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Textiles of Indonesia

Explore the Indonesian islands of Java and Bali on this textile holiday with our expert, Pat Archibald. On this tour, we will discover Indonesia’s fascinating textile history as we learn about Batik, an Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing that originated from the island of Java, as well as Bali's technique to create ikat fabrics. The textiles of Indonesia will come to life as we participate in local workshops, meet local artisans and visit interesting museums and galleries. You will also have the opportunity to admire exceptional architecture, with visits to temples and palaces, enjoy sewing workshops with Pat and relax on the beautiful beaches of Bali.

14 days from £4,395pp Departure Dates

Your Tour Includes

  • Travel package includes flights from London to Yogyakarta, returning from Bali, with 1 piece of hold luggage
  • 12 nights bed and breakfast 5-star accommodation
  • 3 full-day workshops with Pat Archibald, kit included
  • Local Batik workshops
  • Entrance fees and excursions
  • Services of an experienced Tour Manager
Experts
Pat Archibald

Pat Archibald

Pat is a UK textile artist and tutor based in Edinburgh. Her fascination for fabric began in her childhood when she discovered her grandmother’s scrap bag bursting at the seams with exotic fabrics and by the age of 11, she had created her first piece of patchwork. Throughout her creative career, Pat has exhibited her work worldwide, won some wonderful awards and even established Scotland’s first dedicated patchwork and quilting shop.

Pat loves to travel both around her home country as well as further afield. As her own horizons grow literally, then so too do the experiences that she can then express in her quilt making. She feels that each collection of quilts has its own unique identity and captures the essence of her view of the country or city.


Itinerary

Meet Pat and your tour manager at London Heathrow airport for your flight to Yogyakarta on the island of Java, via Singapore.

This morning, our flight lands in Yogyakarta where we will be greeted by our local guide and transferred to our hotel in the city. You will have the rest of the day at leisure to settle in and explore the hotel, whether that is relaxing by the pool or enjoying the spa.

Today we will visit the Sultan Royal Palace, where court retainers still wear the traditional dress of dark batik sarongs and batik head wears. You will explore the palace as well as the nearby water castle – a maze of underground passages and pools. We will enjoy lunch at a local restaurant before continuing our city tour to Prambanan Temple, the largest Hindu temple in Indonesia. The World Heritage-listed temple is one of Southeast Asia’s major attractions.

Later this afternoon we will transfer back to the hotel where you’ll have the evening at leisure.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Yogyakarta

Today we will discover and learn about Batik, an Indonesian technique of wax-resist dyeing applied to the whole cloth. This technique originated from the island of Java. First, we will visit the Batik Museum where approximately 1200 pieces are held, these include batik cloths, batik tools and equipment.

This afternoon we will drive to Giriloya village, a centre for hand drawn batik in Yogyakarta. Here, you will learn how to make and practice batik.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

The Batik Museum Giriloyo Batik Village

Today we start on our projects with Pat and enjoy a full-day workshop at the hotel.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Workshop

Borobudur Temple is the world’s largest Buddhist temple and is located in Central Java. This morning we will visit the temple, built from two million blocks of stone. After, we will visit the Gereja Ayam, which translates to ‘chicken church’ – due to its unusual shape which resembles a hen.

This afternoon we will explore the richness of Candierjo village and gain and insight into the daily local community and traditions.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Candirejo Village Borobudur Temple

Today we will drive to Solo, also known as Surakarta – Yogyakarta’s sister city. Upon arrival into Solo, we will visit the Mangkunegaran Palace with its fascinating display of gold-plated ornaments, jewellery and wooden masks. We will then visit Batik Museum of Danar Hadi, built in 1967, to see its collection of the best batiks from a number of destinations including China, Hokokai Javanese and Sumatera.

Later, we will visit the Laweyan Batik Village, Solo’s oldest and most famous Batik village. Here, you will learn how to do batik.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Mangkunegaran Palace Solo The Batik Museum of Danar Hadi Laweyan Batik Village

We continue with our projects at the hotel today with a full-day workshop led by Pat.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Workshop

After breakfast, we will check out of our hotel in Yogyakarta and head to the airport for our flight to Bali.

Upon arrival into Bali we will enjoy lunch in a local restaurant before heading to the Threads of Life gallery. Here, there are a variety of textiles and artefacts, and we will be guided through by one of the gallery staff, teaching us about the textiles arts, their cultural roots and the important of the gallery’s work to rural livelihoods across Indonesia.

