Join artist Andrea Garvey for a vibrant and inspiring mixed-media retreat in the peaceful countryside of southern Portugal. Throughout the week, you’ll work in a watercolor paper journal designed to last the entire retreat, filling its pages with daily reflections, sketches, and layered artwork inspired by the rich textures, light, and colors of the region. Embrace play, and build a personal, colorful record of the journey. By the end of the week, your journal will be a rich visual story full of memories, experiments, and creative momentum to carry forward.
Step outside the studio to observe the surrounding landscape. Visit the historic town of Lagos and sail along the Algarve coast, where cliffs, grottoes, and plant life offer rich material. Sketch on location, gather reference photos, and record compositions that will shape your work throughout the week.
Stay in a traditional Portuguese villa surrounded by gardens, with meals prepared on-site each day. Paint outdoors under trees or among flowers, or take quiet time to review your progress. Work with watercolor, sketching, and drawing techniques both in and out of the studio as you develop a personal body of work shaped by your surroundings.
Andrea Garvey is a California-based artist, teacher, and retreat leader who inspires creativity through vibrant color, joyful mark-making, and intuitive mixed-media explorations. After over two decades as a creative director in corporate life, Andrea followed a deeply personal call. At age 50, she transitioned into full-time artmaking and teaching, and she’s never looked back.
Her art style merges the whimsy of layered abstracts with flowing florals, pen-and-watercolor sketches, acrylics, and inks. Andrea often references a pivotal moment of creative awakening: a vivid dream following the loss of her mother-in-law sparked her return to painting after years focused on design work.
Through her online courses like “Layered Petals,” “Colorful Joy,” and “Watercolors in Bloom,” as well as international retreats in Ireland, France, and Santa Cruz, Andrea offers welcoming, inspiring spaces where art is made simple and fun. She leads mixed-media workshops, sketchbook clubs, and in-person retreats that emphasize playful learning, community connection, and creative courage, with no experience required.
Andrea’s warm, generous presence and passion for mentorship shine through in her thriving Facebook group and Creative Community, where she supports students with gentle guidance, personal demos, and daily creative prompts. In every brushstroke and journal page, Andrea invites artists to embrace joy in color and discovery. She believes creativity is for everyone and loves helping people reconnect with their spark.
You can find more of Andrea’s work on her website and Instagram @andreagarveyart.
program description
The art retreat with Andrea Garvey will be held in the Algarve, a stunning region located at the southernmost point of the Portuguese coast. The charming coastal towns and traditional fishing villages, with their whitewashed buildings, add to the region’s enchanting allure. Beyond the natural beauty, you’ll immerse yourself in Portugal’s rich cultural heritage, savoring exquisite cuisine, exploring historic architecture, and experiencing the warmth of local hospitality.
The retreat includes a visit to Lagos, a historic port town that has been a cultural crossroads for civilizations like the Romans, Greeks, and Carthaginians. Just a 10-minute drive from the retreat location, Lagos boasts vibrant architecture, cozy cafés, and unique shops. You’ll also enjoy a sailing excursion across the stunning blue waters of the Atlantic. Praia da Luz, the nearest beach, is only 4 km (2.5 miles) from the venue, while Faro Airport, the main transfer point, is about an hour’s drive away.
Please arrive at Faro Airport (FAO). We strongly advise allowing ample time for international travel and recommend arriving in Portugal at least one day before the retreat begins to account for any potential flight delays, acclimate to the time zone, and rest after your journey.
Please refrain from booking flights until the retreat becomes guaranteed and you are charged for your participation.
Here’s how to get from Faro Airport (FAO) to the retreat venue:
Private airport transfers to and from Faro Airport (FAO) at prearranged times are included. The transfer to the retreat venue typically takes about one hour. Check-in at the retreat venue begins at 4:00 PM on September 22, 2026, and check-out is after breakfast on September 29, 2026, by 10:00 AM.
Arrival Transfer: September 22, 2026—3:00 PM (departure from Faro Airport (FAO), arriving at the retreat venue around 4:00 PM)
Departure Transfer: September 29, 2026—10:00 AM (departure from the retreat venue, arriving at Faro Airport (FAO) around 11:00 AM)
If the pre-set transfer times do not align with your travel plans, please consider the following alternatives:
The Algarve region promises a complete culinary experience, offering an array of exquisite flavors. During the retreat, a private chef will prepare daily meals using fresh, locally sourced ingredients or produce from the venue’s gardens. Each dish provides a delicious exploration of Mediterranean and Atlantic cuisines.
Start your mornings with a nutritious breakfast spread, featuring oatmeal, fresh fruits, warm pastries, local hams, and perfectly prepared eggs. For lunch, enjoy light yet satisfying dishes like orzo salad, Moroccan bowls, or a classic tuna Niçoise.
In the evenings, savor a comforting dinner crafted by the chef, with options such as Piri Piri prawns, zesty citrus salmon, or a creamy Brazilian coconut stew. End your dining experience with delectable desserts like cakes, tarts, and mousses, complemented by fragrant local wines.
