People walking down a cobblestone street in an old European town with historic stone buildings, a small stone archway, a tree, and a church steeple in the background.

SABINE HILLS, Art, History, Cooking Retreat

Every event we host is designed with intention, from the atmosphere we create to the way each session flows.

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A woman stands inside an old church or chapel looking at a wall mural. The mural features religious scenes and figures, some of which are faded or damaged. There are stained glass windows providing natural light, a wooden bench in the foreground with a red bag and white hat placed on it.

We run a residential experience that offers a combination of local art history, time to sketch or paint and preparation of local dishes to a small group or individuals. This normally takes place at the beginning of September when the weather is less hot. It is an immersive art and cultural experience for those who want to enjoy the benefits of the Sabine Hills, one hour north of Rome. We visit and enjoy local cafes in hilltop towns off the tourist trail, with visits to interesting frescoes.

During the four days (five nights) we also investigate the art history of the frescoes, with time to enjoy the experience and with an opportunity to learn the processes used to make frescoes with time to sketch and paint.

On two days we also offer lessons on cooking the local cuisine.

An Italian cook and swimming pool help to make the course a deeply relaxing retreat. A maximum of 6 people can comfortably stay at the house, however, 8 people can be accommodated with shared apartments, but separate rooms.

3-8 June 2027

A woman with blonde hair, glasses, and a colorful headband preparing food outdoors at a wooden table. She is wearing a pink shirt and a white apron with text. There are various kitchen items on the table, including glasses, a soap dispenser, and containers, with a background of a stone wall, a sink, and a tree.

The week is facilitated by artist Charlotte Andrew whose own practice includes investigation of materials and processes used to make frescoes. The simple methods that she demonstrate in daily workshops, such as preparation of oak gall ink, gesso, and gentle earth colours, as well as how to enrich them through contrasting colours can be useful, not just for frescoes, but also when painting or drawing.

Charlotte’s Guidance

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Finer details

Bowl of beaten eggs, plate of chocolate frosting, and bowl of yellow cake batter on a table with a fruit-patterned tablecloth, baking utensils including knives and a spatula.

  • 5 nights accommodation. 5 breakfasts and 4 lunches and all evening meals.

    Meals out in the local restaurant are not included in the price.

    Transportation to and from sites for sketching, walks and observation.

    Basic art materials and sketchbook.

    Key point is that you enjoy what the region offers. You experience making local cuisine and take time to make art without the intensity of a master class.

  • Guests are welcome to arrange their own car rental or taxi from the airports and directions to the house will be provided.

    Transportation is available to and from Poggio Mirteto, the local station, which has a direct link to Rome and to Fiumicino airport. Collection and drop off at the station can be arranged. 

    Transportation to and from Rome’s Fiumicino or Ciampino airports can be arranged and is included if the group is arriving and leaving together. PM arrival and AM departure.Due to room preparation please arrive on your first day in the afternoon and leave in the morning of your last day.

  • £1400 per person based on a shared apartment

    Early bird price £1300 is available to those who book 6 months in advance of the course stating date.

    A deposit of 30% is payable on confirmation of a booking and balance paid 6 months before start date. Deposit is non-refundable. (See Cancellation Policy).

    Group discount available for 4 or more people from the same party.

    There will be separate pricing arrangements on requests for guests choosing single occupancy of apartments.

  • For cancellations the deposit is non-refundable. The balance of the full cost is to be paid 6 months before the course start date and is non-refundable. If, however, there is space available we may be able to provide you with a place on the next available course.

    Cancellation by our side:

    We have the right to cancel a course, but we will make every effort to inform you at least four weeks prior.

    If we cancel an art course you have registered for, you have the option to:

    • Receive a full refund of the course fee

    • Choose another available art course option

    Please note that we are not liable for any additional expenses, including travel or accommodation costs, resulting from our course cancellation for any reason, including adverse weather conditions or natural disasters.

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A person squatting outdoors on grass, working on a large rolled-out marble or stone slab with trees in the background, surrounded by tools, a red backpack, and other items.
A rustic kitchen with buckets of freshly picked grapes on the counter and large bowls filled with grapes on a table, likely preparing for wine-making or grape processing.
Cobbled street in a hilly area with a stone wall and a vintage street lamp, overlooking distant mountains and a partly cloudy sky.
Charlotte and Robin preparing food and drinks at a table in a rustic stone room, with bottles of wine and glasses of white wine.
Three people sitting at a dining table with a red and white checkered tablecloth, having a conversation inside a rustic-style room with stone walls and a fireplace. There are glasses of red wine and drinks on the table.
Three people hiking along a forest trail surrounded by trees and shaded by leaves.
Vineyard with rows of grapevines, a large house with a Mediterranean style, tall cypress trees, and a dirt road under a clear blue sky at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
A hand holding a woven basket filled with various ripe peaches and yellow round fruits in a garden setting. At Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
The swimming pool, lounge chairs, a shaded cabana at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
The outdoor scene at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Frying tempura vegetables and fish at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Pizza at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Outdoor patio at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Stone building built into a rocky hillside, featuring arches and small windows, with trees surrounding it and a roadside sign in the foreground.
A scenic mountain view with a stone pathway and a stone wall on the right, overlooking lush green hills and a distant hilltop town under a clear blue sky.
Guest painters at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Group of guests on the outdoor patio at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Ancient religious fresco painting depicting three haloed figures, inside a rocky cave, supported by carved stone columns, with a modern framed picture on the wall.
Charlotte at the outdoor table writing in a notebook.
Charlotte with her sketches at her Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Charlotte and guests at Charlotte Andrew Art Retreat in the Sabine Hills, Italy.
Your host Charlotte Andrew.
Two older women with gray hair and glasses smiling and raising glasses of red wine at a dining table outdoors. The table has wine bottles, glasses, a basket of bread, and a wooden block with condiments. A large decorative glass bottle and stone wall
Woman sitting at an outdoor table on a cobblestone street, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a floral sleeveless dress, with items like a hat, water bottle, and papers on the table, in a rustic European village setting with old stone buildings and plant