# Playful Botanicals Art Retreat with Artist Ingrid Sanchez in Greece Step into a week of botanical watercolor and mixed media with Ingrid Sanchez (CreativeIngrid) on the island of Zakynthos, Greece. Over seven days, you'll learn to see the world the way Ingrid does: starting with the materials in your hands, then opening up into loose, expressive florals, sun-printed cyanotypes, and layered mixed-media pieces. Open to all levels, this retreat is for anyone curious about watercolor and mixed-media, and eager to find their own creative voice. Each day in the studio builds on the last, from foundational exercises to an ambitious final piece that brings everything together. Beyond the studio, half-day trips to Zante Town, an ancient olive oil farm, and the iconic Shipwreck Beach feed directly into your work, providing reference material, collected botanicals, and natural materials like sea water and sand for texture-making. You'll stay in a hillside villa with an outdoor art studio, an infinity pool, and terraces overlooking the sea, just a short walk from the beach. All meals are prepared by a private chef, with every dietary need catered for, and the week closes with a farewell dinner and live Greek music. You'll leave with a body of finished work, a new set of techniques, and the connections and memories of a week spent creating in wonderful company! ## Details - **Dates:** May 6 - 13, 2027 - **Location:** Planos, Zakynthos, Greece - **Starting Price:** $4,550 - **Currency:** USD - **Status:** open - **Group Size:** Max. 16 students - **Category:** [Painting](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreats/painting) · [Browse on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreats/painting) ## Overview **What's included** 1. Art classes, individual tuition, and demonstrations with artist Ingrid Sanchez 2. Shala art studio equipped with: tables, chairs, glass jars, paper towels, easels, artist stools, professional studio lights, fresh flowers for reference, 2 x Jacquard Cyanotype Sensitizer sets, 2 x bottles of Schmincke Liquid Frisket 303 (blue) 3. 7 nights of accommodation at an elegant seaside villa 4. Exclusive use of the venue's living quarters and common areas, a Shala art studio, pool, jacuzzi, wooden gazebo, spa area, and beautiful terraces 5. All meals: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners carefully prepared by a private chef 6. All diets catered for, including vegetarian, vegan, diabetic, gluten-free, and lactose-free 7. Water, coffee, tea, juices, and snacks available throughout the day 8. Special welcome and farewell dinner 9. Delicious local wine during dinner service every day 10. Spacious sea-facing Shala art studio 11. Half-day art trip to Zante Town, with opportunities for sketching and painting on location 12. Half-day boat trip to the Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach), with a boat ride included 13. Half-day art trip to an award-winning olive oil farm (est.1890), home to olive trees over 1500 years old, with an olive oil tasting experience and opportunities for painting and sketching on location 14. Greek dance show and band for the farewell dinner 15. Private transportation and guide or chaperone for all planned trips and activities 16. Round-trip transfers from/to Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) at prearranged times 17. All local tourist taxes and fees 18. A dedicated UpTrek retreat coordinator available throughout the whole retreat 19. Fully staffed venue with drivers, cleaning and maintenance staff, and chef and kitchen staff 20. Access to a private Facebook group with Ingrid Sanchez and the other retreat participants four months before the retreat takes place **Not included** - Airfare - Travel insurance - Art materials — a list of art materials recommended by artist Ingrid Sanchez will be provided five months before the retreat takes place - Tips for staff — tipping is customary in Greece - Other expenses guests might incur on their own ## Program ### Playful Botanicals Retreat Join Ingrid Sanchez for a week of botanical watercolor and mixed media on the sun-drenched island of Zakynthos, Greece. Open to all levels, this retreat is for anyone who wants to build real confidence in their materials, find their own creative voice, and spend a week in the company of like-minded artists in one of the most beautiful corners of the Mediterranean. Through a carefully layered program, you'll build real confidence in your materials and techniques, from your very first wash to a final, polished piece that brings everything together. Ingrid's approach is rooted in negative painting: learning to see and save the light rather than paint the flower itself. You'll start with watercolor fundamentals and loose florals, then work your way into cyanotype, masking fluid, and mixed-media texture, gathering inspiration along the way during three art trips. Each technique builds on the last, and