Indus Tours paints more holiday destinations

Fancy brushing up on your artistic skills in the colourful alleyways of Marrakech’s ancient medina, under the shade of a tree in a Montepulciano vineyard, on a sacred riverbank as vibrantly dressed Hindu worshippers wander down to bathe, overlooking the river with its stunning reflection of the Ponte Vecchio arches or from a quiet hill with the Himalayas as backdrop?

Specialist tour operator Indus Tours ‘offers both beginners and seasoned artists the opportunity to sketch, paint and, more simply, just enjoy some of the most picturesque and historically interesting areas of the World when they book ‘A Brush with Excellence’ holiday.

Designed to explore each destination through the eyes of the artist, the current selection of tours cover four very distinct countries providing a mixture of colourful scenes, cultures and backdrops to be captured ‘on canvas’. Ranging from classical views of ancient castles and ruins to simple village life, each itinerary has been carefully designed to provide ample time for sketching and painting whilst experiencing the fascinating highlights of each area.

Led by experienced artists, guests are given tutorials throughout as well as one to one tailored advice to suit each person’s particular experience and style. Based on watercolour painting, the tuition also looks at other mediums as well a range of techniques covering landscape, portraiture, animal studies and still life.

‘A Brush with Excellence’ tours to date include:

India

Forts, Places & Temples with Derek Hare: 17 – 31 October 2008
Featuring some of the most architecturally spectacular buildings and evocative monuments in India, this tour examines the more well-known sights of the immortal Taj Mahal, the Ghats, the Temple of Bateshwar and the wonders of Orchha before heading off the beaten track to Dholpur village and river town of Chambal in search of the endangered river dolphin.

From £1995/person including international flights, B&B accommodation, some meals, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring Derek Hare.

Sacred Rivers & Golden Sands with Derek Hare: 16 – 27 January 2009
Examining the diverse face of India, Dave Hare leads this painting holiday through the pulsating streets of Mumbai, to the serenity of the sacred Narmada River and Ahilya Fort, before settling on the golden shores of Goa to capture scenes of local fishermen hauling in their catch onto the long stretches of idyllic beach.

From £2850/person including international flights, domestic flights, B&B accommodation, some meals, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring Derek Hare.

Italy

Tuscany and Umbria with Melanie Cambridge: 31 May - 7 June 2008
Staying in the charismatic Relais Villa Petrischio in Farnetta, the tour entails daily excursions to the ancient and famous horse-racing town of Siena, elegantly adorned Cortona, the wine region of Montepulciano and Passignano on the shores of Lake Maggoire.

From £995/person including international flights, half board accommodation, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring from Melanie Cambridge.

Morocco

Magical Morocco with Carole Massey: 17 - 25 April 2008
Covering the hustle and bustle of the medina to the grandeur of the Atlas Mountains, this tour includes Marrakech, Ourika Valley in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the fortified Village of Ait Benhaddou and Ouirgane Valley in the heartland of Berber Country side.

From £1025/person including international flights, B&B accommodation, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring from Carole Massey.

The Colours of Morocco with Laura Reiter: 12 – 19 October 2008
Having attracted artists over the centuries with its exotic cities, vast landscapes and amazing light, Laura Reiter aims to enliven her companions’ artistic spirit as she explores the vibrant city of Marrakech and ancient seaside port of Essaouira.

From £650/person including international flights, B&B accommodation, some meals, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring from Laura Reiter.

Nepal

Himalayan Kingdom with Muriel Owen: 5 – 18 April 2008
Perched on the roof of the world, Nepal is a wonderous land of ancient temples and palaces, exquisite thangkas, gold painted stupas and intricate wooden carvings. Muriel Owen will lead the group through Kathmandu to the hill resorts of Hattiban and Bhatipur and on the Pokhra capturing world heritage listed sites, simple Nepalese village scenes and magnificent snow-capped vistas along the way.

From £1658/person including international flights, B&B accommodation, transfers, sightseeing with English speaking guide and tutoring from Muriel Owen.

For more information or to book a tour, visit Industours.co.uk.