Questions?
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Not at all. Our retreats welcome all levels, from seasoned artists to people who haven't picked up a paintbrush since grade school. The creative activities are guided, low-pressure, and designed to be joyful, not intimidating.

Solo travelers are not only welcome, they're the majority on most of our retreats. Our groups are intentionally small and curated, and the connection that happens over shared meals, art, and adventures is one of the things guests rave about most. You will not feel alone.

Every retreat has its own personality, pace, and creative focus. Some center on painting, others blend art with yoga, photography, food, and wine. Some are more active, others more unhurried. Each retreat page lists the itinerary, hosts, and what's included.

Not sure which is your match? Email us at [email protected] and we'll help you find it. Or schedule a personal chat with Lizzie to ask more questions. 

Each retreat is hosted by our team along with featured artists and instructors. Hosts and instructors are listed on every retreat page.

A 25% deposit holds your reservation. The remaining balance is paid in consecutive monthly 25% installments until paid in full. Your checkout link and room options are on each retreat's page.

We offer a 4 month payment plan. Your 25% deposit to hold your spot is due at booking. The remaining balance is split into 3 consecutive monthly installments that are charged to your card on file in 30 day increments until paid in full. Your exact due dates are shown at checkout and in your confirmation receipt.

We accept most major credit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay.

Log into your account at www.artoflifecreativity.com. Click on the avatar in the top right hand corner.  Then Settings -> Billing.  Here you can update your default credit card for retreat payments. 

If you run into trouble, email [email protected] and we can walk you through the steps.

Each retreat page has the full list, but in general your price includes:

• Accommodations for the full retreat
• Most meals, plus wine at group dinners where noted
• Art instruction and the workshops on the itinerary
• Scheduled excursions and group experiences

Unless your retreat page says otherwise, the price does not include:

• Flights and ground travel to and from the retreat
• Airport transfers (this varies by retreat, see your retreat page)
• Travel insurance
• Meals not listed on the itinerary
• Optional add-ons and excursions
• Gratuities and personal expenses
• Passports, visas, or entry fees

We offer single and double occupancy rooms for each retreat. If you're traveling solo and would like a roommate, let us know!

Some retreats offer optional excursions and add ons.  These can be found on the retreat page and we will also share additional activities closer to the retreat. 

Some retreats include special launch pricing. VIP list members hear about it first. Join at artoflifecreativity.com/vip-list.

All retreat payments are NON-REFUNDABLE. This is one of the main reasons we strongly recommend travel insurance at the time of booking.

Possibly. Email [email protected] and we can discuss transfer options with you.

Yes!l Retreat alumni receive a discount. If you're a past guest, email us and we'll share the discount code before you purchase another retreat.  

We have never had to cancel a retreat, and we plan carefully to keep it that way. If we ever did, we would notify you right away and discuss next steps.

Here's what to expect:

1. You'll receive a welcome email with retreat details after purchase (be sure to check your spam folder!). Be advised it can sometimes take our system up to an hour after purchase to send this so don't panic!
2. You'll receive a separate email with a legal waiver to sign electronically.
3. You'll be invited to your retreat's private WhatsApp group (this is our main form of communication before and during travel).
4. Close to departure, you will get access to your retreat's Important Details site, with everything you need to know.
5. You'll be invited to a meet and greet on Zoom before the retreat.
6. Pre-trip emails with your packing list, travel schedule, and airport coordination details.

First, check your spam and promotions folders, and make sure you're looking at the email address you booked with.

It can also take up to an hour for emails to arrive (darn technology!). If it's not there, email [email protected] and we will resend it.

Your welcome email should have all the details to get you started with dates, accommodations, and details.

As your retreat draws near, we will send links to our private WhatsApp group, Meet & Greet session (so you can meet your traveling companions and get all the juicy details), packing list, and more.

We recommend booking flights once your reservation is secured, ideally 6 to 9 months out for international travel. Fares fluctuate, and earlier booking usually means better pricing and more route options. Confirm your flights match the retreat arrival and departure dates before you buy.

Each retreat has a suggested arrival airport listed on its retreat page and in your welcome email. Closer to departure, we share a guest travel schedule so you can coordinate with fellow guests if you would like to meet up beforehand or share transportation to and from the retreat location.

