Creative Courses
El Molino del Conde is in a lovely tranquil location, ideally set up for hosting courses and creative holidays for 12-18 people.
El Molino has hosted a wide variety of courses, including creative writing, painting in many different mediums and cooking, so we know what it takes to make guests comfortable and the course leader successful. You can see examples of some of the courses we've hosted here.
For artists, Andalucia offers the most favourable climate in Europe, the longest season, and wonderful Andalucian light. El Molino del Conde sits in its own tranquil valley, with long views and house, gardens and surrounding hills and olive groves offer many subject opportunities. As guests have commented "there is a painting at every turn"
In addition, there are many local sights, including white villages, Lake Iznajar (Andalucia's largest lake) and the fascinating cities of Granada, Ronda and Córdoba which are all within easy reach. Malaga airport is just 50 minutes away; Malaga also has the Picasso Museum and the Carmen von Thyssen art gallery.
“Simply the best. We have booked El Molino for at least 2 weeks in Spring and Fall for several years. It is always the perfect venue for our arts or culinary retreats. Nick and Amanda maintain an extraordinarily high standard of support for their clients, ensuring a warm welcome and responding to any particular needs for help or information. Each time we arrive there is another wow factor, with improvements that seem to happen organically without spoiling or changing any of the charm of the original property." - Hilary
Facilities on Site
El Molino del Conde offers comfortable accommodation for groups of 12-18 in 9/10 bedrooms with 7 bathrooms.
You'll discover a wide choice of terraces and shaded spots on our land for tuition and painting among olives, pomegranates and almonds as well as the Mill Room Studio - a heated indoor studio (9m x 4m)
We can help to arrange catering - as much or as little as you want. Or self-cater in the fully equipped Old Bakery kitchen.
Local Days Out
Less than 15 minutes drive from El Molino is the small white-washed village of Iznajar which looks down over the 30-kilometer long Lake Iznajar. At the top of the village lie the remains of an 8th century Moorish castle reached through a labyrinth of narrow streets and whitewashed houses. This is a real non-tourist village, with lots of opportunity for painting and sketching true Spanish character.
Lying 20 minutes from El Molino is the small town of Archidona with its 18th century octagonal plaza and its beautiful hilltop monastery.
Sightseeing Excursions
Whether you're looking for local colour, Moorish architecture, dramatic landscapes or a wide range of other subject matter, you'll find it not far from El Molino del Conde.
The Alhambra Palace in Granada, the Mezquita in Córdoba, and the beautiful white town of Ronda are all easy day-trips. Málaga, famous as the birthplace of Picasso, now boasts a "Golden Mile" of art galleries including the Picasso Museum and the Carmen von Thyssen art gallery.
You might also choose to visit Iznájar, Antequera, El Torcal, Priego de Cordoba or Zuheros.
For more information about exploring Andalucia and day trips from El Molino del Conde see Trips, Visits and Activities
For non-painting guests
... & pampering for artists
We can help to arrange a wide variety of alternative activities for example horse-riding, Spanish lessons or additional sightseeing trips.
Painters and non-painters alike might welcome a few hours of pampering and we can arrange for a massage therapist to visit or you could spend a few hours at the Hammam Baths in Granada.
Some practicalities...
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For airport pick-ups or sightseeing days, we can arrange transport with a local bus company.
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Local villagers are available to sit for live studies.
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Supplies such as easels, brush cleaning materials, work tables and covers can be provided.
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The local ladies who clean the house between guests' stays can also be available to help out either daily or as often as you need. Usually course organisers find they need a couple of ladies for a couple of hours each morning to keep the public rooms clean and tidy, clean the bathrooms and help with washing up.
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Guest numbers There are 10 bedrooms in total but we usually recommend use of 9 bedrooms for courses (as you have to walk through the 10th to get to one of the bathrooms) There are 4 double bedrooms which can also be set up as twins, 3 double bedrooms 2 twin bedrooms. Full bedroom details and floor plans are available at Bedrooms.
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Catering We can arrange for full or partial catering, or simply recommend the best local shops and markets to help your self-catering.