COSTA RICAArtistic Workshop with Mindy Lighthipe & Nancy Richmond

February 26 - March 6, 2016

The rich landscapes of Costa Rica are home to a unique and interesting array of flora and fauna, making this the perfect setting for an artistic adventure. Capture the wonder of tropical plants, insects, amphibians and mammals while receiving personal instruction from professional artist Mindy Lighthipe and professional photographer Nancy Richmond.Whether you’re a novice or an experienced artist, prepare to learn new techniques and hone your skills as you revel in Central America’s natural beauty.

• Learn from professional photographer Nancy Richmond how to shoot macro photography subjects like red-eyed tree frogs, tropical flowers, and insects.

• Learn from professional artist Mindy Lighthipe how to document accurate field sketches, color notes, and photography to complete paintings from your up-close-and-personal tour of Costa Rica.

• Observe the avian visitors at Selva Verde Lodge’s bird feeding stations while practicing different photography and drawing techniques.

• Take leisurely walks with an expert naturalist who will teach you about the rainforest, the ecosystem, and its unique flora and fauna.

• Capture the beauty of the diverse animals that inhabit the Toucan Rescue Ranch.

• Cruise along the Sarapiquí River to photograph the wildlife and shore birds that flock to the river bank.

• See traditional methods of chocolate-making — and sample the results — during a chocolate tour.

• Visit the Else Kientzler Botanical Garden, which showcases over 2,000 botanicals and tropical plants.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

COSTA RICA

MARCH 1 - SARAPIQUÍThis morning there will be an optional bird walk around the grounds of the lodge. The avifauna of Selva Verde is abundant, and feeding stations have been set up around the lodge to facilitate observation and identification of the many species that frequent the area. After breakfast, take a guided nature hike through the forest trails at Selva Verde. Return to the Lodge for lunch, then the afternoon will be at your leisure to draw, paint and photograph. Before dinner, attend a demonstration on how to paint a butterfly. Enjoy dinner at Selva Verde Lodge then view a film about the Great Green Macaw and the almond tree found in the Sarapiquí area. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)

MARCH 2 - SARAPIQUÍEarly morning optional bird walk and photography around the reserve. After breakfast, take a boat ride on the Sarapiquí River for a chance to photograph the wildlife and shore birds that flock to the river bank. Return to Selva Verde for lunch then head to

La Finca, an eco-farm and macaw rescue. This will give the opportunity to take close-up

photos and experience endangered macaws that are semi-wild and free to come and go as they please. Spend the remainder of the day at leisure to sketch, relax, or explore on your own. Enjoy dinner at Selva Verde followed by a presentation on frogs and other amphibians in Costa

Rica. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)

MARCH 3 - SARAPIQUÍThis morning there will be another optional bird walk around the grounds of the lodge. After breakfast, take a tour of a local ant farm and get a close up look at the amazing life of the leaf cutter ant. Return to Selva Verde for lunch, then spend the afternoon photographing and painting tropical frogs found at the reserve. After dinner visit Tirimbina Biological Reserve for a bat presentation. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)

MARCH 4 - SARAPIQUÍTake an optional bird walk around the grounds of the lodge. After breakfast visit the Sarapiquí Serpentarium where you will have the opportunity to photograph tropical snakes. After lunch the afternoon is free for photographing and painting around the grounds. Tonight, enjoy a pizza dinner at Selva Verde followed by a night hike around the reserve. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)

FEBRUARY 26 - SAN JOSÉUpon arrival in San José meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Greet Mindy, Nancy, and your fellow travelers over dinner at the hotel restaurant. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea. (D)

