RETREATS with Laura Harris are about so much more than painting. They’re an invitation to do something truly special, entirely for yourself—a chance to pause, breathe deeply, and step away from the demands of life. Together in the studio, we get messy, let go of perfectionism, and rediscover what makes us feel most alive. Around beautifully set tables, we share delicious, thoughtfully prepared meals that nourish both body and soul. Whether you’re a pro or have never touched a canvas, these retreats are for anyone longing to honour their own, often ignored, creative spark.

“I left feeling fully nourished in every way.” “I can’t even describe how amazing it was.” “I didn’t even know how much I needed this. Incredible.”
“It opened me up and I’m painting again after many years.” “You and your crew were so incredibly loving and generous."
“Watching you paint was a game-changer for me.” “I want to do this every year.” “This experience changed me and the course of my life.”

UPCOMING RETREATS

VICTORIA Summer Sessions, July 2026 (register below)
SICILY, ITALY – September 2026 (pre-register now, see below)
DEVON, ENGLAND – Spring 2027 (pre-register now, see below)

SEE BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION:
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Victoria, BC, Canada
Summer Sessions—July 15 & 16 and July 19 & 20
(open for registration)

Whether you’re a seasoned painter or have never touched a canvas, this retreat is designed to meet you where you are. Over two inspiring days across from the ocean, I’ll guide you through my simple process, exploring acrylic paints in both thick and watercolour forms. In a warm and encouraging environment, we’ll embrace the freedom of letting go without attachment to outcome or perfectionist tendencies. We’ll throw some paint, make mistakes, laugh and rediscover the deeply-rooted joy of creativity. Day two begins with a rejuvenating yoga session led by the beautiful Rachel Reid, grounding us and setting the tone for another inspiring day in the studio. Throughout the retreat, we’ll enjoy delicious meals lovingly prepared by my close friends, and gather around beautiful tables set for celebration. It’s an experience designed to nourish not just your creativity, but your body and soul—something special, just for you.

$1199 CAD per person, space is limited

Full details provided upon registration, including location, itinerary and supply list. A 50% deposit is required to secure your spot.

Includes: Two full days of painting, morning yoga with Rachel Reid, two breakfasts, two lunches, snacks, a late afternoon happy hour with
appetizers and wine during meals. Does not include: Painting supplies and accommodation.

** NO PAINTING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY **
“You and your crew were so incredibly loving and generous." “Watching you paint was a game-changer for me.” “I want to do this every year.”

Yes, I'd like to register for the Victoria Summer Sessions

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Sicily, Italy Retreat with hosts Chef Alessandro & Polina
Sept 5 to Sept 12, 2026 (pre-register now)

After the success of our 2025 Sicily retreat, the decision was easy—we’re going back! Together with my friends, Chef Alessandro and Polina, I’m thrilled to invite you to join us for this incredible 8-day retreat in the hills of Southern Sicily. Our villa is perched above the historical baroque town of Scicli, where rooftops, church bells, and stone rise to meet the sky, and the view stretches out to the sea.

From the moment you arrive, everything is taken care of so you can simply relax and enjoy. Each day is thoughtfully curated to balance creative time, exploration, and relaxation. Mornings will find us in our sunlit studio, where I will lead you through my process, teaching you how to embrace imperfection, let go of expectation, and find freedom in the act of painting. Together, we’ll explore mixed-media techniques with acrylics, playing with texture, layering vibrant colour in thick and watercolour form, and allowing the process to surprise and inspire us.

Chef Alessandro and Polina are from the region, and they’ll share their love of Sicily through food with hands-on cooking lessons, and visits to their most cherished places. We’ll explore the gorgeous island of Ortigia with its old town market, and take an exhilarating boat tour of the coastline. We’ll eat at deliciously long, sun-soaked tables, tour vineyards, taste Sicily’s best wines and so much more. And in-between all the wonder and fun, there will be plenty of time to rest and reset back at the villa pool, with a chilled glass of prosecco.

ABSOLUTELY NO PAINTING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY. NON-PAINTER (or spouse package) AVAILABLE.

Price to be confirmed: approx €6,000 per person

INCLUDED: airport transfers upon arrival and departure, 7 nights’ accommodation in restored Sicilian hillside villas, exclusive use for retreat group, all meals, wine and non-alcohol drinks served daily with lunch and dinner, snacks available at all times, painting classes with all supplies included, cooking classes with all supplies included, excursion transportation with professional private driver, entrance fees for all trips and scheduled excursions, market tour in Ortigia, Syracuse boat tour, vineyard tour and wine tasting. NOT INCLUDED: flights, personal insurance (trip, medical, cancellation)

** Booking provided through Departures Travel **

If you’d like to be on the pre-registration list before spots officially open, please email using link below. No commitment, just first access when pricing IS finalized.

Yes! I'd like to pre-register for Sicily!

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Devon, England Farm & Countryside Retreat
Spring 2027 (pre-register now)

Note: I’ve hit some scheduling snags, so we’ve nudged this Devon retreat from this spring to next—2027.

