Painting and sketching in the attractive rural landscapes and historic towns of Extremadura.

This spring we will be returning once more to Extremadura, a time of year when the dehesa will be ablaze with cistus and lavender, bustards and larks will be displaying out on the steppe and the storks and lesser kestrels have returned to their roof-top nests.

We will be based in the beautiful Finca Santa Marta near the historic town of Trujillo, the perfect centre from which to enjoy the spectacular wildlife and stunning landscapes of the area, whilst enjoying wonderful accommodation and some superb local food. The pace of the holiday will be a very relaxed one, giving us plenty of opportunities for painting and sketching. The holiday is designed to offer much to inspire you, whatever your level of skill. The holiday will be led by Michael Wood and Yvonne Barnett, two Cambridge-based wildlife artists. Michael works in watercolour while Yvonne works across a range of media. Our two artists will help you to make the most of your trip, offering detailed tuition and demonstrations, as well as one-on-one advice.

For those who can drag themselves away from their easels, this area has some of the best birdwatching in Spain, with notable highlights including displaying great bustards out on the steppes, three species of vulture soaring overhead, colonies of lesser kestrels and white storks on the rooftops in Trujillo and if we are lucky, the endangered Spanish imperial eagle.

Carmen Dominguez will join the group to ensure we all get the most of out this beautiful and culturally rich area. This holiday will provide a great way to enjoy the rich landscape of this rural and unspoiled part of inland Spain.

Price £1385, Single Room Supplement £190

Full Board

Leaders: Michael Wood and Yvonne Barnett,

with Carmen Domiguez