Learn how to paint like Botticelli at Villa Lena in Tuscany

This is an advertising feature in association with Villa Lena.

Every spring, Tuscany’s green rolling hills come alive with the colours of wildflowers. This year, Villa Lena, the hotel and art foundation, is offering guests the opportunity not only to frolic in the surrounding landscapes but to learn how to paint them.

The Mumbai-born, Florence-based artist Tanvi Pathare is hosting a five-day ‘Flower Painting’ retreat (5–10 May) – the first of a programme of creative retreats designed to teach new skills while also immersing guests in the laid-back Tuscan lifestyle. Inspired by the Renaissance art that hangs on the walls of the 19th-century villa and an abundance of real-life blooms, Tanvi, who teaches at the prestigious Florence Academy of Art, will teach guests how to paint like a modern-day Botticelli with a focus on floral compositions. ‘In our fast-paced lives, it’s easy to forget to stop and observe nature, and through traditional methods such as watercolour painting, you can truly meditate over the beauty of a flower,’ says Tanvi.

A view from one of the guest rooms, overlooking the historic villa. Photo: Camilla Fatticcioni

Alongside painting classes, additional activities on offer include pasta-making workshops, wine and olive oil tasting sessions and guided tours of Villa Lena’s flower farm. There will also be plenty of free time to admire the views from the panoramic hilltop pool, to wander around the historic estate and to enjoy the seasonal Tuscan cuisine served at the hotel’s organic, farm-to-table restaurant.

The ‘Flower Painting’ retreat runs from 5–10 May at Villa Lena, Toiano. Rates start from €3,165 per person for 5 nights, including full-board F&B, all scheduled activities, workshops and access to Villa Lena’s facilities. For more information and to book, click here.

This is an advertising feature in association with Villa Lena.