spanish architecture, then you will have a bit of time to explore (and find a lovely cafe for lunch on your own) before returning to San Sebastian in the early evening. You will have some time to freshen up before we meet again for our final meal. You are in for a treat as we will be granted access to a private Gastronomic Society, a famous tradition in San Sebastian. Here we will wrap up our time together and then have a fantastic traditional meal ~ a perfect way to celebrate our adventure before saying goodbye! Your lodging for this night is included.
Tuesday Oct 20th
Students are expected to check out of the hotel by 11:00am.
For those wishing to return to Bilbao for outgoing flights: Danny will offer an add-on transport back to Bilbao that will include a stop at a cave with prehistoric art and visit to the Guggenheim in Bilbao. If you wish to extend your stay you can make arrangements with Danny, there will be an extra charge. For those flying out of San Sebastian, Danny can advise on airport transfers.