Watercolor Painting Holiday in Portugal
Instructors: Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling
April 18-25, 2027
At a Glance
8-12 Participants
2 tour leaders at all times
Sign up before 11/30/26 and save $150!
Use the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.
Picture being by the beach, painting the coastal light as it reflects off the Atlantic, the clean lines of cliffs and beaches, and the character of its historic streets and seaside architecture. Capture the whitewashed buildings with blue doors and the traditional azulejos that define Portugal’s architectural style.
Enjoy time with fellow artists while sharing fresh seafood, local wines, and relaxed evenings by the water.
With hands-on instruction, stunning scenery, and a supportive, joyful atmosphere, you’ll leave with not just new skills but cherished memories and a heart full of creative energy.
Workshop Overview
Join Cindy Briggs and Theresa Goesling in Portugal for a creative life experience!
“You’ll enjoy inspiring locations such as coastal sceneries, harbor, whitewashed houses and colorful markets. We will provide daily painting demonstrations, personalized instruction, and encouraging support.
We show you how to simplify and design your subject, draw confidently, jazz up your colors, paint with serendipity and experiment with new techniques.
We will help you create colorful paintings en Plein Air with an emphasis on celebrating your own unique point of view.
We’ve traveled for years with French Escapade and are always impressed with the personal attention to details; Jackie and her team took amazing care of our group as we painted, explored and dined.
We look forward to sharing this dreamy adventure with you.” – Cindy & Theresa
Cindy and Theresa co-authored a watercolor lesson book called “Make Every Day A Painting” which is available for purchase at MakeEveryDayAPainting.com
Artist Cindy Briggs, NWS
From Utah to charming villages throughout Europe, Cindy Briggs enthusiastically shares her creative journey. Conducting online, studio and International plein air watercolor workshops, she demonstrates how to create captivating luminous paintings. Cindy’s subjects range from intimate portraits and flowers to European landscapes, cityscapes, and the Canyonlands of Utah. Her watercolor journals are a visual memoir of a curated and colorful life.
A master watercolorist, Briggs is both a National Watercolor Society Signature Member (NWS) and Northwest Watercolor Society Signature Member (NWWS). Her work has been featured in numerous international juried exhibitions and published in Watercolor Magazine, Outdoor Painter, American Watercolor, Plein Air Magazine, and SPLASH 2023.
As a Daniel Smith Brand Ambassador, Cindy is a featured demonstrator. She leads watercolor workshops for the Smithsonian Art Studios, University of Utah, Terracotta.art, French Escapade, various Art Organizations and Watercolor Live. She has also served as a juror for exhibitions and art festivals.
Cindy and Theresa have co-written a watercolor manual “Make Every Day A Painting” encouraging artists to capture the scenes most meaningful to them with step-by-step lessons and tips. Leading regional and International workshops together for over 23 years, the life-long friends help you make the most of your artful adventures.
Check Cindy’s Journal Video from SW France Workshop in 2023
Samples of Cindy Briggs’ Art
Artist Theresa Goesling
In 2021, Theresa was awarded one of the most prestigious honors for an artist by Daniel Smith Artist Materials with her own palette “Dot Card”. The card is of her paint sample of her 18-color palette and is distributed globally and is only available through Theresa in her classes. Theresa has been teaching international workshops for over 25 years. Whether she paints impressionistic or contemporary in feel, her eye-catching painting style is distinguished by rich, vibrant color and strong in design principles.
She co-authored a watercolor instruction book, “Make Every Day A Painting” with her life-long friend, Cindy Briggs, whom she enjoys team teaching with French Escapade in beautiful destinations.
Samples of Theresa Goesling’s Art
Always an Inspiring & Seamless Watercolor Painting Experience!
As artist instructors, we deeply value providing immersive and enriching experiences that blend art, culture, and community in breathtaking locations. After a decade of working with French Escapade, we can wholeheartedly say they consistently deliver this magic—not only in France, but also in inspiring destinations like Spain, Italy, Belgium, and the Western United States.
Each art-filled journey features a thoughtfully planned itinerary, allowing us to comfortably enjoy the surroundings and calmly capture the essence of each beautiful place. With French Escapade handling all the logistics, our guests can focus on painting, connecting with fellow artists, and creating lasting memories—while we focus on helping each artist grow in their watercolor journey.
If you’re looking to broaden your artistic horizons through a creatively, culturally, and personally fulfilling experience, we highly recommend French Escapade.
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival and Welcome
Upon your arrival at our hotel, take time to settle into your sea view room, enjoy the swimming pool or get a drink at the hotel terrace overlooking the sea.
In the evening, you will enjoy a welcome reception, a discovery walk on this beautiful coastal village followed by a gourmet dinner.
