Arena Travel is proud to present Stitchtopia craft holidays - a wonderful collection of knitting, crochet, patchwork & quilting, textile, and embroidery & cross stitch holidays uniquely crafted with you in mind!
Specially created for small groups of like-minded people, our Stitchtopia craft holidays embrace all things textile. Each holiday has been carefully designed by our dedicated team of travel experts, who share your passion for crafting. The attention is in the detail and we’ll ensure you enjoy a seamless travel experience as you explore the textile heritage of some of the world’s most exotic destinations, as well as the rich textile traditions around our own UK shores. Every holiday is accompanied by a well-known and enthusiastic expert, and under their friendly guidance you can learn new and different crafting techniques. A Stitchtopia holiday is a great way to make new crafting friends, and no doubt you’ll pick up lots of tips as you share exciting experiences.
Find your next holiday
Call to book 01473 357 036
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm
We have found 39 Holidays available from £475pp
By far the most popular event in our programme, Stitchtopia Festival is back! This is the ultimate weekend residential event for all crafters.
Join Attic24's Lucy on a 3-night crochet retreat, enjoying 2 full days of workshops and a behind-the-scenes tour of Stylecrafts Mill.
Discover the breathtaking Shetland Islands, whose past is interwoven with a rich history of wool, textiles and inimitable Fair Isle technique.
Join Anna Nikipirowicz for this Christmas crochet weekend retreat at Staverton Park & Golf Club.
Discover the rugged beauty and rich knitting history of the remote Faroe Islands under the guidance of local expert, Katrina í Geil.
Expert Anna Nikipirowicz offers the perfect introduction to crocheting socks on this wonderful weekend break!
Staying in the heart of Athens, explore the city’s archaeological treasures and fascinating history, and enjoy workshops with Karin Hellaby.
Join Mandy Shaw in Armenia, discovering Armenian embroidery, the local textiles, historical and cultural landmarks and stitching workshops.
On the picturesque island of Madeira, join Sarah Smith in embroidery workshops and enjoy our two fantastic, included excursions.
Exploring the Connemara countryside and the island of Inis Oírr, home to the traditional style of Aran knitting, join us in wonderful Galway.
Learn from our renowned expert, Anna Nikipirowicz, and explore the beautiful art of embroidery on crochet.
Staying in the wonderful Northamptonshire countryside, join Anna Nikipirowicz and make your own crochet wreath, a stunning celebration of spring.
This lovely retreat combines Janet Clare's quilting workshops with excursions exploring the Swiss sights, textile history and chocolate!
Based in the heart of the Northamptonshire countryside, this retreat is the ideal opportunity to learn a new skill or indulge in your favourite hobby.
On this superb holiday, enjoy workshops led by Julie Dubreux and discover the stunning scenery and traditional crafts of Ireland's west coast.
Experience the magical colours that form in the Arctic sky, cruise among the Norwegian fjords, and enjoy fantastic, expert-led workshops.
Join us in Japan and discover iconic tourist attractions, experience exclusive tours, and take part in crafting workshops.
Alongside expert Mandy Shaw, explore the UK’s northeast with tours of the Bowes Museum, Durham Cathedral, and Alnwick Castle and Alnwick Gardens.
Discover the highlights of the Scottish Highlands as you join Carol Meldrum for a week of knitting workshops and excursions.
Embrace knitting traditions, gaze out on Colca Canyon and take in the majestic views at Aguas Calientes alongside Carol Meldrum or Jane Crowfoot.
Knit with Frederica Patmore or crochet with Anna Nikipirowicz on this fascinating holiday to Germany’s Black Forest.
On the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali, discover a fascinating textile history, beautiful beaches and exceptional architecture.
Join Karin Hellaby and discover the textiles of the Arabian Peninsula as you explore the countries of Oman and the United Arab Emirates.
Uncover Pennsylvania’s quilting traditions and enjoy two full days at QuiltCon alongside our expert Janice Gunner.
