Sketching Puglia.Italy.
2026

The Sun Soaked Jewel of Southern Italy

Monday 27th April – Tuesday 5th May 2026

9 Days / 8 Nights
3 Nights in Lecce and 5 Nights in Monopoli.

Starting in Lecce, known as the Florence of the South - because of the stunning Baroque architecture - this sketching tour will be all about “slow travel”. 
We will stay in the heart of the Old Town, walking distance to the Basilica di Santa Croce, Lecce Cathedral and the Roman Amphitheatre as well as the many restaurants & café’s of this beautiful city.

Then our little group will meander up the coast to Monopoli to stay for several nights in a boutique hotel, 500 meters from the centre of the old town.
Our accommodation here is in a delightfully renovated 18th Century building, offering a blend of historic elegance with modern comforts.

From Monopoli we’ll take day trips to nearby villages such as Ostuni known as “La Citta Bianca”
(the White City), Polignano a Mare with its beaches and ocean caves,
Alberobello the UNESCO recognized village with the Trulli houses
& Locorotondo with its unique circular layout and panoramic views of the Itria Valley.

Our subjects for sketching will be unlimited on this trip, as we slow down to the rhythm of southern Italy, where the afternoon siesta is a way of life. La Dolce Vita!

A special treat that this tour might include is a long lunch at the famous Grotta Palazzese, a charming restaurant situated inside a natural ocean cave.
Truly a once in a lifetime experience.

Comfortable walking shoes and NO mobility issues are a must on this tour.
We spend most days wandering uneven cobble stone streets, walking up & down stairs, or getting on a boat to investigate the Adriatic coastline.

Numbers will be limited on this tour and bookings are now open.

COST: €3773pp
Twin Share : €3523pp
Deposit per person. €450pp Non refundable
•
Please note - if sharing a room please nominate who you’ll be sharing with & each person will need to complete a booking form.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
Sketch tutoring with Tricia – approx. 3 hrs per day
•3 star Ensuite accommodation in Lecce (3 nights) a short walk from the Old Town.
Breakfast included
•4 star Ensuite accommodation in Monopoli (5 nights) a short walk from the Old Town.
Breakfast included.
•Organized and fully guided by Tricia Sullivan, sketching tutor for Erin Hill Sketching
•Plenty of free time to shop, explore and absorb La Dolce Vita.
•Welcome Dinner in Lecce on our first night together
•Farewell Dinner on our last night in Monopoli
•Street Food Walking tour in Lecce guided by a local
•A private boat trip from Monopoli to explore the stunning Adriatic coastline
•One-day private tour to Alberobello & Locorotondo
•Private transport between Lecce & Monopoli
•

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
•Flights to and from Italy (Tricia has suggestions on how to get to & from the Puglia region)
•Short distance train travel from Monopoli to several nearby villages
•Sketch Kit
•Travel Insurance (better safe than sorry)
•Additional meals and coffee not mentioned above
•Personal spending

WHO IS IT FOR:
Anybody who’d love to learn travel sketching and drawing, using simple color or simply to polish up their drawing skills, loves the idea of sketching, exploring and living like a local in our Italian neighbourhoods. Then this tour is for you.
No experience required, just a desire to try sketching.

Let’s make sure we are reasonably fit as Italy has lots of cobbled surfaces, steps and steep bridges.
Make sure you read the Terms and Conditions in our booking form.

ITINERARY

Arrival Day: Monday 27 April 2026

After checking into our accommodation in Lecce, our tour starts on Monday 27 April 2026 with a Welcome Dinner for the whole group where we will get to know each other and chat about the week ahead.

After two full days (and 3 nights) exploring the historic town of Lecce we will be driven north for approx
an hour or so, in a private vehicle, to the charming town of Monopoli. 
We will spend 5 nights in this village, a short walk to beaches, the Old Town and its numerous cafes and restaurants.

From this base we will take day trips from Monopoli to nearby villages such as Ostuni, Polignano a Mare, Alberobello & Locorotondo.

We’ll have a farewell dinner as a group on our last night in Monopoli as we reminisce about the week we just experienced.

Departure Day:Tuesday 5th May 2026.
Our trip will finish after breakfast.

HOW TO GET THERE
Getting To Lecce.
Brindisi Airport (BDS) is the nearest, about 35 km (22 mi) north of Lecce.
Frequent shuttle buses connect the airport to Lecce’s city centre—efficient and budget-friendly.

Lecce railway station (Stazione di Lecce) is just 1 km from the centre.
It’s served by high-speed Trenitalia, Intercity, regional services, and Ferrovie del Sud Est lines.   

Taxi Cost: €20 for a daytime ride to the city centre; €25 at night or Sundays/holidays
Travel Time: 10–15 minutes

Leaving Monopoli for Brindisi Airport
It’s a 45-minute train trip from Monopoli to Brindisi where the closest airport and ferry terminal is
for further travel in Europe.
Price: Tickets start at approximately €6.80 when booked in advance,
rising up to €11 or more on the day of travel.

 WHAT YOU'LL NEED
If you’re new to sketching you’ll need this sketch kit.
Sketch Kit - Available to order online if you’re in Australia, or get similar in UK, USA and France.

I’ve designed the custom sketch kit to be minimal and fit into your shoulder bag, ready at any moment.
It contains everything you need. Don't be tempted to bring more.

Bring a folding stool if you like, a hat, sunglasses, sun lotion, money for incidentals, such as drinks and meals not included.
* Come with a big happy smile and willingness to learn.

LOOKING FORWARD TO SKETCHING WITH YOU SOON 

Click the little icons below to see loads of my sketches on Pinterest and Instagram