Food, Recipes, Lifestyle and Travel Blog

By the Flavours Holidays Team

Painting Holidays – What to Pack

June 27, 2015

Our guests on our painting holidays are a varied bunch! We’ve had seasoned artists to complete beginners. Travellers have varied skills, brushes and colours in their toolkit. Here is a quick list and few tips to consider when packing for Italy. Purchase the best materials you can afford. Prioritise quality over quantity and you will notice…

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Pilates – The Secret to Murrays Success?

June 23, 2015

Whether you are just interested in the strawberries and cream or are a die-hard court-side fan, over the next two weeks everyone will be talking about Wimbledon. We’re getting ready to back Andy Murray all the way to the final again this year and we were contemplating the secret to his success. No doubt it is down…

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Sicily off the beaten track

June 20, 2015

Italy’s largest island is well known for beach getaways, coastal summer breaks and ancient relics such as the Temple of Concord. On our Painting holidays and Pilates retreats in Sicily, we want you to experience authentic Italy. Of course, there are sights worth seeing, but sometimes it is better to wander a little far off…

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Beginners Recipe – Tuna and Strawberry Salad

June 17, 2015

This simple recipe from our cooking holidays in Sicily is a great light meal for the summer and is even better for those who are a bit of a novice in the kitchen. This requires no oven, no hob and no heat! So there is no excuse not to try this one out. The long marinating time is also perfect for weekend hobbyists – painters we are looking at you! Just prep in less than ten minutes, pop away for a few hours and you can come back to a unique dish.

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A Brief History of Villa Padova

June 6, 2015

Flavours are excited to introduce Villa Padova to our list of Villa options in 2015. Located in the Padua province near the city of Venice, this 16th century property is sure to impress guests on our painting holidays. The Villa features historic Frescos by some of the regions most famous artists and the grounds have…

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Happy Republic Day!

June 2, 2015

Buona Festa della Repubblica! On this day in 1946, Italy democratically voted to become a republic, rejecting the monarchy and creating a new elected government. And so, modern Italy was born. In the fall out after World War II, The country found itself in a constitutional crisis after the demise of fascism. The resulting referendum…

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The Health Benefits of Painting

May 26, 2015

Did you know that painting is not only an extremely enjoyable activity but can also have incredible effects on body and mind? For many, painting is a means to escape the stress of every day life. What might come as a surprise for some is that painting can even have benefits on your health! As…

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Artist Interview: Jean Haines & her Favourite Medium

May 23, 2015

International watercolourist Jean Haines SWA is well known for her passion for working in watercolour. Having lived and travelled and exhibited in many countries, she has had the opportunity to develop her skills, creating incredible paintings whilst under the influence of masters from many countries including Asia, the Middle East and Europe. Today, we had…

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Pilates Retreat in Italy – A Sense of Wellbeing

May 20, 2015

So, you might have limited Pilates experience or may even attend weekly lessons at your local gym, but why should you pack your bag, grab your passport and commit to an Italian Pilates retreat? We had a look at the top reasons our guests join us on a Pilates holiday in Italy! The setting doesn’t compare!…

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Top 5 Tips When Painting Outside

May 15, 2015

With the Biennale in full swing, all we can think about is one thing: Venice. Over centuries the festival has been one of the world’s most prestigious cultural institutions and is most certainly one of those “must-visits” for any Italy lover. Some of our lucky guests will experience the cultural highlight of the year on…

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Verdure Ripiene – Italian Stuffed Vegetables Recipe

May 8, 2015

Try our stuffed aubergine recipe from Puglia  this weekend! Puglia is known for its “cucina povera” which is renowned for their self-sufficiency and deep roots in agricultural traditions. As May marks the start of the aubergine season, we want to share one of these mouthwatering dishes, popular on our cooking holidays in Puglia, with you!

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Top 9 Useful Italian Phrases for Food Related Expressions

May 7, 2015

Who doesn’t love Italian food? From classics such as lasagne to regional specialities – Italian dishes guarantee an amazing culinary experience. But food is much more in Italy than just…well… food. It is quintessential for understanding its culture, people and customs. Everyone who has experienced Italy’s culture and traditions through an Italian cooking holiday knows that….

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Artist interview: Keiko Tanabe’s incredible Watercolour Journey

May 1, 2015

Are you dreaming about quitting your job to become a professional painter? For watercolour artist Keiko Tanabe the dream became reality: she started her art career in 2005 after quitting a job in international marketing. Since then her paintings have been exhibited around the world.  Most recently she was chosen to be an invited guest…

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Are you ready for La Notte Bianca in Florence?

April 30, 2015

The rainy season is officially over and the sunshine in Italy is there to stay. What does that mean for Italians? Correct – it’s time to celebrate! Today is “La Notte Bianca” in one of Italy’s most beautiful and historic cities and one of our stunning destinations on a short-break cooking holiday in Tuscany: Florence….

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In season: Confit Baby Artichokes Recipe

April 20, 2015

Artichokes are amongst the world’s oldest cultivated vegetables and are said to have their origins in Sicily. In season between March and June, they are a fantastic spring treat. The recipe below was recommended by Natoora and is perfect as an appetizer or, quartered, used to top pizzas and open-faced sandwiches – perfect for a delicious & healthy start in the week!

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Flavours Blog

Food, Recipes, Lifestyle and Travel blog – by the Flavours Holidays team.