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Join Sunway and Catherine Lawlor of Dublin Art Classes on an inspiring art holiday to Croatia. Based near Dubrovnik in the charming coastal town of Cavtat, this region’s terracotta rooftops, marble streets, fishing harbours and glittering Adriatic light offers an endless source of creative inspiration.

Led by experienced artist Catherine Lawlor, with over 20 years’ experience teaching en plein air, this relaxed and supportive holiday combines guided workshops with free time to paint at your own pace. Suitable for beginners and more experienced artists alike, you’ll be encouraged to slow down, observe carefully and capture the colours, atmosphere and character of Croatia in your own style.

Itinerary Highlights:

- Explore the historic streets and city walls of Dubrovnik, sketching marble streets, baroque architecture and vibrant daily life within the Old Town.
- Capture the dramatic contrast between terracotta rooftops and the deep blue Adriatic Sea, working en plein air in one of Europe’s most visually striking coastal cities.
- Enjoy guided sketching and painting sessions in the charming harbour town of Cavtat, painting fishing boats, palm-lined promenades and glittering coastal light.
- Take part in relaxed outdoor art workshops, focusing on observation, composition, perspective and capturing light and atmosphere.
- Learn practical techniques and develop your skills with expert guidance from Catherine Lawlor, suitable for beginners and more experienced artists alike.
- Gain new subject matter for future projects and explore new creative directions
- Worksheets and short videos provided throughout the trip to help you identify and apply these elements in your artwork

What You'll Take Home:

- A personal sketchbook filled with studies, notes and finished pieces inspired by Croatia.
- A memory book, capturing the highlights of your trip and the art you created
- New skills and techniques to apply to your future projects
- A network of like-minded creatives and fellow art enthusiasts
- Memories of fun, laughter, and the joy of discovery, all while cultivating a deeper appreciation for the beauty of life around us
- A renewed enthusiasm for art and creativity, inspired by the beauty and light of the Croatian coast.

Perfect for:

- Experienced artists looking to refine their skills, gain new inspiration, and explore new creative directions
- Art students eager to develop their technique, build confidence, and immerse themselves in the one of the world’s most beautiful stretches of coastline

Itinerary

Day 1 – Travel to Croatia

Our art holiday begins as we fly from Dublin to Dubrovnik. On arrival, we will travel to our hotel in the charming town of Cavtat, located just south of Dubrovnik. A small and picturesque fishing village, Cavtat is known for its beautiful bay, colourful harbour and palm-fringed promenade, all set along the edge of glittering blue waters, a wonderfully inspiring setting for artists.
After settling into our hotel, we will enjoy a welcome meeting with Catherine, followed by a welcome dinner together. This is a relaxed opportunity to get to know our fellow travellers, discuss the creative focus for the days ahead, and ease into the rhythm of the holiday.

Day 2 – Dubrovnik City tour & afternoon sketching
After breakfast, we travel to the old walled city of Dubrovnik for a guided walking tour. Dubrovnik is renowned for its distinctive Old Town, encircled by massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. It is hard to imagine anyone becoming jaded by its marble streets, baroque buildings and the endless shimmer of the Adriatic Sea.

Following our city tour, we will spend the afternoon sketching this iconic city en plein air. Capture the energy of daily life within the walls, the light glinting on marble streets, and the contrast between red-tiled rooftops and the deep blue sea. Catherine will be on hand throughout, offering guidance on detail, reflected light and perspective to help you create confident, expressive sketches.

We then return to Cavtat, where the evening is at leisure. You may wish to continue sketching along the waterfront promenade or enjoy dinner in one of the local restaurants.

Day 3- Sketching and painting in Cavtat

This morning, enjoy a workshop with Catherine Lawlor in and around Cavtat. Create your own masterpiece of this Croatian jewel, its glittering waters, colourful fishing boats and gentle waves along the shore. From harbour scenes to hidden promenade corners, the choice is yours.

Working en plein air, you will have time to observe the shifting light, tonal contrasts and coastal colours that make this setting so special. Catherine will provide demonstrations, guidance and individual feedback, helping you make the most of the beautiful scenery before you.

Your afternoon and evening will be at leisure for you to unwind and enjoy the beauty of Croatia.

Day 4 – At Leisure

Today you have the day at leisure to explore this beautiful coastline. You might choose to take a taxi or ferry to Dubrovnik to further explore its marble streets and dramatic sea views, or perhaps visit Lokrum Island, a peaceful island rich in natural beauty and perfect for quiet sketching spots. Or else you can spend the day on the beach or your hotel’s pool, the choice is yours!

Day 5 – Art Picnic in the Croatian Countryside

Today we escape to the countryside, travelling to the village of Picete for a special art picnic surrounded by nature. With easels provided, we will paint rural Croatia, rolling green landscapes, distant mountains and peaceful village scenes. This is an ideal opportunity to explore broader landscapes and natural colour palettes in a relaxed, supportive setting. As you paint, enjoy local snacks and produce, truly experiencing the Croatian countryside.

Later this afternoon, we return to our hotel, where you will have free time for any last-minute sightseeing or shopping, or perhaps one final swim or sketch beside the pool.

Day 6- Return home

After breakfast, we travel to the airport and bid farewell to Croatia, taking home not just photographs, but sketchbooks filled with new skills, memories, and friendships.

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Price includes

• Return direct scheduled flights Dublin to Dubrovnik
• All airport taxes
• Airport transfers
• 10kg check in bag per person + Pre-booked Seat
• 5 nights Bed and Breakfast in the 4 star Hotel Cavtat in the fishing village of Cavtat
• Welcome dinner
• Guided Dubrovnik city tour with transfers
• Art Picnic in the Croatian Countryside
• Art drawing and painting sessions lead by expert art teacher Catherine Lawlor

Extras

• Single supplement
• Insurance
• Tips
• Meals not mentioned
• Art pack

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About Catherine

Catherine Lawlor is a contemporary Irish artist and the founder of Dublin Art Classes, one of Dublin’s largest and most established private art schools. With over twenty years’ experience in fine art, gallery work, and education, Catherine is renowned for her warm, encouraging teaching style and her ability to inspire creativity at every level. Alongside her studio courses, she has led numerous art holidays and sketching trips across Ireland and Europe, guiding students in capturing light, atmosphere, and sense of place through on-location drawing and painting. Her passion for sharing the joy of art, both in the classroom and out in the field, has made her a much-loved mentor to artists of all ages and abilities.

Pop over to www.dublinartclasses.com to see more about Catherine and her work.

Perfect for solo travellers

Dreaming of an art holiday but don’t want to travel alone? You’re in excellent company. Most of our guests on this holiday are solo travellers - like-minded artists eager to explore Croatia, sketch and paint beautiful scenery, and connect with others who share their passion. We make it easy and comfortable to travel solo, with two options available: enjoy your own single room for a supplement or share a twin room with another solo traveller of the same sex at no extra cost. Feel part of a warm, welcoming community on this holiday and enjoy an unforgettable artistic journey to the Dalmatian Coast.

Testimonials

I have been on several art holidays, with the Dublin Art Classes, over the last 10 years. They have included trips to France, Greece, Holland and UK and each one has been a unique and enjoyable experience for me. You are part of a group with similar interests in art and, with excellent guidance and knowledge from our art teacher, Catherine, you will learn techniques and gain confidence sketching en Plein Air. It's so satisfying to have these sketches as memories of your trip and maybe develop them into paintings, when you get home.
If you're looking for a holiday, with a difference, I would highly recommend Dublin Art Classes! - Lavina