Your retreat page and Important Details site list the arrival and departure days and the check-in and check-out times. Guests arrive at all hours of the day, and the guest travel schedule helps you see who's landing when.

Several of our guests like to arrive a day or two before, to shake off the jet lag and explore the area. Same with departure, guests usually extend their trip to continue soaking in the culture and country of the retreat location.

This varies by retreat. Your retreat page and Important Details site state whether a transfer is provided. Some retreats include transport to and from the airport while others suggest the recommended transportation route like a taxi from the airport.

Yes, and it's one of our favorite traditions. We share a guest travel schedule before each retreat so you can find fellow guests on similar flights and split a taxi, driver, etc. It's a great way to start bonding early.

Yes. Some guests do. Let us know your plans in your intake questionnaire or by email and we'll help you plan the last leg.

No but it is strongly recommended. Our retreats have a NO REFUND policy, so travel insurance is your safety net if something unexpected comes up before or during your trip.

Look for a policy that covers trip cancellation, medical emergencies, and travel delays. The providers we recommend, with links, are in your welcome email.

Entry requirements depend on your citizenship and the destination. Check your passport's validity and your destination's entry rules with your government's official travel website well before you fly, including any electronic travel authorization or entry system a country may require.

Packing lists vary by destination and are sent to all registered guests in our pre-trip emails.

In general: layers for variable weather, comfortable walking shoes, and any art supplies specific to your retreat that we've asked you to bring.

Every retreat has its own rhythm, but most days include a creative activity (painting, watercolor, photography, or a workshop), shared meals, and one or two curated experiences such as a cooking class, a boat excursion, a market visit, or a wine tasting.

The pace is intentionally unhurried, with downtime built in for rest, exploration, or simply soaking it all in. And all activities are optional - if you want to join in, fabulous! If you want a day to kick back and lounge, also ok!

Both. Our instructors guide you through technique and leave plenty of room for personal expression. The goal is to help you find your own creative voice, not to replicate someone else's.

Each guest receives a curated art supply kit based on the retreat. Pre-trip emails spell out what's provided and what to bring with you.

A smartphone is all you need. 

Most meals are included and are a highlight of the retreat: locally sourced, chef-prepared, and enjoyed together as a group. Specific meal inclusions are detailed on each retreat page.

Tell us on your intake questionnaire after you book, and we'll pass your needs along to our chefs and venues. We do our best to accommodate everyone. If you have a severe allergy or a complex restriction, email us at [email protected] before booking so we can give you an honest picture.

Most retreats involve light walking on varied terrain such as cobblestone streets, hillside villages, and coastal paths. Some itineraries are more active than others. If you have mobility concerns, reach out before booking and we'll tell you honestly what to expect and which retreat locations may be best suited for you.

Our retreats are intentionally small, typically 16 to 20 guests, for an intimate, personal experience. This is not a bus tour situation. Think more along the lines of the trip finally made it out of the girls group text.

Yes. Your hosts photograph the week, and we often share a guest photo album afterward. We may use photos in our marketing. If you'd prefer not to be featured, just tell us.

Most accommodations have Wi-Fi, though strength varies, especially in rural locations or at sea. Check your phone plan for international coverage before you go.

Our retreats are small, hosted, and well supported, with a team and local partners who know the area. Guests travel and dine together for excursions and group activities.

Once you're registered, you'll be added to a private WhatsApp group for your retreat. It's where we share updates and logistics, and where guests start connecting before anyone leaves home.  

This is also our main form of communication during the retreat.  

Yes. Pre-trip emails include your packing list, travel schedule, airport coordination details, local recommendations, and other need-to-know logistics. Everything arrives well before departure.

Email [email protected]. We aim to respond within 1 to 2 business days.

Join our VIP list at artoflifecreativity.com/vip-list. VIP members hear about new retreats first, get our best pricing during early launch windows, and receive monthly travel and art inspiration. Our retreats sell out fast, so it's worth it.

Yes. Visit the sold out retreat page and join the waitlist or email us at [email protected]. We occasionally have cancellations and contact waitlist members first.

Email us anytime at [email protected] with questions or book a 1:1 Zoom call with Lizzie. She will answer all your questions and suggest which retreats are right for you plus she’s an awesome human who is just fun to chat with.