Later today we will check into our hotel in Ubud.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Bali The Threads of Life Gallery Ubud

We start our day with a guided visit to the extraordinary Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets in Mas. The collection consists of approximately 5900 masks and puppets from Indonesia, Asia and Africa, which are stored and beautifully displayed in four different traditional Javanese antique houses.

We then go to Tenganan, a village in east Bali, famous for its geringsing double-ikat textiles made using a technique employed in only three other places in the world. We will meet weavers in their homes, discover the complexities of making double-ikat, and see the best pieces the weavers have to offer. During a guided walk of the village’s backstreets, we will learn about the community’s history and unique culture, seeing a side of this famous community that few visitors witness.

In the afternoon we visit the charming village of Sidemen, in the heart of the panoramic valley of the Unda River and home to three of Bali’s most important textile traditions. We will see the production of endek weft ikat in the Pelangi workshop and, at the homes of weavers in the village, we will meet women who use backstrap looms to produce the sumptuous songket supplementary weft patterned textiles used across the island as wedding dress for both bride and groom.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Setia Darma House of Mask and Puppets Tenganan Sidemen Village

After an early breakfast at the hotel, we will set off for our hotel in Nusadua, an area known for its beautiful beaches. Arriving at the hotel, we will check in and then enjoy another workshop with Pat.

Includes Breakfast

Includes Lunch

Included Highlights

Workshop Nusa Dua

Enjoy a day at leisure. There is the opportunity to visit the famous Kuta beach for shopping or relax at the pool.

Includes Breakfast

Included Highlights

Nusa Dua

For our last day in Bali, you can relax before transferring to the airport later in the day for your overnight flight to London.

Includes Breakfast

Arrive in London this morning.

Tour Notes: You will need to have a reasonable level of fitness to get the most out of this holiday. The itinerary involves some walking whilst sightseeing, sometimes in warm temperatures and at times on rough ground and including steps. Whilst sightseeing is taken at a leisurely pace, for the enjoyment of everyone in the group you should be able to keep up with your fellow travellers. All the hotels in this itinerary have lift access.

Single Room Supplement from £599.00 (14 days).

Perfect for Textile Lovers

Perfect for Textile Lovers

Uniquely created for textile lovers, this Stitchtopia textile holiday is the perfect way to discover fascinating fabrics and cultures, whilst travelling to some of the world’s most inspiring places. Our talented stitching expert will be on hand throughout the holiday and host creative workshops with beautifully designed projects inspired by your travels.

Accommodation

You will spend seven nights at the 5-star Melia Purosani, two nights at the 5-star Plataran Ubud Resort, and two nights at the 5-star Melia Nusadua Beach Resort. 

Melia Purosani

The Melia Purosani sits in the centre of Yogyakarta on the island of Java. This urban resort-style hotel is filled with lush tropical garden, a lagoon-style swimming pool, delicious cuisine and a relaxing spa.

Hotel Facilities

Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

General
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • 5 Star
  • Restaurant
  • Sauna or Steam Room
Room
  • TV
  • Air Conditioning
  • Fridge
  • Telephone
  • Free Wifi
Service
  • Room Service Available
  • Laundry Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Swimming Pool
  • Restaurant
  • WiFi Available

Plataran Ubud

Located in a sprawling haven of lush greenery in the centre of Ubud sits the Plataran Resort. Surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens which overlook a panorama of paddy fields, a pool and a sacred temple. The resort is home to 51 stylish rooms, suites and villas as well as a spa, infinity pools, gym, yoga deck and restaurants which offer Balinese, Indonesian and Western cuisine.

Hotel Facilities

Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

General
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • Restaurant
  • Sauna or Steam Room
Room
  • TV
  • Tea and Coffee Making Facilities
  • Hairdryer
  • Safe Box
  • Fridge
  • Telephone
  • Free Wifi
Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Swimming Pool
  • Restaurant
  • WiFi Available

Melia Nusadua Beach Resort

Enjoy all the privileges of a 5-star resort at the Melia Nusadua, located right by the sea. Facilities include lush gardens, swimming pools, exotic restaurants and Indonesian-style rooms.

Hotel Facilities

Need further information? Fill in our enquiry form and we'll get back to you as soon as we can

General
  • Outdoor Swimming Pool
  • 5 Star
  • Restaurant
  • Sauna or Steam Room
Room
  • TV
  • Air Conditioning
  • Telephone
  • Free Wifi
Service
  • Room Service Available
  • Laundry Service
  • Gym
Hotel
  • Swimming Pool
  • Restaurant
  • WiFi Available