4 independent reviews for Painting holiday in Sri Lanka
Reviews for Painting holiday in Sri Lanka
Alison Daun review 14 Dec 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The Ocean Breezes Sketching holiday was wonderful. We also had the opportunity of an extension to explore the Cultural Triangle for a future tour that is being planned. There are so many highlights it is hard to pick one, every day was packed full of new places to visit organised by Mary who is passionate both about art but also the culture. We had a really immersive experience of Sri Lanka and stayed in some fabulous family owned small hotels. The day in Galle was a highlight. Mary gives you great tuition, demonstrations and highly constructive feedback on your painting. I have learned so much and feel truly inspired by this tour.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you want to learn intensively about water colour painting while experiencing some of the most beautiful countries in the world, this is the tour for you. Mary is extremely responsive and will answer any questions you may have before booking.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The use of small locally owned hotels that in their practices reduced impacts on the environment, was excellent. I felt that our tour benefitted local people directly and was highly impressed with the work Mary puts in to create the itinerary, select the hotels and tour support staff.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Wonderful, a truly immersive, valuable holiday that has inspired my painting and my love of travel. 5 stars and highly recommended.Jane Dunbar review 12 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all memorable, exciting varied and fabulous..every minute worth every penny.. We saw many areas and vistas of the land of smiles and not the usual tourist routes. Great accommodation nuggets discovered.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Mary sends every clear itineraries of the trip once everything is finalised..Read it well or else You will ..like me, enjoy a magical mystery tour ...entirely my fault for not doing homework and loved it all . Also heed what art materials you need and don't take everything just incase like me and end up using just what she suggested!3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes she strives to include environmental issues and local issues in every aspect. Much appreciated.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Just fabulous. . She finds and knows places off the beaten track that are hidden joys to be in and paint. Her expert tuition tailored for all our skill sets let us all blossom as artists with more self confidence.Joan Eamer review 12 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
There were lots of memorable and exciting parts to the trip. For me, the jeep wildlife tour in Udawalawe National Park and the walking tour in the rainforest at the Sinharaja Forest Reserve were highlights - both started at dawn and were exciting for the beauty of the areas and the variety of wildlife we saw, with knowledgeable local guides to help spot and identify animals. I loved the hill country and tea plantations, and the views from our charming guesthouse at Haputale and from Lipton's Seat (dawn again!). We all spent considerable time painting expansive views of tea plantations and layers of hills and mist. But then again there are the beaches... swimming in the ocean, attempting to paint coastal scenes, and visiting the turtle conservation project were highlights. Oh, and I really liked Galle, touristy as it is. And tuk tuk rides along twisty, hilly country roads. (I am clearly not very good at picking out favourite bits of such a varied trip.)2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
If you are interested in wildlife, this tour provides very good opportunities to see wonderful birds, mammals and reptiles (and trees and flowers), many endemic to Sri Lanka, as well as to view and paint some spectacular scenery. I was very glad to have a bird book and binoculars along. Definitely recommend arriving at least a couple of days early, as adjusting to the coastal-zone heat and humidity and the time change is challenging. Pack light. Bring a water filter.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
We supported local businesses - mainly staying at and eating in smallish hotels/guesthouses, often family-run. We had a Sri Lankan driver for the entire tour and we employed local guides for wildlife tours and the tea factory tour. We were careful to minimize use of single-use plastics and we ate local food. We supported Sri Lankan conservation through our trips and entrance fees to a national park and a forest reserve.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Really excellent. Mary is a very good travel guide and art tutor and a supportive, fun travelling companion. This was the second sketching tour that most of us had been on (5 of the 6 of us had been on a Morocco tour). Our driver, Chathura, was unfailingly patient and good-humoured, drove safely, joined in on group activities, and helped us understand the cultural context of the areas we visited.Caroline Freeborn review 3 Feb 2024
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
It was all pretty WOW, to be honest. Mary was an excellent watercolour facilitator & travel guide. The variety of things we did on the trip was amazing. Sunset at Lipton’s seat and the cookery class at Hipotale were highlights for me.2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Travel light as you are forever lugging kit you don’t need or wear, in & out of the minibus & hotels. If you bring clothes wash soap then you can wash out your clothes as you go… Look into the eSIM option as can work very well. Bring mosquito repellent.3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Yes. We stayed in several hotels and lodges supporting the tourist industry & ate out at several local restaurants which also supported the community.4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Epic 5 star.Holiday Reviews
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