Jan Yatsko, Artist email: jan@janyatsko.com

BuiltWithNOF
Explore and Create Tours in Costa Rica

A tour review sent to Frommer Travel Guides:

“I thought readers with even the slightest artistic leaning would like to hear of Jan Yatsko’s 10-day Explore & Create tour of Costa Rica, which I’ve just enjoyed. Through her sensitive eyes, I gained a wonderful insight to this exciting country, it’s ancient and present-day cultures, people, sights, sounds and tastes. Her introduction to the wonders of Art Travel Journalling, drawing and sketching daily images, is something I’m going to enjoy using in all  future travels.  A highly recommended and awakening experience.”

Joan D., 2008 tour participant

Explore and Create in Costa Rica Tour  

February 20 to March 1, 2009

July 9 to 18, 2009

 

Large leaf umbrella plants found on humid Caribbean side of Costa Rica, near La Paz Waterfall Gardens

CONNECT WITH NATURE IN A TROPICAL PARADISE

Distinguish the sound of a toucan from a mot mot; discover the food source that gives the poison arrow frogs their “poison”;  see, touch, smell and taste medicinal and culinary plants that heal skin problems, treat anemia & coughs, fortify the blood, numb an aching tooth, add flavor to food and spice up your sex life and observe how white faced monkeys work together to steal your lunch at Manuel Antonio Beach.

“Jan, you do a marvelous job... you should be a nature tour guide, too... you know so much!  You were more than I expected.”        Shirley P. from Pennsylvania

Guaria morada (Costa Rica's national flower) orchid garden near Palmares, Costa Rica A day visit with the Maleku Indians of  Tonibe, Costa Rica - Maleiu Indians wearing traditional bark cloth clothing - meztake

EXPAND YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF ANOTHER CULTURE

Eat a chorreada with natilla dripping down your fingers (YUM!); learn new Spanish expressions, Costa Rican customs and the Costa Rican word for “knock, knock”; interact with well-known Costa Rican artists; witness the sacred fire ceremony of the Maleku Indians and how they can teach us to live more “green” and discover why the friendly Costa Ricans are affectionately called “ticos”.

“Jan instantly infected us with her passion for Costa Rica with its culture, its colors, its flavors and its people.  This is the real deal and not being on the outside looking in.  I have never participated in such a ‘real’ travel experience on a guided tour.” Janine K. from Indiana

Costa del Sol restaurant sketch in a travel art journal page, created from a daily creativity exercise by a participant of Explore and Create in Costa Rica art Workshop Tour
Palm tree painted into a travel art journal page, created from a daily creativity exercise by a participant of Explore and Create in Costa Rica art Workshop Tour
Explore & Create in Costa Rica tour participant sketch of heliconia flowers Travel art journal sketches from a participant of Explore & Create in Costa Rica

LEARN NEW SKILLS TO USE THROUGHOUT YOUR LIFE

Create your own “postcards” from Costa Rica. Give them to friends and family or compile them into a book for your own trip souvenir. This book will become your travel art journal that will include your expressions of tropical colors, sketches, paintings, collages or written observations inspired by your travel experiences in Costa Rica.  Fun daily creativity exercises help you to begin each “postcard” as you also develop new observation and creative thinking skills. You can use these skills in all aspects of your life and to create future art journals on your own.

“This was such a great tour! I learned a lot. It was the perfect place to disconnect, decompress, regroup, revitalize and tune into things.”                   Christine J. from Arizona

“I learned there is magic in the everyday and Jan’s program made this possible.  I am not an artist but I was not intimidated by having the daily tasks or instructions for the journals. Jan’s creativity exercises helped me see things in a new way and opened up other areas of creativity in my life.”    Janine K. from Indiana

WHY YOU ARE THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THIS TOUR

This tour will totally excite your 5 senses!   Jan Yatsko has tailored the instruction and the interactive workbook to stir your imagination and to take ALL ABILITY LEVELS through the steps to create an interesting and memorable art journal inspired by your travel experiences in Costa Rica. No sterile classrooms.  Workshops are by the beach, hot springs, tropical gardens, chocolate trees and more.  Emphasis is placed on portability and how to creatively use the materials around you.  Physical exercise level is easy to moderate.

“I really enjoyed the daily creativity pages.  They were well planned, interesting and helpful.”      Susan W. from Maine

 

    10 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS TOUR WITH JAN YATSKO

  • A resident of Atenas, Costa Rica for over 9 years and lives in a Costa Rican neighborhood.
  • Traveled extensively through Costa Rica by bicycle.
  • Bilingual
  • Practicing artist/craftsperson for over 32 years.
  • Maintains different types of journals simultaneously.
  • Studied art education at the university.
  • Over 6 years of Explore and Create in Costa Rica tour experience.  Tours are updated each year.
  • Tour is designed by Jan and expresses her passion and knowledge of Costa Rican art, nature, culture and food. 
  • You benefit from small group travel (limit 10 people). More schedule flexibility and spontaneity to enrich your experience, attention to detail and opportunities to visit areas off of the tourist route.
  • All inclusive, competitive price that includes travel within Costa Rica and an educational tour that includes Costa Rica’s abundant nature, rich culture, colorful art, delicious food plus an art journal workshop. No hidden tour costs.

“The only downside to this trip is that my expectations for other guided tours are now unrealistically high.  I have previously traveled with well established high profile companies, but this was different. I have doubts that anyone else will ever bring me to a place more entirely than Jan has done.  All I can do is thank Jan for this wonderful, life changing experience.” Janine K. from Indiana