ThreadWritten Cultural Textile Tour: Viana do Castelo, Portugal

August 10 - 17, 2024

Explore the traditions of embroidery, weaving, and the clothing of the lavradeira, the local farm girl of the 1800s near Viana do Castelo, Portugal.

Embroider with a professional artisan, visit Porto and Ponte de Lima, meet a traditional weaver at her studio where she grows her linen from seed and a heritage-certified embroiderer in business making traditional and contemporary pieces for over 30 years. Create your own embroidery inspired by the traditional clothing and linens of the region in a special project. Enjoy vinho verde at a local family winery and traditional Portuguese cuisine. Finish the week with the Mordomias parade, part of the annual Romaria Senhora d’Agonia festival, a living ethnographic display of over 900 women in traditional clothing walking through the streets.

We’ll travel by private bus and relax at a three-star resort hotel with a golf course, pool, and spa near Ponte de Lima. Arrangements can be made for your spouse or partner to golf or flyfish while we are stitching.

Learn, Create, and Experience:

• Learn to embroider in the regional style with a local artisan who has over 30 years of experience (beginners and non-stitchers welcome!)

• Create your own embroidery piece inspired by the traditions and place

• Soak in the beauty of the clothing that dates back to the late 1700s

• Visit a local linen weaver’s studio and learn about her work keeping a labor-intensive traditional practice alive

• Relax with our small group (6 - 10 participants) in a country resort with a pool, golf course, and spa

• Enjoy traditional, family-style Portuguese meals and try some of the best local restaurants

• Spend a day in Porto textile-searching and sight-seeing or relax at the house and embroider

• Attend an annual parade with over 900 women in traditional clothing— an incredible experience of culture, beauty, and pride

It's been a little over a month since my return from Portugal and I still have a huge smile on my face. I had a WONDERFUL time. There were so many highlights: the visit to the weaver's and embroiderer's studios, learning new stitches with Fatima, the Quinta, the Parade and the FOOD. I'm so looking forward to traveling with you again. -Denise G.

ITINERARY. 2024 dates are coming soon!

Saturday, August 10

1:00 Meet in Lisbon for private bus ride to the Minho region.

Arrive at the hotel, a resort with a golf course and spa
near Ponte de Lima.

Welcome dinner.

Sunday, August 11

Introduction to the textiles of the region, our project for the week, and basic embroidery 101.

Lunch at the hotel.

Country stroll and drawing with Portuguese landscape architect and co-facilitator António.

Dinner at the house.

Monday, August 12

PONTE DE LIMA: morning visit to traditional linen weaver’s studio.

Lunch at the house.

Embroidery workshop with professional artisan in Viana do Castelo.
(part one)

Dinner at the house.

Evening stitching practice or free time.

Tuesday, August 13

Visit the Museu do Traje, Viana do Castelo.

Lunch in town.

Embroidery workshop with professional artisan in Viana do Castelo
(part two).

Dinner at the hotel.

Time on your own.

Wednesday, August 14

Optional Day Trip to PORTO. Explore tile-covered buildings, old churches, museums, and shops on your own or join us for a textile and craft-focused tour. Lunch is up to you.
You’re also welcome to relax and embroider at the casa.

Dinner at the hotel.

Evening stitching practice or time on your own.

Details:

Ground transportation upon meeting in Lisbon and all meals are included, except for lunch on our way back to Lisbon. We’ll have breakfast at the hotel together each morning.

Accommodation in a three-star resort hotel with pool, golf course, and spa.

Group size: 6 - 10 participants.

All embroidery supplies are included. You are welcome to bring favorite tools or a project for evening free time.

Please note: Itinerary is subject to small changes due to weather, scheduling, opportunities, and the desires of the group.

Any questions? Please email me!

Thursday, August 15

Visit local, certified-artisanal embroidery studio.

Lunch in Viana.

Gather for the Romaria Mordomia parade in the afternoon and visit the festival.

Dinner in town.

Time on your own.

Friday, August 16

Embroidery and free time in the morning.

Lunch at the hotel.

Local winery visit and tasting: vinho verde.

Special closing dinner.

Share our work and impressions from the week.

Pack up to leave.

Saturday, August 17

Private bus back to Lisbon with lunch (not included) en route.

Depart or continue your stay in Portugal on your own or with us to Évora the next day.

Fees:

Single Room with double bed: $4700

Shared Room with 2 twin beds: $3900

Deposit: $1000 Nonrefundable.

21% BTW will be added to the price at checkout for EU residents. I can accept bank transfers in Euros— please email me to arrange this.

Registration:

Please fill out the online form to register, making sure you have agreed to the Terms and Conditions. Please pay your deposit here to secure your space. I will then email you to confirm. I accept credit cards via my website and PayPal, and bank transfers in USD and Euros.

*The Évora Tour begins the next morning. Join us for both tours and receive $400 off and a complimentary night in a 4-star hotel in central Lisbon between the destinations.

It was such a huge delight to spend the week in Viana! I learned an enormous amount, met so many lovely people, and above all soaked in the beautiful surroundings and culture of Portugal! -Anne J.