Costa del Sol Vacation Workshop with Koosje Koene
February 19-23, 2025
Meet Koosje Koene
Koosje began teaching online in 2013. Since then, she has taught tens of thousands of people all over the world how to create a daily drawing habit and live a more creative life. She is the creator of Draw Tip Tuesday, a weekly YouTube series of over 300 drawing videos, and the co-founder of Sketchbook Skool, a global art-making community. Koosje has written and illustrated Life is better when you draw (it), published in 2022. Koosje (whose name is pronounced KOSH-a KOO-neh) always has a sketchbook in hand. Learn more at KoosjeKoene.com.
About Costa del Sol
Costa del Sol extends along more than 150 kilometres of coastline on the Mediterranean Sea and is named the “Coast of the Sun” due to over 325 sunny days a year and a very pleasant climate. We will be staying Malaga, a city with a beautiful international seaport founded by the Phoenicians from Tyre in around 1000 BC. Malaga's uniqueness is marked by the variety of architectural styles from Alcazaba, its stunning Moorish fortress – the best-preserved of its kind in Spain – to its Roman amphitheater, this vibrant and exciting city is full of architectural masterpieces that we will explore and sketch.When to Arrive?
Monday February 17, 2025
Welcome to Costa del Sol! Your arrival date is your decision but we suggest you arrive on Monday February 17 so that you have time to settle in and possibly to adjust to a new time zone or the vagaries of travel which, as we know, could include a missed or delayed flight. Better to be relaxed at the start of your vacation workshop.
Warm Up Sketch + Welcome Reception
Tuesday February 18, 2025
Workshop participants who arrive early are invited to meet in the hotel lobby at 2:00 for a warm up sketch (optional). Koosje will not be teaching at this time. This is your chance to warm up.
Afterwards, all workshop participants and companions are invited to a wine and cheese welcome reception at 6pm in the hotel. Below is our proposed itinerary.
Day 1--Alcazaba + Workshop #1
Wednesday February 19, 2025
In the morning we will visit Alcazaba, a palatial fortification built during the period of Muslim-ruled Al-Andalus. The current complex was begun in the 11th century and was modified or rebuilt multiple times up to the 14th century.
Inspired by the history and architecture of Alcazaba we will be ready for Workshop #1.
Day 2--Gibralfaro Castle + Workshop #2
Thursday February 20, 2025
Today we will spend the day at Castillo de Gibralfaro where we will tour the castle, have lunch and enjoy Workshop #2. Castillo de Gibralfaro, sits on a high hill overlooking Malaga city and port, and dates back to the 10th century. The most visible remains of this historic monument are the solid ramparts. Inside the fortress itself you will find some buildings and courtyards. From here you can get a good view down into the La Malagueta bullring.
Day 3--Alhambra + Workshop #3
Friday February 21, 2025
Today we will enjoy an all-day excursion to Alhambra in Granada by private coach. Alhambra, a palace and fortress complex is one of the most famous monuments of Islamic architecture and one of the best-preserved palaces of the historic Islamic world, in addition to containing notable examples of Spanish Renaissance architecture.
After touring Alhambra Koosje will teach Workshop #3.
Day 4--Cathedral de la Encarnación + Workshop #4
Saturday February 22, 2025
Today we will explore the Cathedral de la Encarnación and enjoy a spectacular view of the city from its rooftop. Afterwards, we will wander to the location of Workshop #4.
Day 5--Atarazanas Market, Workshop #5 + a Flamenco Dinner Show
Sunday February 23, 2025
Today we will visit Atarazanas Market, the location of Workshop #5. The market building itself with it's white marble 14th century Moorish arch was originally a shipyard. Over the centuries it was used as barracks and military hospital then finally a market in the 19th century.
After our workshop we will grab some tapas for lunch here in the market.
In the afternoon we will return to the hotel for our own little exhibition of the sketches we made this week.
In the evening we will enjoy a Flamenco dinner show as our Farewell Dinner (included).
Departure
Monday February 24, 2025
It's time to say goodbye but you will never forget the friends you made or the skills you learned during this great week! Or extend your stay for a long relaxing holiday!
PLEASE NOTE: THE ORDER OF EVENTS AND SUBJECTS PROPOSED IN THIS ITINERARY MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Recommended Workshop Supply List
Click HERE to view Koosje's Workshop Supply List.