All meals are included, and dinners are paired with specially selected wines. Throughout the day, you’ll have access to refreshments such as water, coffee, tea, and light snacks like fruit and biscuits.
Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. Unfortunately, we may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot accommodate dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or fulfill last-minute requests.
Read more about the food options served during the retreat below. Please note that the dishes served may vary based on the availability of seasonal and local ingredients.
Is this art retreat available to all levels?
The art retreat with Andrea Garvey is open to all levels of experience. Whether you’re brand new to art or have been creating for years, you’ll leave feeling refreshed, inspired, and filled up in all the best ways.
When is the art retreat available?
The art retreat with artist Andrea Garvey in Algarve, Portugal, takes place between September 22 – 29, 2026.
Are there any check-in and check-out hours?
Check-in at the retreat venue begins at 4:00 PM on September 22, 2026, and check-out is after breakfast on September 29, 2026.
Is Wi-Fi available?
WiFi is available in all areas at no additional cost.
I am vegetarian/vegan. Can I book this art retreat?
Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. We may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot cater to dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or accommodate last-minute requests made on the spot.
How do I get to the retreat venue?
Please plan to arrive at Faro Airport (FAO). We advise allowing extra time for long-distance international travel. Arriving in Portugal a day before the retreat starts helps mitigate potential issues due to flight delays, allows for rest post-travel, and facilitates adjustment to the new time zone. Private airport transfers to and from Faro Airport (FAO) at pre-arranged times are included. Refer to the Location tab for further details. Please refrain from booking flights until the retreat becomes guaranteed and you are charged for your participation.
What’s the weather like in Algarve, Portugal, in late September?
The weather in Lagos, Algarve, Portugal, in late September is generally sunny and mild. You can expect average highs of 26°C (79°F) during the day that drop to around 17°C (63°F) at night. The Algarve region enjoys very mild winters and warm summers, without excesses, and very little rain throughout the year.
What should I pack?
Please pack appropriate clothing, sunscreen, a swimsuit, a sun hat and sunglasses, insect repellent, soothing cream for insect bites, a jacket for chilly evenings, comfortable shoes, personal care items, and any personal medication you might need.
Can I do laundry while on the retreat?
Laundry facilities are available at the retreat venue, and you are welcome to use them for free during your stay.
What art supplies do I need for the workshop?
A detailed list of art materials recommended by artist Andrea Garvey will be provided upon booking, five months before the retreat begins.
How many people are to be expected on the art retreat?
There is a maximum number of 16 participants.
Do I need a visa?
Guests from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and/or Schengen member states can enter Portugal for tourism without a visa. If this policy changes, we will inform you promptly. For additional assistance, please reach out to us.
Is there a local currency I should acquire before arriving?
Please take out euros in cash from an ATM at the airport, in Faro, or Lagos (the closest town to the retreat venue). You will need cash for small purchases in town and for tipping the staff (tipping is customary in Portugal). The retreat venue doesn’t have a card machine but accepts euros in cash.
Are there any age restrictions?
There are no restrictions whatsoever. Please keep in mind that you must be 18 years of age to travel independently.
Can a non-participating guest join me?
We do not accommodate non-participants at our art retreats. This policy is in place to ensure the artistic and immersive nature of our retreats remains intact for all participants.
Is the art retreat available to guests with limited mobility?
Unfortunately, the retreat venue and trips are not well suited to host people with limited mobility, as the trips involve plenty of walking on uneven, cobbled streets.
What language is used during the art workshop and other activities?
The art retreat is available in English.
Do I have to pay a deposit?
No. Once the number of guest reservations reaches the minimum number required for the retreat to become guaranteed, UpTrek charges the guests the cost of the retreat. Guests who reserved will be notified 48 hours in advance that their payment method on file is about to be charged.
Will I receive a full refund if the retreat is not guaranteed?
UpTrek does not charge the payment method we collect until the retreat becomes guaranteed. Once the retreat is guaranteed, there will be no reimbursement. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.
Will I receive a full refund if the guaranteed retreat is canceled by the artist or by UpTrek?
If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of UpTrek’s and/or the artist’ control, UpTrek will let you know as soon as possible, refund the total cost of the retreat, and help you find another option for your vacation.
What happens if I need to cancel?
All bookings are nonrefundable. Once payment is made, it is considered final. In the event of cancellation, regardless of the reason, no refunds will be granted.
Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might entail cancellation or change of travel arrangements. This insurance should cover any potential losses incurred due to cancellation or no-show, including but not limited to medical emergencies, travel disruptions, or personal circumstances. We are not affiliated with any travel insurance providers. It is your responsibility to secure appropriate insurance coverage that includes trip cancellation and interruption protection. We highly recommend reviewing the terms and conditions of your chosen insurance provider to understand the coverage and claim process.
We will gladly provide the essential documentation to support refund claims with the insurance provider.
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