FEBRUARY 27 - SAN JOSÉThis morning there will be an orientation of the garden and hotel followed by a meeting in the garden to discuss camera equipment and sketching and drawing supplies. Visit Sibu Chocolate for a tour and lunch. Sibu is located just outside the cloud forests of Braulio Carrillo National Park overlooking the mountains of Costa Rica’s Central Valley. During the visit, you’ll watch local artisans temper chocolate on a marble slab and decorate bonbons by hand while learning about the history of chocolate. Next head to Toucan Rescue Ranch for a tour and orientation. At the ranch you will witness rescued birds and animals such as toucans, a variety of parrots, macaws, owls, two-toed and three-toed sloths, and kinkajous. Enjoy dinner at Bougainvillea followed by an introductory slide show presented by Nancy and Mindy. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea. (BLD)

FEBRUARY 28 - SAN JOSÉDepart for Toucan Rescue Ranch where you will spend the day drawing and photographing animals and birds. There will be a boxed lunch. Spend the day drawing, painting and photographing. In the afternoon, return to Bougainvillea where you will enjoy dinner followed by a workshop on taking reference photos and depth of field. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea. (BLD)

FEBRUARY 29 - SARAPIQUÍDepart for La Paz Waterfall Garden. Tour the butterfly garden while partaking in a lesson on butterfly anatomy and using macro photography. Enjoy lunch at La Paz, and then spend the afternoon touring the rest of the garden on your own. Depart from La Paz and head to Selva Verde Lodge and Rainforest Reserve, located on the beautiful Sarapiquí River. The extensive grounds of Selva Verde include a 500-acre rainforest reserve. Upon arrival at Selva Verde Lodge have dinner followed by a slideshow presented by Mindy and Nancy. Overnight at Selva Verde Lodge & Rainforest Reserve. (BLD)

ITINERARYBLD = BREAKFAST, LUNCH, DINNER

LAND PROGRAM PRICE

$3,549

Cost does not include $29 departure tax, gratuities, or international airfare. Please contact Holbrook Travel if you would like assistance with air reservations.Airport transfers are included in the program dates. If you arrive early or depart after the program, you will need to pay for a private transfer. Single rooms are available for $370.

A $200 per person deposit and enrollment form is due to hold your space on the trip. This deposit is refundable until November 23, 2015 excluding a $100 cancellation fee. Final payments are due no later than November 23, 2015. Cancellations received after this date are not refundable. Travel/trip cancellation insurance is strongly recommended. For more information call Travel Insured at 800-243-3174 or visit travelinsured.com. Holbrook Travel’s agency number is 15849.

THE FINE PRINT

MARCH 5 - SAN JOSÉEnjoy one last bird walk around the grounds before breakfast then depart for San José. En route visit Else Kientzler Botanical Garden in Sarchi. Located on the outskirts of Sarchi, these stunning gardens showcase more than 2,000 species of botanicals and tropical plants. Visitors can meander nearly two miles of beautifully landscaped trails, which feature orchids, cacti, bromeliads, palms, succulents, heliconia, and hibiscus, each labeled with their common and scientific names. Eat lunch at the garden and have some time to shop for souvenirs. In the evening enjoy a farewell slideshow and dinner. Overnight at Hotel Bougainvillea. (BLD)

MARCH 6 - FAREWELL!Transfer to the international airport in San José for flight home. (B)

ENROLL BY AUGUST 1, 2015 FOR A $250 EARLY ENROLLMENT DISCOUNT!

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO ENROLL:For course content, contact Mindy Lighthipe

352-226-0949 | mlighthipe@gmail.com

To register, contact Lisa Palmese-Graubard 800-451-7111 x 339 | lisa@holbrooktravel.com

Register online at http://holbrook.travel/artisticadventuretours

ABOUT YOUR LEADERS

Mindy Lighthipe and Nancy Richmond have been leading tours to Central and South America, Europe, and the United States for over 15 years. To see more of their art and photography visit: www.botanicalartpainting.comwww.nancyrichmondphotography.com

MINDY NANCY

ALL ARTWORK AND PHOTOGRAPHY BY MINDY LIGHTHIPE & NANCY RICHMOND