Destination workshops
2025
Antigua, CORNWALL, ITALY, New Mexico, & COASTAL MAINE
2026
Ireland, France, & more!
Art & Adventure Retreats 2024 have brought together extraordinary groups of people in beautiful locations to explore, experience, create, and connect! From Italy to France to Bermuda, it has been a year of delving into creativity, seeing the world with new eyes, and making lasting friendships! 2025 and 2026 have amazing destination workshops in store of which you could be a part!
— Alyssa DeLaBruere
2026 Trips
Women’s Only Art & Adventure Retreat
Côte d’azur, France
*New Day trips and experiences for returning participants while staying in the same amazing location at Chateau la Napoule!
September 16 - 23, 2026
Join me for an amazing week exploring the magic of the Côte D’Azur while I take you on a week-long exploration of my favorite coastal villages and medieval hill towns all on the beautiful French Riviera! Based in the historic seaside town of Mandelieu, we will be staying in the Villa Marguerite on the grounds of the Château de la Napoule overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The amazing structure dates to the 14th century and is recognized in France as a “monument historique” along with six acres of gardens surrounding the property. I can’t wait to share one of my favorite places in the world with you as your personal guide, friend, and teaching artist!
This women’s only trip is all about relaxing, recharging, and refilling your cup from the stresses of everyday life. We will explore new places and untap your creative side through easy sketchbook drawing/painting/journaling to be present and capture the moment! At the end of a day of exploring the coast we will enjoy collaborative art making in the beautiful studio spaces in the chateau with wine, cook together in our villa kitchen with produce from the market, or go for a sunset walk overlooking the sea. I hope this trip will be the perfect balance of sightseeing, immersing in the local culture, bonding with other women to find new life-long friends, all sprinkled with some creative art “therapy” that is accessible to even the most beginner of our group – this trip is for everyone! I promise this place that has captured the hearts of some of the greatest artists of all time – Monet, Cezanne, Matisse, and Picasso – it will inspire you as well!
ART & ADVENTURE RETREAT
West of ireland
May 8 - 15, 2026
This trip is limited to 10 participants
Join me for a magical week exploring the stunning views and charming towns of Ring of Kerry in the West of Ireland! I will be your personal guide to one of my favorite places in the world where the beauty of the landscape is only second to that of the Irish people! Based outside of the colorful town of Kenmare with its pubs, shops, and galleries, we will enjoy our lovely 8 bedroom 9 bath manor house set on a large wooded estate on Kenmare Bay. Kenmare is the perfect spot to day trip out and about to explore the area with cameras, sketchbooks, and paint! As we wander and come across inspiring views, there is always an another village with pub or tea shop to stop in and refuel, chat with the locals! From stonewalls and sheep and rolling green pastures to rocky coves, crashing waves, and sheer drop cliffs, the West of Ireland is nature’s magic at work. Add to that the ever changing weather creates a visual dance of land sea and sky! Inspiration abounds all around which will lead to beautiful work in our sketchbooks and more!
This trip is all about relaxing, recharging, and refilling your cup from the stresses of everyday life. We will explore new places and untap your creative side through easy sketchbook drawing, painting, & journaling to be present and capture the moment! The rhythm and pace of the Irish coast and its people will set the tone for our week of exploring! At the end of a day of exploring the coast we will enjoy our evening in our Irish manor house recapping the day, making collaborative art together, working with Chris in the kitchen, or go for a sunset walk overlooking the bay. I hope this trip will be the perfect balance of sightseeing, immersing in the local culture, and connecting to find new life-long friends, all sprinkled with some creative art making that is accessible to even the most beginner of our group to seasoned artists looking for new ideas, methods, and inspiration– this trip is for everyone!
Highlights of Our 7 Days:
Stay in our beautiful 8 bedroom/8 bathroom Irish manor house just outside of Kenmare on the Ring of Kerry. The house is on a large wooded estate with walking paths, castle ruin, and private deck overlooking Kenmare Bay.,
See and experience the wild and dramatic landscape of the west of Ireland with its rich history, music, and welcoming people! –
Explore the stunning Ring of Kerry on foot and by car as we see the highlights of what is considered the most beautiful part of Ireland.:
Visit Kenmare, the Kerry Cliffs, Killarney, Valentia Island, and a variety of coves, beaches, scenic vistas and villages around the ring!
Dine on local specialties, visit local pubs, and be wined and dined by our own chef Chris at cocking for you (and with you if you’d like!) from our manor house kitchenafter a long day or exploring the countryside and villages!
Learn how to use your sketchbook to “capture the moment” through drawing, paint, and words. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned artist, this workshop is meant for you to learn, grow and be inspired! We will explore drawing, watercolor, pastel, and collage
Most of all, we will enjoy, savor, and relax in this beautiful place with a new group of friends and artists!