by the final day you'll bring it all together in one ambitious piece. Ingrid will guide you with warmth and encouragement. Her fundamental belief is this: creativity flourishes when you feel free to experiment. You'll leave with a cohesive collection of finished work and a way of painting that is entirely your own. Beyond the studio, you'll explore the island on three half-day trips, each one feeding directly into your work. In Zante Town, you'll photograph and collect botanical materials to bring back to the studio as painting references. At an award-winning olive oil farm established in 1890, home to olive trees over 1,500 years old, you'll gather leaves and branches for cyanotype prints and olive-themed paintings, and enjoy an olive oil tasting experience. And on the boat trip to Shipwreck Beach, you'll collect sea water straight from the Ionian Sea to use as a texture-making material back in the studio. **Topics covered in your classes include:** - Understanding your watercolor supplies: paper, brushes, pigments and how they interact - Cyanotype as a gateway to negative painting and botanical composition - Painting loose, expressive florals from life in the CreativeIngrid style - Creating texture and depth through experimental mixed-media techniques - Working with masking fluid to reserve light and build layered, detailed pieces - Developing confidence painting botanicals on a larger scale - Bringing watercolor, masking fluid and cyanotype together in one final piece - Finding your own playful, personal voice in botanical painting - ...and many more! The venue, a Greek villa perched on a hill with sweeping views of the sea, will be your creative home for the retreat. The sea-facing Shala art studio comes equipped with tables, chairs, easels, and professional studio lights, with plenty of space to spread out and paint. Sit down each evening to three-course dinners prepared by your private chef and paired with local wine, and enjoy water, coffee, tea, juices, and snacks available throughout the day. Please note: The retreat venue is located on terraced grounds, with access to the studio, common areas, and accommodations requiring the use of stairways. The beach can be reached by descending a steep stairway of approximately 50 meters (164 feet). Additionally, the trips involve moderate walking, so this retreat may not be ideal for those with limited mobility. ### Day 1: Arrival Arrive at Zakynthos Airport for your 3:30 PM transfer to a breathtaking seafront venue overlooking the Mediterranean. Settle into your elegant room and take a moment to unwind before joining a guided tour of the venue grounds. Discover the inviting pool, the shala art studio, and the inviting common areas. Meet your lovely instructor for the retreat, Ingrid Sanchez, as well as your fellow artists. As the evening winds down, savor a delightful three-course welcome dinner in a warm and lively atmosphere. Enjoy a glass of wine with Ingrid and the group, and chat about the adventures ahead. ### Day 2: Art classes at the venue The day begins with breakfast together, coffee in hand and the Ionian Sea in full view. After a morning check-in with Ingrid and the group, you'll spend the first session getting to know your materials properly: how different papers behave, how pigment disperses through water, how much moisture your brush actually needs. Ingrid's approach is rooted in this very idea; understanding what your supplies will and won't do is what eventually sets you free. Through layering and bleeding exercises and an introduction to color theory, you'll start to develop a real feel for watercolor as a living, moving medium. In the afternoon, you'll put that understanding straight to work. Start with brush practice. You'll spend some time learning the specific pressures and gestures that bring a leaf to life on the page. From there you'll move into more color mixing exercises, training your eye for how pigments interact and how to build a palette that feels alive. By the time the sun sets, the medium will already feel a little more like your own. The early evening is yours to spend however you like: keep working in the studio, take a dip in the infinity pool, wander down to Bouka Beach, or simply lounge in the gardens with a good conversation. You'll come together again for a chef-made dinner with a glass of local wine to close out the day. ### Day 3: Art trip to Zante Town After breakfast and a morning check-in with Ingrid and the group, you'll set out for Zante Town, the island's gorgeous capital. You will soon learn why the Venetians lovingly named the island "The Flower of the East". May is a beautiful time to visit Zante. The roadsides and old quarter are still lush with spring blooms, from wild orchids and sea lavender to the orange blossom that scents the air across the island. During this half-day art trip, Ingrid will show you how to take reference photos that actually work as the basis for a