The Art of Travel

Artist Stella Canfield was born in Bulgaria, but in 1985 she moved to the U.S., where she enjoyed a successful career as a painter and teacher. Today, the personable Stella divides her time between a house in Coupeville, Washington, and her country home near Varna, from which she organizes "Adventure Artist Tours" in Bulgaria. Stella says the tours let participants "absorb the essence of these ancient cultures, while you document the entire adventure with your own drawings and paintings." Stella says the tours attract artists and nonartists alike, all of whom get to know Bulgarian people as they set up their easels at harbors, in front of churches, and wherever they see beauty. Proceeds from the trips help support an orphanage near Stella's Varna home through the Stellar Arts Foundation, which she founded as a way of giving back. The cost of Stella's 14-day, 2008 escorted tour in Bulgaria was $2,850 (£1,425), and it included (besides painting instruction) accommodations, transfers, sightseeing and entrance fees, breakfast, lunch, and six dinners. For more information contact Stellar Arts Foundation, Adventure Artist's Tour, P.O. Box 1676, Coupeville, WA 98239 (tel. 360.678.0838; www.stellararts.org).

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.