Want to extend your stay for more intensive painting time and exploring? Have the ultimate painting experience staying in a historic thatched roof cottage on a private 50 acre estate where where Irish fairytales and magic are born:
5 extra nights at Glengariff Lodge on the Beara Peninsula! May 15-20, 2026
Sometimes a week is just not enough…Sometimes you have just begun to find your creative rhythm and it is time to leave…
Join me for another quintessential Irish experience and dive into more individual time to paint, write, explore, and create at Glengariff Lodge outside the charming town of Glengariff, Cork on the Beara Peninsula. With a fascinating history and story of restoration, this cottage originally built in the early 1800’s was the Former the lodge of the First Earl Bantry, now it is incredibly restored along with the fairytale setting and waiting for us to explore paint and learn about it’s tales! This special add-on experience is open to just four participants that would like to continue their stay!
highlights of the extra 5 days:
Stay in an authentic historic thatched roof cottage set on a tiny island in a 50 acre woodland estate
Further one on one instruction in drawing, painting, and more as we are inspired by our new location and new views of the Beara Peninsula
Visit the famous colorful coastal towns of Kinsale and Eyeries
Tour the Beara Peninsula artists trail of potters, weavers, painters, and more!
Learn about the history of Glengariff Lodge and the famous people who stayed there including Wordsworth and Thackeray, as well as its unique time when it was a private exotic zoo!
Click the details link for more information on dates and cost for this trip addition!
2025 Trips
ART & ADVENTURE RETREAT
Castine, Coastal Maine
July 26-31, 2025
This trip is limited to 7 participants
1 space left!
Join me for an amazing week exploring and steeping in the beauty of mid-coast Maine and the Penobscot peninsula. From our Quintessential Maine oceanfront home in historic Castine, we will relax and enjoy the best of Downeast summer with a private beach, rolling lawn, and wraparound deck with plenty of room to congregate, create, discuss, and connect! Along the way, I will share why Castine is one of my favorite small towns in Maine as it feels like we step back in time with its rich history, amazing architecture, and slow pace of life all centered around a traditional fishing harbor dotted with picturesque shops, galleries, cafes and inns. Artists have been drawn to the Maine coast for hundreds of years to capture the energy and stillness of the natural landscape, the coastal way of life, and the power of the sea. Now you can join the likes of Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth as you capture this place with graphite, paint, and more! This workshop is designed for the art enthusiast (beginner to advanced) that is excited to engage in learning, painting, and exploring new techniques/processes every day.
Read more about why Maine is a land for artists!
This trip is all about relaxing, recharging, and refilling your cup from the stresses of everyday life. We will immerse ourselves in the rhythms of coastal village life as we use sketchbooks, painting, photography, and journaling to be present and capture the moment! At the end of a day of exploring the coast we will enjoy collaborative art making our coast side home, work with Chris in the kitchen, recap our adventures, or go for a sunset walk or swim along the sea. I hope this trip will be the perfect balance fueling your creative juices with art making, exploration, soaking up the local culture, and connecting to find new life-long friends. This retreat is welcome to those new to painting with an adventurous spirit and to seasoned artists looking for new ideas, methods, and inspiration– this trip is for everyone!
Throughout the week we will work with composition, value, color theory, and light as we use sketchbooks as preparatory journals and working toward plein air painting (watercolor/oil), pastel, and collage/mixed media. All materials and equipment provided. Working artists that have their favorite tools and gear are welcome to bring it along!
Highlights of Our 5 Days:
Stay in our beautiful 5 bedroom/5.5 bathroom mid-coast Maine oceanfront home on Penobscot Bay with private beach and breathtaking views. The house and property are in walking distance to Dyce Head Lighthouse, various trailheads, and the historic village of Castine, one of the oldest villages in Maine.
See and experience the beautiful and dramatic landscape of mid-coast Maine as we explore both by land and by boat as Chris is also our skipper for the week bringing along his 21ft Boston Whaler to get us out on the water and seeing the sights!
Delve into the useful art of the sketchbook to capture the view and composition leading to plein air & studio painting sessions in oil, watercolor, pastel. Also explore collage, mixed media, and monotype printmaking techniques both outdoors and during evening collaborative art time!
Visit Castine, Blue Hill, Deer Isle, Stonington, Witherle Woods, and more as we steep ourselves in the ebb and flow of coastal village life - visit galleries and cafés, and find our viewpoints for landscape and architectural compositions.
Dine on local specialties as we are wined and dined by our own chef Chris at our coastal seaside house after a long day of exploring, painting, and more!