Days 2-3: Painting by the Coast
Once a small fishing village, Cascais is now a well-known coastal town along Portugal’s Atlantic coast. It features a mix of sandy beaches, rocky cliffs, and a compact historic center with traditional houses and a working marina.
Our different painting sessions will include wide coastal views, boats in the harbor, residential streets, lush gardens or historic mansions.
Market Day
The best way to discover the local life is to visit a market. The market offers a bustling local atmosphere with fruits, vegetables, cheeses and flowers.
.We have found the perfect spot in the market where you can capture all these colors in your sketch book.
Day 4: From Palace to Miniature Village
This morning the painting session will take place in a Jardim in Mafra, a quiet and green setting, away from busy streets.
The garden offers a range of simple and appealing subjects, including fountains, tree-lined paths, statues and views of the magnifient Palace.
You can choose between more open views or smaller, intimate corners, making it easy to find a comfortable spot to work.
Day 5: Charming Whitewashed Fishing Village
This hidden gem is a charming coastal village known for its narrow cobbled streets, whitewashed houses with blue trim, and dramatic cliffs overlooking small beaches. The setting combines traditional character with a relaxed seaside atmosphere, a perfect setting for our painting session.
You will be able to enjoy some of their gastronomic specialties such as its fresh seafood—especially gambas (shrimp)—as well as local pastries.
Day 6: National Palace of Sintra
Sintra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famed for its 19th-century Romanticist architecture, 13th-century Moorish castle, and stunning forested hills. We will start the morning with a painting session in front of the grandiose and magnificent National Palace of Sintra.
Enjoy lunch at one of Sintra’s charming cafés.
In the afternoon, regroup for a guided visit to the Palace where you can admire the largest European collection of Spanish-Moorish tiles in situ.
Day 7: Studio Painting and Farewell Dinner
On your last day, you will have the opportunity to spend your morning in the studio to work on your unfinished paintings to get ready for the afternoon show.
You’ll have time to pack your suitcase before our “Show and Share” session, where we can all admire and celebrate the paintings created throughout the week. It’s a special opportunity to reflect on your artistic journey and share the joy of your work with others.
We will end with fabulous food for our farewell dinner!
Day 8: Departure
After our last breakfast together, we’ll drive you to Lisbon airport around 10 am.
Safe travels!
Accommodations
Beautiful 4-star Beachfront Hotel
Each room has an en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, a safe, a desk, flat screen TV and wifi.
For dinner, discover the authentic taste of Portugal and the finest international dishes at the seaside restaurant.
Reviews
French Escapade trips are the best in the business!
It’s hard to put into words how wonderful and awe inspiring the whole experience was. The way Valerie and Marie are somehow always present, always prepared, and always entertaining, is amazing! I think they must have been cloned, because no two people can be omnipresent for every need or question we had. My favorite quote of Marie’s – “keeping track of you all is like trying to put an octopus in a box” ;-)) I plan to do my final sketchbook page with that quote and image. The lodging, location and excursions were perfection for me. Mont Blanc gave us a show for the entire week, and then, to be on top, was a bucket list experience, for sure. The people (and dogs) of the hotel made us feel like family, and worked extremely hard, for long hours, so that we could feel like royalty – the chef – the food – the wine – the grounds -the ambiance – tres magnifique!
So, I could go on and on…but hopefully you got the message – French Escapade trips are the best in the business!!
I am so grateful and lucky to be able travel with you. Until next time… !!
The trip to the Alps was terrific!
The trip to the Alps was terrific! Natalia, our guide, was an energetic marvel and fantastic about keeping all of us straight, accounted for and on schedule. She is very good at what she does and she never gets flustered, ruffled or grumpy!! You have a wonderful tour guide in her. So, another French Escapade is in the books and all I can say is well done again! You and Val picked a perfect location, hotel and guide!
It did not disappoint and I will keep an eye on your 2024 offerings!
I cannot keep talking about how much I loved the trip!
Just got back from the Alps trip. I wanted to let you know the trip was perfect and well organized. Natalia, ou tour leader, was fun and took good care of us. The hotel was awesome!!!!! And the views!!!!! I cannot keep talking about how much I loved the trip. Thank you so much for your organizational skills. Love French Escapade!
FAQs
When and where are the pick up and drop off?
The pickup will be at 2pm at the Lisbon airport. We will pick up the group and drive in a coach to our hotel located in Cascais, about 30 min away.
The drop off will be back at the same place around 10am. Book a flight anytime after 12pm
When should I arrive?
What should I bring?
Once the trip has a guaranteed departure, we will send you a trip information package listing what to bring, how to book your flight and our recommended travel insurance.
Can you accommodate vegetarians or people with dietary restrictions?
