Cost
The cost for the 7 night holiday, inclusive of everything listed under "Included in Holiday", varies according to whether you prefer a single room or are planning to share a double. Accommodation is in the El Armador Casa Palacio.
Shared Room: 2700 euros
Per person
Single Room supplement: 350 euros
Per person
10% Discount for Early Bird
registration by Dec. 31, 2025
(When booking use discount code: EARLYBIRD)
10% Discount for
Non-Painting Participants
(When booking use discount code: PARTNER)*
* Only one discount can be applied per booking
Sketchbook Holiday in Cádiz, Spain
May 2 - 9, 2026
with Diane Olivier
Taught in English
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: FEB. 2, 2026
Our one-week sketchbook holiday in Spain takes place in the historic Andalusian city of Cádiz. Cádiz exudes a certain mystic quality – attractive, fascinating and almost magical. This city is deemed the oldest continuously inhabited city in Europe. Established over 3,000 years ago, it stands on a peninsula that juts into the Atlantic Ocean, on the southwestern tip of Spain. This port city is almost entirely surrounded by water. Hence, the Phoenicians called it “Gadir”, meaning “enclosure”. The old town's picturesque skyline features 126 18th century watchtowers built to monitor the coming and going of ships trading with "The New World".
The workshop is designed for all levels, from pure beginners to the most experienced artists. Instructor Diane Olivier's workshops include demonstrations en plein air, individual instruction, and critiques. We will be drawing in the mornings and late afternoons followed by a review of the day's work.
We will be walking on old, cobbled streets, and at the beach, with your drawing supplies -- participants should be comfortable with carrying their gear on uneven surfaces and should be fit enough to walk unassisted, and be able to manage going up an down uneven stairs with their gear. Not recommended for people with limited mobility.
From Diane:
Join me in exploring the old town of Cádiz with your sketchbook in hand. Between the Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance and elegant Baroque architecture, the bustling fish market, and the colorful flamenco culture, the possibilities here are endless! I will take you to a variety of great drawing spots each morning and late afternoon. We then will get together for a show-and-tell each evening at our hotel with our sketchbooks.
Our home will be a charming apartment-hotel in a noble 19th century building. It is typically Andalusian with its interior patio, fountain and vertical garden. It is situated in the heart of the historical quarter of the ancient walled city of Cadiz, on a wide pedestrian street. Two dinners (on arrival and departure nights) and all breakfasts at a nearby cafe are included. For other meals you can enjoy the many tasty local restaurants and tapas bars, or prepare your own meal in your apartment.
Your trip will also include two Cadiz highlights: a quick sketch challenge aboard the Hop On-Hop Off double-decker bus (which includes a walking tour, entrance to the Cathedral, and a sherry tasting) plus an evening out to a traditional taverna to see a flamenco performance and enjoy a drink. The rest of the time you'll have plenty of opportunity to explore and sketch down at the beach and throughout the maze of streets in the old town.
There is also the likelihood that we will be able to schedule a meetup with the very active Urban Sketchers of Cadiz group, allowing us to sketch at an iconic location with local artists, and share a beer together afterwards!
Highlights
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Pedestrian old town, mostly flat, makes for easy walking without cars
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Bustling Central Market: fish, vegetables, etc. with many tapas stalls
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Architecture: Baroque, Moorish, Gothic, Roman, even Phoenician!
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Tapas bars galore!
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La Caleta beach
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Double-decker open air bus sketch challenge: 25 min. in each spot!
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Sketching with the local urban sketchers group with drinks afterward
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Flamenco show with drink included - gesture sketching in the dark!
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Welcome tapas fiesta at a local's flat near the hotel
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Farewell gourmet dinner at an iconic Cadiz restaurant
Included in Holiday
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6 hours of daily sketching
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7 nights lodging in El Armador Casa Palacio
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Daily breakfast at cafe
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Welcome tapas and wine fiesta Saturday
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Farewell multi course gourmet dinner
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Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour
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Flamenco show, including one drink
Not Included
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Air fare
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Travel insurance
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Medical insurance
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Train fare
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Drawing Materials
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Lunches and dinners are at your own expense, other than the Saturday Welcome tapas and the Friday Farewell dinner. There are plenty of tapas bars and restaurants within walking distance to try -- or you can shop at the farmers & fish market to prepare meals in your apartment
Click below for recent reviews:
"The best part about the trip was... every part. When we weren't painting the gorgeous landscapes and/or beautiful architecture, we were either exploring the grounds of the chateau, eating delicious food or relaxing and chatting with the other participants and support staff. Definitely the most enjoyable solo-vacation I've ever taken. I look forward to participating in another trip with Plein Air Holidays, hopefully in a new country altogether!"
Karl K.
San Francisco
California
"This week was well organised with extremely friendly support staff around all the time.
We spent time in the most beautiful settings in France.
Since we booked we experienced good communication and it is a very well priced experience.
Thank you very much."
Linza & Jan B.
Johannesburg
South Africa
"I really don't see how it could be better! You and Tom helped me so much that I was surprised to be able to participate in most everything, except for a couple of naps. The very personal visits to your friends were extra special.
I will definitely recommend this workshop to anyone I see. I have already told my friends that it was so much more than just a fine workshop. In addition, it was a cultural and warm social experience, with gourmet dining, wine and cheese tasting, fitness training, and a final exposition!"
Louise D.
San Luis Obispo
California
Historic renovated elegance in Cádiz at
El Armador Casa Palacio
Welcome to El Armador Casa Palacio, one of Cadiz's architectural gems, transformed from a noble 19th century palace into luxurious apartment suites. Typically Andalusian with its interior patio, fountain and vertical garden, the building is located in the city's historic center on Calle Ancha, a pedestrian street lined with cafes and boutiques.
We have five spacious and elegant studio suites left, each with efficiency kitchens. Three are three standard studios (for 1-2 people), and 2 deluxe studios (for 1-2 people) with balconies. Each apartment has a living area, kitchen and bathroom. The deluxe studios will be assigned to the first takers!
Drawings by Diane Olivier
Click to enlarge
Drawing Instructor Diane Olivier
Drawing has always been my primary media, working with both traditional and nontraditional materials on scales ranging from small book size to mural size. My subject matter ranges from figurative, landscape and cityscapes to non-representational. The media ranges from charcoal to graphite, to full color pastels to non-traditional mixed media. The sense of touch between the tools and the paper and the immediacy of the mark are important element in my process. It is a dance between the eyes, the hand and the soul.
Holiday Director Kate Kilbourne
Since 2000, Kate Kilbourne lived part of the year in San Francisco, California, and part of the year in her house in Trôo, France... until 2017 when her partner Robert bought a flat in Cádiz, Spain. Now Kate and Robert spend the spring and fall all over Europe, running Plein Air Holidays in France, Spain, Italy and in Croatia where they lived for nine months during the Covid pandemic. Kate is fluent in French and is learning Spanish as fast as she can!