FAQs
Click HERE for answers to frequently asked questions.
For more information about this vacation package contact Brenda Murray Studio56Boutique@gmail.com.
Tour Includes
- A welcome reception and Farewell dinner
- All art classes
- Admission to the museums and sites mentioned
- Ground transportation to Alhambra in Granada
Tour Excludes
- Flights to/from the area
- Hotel
- airport pick-up and drop-off
- Meals (except those listed above)
- Painting supplies
- City taxes payable by guest at check out
- Tips and gratuities
- Porterage/luggage handling
- Travel insurance
- Expenses of a personal nature
- Items not explicitly specified in the inclusion list
Early Bird Prices in USD
Book now before September 22, 2024 and save $200USD!
$1799.USD $1599.USD Workshop Participant
$1199.USD NonSketcher Companion Participant (such as partner or travelling buddy)
NonSketcher Companion tickets include the same attractions and meals as the Workshop Participants with the exception of the art classes.
To reserve your spot in this workshop, a $500USD nonrefundable deposit is required for Workshop Participants and a $300USD nonrefundable deposit is required for nonSketcher Companions 150 days prior to the start of the workshop. The remaining balance is due 120 days prior to the start of the workshop.
To make a deposit, please scroll to the bottom and click BOOK NOW.
PLEASE READ OUR REFUND POLICY.
Bring a Friend and Get a $50 Rebate!
Here's how it works. You and your sketching buddy register for the workshop with your deposits. Then send us an email and tell us you are registering with a sketching buddy. You will each be refunded $50 after the start of the workshop if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.
The small print: This discount code cannot be used in conjunction with any other discount code and it can only be applied to 2 Workshop participant tickets if the workshop sells out with 15 participants.
Accommodation
The hotel that the Instructor and the Tour Manager are staying in is a new colonial-style boutique hotel centrally located in Malaga. Rooms are available on a first-come first-served basis with room rates starting at 158€/night including breakfast with free cancellation up to 7 days prior to arrival. Participants will be sent a special promo code for our group to get a 15% discount.
Information about the official hotel of this workshop including our group promo code will be sent to all participants after they have made their deposit.
How to Make a Hotel Reservation
Before you make any hotel reservations, click the blue BOOK NOW button below to ensure you have a spot in this workshop.
After you have secured your spot in this workshop, you will be sent information about the hotel with instructions for how to book a room. Participants can stay in this hotel or book into another nearby hotel or Airbnb if they prefer.
Travel + Medical Insurance
Last minute cancellations for any reason are nonrefundable therefore protect your investment in this vacation by purchasing travel insurance. Click HERE for a list of US travel insurance providers. Some credit card companies may also offer travel insurance if you paid for your trip using that credit card.
Pedestrian Friendly?
The city of Malaga itself is fairly flat and walkable with the exception of the Castillo Gibralfaro which is a 1.3 mile (3,000-step) route with an elevation gain of about 134.5 ft and it is rated as easy by walking enthusiasts. Also Ahambra has a lot of steps and cobble stones. Participants in this workshop must be fully mobile and able to walk for 20 minutes and manage stairs. If you are not able to walk 20 minutes and manage stairs, we recommend you consider a different Studio 56 workshop that is less physically demanding.
Travel Tips
Please check HERE for Studio 56 Travel Tips.
Your Tour Manager
Participants will be accompanied by Studio 56 owner, Brenda Murray. Brenda is a Canadian artist and arts advocate, the founder of Urban Sketchers Waterloo Region and a former Urban Sketchers Board member. A seasoned traveler, Brenda has traveled to Austria, Bahamas, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Liechenstein, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, Portugal, Singapore, South Korea (resident for 4 years), Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, Uganda, UK, and the USA (35 states). Brenda will be on hand to assist the instructor and to ensure that everything runs smoothly. She has completed the St. John's Ambulance Emergency First Aid - CPR C - AED training. Learn more about Brenda HERE.
For More Information
Email Studio56Boutique@gmail.com or call Brenda Murray at 519-572-1757.
How to Register for this Workshop
To guarantee your spot in this exciting vacation workshop, participants must pay a deposit by clicking the BOOK NOW button below.