F.A.Q.s
Can I arrive early?
We sometimes have space in our houses the days running up to the course. If you would like to stay any additional nights (subject to space) the cost is €40 per night and €55 for couples or twins. We also offer Breakfast and Lunch for guests for an additional €10. If your flight arrives into Faro before 1:30 on Thursday then we can do a lunch for €10 which includes wine.
I am worried about bringing materials on the plane?
Our guests tend to bring their own brushes, paper, paints, pencils, sketch pads and canvasses. There is an excellent art shop in Olhao that provides the majority of things that painters use. For those using oils turps can be purchased in Olhao if you are not happy about bringing it on the plane but you will often find some left over in the school from a previous week. It is also recommended that you use a fast drying oil such as Griffin Alkyd, made by Windsor & Newton, however as the weather in Portugal is usually so warm it doesn’t tend to be a problem. For carrying paintings home then we find that corks can be used as excellent separators (one slice in each corner of the board).
Will I have to pay for anything extra when I am out there?
All meals are included in the price, as is the tuition; the only extras that you will need to pay for is the transfer from the airport which is €25 each way ( if you are sharing a taxi then the cost is split per person) & air tickets to get to Faro. One trip to the island is included, if groups would like to go more then once then the ferry ride over is around 4 euros. Tipping is of course at your discretion; there is a lovely girl who does breakfast every morning and cleans the bedrooms and house.
My partner does not like painting. Is there anything for them to do if they were to come along ?
Yes ! The Algarve is the perfect holiday for people with all tastes. Golf is a hugely popular sport amongst tourists with an excellent range of golf courses all with-in a 15-45 min drive of Olhao. Faro has plenty to see, including a beautiful walled city in the old town, as well as a large shopping center. Olhao is also good for shopping with a new shopping center close to the city center. The islands of the Ria Formosa are a stone’s throw away form Olhao and provide stunning quiet empty beaches. There are also activities like kayaking, fishing, snorkelling, diving, and other water sports. The Ria Formosa is a natural park so plenty of interesting birds and wildlife which makes bird watching very popular. We also have links to a tennis club in Olhao. There is also a new 5* hotel that has opened up with a gym and sauna.
What is the weather like?
The Algarve has lovely weather all year round, the summer months can get up to 32 degrees and the winter stays cooler at around 18. For a full climate chart please see our climate page.
I am a Vegetarian or have a special dietary requirement, will I be able to eat at the restaurants?
It is fair to say that Olhao is very famous for its fish but all restaurants serve a selection of vegetarian dishes along with plenty of meat, fish and seafood dishes. If you have a special requirement it is best to discuss this with us at your time of your booking.
