ThreadWritten Cultural Textile Tour: ÉVORA, ARRAIOLOS, and LISBON, PORTUGAL
August 17 - 24, 2025
Spend a week exploring the woven and embroidered textiles of the Alentejo region of Portugal, UNESCO world heritage city Évora, and land with evidence of the Stone Age. Learn the tradition of the Arraiolos, hand-embroidered rugs that some say date back to the time of the Moors, in a two-part workshop with a local artisan. Visit an incredible contemporary tapestry museum, a lesser-known gem in the region, and local weavers working with wool at small and large scales. Enjoy local cuisine, summer concerts in the square, and wandering around old narrow streets. Begin the week in Lisbon with two special museum visits to give context to our theme and Portuguese urban life. Relax in the comfort of a four-star hotel within the Évora city wall for 7 nights. The week blends textile workshops, museum, and studio visits with free time to stitch or explore.
The Roman Temple of Diana, Évora, Portugal.
Learn, create, and experience:
6 hours of Arraiolos instruction with an artisan family where the tradition began + additional time with local artisans and stitching time together with my guidance throughout the week.
2-hour weaving workshop/visit at a weaver and architect couple’s home studio and farm.
Visits to the Costume Museum and a private collection in a palace in Lisbon, an incredible local studio and museum devoted to tapestry-making and collaboration with contemporary artists, the Arraiolos Carpet Interpretive Center, and an incredible private tile museum in the Alentejo.
Évora sightseeing, insights, and history from retreat co-leader, Évora native, and landscape architect, António
Visit the historic medieval village Monsaraz and a well-known, local, weaving factory
7 nights in a beautiful 4-star hotel within the Évora city walls: Start your day or cool off with a swim in the pool. Walk all over the city and enjoy evenings on the plaza with a gelado or glass of wine.
Guidance on what to see in Lisbon with my favorite textile, craft, and design shops
Shop for antiques, textiles, and the perfect souvenir at small weekly market
Additional stitching time together with Sarah
Private transportation for the week
If you are a cross stitcher or enjoy counted thread work, you will love this stitch. Arraiolos makes a great introduction to needlework for beginners and a meditative and challenging practice for advanced practitioners. You’ll create a square embroidery piece in wool that may be used as a hanging or small pillowcase. You’ll have time for lounging or stitching at a cafe in addition to our workshops.
The trip is equally about textiles and culture with incredible food, wine tasting, and time with locals. My partner, landscape architect and Évora native, António, will share his insights on Portuguese culture, favorite places, and the history of the region and country.
“The trip reminded me of grad school–
intense, stimulating and so wonderful to be surrounded by people
with like-minded interests.”
Thursday, August 21
Arraiolos workshop part II.
Free afternoon in Évora.
Dinner together and time on your own.
Friday, August 22
Travel to Monsaraz, a castle town near the Spanish border. Visit a blanket and rug weaving factory.
Lunch and stop in a village known for its local pottery.
Dinner at the hotel.
Stitch and pack up.
Saturday, August 23
Special market visit and lunch.
Free afternoon in Évora: sightsee, relax, or stitch.
Closing dinner.
Sunday, August 24
Breakfast at the hotel.
Bus back to Lisbon at checkout time.
Say goodbye and continue your stay on your own or return home.
ITINERARY
Sunday, August 17
Meet in Lisbon in the morning.
Visit selected museums with lunch together.
Private bus to Évora in the late afternoon.
Dinner in Évora.
Monday, August 18
Introduction to Évora and the Alentejo.
Lunch and dinner together.
Tuesday, August 19
Arraiolos Museum tour.
Embroidery workshop part I in Arraiolos.
Dinner at the hotel.
Wednesday, August 20
Weaving studio and farm visit at the home of a local artist and architect.
Visit to an incredible tapestry museum with dinner en route to Évora.
Free time to stitch or relax.
Learning to stitch Arraiolos in its namesake town, founded in the 2nd century BC.
Please note:
There is a lot of walking on cobblestones, uneven terrain, and hills on this trip and the Alentejo region can be very hot
in August. We do our best to keep you cool on the air conditioned bus and at the hotel but workshop time may be very warm.
Itinerary is subject to small changes due to weather, scheduling, opportunities, and the desires of the group.
Streetcar in Lisbon.
Details:
Ground transportation upon meeting in Lisbon and all meals are included except for one lunch during free time in Évora.
Accommodation in a four-star hotel within the old city walls for the week.
Group size: 4 - 6 participants.
All embroidery supplies are included. You are welcome to bring favorite tools or a project for evening free time.
Fees:
Single Room with double bed: $4395
Space in Shared Room with two twin beds: $3795
Deposit: $1000 Nonrefundable.
Registration:
*Why not explore two regions of Portugal with us? The Viana Tour runs the week before beginning in Lisbon on August 9. Join us for both tours and receive $400 off and a complimentary night in a 4-star hotel in central Lisbon between the destinations.
Please make sure you have agreed to the Terms and Conditions. Pay with ACH (US), credit card, or bank transfer in your currency.
Questions? Please email me!
Just sit and relax for a bit! The view from a special tile collection in the Alentejo.