painting. As you explore the winding streets, collect whatever catches your eye along the way: leaves, petals, anything you want to bring back to the studio. You may also make some quick on-location sketches if you're feeling ambitious. Return to the venue for lunch prepared by your private chef, then head into the studio for a follow-up class. Sort through your photos and collected materials, making decisions about what to paint and how to approach it. From there, Ingrid will guide you into your first loose floral painting, taking everything you explored on Day 2 and beginning to apply it to a subject of your own choosing. Unwind as you wish during the late afternoon, then sit down to a three-course dinner prepared by your private chef and paired with local wine. Share your discoveries from Zante with the rest of the group and enjoy the lovely company of your fellow artists. ### Day 4: Art classes at the venue Today, you paint with the sun. Gather for breakfast and a morning check-in with Ingrid and the group, then get ready for one of the most distinctive techniques of the week: cyanotype. One of the oldest photographic printing processes in the world, cyanotype uses light-sensitive solution and the sun itself to create prints, resulting in deep inky blues and delicate botanical silhouettes that feel almost magical. Out on the terraces, you'll coat your paper, lay out your collected leaves and petals, and let the Greek sun do the rest. You'll then bring watercolor into the mix, combining your cyanotype prints with watercolor washes to create your first layered, mixed-media piece. The results are often unexpected (and that's entirely the point!). After a filling lunch prepared by your private chef, take this idea further in the afternoon session, this time with masking fluid. You'll learn how to use it to reserve areas of light on the page, painting backwards through layering and building up color around the shapes you want to protect. The technique asks you to think differently about how a painting is constructed, and it will keep showing up throughout the rest of the week. Take a dip in the pool or wander the terraced gardens before gathering for a three-course dinner prepared by your private chef and paired with local wine. ### Day 5: Boat trip to Navagio Beach Start your morning with a refreshing breakfast, then travel to Porto Vromi. Today you'll set sail for one of the island's most mysterious places. Navagio Beach, known locally as Smugglers Cove, is one of those places that genuinely lives up to its reputation. Enclosed by sheer white limestone cliffs and accessible only by sea, the cove is home to the rusting hull of the MV Panagiotis, a cargo ship that ran aground under circumstances that have never been fully resolved. The most persistent story is that it was smuggling contraband and fled a Greek Navy pursuit straight into a storm. You'll take it all in from the boat, camera in hand, and collect some sea water while on the boat to bring back to the studio. After time spent exploring, sail back to Porto Vromi, where a shuttle will take you back to the venue for a well-earned lunch. Head into the afternoon session. You'll explore how sea water and sand behave on paper, creating organic textures and abstract effects that no brush could replicate. The session moves into abstract painting and backgrounds, learning what to apply in each layer and how to build depth through unexpected materials. Soak up the last of the afternoon sun by the pool before gathering for a three-course dinner prepared by your private chef and paired with local wine, sharing reference photos and stories from a morning at sea. ### Day 6: Art trip to an olive oil farm with olive oil tasting Settle in with a warm breakfast and a morning cup of coffee, then gather your materials for a half-day art trip to one of the island's most storied working farms. Established in 1890 and home to olive trees over 1,500 years old, this award-winning olive oil estate is a quietly extraordinary place. You'll wander among the ancient groves, photograph and collect leaves and branches to bring back to the studio, and finish with an olive oil tasting experience. Back at the venue, enjoy lunch prepared by your private chef before the afternoon session. Inspired by the morning, you'll work on loose watercolor paintings with olive branches and leaves as your subjects. If you collected materials at the farm, you may also choose to create a cyanotype print, layering it with watercolor as you did earlier in the week. Unwind by the pool or on the terraced gardens, then gather for a three-course dinner prepared by your private chef and paired with local wine, sharing your paintings of ancient olive trees as the Greek sunset spills across the sea. ### Day 7: Art classes at the venue Gather for breakfast and a morning check-in with Ingrid and the group, then settle into the studio for the final session of the week. Drawing on