Madeira Crochet Retreat

18th – 25th June 2021 or 17th – 24th September 2021

8 days from £1,699pp

Lucy from Attic24 invites you to discover the secrets of her famous colour palettes in this fantastic crochet retreat on the beautiful island of Madeira.

Crochet workshops with Lucy of Attic24
Panoramic guided island tour
Levada walk and visit to Monte Palace tropical garden
Experience the vibrancy of Funchal market & botanical gardens
Wine tasting at a wine lodge
Traditional Madeiran farewell dinner

Madeira Crochet Retreat

Following the success of her crochet retreats in France, Lucy, crochet designer and blogger at Attic24, invites you to join her on the island of Madeira. Spend a week with Lucy at the 4-star Baia Azul hotel located to the west of Funchal, the island's capital. Three and a half days of workshops will combine instruction on colour theory with the opportunity to create a Madeiran-garden inspired momento of your time together. A panoramic island tour, an easy levada walk, lunch at the home of one of the island residents and visits to Monte Palace Tropical Garden, the Botanic Garden and a Madeiran wine lodge will ensure that you’ll discover the scenic, cultural and culinary highlights too.

A message from our expert:

I'll be teaching some practical yarn-based colour theory using a bespoke Attic24 colour palette created especially for the retreat. Combining squares and stripes with pretty floral accents, we'll be making a beautiful lined tote bag; a colourful reminder of our visit to the gardens of Madeira.- Lucy

DAY 1: London - Funchal
Meet Lucy and your Tour Manager at London Gatwick airport for your flight to Funchal. Transfer by coach to the Hotel Baia Azul.
DAY 2: Panoramic island tour
Enjoy a panoramic guided island tour to both the east and west of the island. Travel through scenic countryside to Ribeiro Frio, a natural park filled with endemic flowers. We continue to Santana, famous for its brightly coloured A-framed houses with thatched rooves and lovely gardens. A scenic drive takes us to Sao Vicente and along the north coast, dotted with waterfalls, to the village of Morto Moniz, famous for its rock pools. We end the day up on the plateau, at Paul da Serra before descending to the villages to the southwest of Madeira before returning to Funchal through the most magnificent landscapes.
DAYS 3 & 4: Funchal
Get your creative juices flowing in crochet workshops with Lucy.
DAY 5: Full day guided tour
An easy walk along a levada in the village of Gaula. Lovely views, flowers, valleys and their rural inhabitants is just some of what you will see during this one-hour easy, flat walk. An excellent opportunity to go back in time and discover old Madeira, with its unique irrigation system taking you to impressive places. For lunch we'll visit the house of one of the local inhabitants where we'll be welcomed with homemade sweet potato bread and apple jam, sandwiches, cakes, biscuits, fruits and a delicious dessert. In the afternoon we'll visit the village of Monte and the beautiful Monte Palace Tropical Garden.
DAY 6: Funchal
This morning will be spent in workshop with Lucy.

This afternoon we’ll experience the vibrancy of Funchal market with exotic flowers, tropical fruits, vegetables, fish and local craft work. At the Botanical Gardens we’ll take in the wonderful panoramic view of the city and see examples of almost every plant that grows on Madeira. The day will finish with a visit to a wine lodge to taste the famous Madeira wine and Madeira honey cake.
DAY 7: Funchal
We’ll spend today in a workshop with Lucy.

For our final evening we will be taken, by coach, to a traditional restaurant located high above Funchal. Here we'll enjoy Espetada; marinated beef cooked over an open fire on a laurel skewer with Milho Frito, delicious fried maize and homemade bread with garlic butter accompanied by a green salad and fries. Wine, water and soft drinks are included this evening. Whilst we are eating, we will be entertained by a local folklore group.
DAY 8: Funchal - London
Transfer by coach to the airport for your return flight home.

Included in our package:

Return international flights from London Gatwick to Funchal with 1 piece of hold luggage
Airport transfers
7 nights in 4* accommodation on a half board basis
Coach travel as described in the itinerary including driver tips
Welcome drink & farewell dinner with entertainment & drinks included
Full day guided tour including easy levada walk, lunch and visit to Monte Palace tropical garden
Half day guided tour of Funchal market and botanical gardens
3 full day and 1 half day workshop with Lucy, kit included
The services of an experienced tour manager throughout

Lucy of Attic24

Based on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Lucy shares her passion for crochet, colour and yarn on her blog, Attic24. Winner of Favourite Crochet blog and Favourite Crochet Designer in the British Knitting Awards 2016 and 2017, Lucy celebrated 10 years of her blog in March 2018. Lucy loves to inspire creativity in others and is best known for her blankets, in nature-inspired colour palettes, which she designs, makes and shares the patterns for on her blog.

Fly from London Gatwick

Return flights from London Gatwick are included in our package on our specific arrival and departure dates plus one item of checked in luggage, per person.

Transfers will also be included on our specific arrival and departure dates to take you to your holiday destination. If you choose to arrive or depart on a different day, there may be an additional supplement charged to cover your transfer costs.

Meet us at our hotel

If you would like to make your own travel arrangements, you can meet us at our hotel. This package will not include flights or transfers. If you require any further information to assist with your travel plans, please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help.

Please contact us to enquire about our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Dates:

18th June 2021: 8 days
17th September 2021: 8 days

Prices:

All prices listed below are per person

Twin/double share: from £1699
Double room for sole use: from £1965
Room upgrades: from £75
Non-crafter discount: £50
Deposit: £250

Our 'Stitch Together' Programme

Our ‘Stitch Together' Programme helps our guests with the costs of a single occupancy room. If you are a single traveller but would be willing to share a room with a fellow crafter, please let us know and we will get in touch if anyone else joins the programme for the same tour.

Overview

The 4 star Baia Azul is ideally located near the Lido of Funchal and close to the Commercial Centre, shops and restaurants. Situated in lovely gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the hotel boasts striking sea views. The hotel was fully refurbished in 2016.

Hotel Facilities & Amenities

The hotel boasts 3 restaurants each with their own style and ambience. We dine in the main restaurant, the Restaurant Atlantic, which offers a variety of buffet dishes, theme night and special menus. A la carte restaurants include an Italian and Portuguese with spectacular views. On the 6th floor you will find the Panoramic Bar which serves fantastic cocktails, and again boasts spectacular views over the Atlantic Ocean.

The hotel has an outdoor heated pool with plenty of sunbeds, indoor heated pool with sauna, Turkish bath, Yoga room and a relaxing Spa where you can treat yourself to some massages and treatments.

Room Facilities & Amenities

The spacious rooms are all 25 metres square with large furnished verandas and elegant sitting areas.

Free WIFI
Kettle
Flat screen TV, cable with 40 channels
Direct telephone
Spacious, fully furnished verandas
Air conditioning
Writing desk
Full bathroom with hairdryer & toiletries
Ceiling to floor windows
Safe deposit box (charge 13 euro per week)
Mini bar
Air conditioning/ heating

Madeira Crochet Retreat

18th – 25th June 2021 or 17th – 24th September 2021