Join our expert, award-winning textile artist Janice Gunner, on an amazing trip exploring the textiles, culture and sights of South Korea.
Enjoy a series of crochet workshops with Lucy of Attic24 and explore the fantastic cities of Porto and Lisbon on this twin-centre holiday.
Take in the textiles of Laos, Thailand and Cambodia, meet experts in antique and ethnic textiles, and enjoy workshops led by local experts.
Soak up the medieval charm of York during the festive season on this stitching holiday with Carolyn Forster, including Christmas market visits.
Explore Monet's Gardens, see both medieval and contemporary tapestries, and attend the Pour l'amour du l show alongside expert, Jane Greenoff.
Join us for a festive 3-night retreat in Harrogate with Frederica Patmore. Enjoy creating several crochet and knitting Christmas-themed makes!
Brighten up your home and learn how to crochet these colourful Crochet Lanterns and Lobster Pots with Emma Leith on this weekend retreat.
Remarkable scenery, fascinating wildlife and wonders of nature await on this exploration of Iceland and the Faroes Islands with Karin Hellaby.
Join Mandy Shaw on an exploration of the Indian state of Gujarat, known for its rich cultural history and textile heritage.
Accompanied by expert Julie Debreux, enjoy excursions to Lyngheisenteret Heathland Centre, Hillesvåg Wool Spinning Mill and Museum, and Osteroy.
From the capital of Lima to colonial Arequipa and Peru’s most famous attraction, Machu Picchu, this holiday takes you on a journey of discovery.
In the captivating country of Jordan, enjoy hand-stitching workshops and explore the Jordan River and the famous archaeological site of Petra.
Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Khiva, Bhukara and Samarkand as we pass along the route of the Silk Road.
Join us for a Northern Lights cruise and experience the magical mix of colours that form in the Arctic sky.
Take some time out from the hustle and bustle of daily life and join Emma on this relaxing weekend retreat dedicated to beginner’s crochet.
Accompanied by hand picked craft experts
High quality, carefully selected hotels
Unique 'behind closed doors’ visits just for you!
Small, intimate group sizes
Single guests welcomed & looked after
With so much on offer, you might need some inspiration! We’ve hand-picked a selection of favourite destinations and provided an overview of the very best highlights...
If you’re passionate about Patchwork & Quilting, love to travel and would like to share new experiences with like-minded crafters, then why not join us on a Stitchtopia patchwork and quilting holiday? Whether you’re an experienced quilter or enthusiastic amateur, it’s the perfect way to combine your favourite pastime with sightseeing, visits to textile museums, a chance to meet local quilters and to find that perfect fabric for your stash from carefully chosen quilting stores.
Whether it’s the sunny climes of Portugal, the stunning French Alps, or the ancient walled city of Carcassonne, our European quilting retreats offer the perfect way to hone your machine stitching skills. Venture further and you can explore the rich textile traditions of countries like Myanmar, Uzbekistan and Vietnam. Why not take a quilting cruise? A most relaxing way to travel and plenty of time to create a hand-stitched memento of your holiday. Whilst the quilt shows in Calgary, Prague and the Alsace are all very different, the marvellous traditional and contemporary quilts on display are a great inspiration for your Stitchtopia workshops.
If you love crochet and have a passion for yarn, why not join us on one of our wonderful Stitchtopia crochet holidays? Each holiday is the perfect combination of inspiring destinations, relaxation and creation, and, whether you’re travelling alone or with a friend, you’ll be amongst people who share your interest.
You’ll be accompanied by one of our Stitchtopia experts, who’ll host friendly, informative workshops. Whatever your level of skill, they’ll be on hand to guide you, and offer some insider tips and tricks on how to use your Stitchtopia crochet kits. Each project has been specially designed to complement the beautiful and fascinating destinations you are visiting, whether it’s the landscape, the heritage or learning traditional techniques.
