ThreadWritten Cultural Textile Tour: Viana do Castelo, Portugal

August 9 - 16, 2025

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 participant maximum) in a cozy guesthouse in the center of Ponte de Lima

• 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 guesthouse 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

Saturday, August 9

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 10

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 hotel.

Monday, August 11

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

Lunch in town.

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

Dinner at the hotel.

Evening stitching practice or free time.

Tuesday, August 12

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 13

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 (private van) 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 14

Visit local, certified-artisanal embroidery studio.

Local winery visit and tasting: vinho verde.

Dinner in town.

Time on your own.

Friday, August 15

Embroidery and free time in the morning.

Lunch in Viana.

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

Special closing dinner.

Share our work and impressions from the week.

Pack up to leave.

Saturday, August 16

Drive 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: $4695

Shared Room with 2 twin beds: $3795

Deposit: $1000 Nonrefundable.

Registration:

Please make sure you have agreed to the Terms and Conditions. Pay with ACH (US), credit card, or bank transfer in your currency.

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.