everything you've explored, from cyanotype and masking fluid to loose florals and texture-making, you'll choose your own subject and work toward a final, ambitious piece that brings it all together. Ingrid will be on hand throughout for questions and guidance whenever you need her. In the afternoon, after a delicious lunch, you'll gather for the mini-exhibition: a chance to lay out your work from the week, take it all in, and celebrate how far you've come. Ingrid will share her final notes, but mostly this will be a moment to reflect, share, and feel proud of what you've made. The farewell dinner is a proper celebration. Your private chef will have prepared a special menu, you'll raise a glass of local wine, and end the evening with a live Greek dance show and band. A fitting send-off for a week of creativity, new friendships, and a little bit of magic. ### Day 8: Departure Enjoy one last breakfast with Ingrid and your fellow artists, then get ready for your transfer to Zakynthos Airport (ZTH). Check-out is at 10:00 AM, and you'll arrive at the airport at around 10:30 AM. ## Instructors - [Ingrid Sanchez (CreativeIngrid)](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/instructors/ingrid-sanchez-(creativeingrid)) — Watercolor artist, designer, and teacher ## Accommodation ### Stunning Greek Estate Your creative haven for the art retreat with artist Ingrid Sanchez is a seaside estate overlooking the shores of Zakynthos and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Just a 10-minute walk away, the calm Bouka Beach beckons, accessible via a stairway that winds down the hillside. This boutique venue offers a stately six-bedroom villa alongside a six-bedroom stone tower. All rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, shared or single, exclusively booked for you and your art group. Every room is a cocoon of comfort, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a TV, and a handy fridge, all complemented by chic boho décor. Large glass doors frame captivating views, whether of the venue terraces, the gleaming infinity pool, or the boundless sea. Please note that there are no window screens in the rooms. During your leisure time, you can revel in the stunning infinity pool or unwind in the soothing embrace of a jacuzzi. Adding to the charm is a wooden gazebo, perfectly positioned for basking in the Grecian sun. Your art classes will take place in the Shala art studio, dramatically poised with the sea as its backdrop. While it is walled on three sides, the studio's face opens generously to the sea, with chairs and tables available for you and your art group. Other workshop spaces include the spacious terraces right next to the infinity pool. Please note that the venue is not suitable for participants with limited mobility as it is positioned over terraced grounds. To traverse its spaces, you would need to go across some small stairways, and all rooms are accessed via stairs. The steps to the beach are steep and descend about 50 m (164 feet); the beach is a 10-minute walk away from the venue. ### Shared standard ensuite room One standard ensuite room is available for shared occupancy. You will share this room and its ensuite bathroom with one other same-gender participant. Tucked away in the stone towers, this twin ensuite room on the first floor marries traditional Zakynthian charm with boho flair. Spanning a spacious 25m², the room is accessible by descending a stairway from the main terrace. The room features two twin beds and a modern ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, shared between the two guests staying together in this room. The room also benefits from access to a shared patio in the towers, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views. ### Shared superior ensuite room One superior ensuite room is available for shared occupancy. You will share this room and its ensuite bathroom with one other same-gender participant. The shared superior ensuite room is located in the main villa. Covering a generous 35m² on the first floor, it's known as the villa's quietest room, featuring two comfortable twin beds and an ensuite shower bathroom. ### Shared penthouse Two penthouses are available for shared occupancy. You will share one penthouse and its ensuite bathroom with another same-gender retreat participant. Perched atop the main villa on the second floor, the shared penthouses boast twin beds and an ensuite shower bathroom, ensuring comfort and privacy. Private balconies extend from each penthouse, offering panoramic vistas of the sea and terraces. ### Single standard ensuite room Four standard ensuite rooms are available for single occupancy. The single ensuite rooms are located on the second and third floors of the towers and contain double beds. Sitting at a cozy 16m², the rooms are accessible via stairs. They feature private ensuite bathrooms within the room with a shower enclosure. Each room benefits from access