Collage Your Travels: Egypt
with Catherine Rains
October 18th - 28th, 2027
Join mixed media artist Catherine Rains for an extraordinary 11-day creative journey through Egypt, where ancient history, breathtaking landscapes, and the timeless rhythm of the Nile become the inspiration for your art.
As we float along one of the world's most legendary rivers, you'll chronicle your experience through a soulful blend of collage-making and smartphone photography. From the towering pyramids and majestic temples to bustling markets, desert vistas, and golden sunsets reflected on the Nile, every day offers new opportunities to gather inspiration and transform it into meaningful artwork.
Unlike a traditional retreat based in a single location, our studio will travel with us as we journey down the Nile, allowing the ever-changing landscape itself to become part of the creative experience.
This retreat is about more than creating art. It is about slowing down, paying attention, and experiencing a place deeply enough that it becomes part of you.
Under Catherine's gentle guidance, you'll learn how to translate your travels into richly layered collage compositions using hand-painted papers, cell phone photographs, found materials, and travel-friendly mixed media techniques.
Along the way, you'll create more than 20 different types of collage papers, each infused with the colors, textures, energy, and spirit of Egypt.
Midway through the journey, you'll create the first of two handmade concertina journals, using your growing collection of papers to explore collage composition and visual storytelling.
Whether you're completely new to collage or have years of creative experience, you'll be invited to work at your own pace, follow your curiosity, and develop a creative practice that travels home with you long after the retreat ends.
By the end of our journey, you'll leave with two handcrafted concertina journals that capture the sights, sounds, textures, and emotions of your time in Egypt, artworks that tell the story of your travels in a way no photograph album ever could.
Follow your bliss and don't be afraid, and doors will open. Where you didn't know they were going to be. If you follow your bliss, doors will open for you that wouldn't have opened for anyone else.
— Joseph Campbell
What you’ll Learn
During our time together, you'll explore:
How to use a limited palette of two primary colors to create harmonious collections of collage papers
More than 20 travel-friendly techniques for creating handmade collage papers
Smartphone photography techniques for capturing meaningful travel imagery
Ways to incorporate photographs, found materials, and personal ephemera into your artwork
How to create visual cohesion and tell a story through collage
Building a handmade concertina journal as a vehicle for artistic exploration
Infusing your work with the energy and spirit of a place
Creating from a place of joy, curiosity, intention, and self-expression
And much more
But perhaps the greatest gift of this experience is not what you'll create during the retreat,, it's what you'll carry home afterward.
Armed with newfound skills, expanded creative confidence, and a fresh way of seeing the world, you'll return home ready to collage your future adventures, whether you're exploring a distant country or simply noticing the beauty in your own neighborhood.
And along the way, you'll forge meaningful connections with fellow artists and kindred spirits who share your love of creativity, travel, and lifelong learning.
Join us as we embark on a transformative voyage of self-expression, discovery, and connection. Whether you're capturing the wonder of Egypt or uncovering new parts of yourself through the creative process, Collage Your Travels: Egypt promises to be an experience you'll treasure for a lifetime.
About Catherine Rains
I'm so happy your path has led you here.
More than thirty years ago, while feeling overwhelmed by a demanding corporate career, I created my very first collage with absolutely no artistic training.
What began as a simple attempt to relieve stress became a life-changing discovery. For the first time in years, I experienced pure joy.
That single collage altered the course of my life.
Over the decades that followed, art became my anchor through career changes, personal challenges, health struggles, a cancer diagnosis, an unexpected divorce, and countless twists and turns I never could have predicted. Through it all, my commitment to creativity never wavered.
Today, I have the privilege of living my dream as a full-time mixed media artist and educator, helping thousands of students discover that creativity isn't about perfection, it's about paying attention, trusting yourself, and finding your own unique voice.
My teaching style is warm, encouraging, and deeply supportive. Rather than focusing on rules, I help artists learn to see differently, create with confidence, and embrace the beautiful surprises that emerge through the creative process. Whether you're brand new to collage or have years of experience, you'll be welcomed exactly where you are.
The methods I share in Collage Your Travels aren't just about making art. They're about slowing down, becoming fully present, and learning to capture not only what you see, but also what you feel.
Together we'll explore the wonders of Egypt while creating artwork that captures not only the places we visit, but also the experience of being fully alive for the journey itself.
“This is an absolute MUST if you haven't already experienced this! It's everything you could imagine it to be.. and more. It is so exquisite & unique.”
“The rooms are gorgeous, the attention to detail, the gentle service, from beautiful humble men, a glassed room downstairs to paint, as you glide romantically down The Nile! Yes! The Nile! (are you transported yet?) OMGoodness, I’m sure I pinched myself at least a 100 times!