Food allergies and vegetarian diets are catered for if announced in advance. However contact us before registering if you have a very restricted diet or serious allergies.
Will I get a supply list?
Is there a laundry facility at the hotel or in the village?
Do I need to bring some euros before arriving?
Please take out euros cash from an ATM at the airport. You will need cash for small purchases during the day trips and or tipping the tour leaders and the staff (tipping is customary). There will also be some ATM machines in some of the villages we visit.
Can I opt out of certain activities?
Is the retreat available to guests with low and limited mobility?
Unfortunately, the trip is not well suited for people with low and limited mobility. Although there is an elevator at the hotel, the daily excursions involve walking on uneven, cobbled streets.
I have never traveled outside the US. Do I need to speak the language?
Not at all. It is actually the perfect situation to travel with us. Our guides are bilingual and will be with you at all times, from your arrival at the airport until the drop off on the last day.
Will I fit on the tour if I am traveling solo and don't know anyone?
Yes, we usually get many solo travelers on our tours. For the meals, the group eats together for most lunches and dinners. In addition, our 2 tour leaders are always with the group and will be happy to also go for dinner with participants on the days the meals are not included.
How much painting do we do every day?
A typical day is: painting from 9am till 12:30pm, lunch and free time till 2pm and more painting, maybe in a different location from 2 to 4pm. If some, painters get tired after lunch, they can visit the village or take a nap while the others are painting.
There will be some afternoons without painting because we have a visit or free time. However, you can always opt-out from the activity and paint. It is your vacation so you do what pleases you!
Will I receive a full refund if the retreat is not guaranteed?
Will I get my deposit back if I need to cancel?
Unfortunately the deposit is not refundable, no matter when you cancel. Therefore, we recommend that you insure your deposit right after registering for the trip. You do not need to insure the full trip at that time, just the deposit. Feel free to choose the insurance provider of your choice but this is the one we recommend (they only insure US customers): Travel Insurance Services* Tel. 1-800-937-1387.
Note that participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. Please review our cancellation policy.
Can you give me the reference of someone who has been on the tour before?
Absolutely. We would be happy to give you contact information of past participants who have agreed to be contacted.
Pricing and Booking
Pricing Details
Superior Rooms with Sea View
Single Superior: US $4,990
Shared Superior: US $4,390
All rooms include a private ensuite bathroom.
Non-painters are welcome at the same price.
Price includes
- Lisbon airport pick-up at 2pm and drop-off at 10am
- A welcome reception
- All 7 nights at the hotel
- All breakfasts, 3 lunches and 4 dinners including wine
- All art classes
- All entrances to sites
- Transportation in a comfortable van with A/C
- Access to the pool
- 2 tour leaders throughout
Price excludes
- Flight to Lisbon-Portugal
- 3 lunches and 3 dinners
- Painting supplies
- Required Travel Insurance
- Tour leader(s) tipping
Cancellation Policy
| If you cancel: | Cancellation Fee per Person |
|---|---|
| more than 180 days before departure | $300 is forfeited and $300 is transferrable to a future trip within 2 years |
| 121-180 days before departure | $1,000 is forfeited and $600 is transferrable to a future trip within 2 years |
| 61-120 days before departure | 50% of total cost forfeited |
| 31-60 days before departure | 75% of total cost forfeited |
| 0-30 days before departure | 100% of total cost forfeited |
| If French Escapade cancels | you get a full refund |
How to Book
Payments
- A $600 nonrefundable deposit is due at booking ($300 transferable to a future workshop; see cancellation policy below).
We offer three payment methods through our secure system:
– By credit card (2.9% convenience fee applies)
– By ACH/ bank transfer (no fees)
– By wire transfer (flat fee) - After submitting your registration, you will receive a confirmation of your registration by email. Do not make any travel plans until you receive an email letting you know that we have reached the minimum of participants required for the trip.
- An additional payment of US$1,000 is due 6 months prior to departure and the remaining balance is due 4 months prior to departure.
We also provide flexible payment plans allowing you to make smaller payments more often if you wish. - Buy your travel insurance: See below to see the details and deadline for purchasing a travel insurance.
Insurance Required
Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.
- If you have a pre-existing medical condition or wish to be able to cancel your trip at any time for any reason (CFAR), you need to get the insurance within 21 days of your registration with us.
- For standard health coverage, you may sign-up at any time.
Feel free to choose the insurance provider of your choice. Our preferred insurance companies are:
- For US citizens: Travel Insurance Services. Tel. 1-800-937-1387. This company has covered many of our clients and provides good customer service. They offer 3 tiers of coverage.
- For non-US residents: United Health Care Global
Sign up before 11/30/26 and save $150!
Use the code EARLYBIRD at checkout.