Northern Cyprus Quilting retreat

29 October 2022

8 days from £1,889pp

Please call us to discuss:
01473554347

Discover the Turkish delights of unspoiled Northern Cyprus. Learn about the traditional handicrafts, explore the last-divided capital in the world and enjoy workshops with expert Karin Hellaby in the charming, historical town of Kyrenia.

Enjoy inspirational machine-quilting workshops with Karin Hellaby
Stitch in our lovely workshop room, using Bernina sewing machines
Enjoy a half day tour of Kyrenia, the most beautiful town in Cyprus
Learn about local crafts at the lovingly restored trading station, Buyuk Han
Discover Lapta and Lefkara embroidery and take part in a workshop with the local experts
Visit the museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith, in a traditional Lefkaran house

Join Karin Hellaby for a quilting retreat in Northern Cyprus. Spend the week at the boutique Olivia Palm Hotel with breakfast and dinner included each day. Enjoy 3 full day and 1 half-day workshops and then explore the local area on three included excursions, including a visit to a local handcraft organisation.

With Karin Hellaby

I am looking forward to escaping from the dreary UK weather to the blue skies and warmth of Cyprus.

On this new tour, you will all have the use of your own Bernina sewing machine to create one or several projects. I will have new designs to teach from simple attic windows, to quick strip quilts and fun Christmas ideas. It is up to you to choose what you would like to make!

Several additional sightseeing tours are included in this holiday to show us some of the history, culture and traditional handicrafts and embroidery of the island. This holiday is a wonderful mixture of sewing and exploring which I hope will tempt you to join me.

DAY 1: London - Larnaca
Meet Karin and your Tour Manager at London Heathrow airport for your flight to Larnaca. Transfer by coach to the Hotel Olivia Palm.
DAY 2: Kyrenia
This morning we’ll meet with our local guide and enjoy a half day tour of Girne, still widely known by its Greek name, Kyrenia. The town is said to be the most beautiful in Cyprus, owing to its harbour and mighty Venetian castle. After free time for lunch in one of the many cafes and restaurants we’ll return to the hotel for our first workshop with Karin.
DAY 3: Lefkosa
Today we enjoy a full day tour to Lefkoşa, the capital city of Northern Cyprus and the last divided capital in the world. (Known as Nicosia until 1974). We’ll walk along the narrow streets within the city walls, discovering some old-fashioned craft shops and learning about local crafts at Büyük Han, a lovingly restored 16th Century trading station in the middle of the old town. We’ll also have a look at the market hall and Selimye Mosque. The afternoon will be free for you to have some lunch, do some shopping, visit one of the city’s many museums or stop in one of the many cafes and watch the world go by.
DAY 4: Kyrenia
Today will be spent in workshop with Karin.
DAY 5: Güzelyurt
Our full day tour starts with a drive to the citrus growing area of the island, where we will be greeted with a sea of orange and lemon trees as far as the eye can see. In Güzelyurt we’ll visit St. Mamas Church with its intricately restored interior, as well as the Golden Leaves of Soli exhibition at the Museum of Archaeology and Nature, a display of beautiful recovered gold artefacts found by a local man whilst digging in 2005. This afternoon we’ll head towards Lefke village, where we’ll be welcomed by the local handcraft organisation in their small shop. We’ll learn about the traditional handcrafts of the region, including Lapta and Lefkara embroidery and beautiful pictures made with silk cocoons. We’ll also have the opportunity to buy some homemade produce to take home as a souvenir.
DAY 6: Kyrenia
Today will be spent in workshop with Karin.
DAY 7: Kyrenia
Today will be spent in workshop with Karin. This evening we’ll enjoy a farewell dinner at a local restaurant in nearby Bellapais. The village is synonymous with its medieval abbey, which is often illuminated at night.
DAY 8: Lefkara – Larnaca – London
Late morning we’ll check out and return south of the border for our return flight to London Heathrow airport. On route we’ll stop in Lefkara to visit the Museum of Traditional Embroidery and Silversmith, housed in a restored traditional Lefkaran house.

Included in our package:

Return flights from London Heathrow to Larnaca with 1 piece of hold luggage
Airport transfers
7 nights in boutique 3* accommodation on a half board basis
Tea/coffee on workshop days
Welcome drink
Farewell dinner in a local restaurant
Coach travel as described in the itinerary including driver tips
Half day guided tour of Kyrenia (Girne)
Full day tour of Lefkoşa
Full day tour of Güzelyurt and workshop with the Lefke handicraft organisation
3 full day and 1 half day workshop with Karin Hellaby with use of Bernina sewing machines
The services of our experienced Tour Manager throughout

Karin Hellaby

Karin Hellaby is an internationally known quilt teacher and author of 11 quilting books and numerous patterns. She is a regular teacher at the Houston International Quilt Show and has also been invited to teach at quilting symposiums in New Zealand, Dubai, Paducah and the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show in Oregon.

Her teaching travels have taken her all over North America, the Middle East and several European countries. Her style is very much multi technique always finding ways to make patchwork simple, quick and fun to learn. Karin started Quilters Haven in 1993. It became one of the largest quilt shops in the UK and she sold it in 2016. This has given her more time to teach and travel, especially in SE Asia where two of her sons are based.

Fly from London Heathrow

Return flights from London Heathrow 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. Please contact our friendly Holiday Advisors who will be happy to help, assist with travel information and advise you of our ‘meet us there’ holiday discounts.

Dates:

29th October 2022: 8 days

Prices:

All prices listed below are per person
Twin/double room to share: £1889
Double room for sole use: £2048
Non - crafter discount: £50
Deposit: £350

Room upgrades

Supplements to be added to your chosen room type above
Sea view: £69 per room

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 cra fter, please let us know and we will get in touch if anyone else joins the programme for the same tour.

Overview

This 3-star boutique hotel is ideally located approximately 10 minutes' walk from the centre of Kyrenia. Hotel facilities include outdoor swimming pool, bar, terrace and free WIFI.