There’s enough room to have quiet time to reflect, and the sunrises will take your breath away. Memorable. What are you waiting for?”
— Leigh Mansfield
Here is a general itinerary for your time in Egypt.
This itinerary may be subject to change but we will do our best to keep as close as possible to what is set out below.
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Welcome to Egypt.
Upon arrival at Cairo International Airport, you will be met and assisted through immigration before being transferred to the Barceló Hotel for check-in.
In the evening, we will gather in the hotel lounge at 6:00 PM for introductions and a gentle orientation to the journey ahead.
Welcome group dinner
Overnight: Barceló Hotel, Cairo
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After breakfast, we begin our exploration of ancient Egypt’s most iconic sites.
07:00 AM – Departure
Giza Plateau
The Great Pyramid (including entry inside)
The Sphinx
Optional short camel ride
Saqqara Necropolis
Step Pyramid of Djoser
We pause for lunch at a local restaurant before returning to the hotel, with a stop at a traditional papyrus workshop (TBC) along the way.
Lunch included
Optional dinner (not included)
Overnight: Barceló Hotel, Cairo
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After breakfast, we visit one of the world’s most anticipated cultural institutions.
08:00 AM – Departure
Grand Egyptian Museum
Visit to a traditional carpet weaving school
Lunch at a local restaurant
Citadel of Saladin & Mohamed Ali Mosque
In the evening, we fly south to Aswan.
Upon arrival, transfer to the Basma Hotel for check-in.
Lunch included
Optional dinner (not included)
Overnight: Basma Hotel, Aswan
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Aswan & Dahabiya Boarding
After breakfast, we explore the beauty and history of Aswan.
08:00 AM – Departure
Philae Temple (Temple of Isis)
Unfinished Obelisk
Visit to a local perfume atelier
We then board our Dahabiya, a traditional sailing boat, and begin our journey along the Nile.
Lunch and dinner included onboard
Overnight: Dahabiya
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A day to settle into the rhythm of the Nile.
Painting sessions onboard
Visit to Kom Ombo Temple
All meals included
Overnight: Dahabiya
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Another peaceful day on the river, blending creativity and exploration.
Painting sessions onboard
Visit to Edfu Temple
All meals included
Overnight: Dahabiya
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After breakfast, we disembark in Luxor and step into one of the most powerful temple complexes in Egypt.
Luxor Temple
Karnak Temple
Transfer to El Gezira Garden Hotel for check-in.
Overnight: Luxor
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An unforgettable day exploring the West Bank of Luxor.
Optional sunrise hot air balloon ride (weather dependent, your expense)
Valley of the Kings
Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
Surprise Evening Entertainment
Overnight: Luxor
Day 9
A slower day to integrate the journey.
Morning at leisure
Afternoon painting session
Overnight: Luxor
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Full Studio Day
Evening visit to a beautiful Fair Trade shop (Sandouk).
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Afternoon transfer to Luxor Airport for your return flight to Cairo arriving in Cairo at 6pm
Guests will depart Cairo at various times depending on individual flight schedules.
End of Journey
Included in your workshop:
10 nights either at Hotel or our own private sailboat on the Nile
Fully guided trips with a very experienced Egyptian operator.
4 days of workshop with Catherine
Some painting materials provided.
For the hotel in Cairo, bed and breakfast.
In Luxor at the hotel: bed, breakfast, and evening meal featuring delicious Egyptian cuisine.
Full board on the boat. (Shared accommodation only)
Hotel in Aswan bed and breakfast
Entrance tickets to temple sites and museums.
Internal flights and internal travel.
Pick up at airport (on arrival day only) There will be an extra charge for arrival outside the Retreat dates
Not Included:
Travel costs / Airfare. We Recommend British Airways and EgyptAir
Passport fees, photos and processing where applicable
Additional nights lodging
Tips for the Hotel, Transportation and Boat staff. Tipping is greatly appreciated in Egypt.:)
Pricing
$5,500 for Shared Accommodation (We recommend this for couples or close friends traveling together)
$5,900 for Private Accommodation
Please note that the 3 boat nights are twin sharing cabins only. There are no private options available for the boat, so the private option above is for the other hotel accommodations.
Travel insurance is a must. We recommend World Nomads.
Ready to reserve your spot?
A US$700 deposit will secure your place.
Catherine Rains - Egypt Retreat
$700.00
Nonrefundable deposit of $700. Read the cancellation policy here.
For complete information and prices for the workshop please click here.