Be inspired by famous Maine master artists like Winslow Homer, Andrew and Jamie Wyeth, Lois Dodd, Fairfield Porter and others as you “capture the moment” through line, paint, photography, and words. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned artist, this workshop is meant for you to learn, grow and be inspired!
Most of all, we will enjoy, savor, and relax in this beautiful place with a new group of friends and artists!
Optional excursions to the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland and half day kayaking outing in Penobscot Bay and Bagaduce River Watershed.
ART & ADVENTURE RETREAT
CORNWALL, UK
SEPTEMBER 19 - 26, 2025
This trip is limited to 7 participants
(This trip is fully booked - contact Alyssa to join the waitlist)
Join me for an amazing week exploring the magical and unabashedly stunning world of the North Coast of Cornwall, UK! I will be your personal guide to not only my favorite place in the world, but the place that brings me such peace and serenity through the unparalleled natural beauty and joyful people. Based outside the historical village of Tingatel steeped in Arthurian legend and its famed castle, our coastal house is perfectly situated to capture views of the Celtic sea, the Southwest Coastal Path, stonewalls and pastures spotted with Cornish cattle, walking distance to Trebarwith Strand Beach, and a local pub (of course!) Along the way, I will share this special culture and scenery of Cornwall which became my second home during the three years I lived in England. as your personal guide, friend, and teaching artist! We will explore the dramatic cliffscapes, craggy coves, dramafilled skies, smashing white-tipped surf as this sand, sea, and shore inspires us to create art and immerse ourselves in the Cornish way of life!
This trip is all about relaxing, recharging, and refilling your cup from the stresses of everyday life. We will explore new places and untap your creative side through easy sketchbook drawing, painting, & journaling to be present and capture the moment! At the end of a day of exploring the coast we will enjoy collaborative art making our coast side home, work with Chris in the kitchen, recap our adventures, or go for a sunset walk overlooking the sea. I hope this trip will be the perfect balance of sightseeing, immersing in the local culture, and connecting to find new life-long friends, all sprinkled with some creative art making that is accessible to even the most beginner of our group to seasoned artists looking for new ideas, methods, and inspiration– this trip is for everyone!
Highlights of Our 7 Days:
Stay in our beautiful 6 bedroom/5 bathroom Cornish coastal house with sweeping views of the Celtic Sea, cliffs, and walking distance to the Southwest Coastal Path, Trebarwith Strand Beach, and grazing cows!
See and experience the beautiful and dramatic landscape of the north coast of Cornwall, its rich history, and welcoming people! –
Explore the stunning Cornish coast on foot and by car as we see the highlights of this very special part of the British Isles:
Visit Crackenhaven, Tingatel and Castle, Bostcastle Village and Harbor, Trebarwith Strand, Lanhydrock National Trust Manor House and Gardens, Port Isaac Village (famous for the show Doc Martin), Cornish Stone Circles, St. Agnes and Chapel Porth Beach and Mines (famous from the filming of Poldark), St Ives, and more!
Dine on local specialties, visit local pubs, and be wined and dined by our own chef Chris at our coastal cliffside house after a long day or exploring the countryside and villages!
Learn how to use your sketchbook to “capture the moment” through drawing, paint, and words. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned artist, this workshop is meant for you to learn, grow and be inspired!
Most of all, we will enjoy, savor, and relax in this beautiful place with a new group of friends and artists!
ART & ADVENTURE RETREAT
ANTIGUA
MARCH 25 - APRIL 1, 2025
(This trip is fully booked - contact Alyssa to join the waitlist)
Join me for seven days of sun, sand and sails on the beautiful historic island of Antigua while we capture the views with paintbrush and camera! Based in our own luxury villa overlooking Turtle Bay and minutes from Falmouth and English Harbour, we will soak in the sun and waves, relax, explore, make art, and be treated to delicious culinary creations! Since my first visit to Antigua in 2001, I have been enchanted by the unique pairing of British and African origins and famous sailing culture. It is a unique setting that has attracted artists, writers, and sails for over a century. I am so excited to return to Antigua and share it with you as we capture the vibrant hues, stunning seascapes, and historic architecture in our sketchbooks, through our cameras and in collaborative projects!
This small group retreat is open to all ability levels from island loving beginners to accomplished artists.
Highlights of Our 7 Days:
Enjoy our beautiful ocean-front villa including a pool with a view, outdoor dining and deck kitchen, multiple lounging areas, piano, and plenty of space to relax, dine, and create!
Meals will be made for us by our own personal chef, my talented and renown restauranteur brother Chris Goss including daily breakfast, beach picnics, cocktail hour, and dinner! Joining in to help create the art of an authentic island dinner if you like, or watch from the deck with a glass of wine!
