Madeira Embroidery Retreat
Join Sarah Smith for an embroidery retreat on the picturesque island of Madeira. Spend the week at the 4-star Vila Gale with breakfast and dinner included each day. Enjoy 3 full day and 1 half-day workshops with Sarah and explore the island on two included excursions, one of which features a visit and workshop at a local embroidery museum and factory.
Your Tour Includes
- 7 nights half-board accommodation
- Travel package includes return flights from London to Funchal, with 1 piece of checked luggage
- Return airport transfers
- Workshops with Sarah, kit included
- Local embroidery workshop
- Local folklore dinner
- Excursions and entrance fees
- Services of an experienced Tour Manager
Sarah Smith
Sarah began a career in embroidery later in life, first taking a City and Guilds Certificate in Embroidery at Missenden Abbey, before embarking on three years of full time study on the Royal School of Needlework’s Future Tutors Programme at Hampton Court Palace. During this time she studied many traditional hand embroidery techniques including goldwork, Jacobean crewel work, blackwork, stumpwork and silk shading, graduating in 2018 with the Eva Stokes Award for Teaching.
As well as working in the Embroidery Studio at the RSN, Sarah has taught for the School in the UK, Ireland and China, as well as at RSN workshops at the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Royal Free Hospital in London and at Knit and Stitch Shows at Alexandra Palace and in Dublin. She also had the honour of teaching Her Majesty the Queen of Malaysia when she visited the RSN.
Her work has been exhibited on several occasions at Hampton Court Palace, including at the ‘Lost Dress of Elizabeth I, exhibition in 2019. Her ‘Blackwork Sweete Bag’ was featured in the ‘Jewel in the Hand’ exhibition of early portrait miniatures by Philip Mould and Company at their gallery in Mayfair.
She is the founder of ‘A Silken Thread’ which specialises in producing a range of kits with botanical themes and in offering classes in hand embroidery to groups and individuals with all levels of ability.
Itinerary
Includes Dinner
Enjoy a panoramic guided island tour to both the east and west. Travel through scenic countryside to Ribeiro Frio, a natural park filled with endemic flowers, and the village of Santana, famous for the typical colourful houses and thatched roofs. Discover the amazing north coast with breathtaking views, waterfalls, deep valleys and impressive mountains. We'll stop for lunch in Porto Moniz, famous for its natural volcanic rock swimming pools. In the afternoon we continue to the only vast volcanic plateau on the island – Paúl da Serra – and down to the south west and back to Funchal city passing through lovely little fishing villages with banana plantations and vineyards. All together an unforgettable day!
Includes Breakfast
Includes Lunch
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Today will be spent in a full day workshop with Sarah, working on our embroidery projects.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
This morning we will enjoy an introductory guided tour of Funchal. Discover this fantastic city and the most important places of interest. We'll visit the renown embroidery factory and museum and the local food and craft market. We continue to the village of Monte, situated high above the city. The village is famous for its beautiful church and gardens. The tour concludes with a visit to a traditional wine lodge for a tasting of the famous Madeira wine.
After free time for lunch in Funchal, we’ll enjoy a workshop with the ladies at the local embroidery factory.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Today will be spent in a full day workshop with Sarah, working on our embroidery projects.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
This morning we will enjoy a workshop with Sarah and this afternoon is free for you to relax, explore the local area, or make use of the many facilities available at the hotel.
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Includes Breakfast
Includes Dinner
Included Highlights
Transfer by coach to the airport for your return flight home.
Includes Breakfast
Tour notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. On excursion days you will need to walk a short distance from the hotel/ship to the coach and you should be able to board the coach unaided. On arrival at the excursion destination, you should be able to alight the coach unaided and there may be a walk between the coach drop off point and the excursion venue. By their nature, walking tours, museum visits etc involve being on your feet for a significant amount of time. Whilst our excursions are taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers.
Ideal for Embroiderers
Carefully created for lovers of embroidery, this Stitchtopia embroidery holiday is the ideal opportunity to learn a new craft or indulge in your favourite hobby. Our talented embroidery expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host inspirational workshops with a beautifully designed project to spark your creativity.
Accommodation
You will stay for seven nights at the Vila Galé Santa Cruz.
Vila Galé Santa Cruz
The Vila Galé Santa Cruz hotel is in a prime, ocean-side location, offering incomparable views of the Atlantic Ocean. Santa Cruz village itself is a relaxing area with a lovely promenade walk along the coast. Featuring 262 warm and sophisticated rooms, an outdoor pool, two restaurants and two bars, it is only 15 minutes from the centre of Funchal, easily explored via free hotel transfers or regular public buses or taxis. With extensive spa facilities including a heated indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath, gym and massage rooms, this contemporary hotel is perfect for relaxation and rejuvenation (extra charges may apply, please pay locally).
Hotel Facilities
Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can
General
- 4 Star
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Indoor and Outdoor Swimming Pool
- Sauna or Steam Room
Room
- TV
- Hairdryer
- Safe Box
- Air Conditioning
- Fridge
- Telephone
- Free Wifi
Service
- Laundry Service
- Gym
Hotel
- Swimming Pool
- Bar
- Restaurant
- WiFi Available