I’m beyond excited to share this extraordinary 6 day retreat with you. Fowlescombe Estate is an exquisitely appointed world-class property tucked into the green, rolling hills of Devon. We’ll paint in their beautifully restored greenhouse studio with a lighter footprint for this retreat—using table easels, smaller canvases, and our journals—heading outside to paint whenever the wild invites us. Chef Elly Wentworth, MasterChef: The Professionals finalist and her top notch kitchen team will prepare all of our meals throughout our stay, and teach us a thing or two while she’s at it. We’ll spend a day at the beach, visit the property pub, enjoy a guided walk to discover Dartmoor with its myths and folklore. We’ll forage, enjoy a chef-led barbaque on the terrace, optional paddleboarding and a wild swim before warming up with a private sauna session.
Expect exceptional rooms, art and furnishings, long tables, beautiful food, and a level of care that makes this an elevated, once-in-a-lifetime experience.

** NO PAINTING EXPERIENCE NECESSARY ** PAINTER & NON PAINTER SPOTS AVAILABLE.

If you’d like to be on the pre-registration list before spots officially open, please email using link below. No commitment, just first access when pricing and details are finalized.

please add my name to the pre-registration list for DEVON!

What people are saying…

“It's difficult to put into words how inspiring Laura is! I was greatly inspired by her enormous talent and the incredible generosity she bestowed upon us all. Through her kindness and gentle coaching, my inhibitions and fears were quickly replaced with confidence and a sense of wonder at my own creative spirit. Every part of the retreat was beautiful and nourishing to my spirit. The food was also artful and delicious (thank you, Rachel) and the time spent with everyone was deeply enriching." ~ Wendy Lockhart, Toronto

“Traveling with Laura Harris is like going on holiday with a best friend, she is so incredibly generous and shares her art skills as well as her passion for amazing food, wine, music, style and travel creating an amazing once in a life time experience. The feeling of welcome, inclusion and attention to detail from Laura and the amazing girls at Finisterra, from my two trips with them were unforgettable.” ~ Paula Jeffers, British Columbia

“Highly recommended… the destinations, accommodations and travel experiences are so thoughtfully curated by Laura and the Finisterra crew. It's the creative element that makes these trips truly remarkable. Laura is a talented artist and a beautiful soul. Her kindness, patience and enthusiasm make her an extraordinary teacher. And it's true that no experience is needed. If you are a beginner with a hankering for a creative outlet, Laura will guide you to create some beautiful art. If you are an experienced artist, Laura will help you become a better artist. I will most certainly take another trip with Laura and Finisterra! ~ Charlotte MacNaughton, Alberta

“Traveling with Laura Harris and Finisterra Travel is like attending a really well-organized party with your closest and coolest friends. They make the whole experience enjoyable with creative energy, boundless enthusiasm for the beauty and unique characteristics of the location, passion for music, great food and drink, and the knack of attracting interesting fellow travelers. Laura is a marvel to watch in action and so generous in sharing her talent. Keri and Nicole’s professional and unflappable attention to detail makes it so easy for everyone to relax and enjoy the ride.” ~ Ann Duker, Arkansas

"Laura's leadership presence and ability to draw out the unique creative gifts of each participant were amazing! I know I will look back at these glorious days as a "defining moment" in my life. I cannot speak highly enough about the effect it had on me.” ~ Jim Reger, British Columbia

“It goes so far beyond the art, beyond the incredible meals, the music, the surroundings… the participants go through an incredible metamorphosis. I have been moved to tears as participants reach within themselves not just to find the artist within, but to stretch out with their soul and put on canvas a part of who they were, are, and who they are becoming… they share an experience that will forever change and nurture them.” ~ Stephanie Stevens, Alberta

“A perfect pairing - Laura Harris and Finisterra Travel by combining creativity and exploration have created a formula that works so well it makes each experience MAGICAL. Having traveled with them many times I can’t express how effortless and satisfying each trip has been.” ~ Val Wilson, British Columbia

“For me, a technology entrepreneur, grabbing a paint brush and canvas was a daunting and terrifying experience. What unfolded over the workshop weekend was a memorable experience of art, women and uncovering the hint of an artist inside of me. Laura Harris is an inspiration to me - at work and at play. I would do it again, absolutely.” ~ Shelley Kuipers, Alberta

“So much of the workshop resonated with me, that I think it all rocked my soul a little, and all those emotions are still spilling over. Powerful stuff.” ~ Melanie Willing, British Columbia

“Thank you for sharing your gift... which it truly is... your style and technique is soooo out of the box and watching you channel your vision onto canvas to your soul-filled soundtrack was inspiring! And Rachel’s yoga class was magic.” ~ Linda Main, British Columbia

Just a few past retreats…

SICILY RETREAT, OCTOBER 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Our gracious hosts, Chef Alessandro and Polina, are locals with deep ties to the region. They’ll share their love of Sicily through carefully prepared meals, hands-on cooking lessons, and visits to their most cherished places. Each day is thoughtfully curated to balance creative time, exploration, and relaxation. Mornings will find us in our sunlit studio, where Laura will lead you through her process—teaching you how to embrace imperfection, let go of expectation, and find freedom in the act of painting. Together, we’ll explore mixed-media techniques with acrylics—playing with texture, layering vibrant colour in thick and watercolour form, and allowing the process to surprise and inspire us.