to a small private terrace, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views. ### Single superior ensuite room One superior ensuite room is available for single occupancy. This room located on the first floor, in the stone towers, marries traditional Zakynthian charm with boho flair. Spanning a spacious 25m², the room is accessible by descending a stairway from the main terrace. The room features a private ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower. The room also benefits from access to a shared patio in the towers, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views. The space exudes warmth and character, adorned with thoughtfully chosen wooden furniture and wicker decorations that perfectly complement its bohemian style. ### Single ensuite room - shared villa (private pool) Two ensuite rooms are available for single occupancy. These single ensuite rooms are located in a shared, separate villa with a private pool. Found outside of the main villa, they offer privacy and tranquility. The shared villa features two single bedrooms (located on the second floor of the villa, stairway access), occupied by one participant each. Both single rooms are equipped with a comfortable double bed and an ensuite bathroom, complete with a spacious walk-in shower. The shared living spaces on the first floor— a well-equipped kitchen and a cozy living room—offer areas to connect, converse, or simply unwind. Conveniently, the single ensuite rooms in the villa are the nearest accommodations to the art workshop space. Outside, a private terrace presents spectacular views of the pool, the art studio, and the picturesque bay beyond. But the pièce de résistance is the exclusive private pool, inviting guests to take a refreshing dip under the Greek sunshine. ### Single deluxe suite One deluxe suite is available for single occupancy. Located on the first floor of the main villa, this spacious suite stretches across a generous 40m², making it the venue's crown jewel. Its center point is the grand double bed, promising restful slumbers and comfort. The deluxe suite features an elegant ensuite bathroom, equipped with a modern shower. Yet, it's the breathtaking views that truly captivate; double glass doors beckon you outwards, revealing a mesmerizing tableau of the pristine pool, the inviting terrace, and the azure sea endlessly stretching beyond. ## Food Experience the wealth of Ionian cuisine with tantalizing dishes prepared by a private chef. The venue earned its foodie destination moniker thanks to its family recipes passed down through generations and fresh ingredients sourced from local markets or grown on-site. Of course, your chef's passion for the traditions of Zakynthos is the driving force behind every feast. Start your mornings with a nutritious breakfast spread consisting of freshly baked pastries and bread, yogurt, organic honey, jams, butter, cereal, and local fruit. Coffee, tea, milk, and fresh juices will be served with breakfast. For lunch, refuel with a light salad, or opt for the traditional baked feta, various platters (with aubergine, tzatziki, and chickpea dips, saganaki, and grilled halloumi, all served with Pitta bread), pasta, and seafood courses. Dinner is an elaborate three-course affair, starting with an appetizer such as Zante Bruschettas, followed by herbal oven lamb, rabbit stew with cheese, agalas stuffed chicken, moussaka with aubergines, stuffed tomatoes with herbs, ragout and pasta, grilled octopus, sea bream, or prawns. Top it off with a sweet treat and pair it with a crisp white. You'll enjoy plentiful, aromatic wine during dinner service. Dinner on the last evening of the retreat will be an extraordinary event, as you'll complement your delicious meals with a traditional Greek dance and music show. All meals are included. Between meals, you will have access to a snack bar with water, tea, juices, coffee, and homemade snacks. The exact menu will vary based on the availability of seasonal ingredients. ## Getting There Located in the quiet beachside village of Planos, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, your retreat venue stands proud atop a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The amazing views from this sunny haven provide a small taste of what Zakynthos has to offer: crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, pristine beaches, and the tranquil Greek village below. The capital of the island (Zante) and Zakynthos International Airport are only 30 minutes away by car, and the mysterious Navagio Beach with its history of shipwrecks and smugglers is one hour away. **Please arrive at** **Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH).** We strongly recommend planning more time for long-distance international travel because of the current disruptions in flight schedules. It is best to arrive in Greece a day before the retreat starts to prevent any inconveniences caused by flight delays, rest after the long travel, and adjust to the new time zone. **How to get from Zakynthos International Airport to the retreat venue:** Private airport transfers at prearranged times to and from Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) are included. If you cannot find good connecting flights from your departure airport to Zakynthos, we recommend you fly to Athens and fly domestically to Zakynthos (local round trips starting from US$150, subject to change, approximately 1h journey time). The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately 30 minutes. Check-in at the retreat venue starts at 4:00 PM on May 6, 2027. Check-out is after breakfast on May 13, 2027, by 10:00 AM. **Please note that we cannot accommodate early check-ins and late check-out requests, so we kindly ask that you plan your arrival and departure accordingly.** **Arrival Transfer:** **May 6, 2027 - 3:30 PM** (leaving from Zakynthos International Airport, arriving at the retreat venue a little after 4:00 PM) **Departure Transfer:** **May 13, 2027 - 10:00 AM** (leaving from the retreat venue, arriving at Zakynthos International Airport around 10:30 AM) **If your travel arrangements don't work with our pre-set transfer times, please consider the following options:** \- Spend extra days in Zakynthos before and/or after the retreat and catch the pre-arranged shuttles from/to Zakynthos International Airport. \- Grab a taxi to the retreat venue (address: 63 Thesi Bouka, Gaidaros Tragaki, Tragaki 291 00, Greece, 40 euros - approximately US$45 per way. Please note that taxi fares may vary). ## Reviews **Reviews from previous UpTrek retreats at this venue:** - "Well it was lovely in all aspects! David’s gourmet food was a dining extravaganza! The quaint villa & the nearby town were enormously refreshing. The love & care put into the service was above reproach! I would highly suggest this venue to anyone interested in seeing Greece!" - "The hosts really made my trip special by their loving and kind hearts! They made me feel like family as well as all their staff! The estate was breathtaking and I hope to visit again soon! It was magical and I truly appreciate everything done for us while there, their openness and especially the hugs! I miss them and the warm generosity and kindness. It's true that I felt more at ease, comfortable and hugged being a stranger welcomed there, than I actually do coming back home...!!! That is saying a lot about the character and hearts of Karen and David! It reflected in everything and everyone whom works there. That is why it works so well, as David says, that's Living, doing what you love! Thank you to all for the fond memories ;)" - "The venue is beautiful. Waking up to see the sunrise was a perfect way to start the day. Food was authentic and delicious. We had some hot days in the studio, but apparently, this was a heat wave, but otherwise, it worked well. Staff was genuinely sweet and accommodating, and hard working. It was interesting to experience the Greek way of life. Our hosts cared about every detail. I enjoyed it so much that I will return next year and bring my daughter. Uptrek, thank you for finding this gem!" - "Beautiful location! There was a lovely mix of art classes at the retreat, and excursions to paint or take reference photos! Our hosts were warm, kind, and very talented in cooking and treating guest! Thank you for an experience of a lifetime!" ## Frequently Asked Questions **Is the retreat available to all levels?** The retreat welcomes all levels of experience. **When is the retreat available?** The retreat with artist Ingrid Sanchez in Planos, Zakynthos, Greece takes place between May 6 - 13, 2027. **Are there any check-in and check-out hours?** Please make your travel arrangements to arrive after 4:00 PM on May 6, 2027. Check-out is at 10:00 AM on the last day, May 13, 2027, after breakfast. **Please note that we cannot accommodate early check-ins and late check-out requests, so we kindly ask that you plan your arrival and departure accordingly.** **Is Wi-Fi available?** Yes. **I am vegetarian/vegan. Can I book this retreat?** Yes. However, 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 arrive at Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH). We recommend allowing more time for international travel and arriving in Greece a day before the retreat starts so that you may adapt to the new time zone ahead of the retreat. Please hold off booking flights until the retreat becomes guaranteed. Private airport transfers at prearranged times to and from Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) are included. If you cannot find good connecting flights from your departure airport to Zakynthos, we recommend you fly to Athens and fly locally to Zakynthos (local round trips starting from US$150, subject to change, approximately 1h journey time). The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately 30 minutes. For more details, please see the [Location tab](https://uptrek.com/retreat/playful-botanicals-art-retreat-artist-ingrid-sanchez-greece#location). **What should I pack?