Visit Historic English Harbour, Nelson’s Dockyard, Several of Antigua’s 365 beaches, Devil’s Bridge, Shirley Heights, Dickenson Bay, and more!
Spend a boating day exploring the island from the water including swimming, snorkeling, and painting, of course!
Capture the beautiful and colorful scenery of this unique Caribbean island with echoes of its British Heritage in our sketchbooks, plein air painting (in watercolor, pastel, and collage) and cameras!
Plenty of time to relax on the beach or by the pool, enjoy a glass of wine or rum punch, take in island music, go out to local restaurants for fresh catch and dine together as we recap our day and artistic explorations.
Learn how to use your sketchbook to “capture the moment” through drawing, paint, and words. Create a precious memory book to which no series of photographs can capture alone! Enjoy group artmaking events where we wine, dine, and create together through paint, collage, and enjoying the relaxing process of making art together!
Most of all, we will enjoy, savor, and relax in this beautiful place with a new group of friends and artists!
Join me in tuscany
“Chasing the Painter’s light”
Painting Workshop in Cortona, Italy
May 7-14, 2025
Join me for a week of immersing yourself in the sights, sounds, and local color of the Tuscan landscape. Based in Beautiful Cortona, experience all the wonders Tuscany has to offer – the rolling countryside, picturesque hill towns, and breathtaking vistas through the eyes of the artist! With Alyssa’s guidance as a veteran plein-air painter and teaching artist who has spent the past two decades sharing her passion for travel and landscape painting throughout the US and Europe, this will be a week like no other!
This workshop is open to all ability levels and you can choose your area of focus - watercolor, acrylic or oil!
Highlights of Our 7 Days:
Immerse yourself in the culture, the landscape, and the art of beautiful Cortona and the surrounding Tuscan countryside.
Enjoy all the amazing culinary delights as we wine and dine our way around Cortona as we dine at restaurants and cafe’s around the town!
Explore Cortona on foot as we draw, paint, and interpret this beautiful hill town and sweeping vistas as plein air artists with intro and to advanced instruction in landscape drawing, watercolor, acrylic and oil painting.
Enjoy two day trips: Lake Trasimeno and Isola Maggoire & Lucignano and Castiglion Fiorentino
Stay in a private or shared room in the heart of Cortona at Hotel Luca
Private luxury transfer to and from Florence airport and on our day trips around Tuscany
Learn how to use your sketchbook to “capture the moment” through drawing, paint, and words. Create a precious memory book to which no series of photographs can capture alone! Enjoy group artmaking events where we wine, dine, and create together through paint, collage, and enjoying the relaxing process of making art together!
Most of all, we will enjoy, savor, and relax in this beautiful place with a new group of friends and artists!
ART & ADVENTURE RETREAT
Abiquiu, Taos, & Santa Fe
New Mexico
October 24 - 30, 2025
(This trip is fully booked - contact Alyssa to join the waitlist)
Join me for six days immersing ourselves in the light and color of Georgia O’Keeffe Country! O'Keeffe Country is most commonly known as the region in Northern New Mexico that encompasses Santa Fe, north to Abiquiu, through Ghost Ranch and up to Taos. Georgia O'Keeffe held residence in all of these places at one time during her life, documenting most in her unmistakable, artistic style through drawings, pastels, paintings and photographs. After a year in this region on my artist sabbatical following in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keeffe, let me be your guide as we take in the scenic terrain, art infused history, and unique culture that is Northern New Mexico! This place and its people will take your breath away as we capture it through drawing, painting, pastel, photography, and words!
This small group retreat is open to all ability levels from beginners to accomplished artists.
Highlights of Our 7 Days:
Explore the best of Northern New Mexico from Santa Fe to Abiquiu to Taos and its breathtaking scenery. Walk, sketch, and paint in the footsteps of Georgia O’Keeffe from her home at Ghost Ranch in Abiquiu nestled between the beautiful red cliffs and winding Chama River and the surrounding landscape and famous arts towns that claim her as their own!
Visit Georgia’s Home and grounds, visit sights of some of her most famous landscape paintings, and learn more her art and life as we day trip to Santa Fe and visit the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum as well as the Santa Fe arts district!
Day Trips to Taos – famous art town of the Taos filled with galleries, shops, and incredible food celebrating its cultural confluence of Pueblo, Spanish, and New Mexican traditions.
Working both out in the landscape and from our adobe home and studio we will explore both Southwest landscape themes and still life of regional flowers in honor of Georgia and her passions for both!
We will take advantage of our beautiful kitchen to cook healthy meals together inspired by Georgia’s own recipes along with dining out in each location to enjoy the best of Northern New Mexico Cuisine