LATE SUMMER SALT SPRING ISLAND RETREAT – SEPTEMBER 2025 (SOLD OUT)

Tucked away on beautiful Salt Spring Island—a place where creativity and nature go hand in hand—we’ll spend four days together, soaking in the last golden stretch of summer. Our home for the retreat is a luxurious oceanfront property, with breathtaking views, beautiful rooms and a full service spa and sauna. Between brushstrokes and deep breaths, there’s time to enjoy a treatment at the spa, wander the shoreline, curl up with a book, or just sit and watch the waves roll in. And then, of course, there’s the food. Every meal will be something to savour—crafted in collaboration with Woodshed Provisions, Salt Spring’s most beloved culinary gem. Expect plates full of vibrant, nourishing flavours, made with care and served by my close friends, with love.

VICTORIA SUMMER SESSIONS, VICTORIA - SUMMER 2025 (SOLD OUT)
Over two inspiring days across from the ocean, I’ll guide you through my simple process, exploring acrylic paints in both thick and watercolour forms. In a warm and encouraging environment, we’ll embrace the freedom of letting go without attachment to outcome or perfectionist tendencies. We’ll throw some paint, make mistakes, laugh and rediscover the deeply-rooted joy of creativity. Day two begins with a rejuvenating yoga session led by the beautiful Rachel Reid, grounding us and setting the tone for another inspiring day in the studio. Throughout the retreat, we’ll enjoy delicious meals lovingly prepared by my close friends, and gather around beautiful tables set for celebration. It’s an experience designed to nourish not just your creativity, but your body and soul—something special, just for you.

SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS RETREAT – SEPTEMBER 2024 (8 DAY - SOLD OUT, 6 DAY - SOLD OUT)

Tucked in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, overlooking the enchanting waters of Loch Tay, Stucktaymore is the perfect location for our week-long retreat. Once a treasured 18th-century hunting lodge, the property has transformed into a charming estate offering an ideal blend of privacy, relaxation, and luxury. Here, we'll spend our days painting in the studio, drawing endless inspiration from the surrounding woodlands, sweeping glens, paths and waterfalls. The Highlands are renowned for their dramatic vistas, which provide an ever-changing interplay of light and shadow. Sunbursts pierce through heavy clouds, casting a warm glow on the land, while rain sweeps in, veiling the landscape in a fine mist. It's a place where nature's raw power and stunning serenity coexist, offering boundless inspiration for us to translate onto canvas.

SUMMER RETREAT SESSIONS, VICTORIA – JUNE 2024 (SOLD OUT)

Nestled on a ½ acre across from the ocean, we’ll paint and eat delicious, healthy food prepared by my close friends; we’ll breathe deeply in morning yoga with Rachel Reid; we’ll laugh, share, listen to a magical soundtrack and remember what it feels like to just let go. Join us.

PUGLIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 2022 (SOLD OUT)

Join us for a heavenly week of creative, cultural, and epicurean experiences in breathtaking Puglia. We’ll paint in the mornings and spend our afternoons exploring local villages and stunning landscapes, enjoy mouth-watering cuisine, and laze about by the seaside. With whitewashed buildings, secret castles, the crystalline Mediterranean Sea, and a slow approach to life, you will surely be enchanted by this gorgeous slice of Italy.
For this gloriously easy and indulgent week, we’ve partnered with the incredibly talented chef Julie Marr and her amazing partner Francesco Creanza – a Puglia native, of Everyone at the Table. This dynamic duo will take us to some of their favourite haunts in Puglia and share their love of the region and passion for food with us. We love their approach to life and their philosophy of sharing time, food and stories around a table where everyone is welcome.

LUCCA, ITALY – OCTOBER 2022 (SOLD OUT)

Join us at a beautiful, 17th Century estate, set amongst the hills and olive groves of Northern Tuscany. Lucca is known as the hidden gem of Tuscany with city walls that keep out most of the cars, it has a notable, chilled-out vibe with a palette of warm yellows, rich turquoise, and deep emeralds – the perfect, inspiring backdrop for our creative getaway. We’ll throw some paint around, lounge amongst olive trees and grapevines, gather and share, explore treasured places, and oh my, we’ll eat! We are thrilled to be working with our dear friend – the incomparable, most generous, and lovely Rosanna Passione. Rosanna lives and thrives in Tuscany and her energy and passion for authentic, yet modern Italian cooking is infectious. We have worked together before and we can’t wait to see what’s next.

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What people are saying…

”Traveling with Laura Harris is like going on holiday with a best friend, she is so incredibly generous and shares her art skills as well as her passion for amazing food, wine, music, style and travel creating an amazing once in a life time experience. The feeling of welcome, inclusion and attention to detail from Laura and the amazing girls at Finisterra, from my two trips with them were unforgettable.” ~ Paula Jeffers, British Columbia