** Please pack appropriate clothing, sunscreen, a swimsuit, insect repellent, a cardigan for chilly evenings, comfortable shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses, 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 during your stay for an additional fee payable on-site. **What supplies do I need for the workshops?** A detailed list of art supplies recommended by artist Ingrid Sanchez will be provided five months before the retreat takes place. Fresh flowers for reference, 2 x Jacquard Cyanotype Sensitizer sets, 2 x bottles of Schmincke Liquid Frisket 303 (blue), tables, chairs, glass jars, paper towels, easels, artist stools, and professional studio lights are included and will be available at the venue. **Students are responsible for bringing their own art supplies, based on the instructor’s recommended list.** **What’s the weather like in Zakynthos in May?** The weather in May in Zakynthos is usually sunny and pleasant. You can expect average highs of 22°C / 72°F during the day that drop to around 13°C / 55°F at night. In recent years, however, temperatures have varied unpredictably. It is a good idea to check the weather yourself before your departure to the retreat and to pack accordingly. **How many people are to be expected at the retreat?** Maximum 16 participants. **Do I need a visa?** Guests traveling from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and/or Schengen member states may enter Greece for tourist purposes without a visa. Please contact us for further guidance. **Are there any age restrictions?** The retreat is open to anyone aged over 18. **What language is used during the retreat and other activities?** The retreat is available in English. **Can a non-participating guest join me?** We do not accommodate non-participants at our retreats. This policy is in place to ensure the creative and immersive nature of our retreats remains intact for all participants. **Is the retreat available to guests with limited mobility?** Unfortunately, the retreat venue is not well suited to host people with limited mobility. Accommodation spaces and most of the main facilities are only accessible via stairs. Furthermore, there will be plenty of walking during the trips. **What happens if I need to cancel?** Once the retreat is guaranteed, all payments are final and nonrefundable. Bookings are nonrefundable under any circumstances. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. After your payment is processed, you may purchase insurance through the following link: [Purchase insurance](https://uptrek.com/protect-your-trip). Please review our [cancellation policy.](https://uptrek.com/cancellation-policy) **Do I need travel insurance?** Yes. Since all bookings are nonrefundable, travel insurance is mandatory for all UpTrek travelers. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. We strongly advise that your chosen policy provides cover against lost or delayed baggage, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidents, illness, injury, medical expenses, death, and emergency repatriation. For your convenience, UpTrek is affiliated with Allianz Travel and is a Registered Travel Retailer under AGA license. [Click here to purchase your insurance plan.](https://uptrek.com/protect-your-trip) Please note that UpTrek is not qualified or authorized to answer questions about coverage, benefits, exclusions, or conditions of any Allianz Travel Insurance plan. If you have questions about your plan, please contact Allianz Global Assistance directly at [CustomerService@AllianzAssistance.com](mailto:CustomerService@AllianzAssistance.com) or by phone at 1-800-284-8300. Be sure to provide the **reference code F215276** so Allianz knows you are purchasing protection for an UpTrek trip. We strongly recommend reviewing the terms and conditions of any insurance policy you purchase to fully understand the coverage, benefits, and claims process. We will gladly provide the essential documentation to support refund claims with the insurance provider. **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 instructor or by UpTrek?** If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of UpTrek's and/or the instructor's 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. ## Book This Retreat 👉 **[Reserve your spot on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreat/playful-botanicals-art-retreat-artist-ingrid-sanchez-greece#book)** — no deposit required. See [cancellation policy](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/cancellation-policy) and [travel insurance requirements](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/insurance). --- **Canonical URL:** https://uptrek.com/retreat/playful-botanicals-art-retreat-artist-ingrid-sanchez-greece **Last updated:** 2026-06-24