Choose from a crochet cruise, a crochet retreat, or simply a crochet holiday, our Stitchtopia collection is the perfect way to relax, discover new destinations, and of course – crochet!
Whether you’re new to cross stitch and embroidery, a seasoned stitcher or a cross stitch connoisseur, you’ll love Stitchtopia’s embroidery holidays and cross stitch holidays. These ancient crafts are practised all over the world and our ever-growing collection of Stitchtopia holidays, which includes everything from embroidery retreats to cross stitch cruises, means you can do the same.
Embroidery and cross stitch are as portable as they are relaxing and we’ve carefully selected the destinations for these holidays with this in mind. Where better to enjoy a retreat than in the warmer climes of some of Europe’s most beautiful islands, or a charming hotel nestled in the UK’s tranquil countryside. Perhaps you’d like to stitch as you sail on a leisurely cruise?
Each holiday has a full programme of embroidery or cross stitch workshops led by well-known tutors and designers. Under their guidance and using a Stitchtopia kit that’s provided, you can master new stitches, glean tips on techniques and hone existing skills to create your own beautiful work of art. Whichever Stitchtopia holiday you choose it’s the perfect way to meet new friends, relax and enjoy your favourite past time, and take inspiration from the traditional techniques and handicrafts of different countries.
Ideal for anyone who loves knitting, travel and crafting new experiences, Stitchtopia knitting holidays have been created to take knitters where they want to go – anywhere in the World! Our collection of Stitchtopia knitting holidays includes Shetland, Faroes and Iceland, which are top in every knitters’ wish list, but also explores the knitting heritage of the Baltic States and Scandinavia.
Every knitting cruise, knitting retreat and knitting tour includes a Stitchtopia knitting kit, opportunities to meet local knitters and designers, visits to yarn stores, and ‘woolly themed’ excursions. Our experienced tutors will host workshops and under their guidance you can learn the traditional techniques of some of the great knitting nations.
Experienced knitters, novice knitters and knitters travelling alone are all warmly welcomed. So, if you want to improve your knitting skills, make new friends, or simply broaden your travel horizons then look no further than a Stitchtopia knitting holiday.
Anyone who loves textile and costume will love Stitchtopia’s textile tours! Our tours explore some of the world’s most fascinating countries discovering the cultures and people, both past and present, whose creative and technical skills produce the beautiful woven, painted, printed and embroidered fabrics that are used for ceremonial events, and are part of a colourful everyday life.
Every country has its iconic, ‘must-see’ sights and these are complimented by the perfect blend of textile visits including prominent museums and private collections. See how emerging businesses produce traditional designs using modern technology, and watch masters of their trade create contemporary pieces using centuries-old techniques. Workshops with skilled local craftsmen and women are a chance to try your hand at different techniques of dyeing, weaving or stitching, and there is always that all important opportunity to shop for fabric, beads and embellishments, traditional handicrafts and perhaps a bespoke souvenir. You’ll be joined on your textile journey by one of our friendly Stitchtopia experts and you can travel in the knowledge you’ll be sharing truly special experiences with a small group of like-minded, kindred spirits.
Want to venture further and broaden your textile horizons by getting off-the beaten-track? Then take a look at our wonderful collection of Stitchtopia textile holidays, which has been crafted to help you do just that.
Sarah is the founder of the #GreatBritishQuilter Instagram Challenge and her debut fabric collection GBQ Back to Basics for Dashwood Studio will be available in January 2020. An accompanying Aurifil thread box, containing twenty 12 weight threads is available now. Sarah also hosts the Great British Quilter Podcast, interviewing fellow quilters, authors, shop owners and industry professionals to gain a behind the scenes look at the quilting industry. Sarah has taught quilting both internationally and nationally; from New York to Edinburgh, Somerset to Jersey, and she can't wait to share her love of quilting at more destinations around the world.
Follow Sarah on Instagram at @sarahashfordstudio and @thequiltersplanner and visit her website www.sarahashfordstudio.com to keep up with her quilting journey.