Stitching adventures in Tuscany

An embroidery mini residency

October 24 to 31, 2024

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Tuscany has fascinated Nadia for the longest time and now, teaching at the internationally prestigious Polimoda, she has had the opportunity to experience Florence for extended periods of time. During these prolonged visits, Nadia has found the perfect backdrop for an Italian themed experiential learning adventure and embroidery mini retreat.
Join us for a unique opportunity to see Florence and Villa Lena through the eyes and stitches of haute couture embroidery and surface designer Nadia Albertini. In true Nadia fashion, the connection between Botticelli and French embroidery designer extraordinaire Réné Bégué, Rébé, will be carefully unveiled.

After visiting museums, galleries and ateliers in Florence (staying at the conveniently located Hotel Executive), Nadia will conduct a stitching mini retreat in wonderful Villa Lena where participants will be treated to embroidery classes, excellent dining and the most beautiful natural environment in the heart of Tuscany.

With an emphasis on floral designs, Nadia will share the Tuscany she has come to know and love delivering lectures and classes during various haute couture embroidery sessions in the style of Rébé.

I T I N E R A R Y

  • Guests arrive to Hotel Executive in Florence in the morning or early afternoon.

    After introductions and overview of the programme, will head to the Uffizi Gallery to view Botticelli’s Primavera, firmly establishing the connection with Rébé.

    Participants will have a chance to wander through the beautiful streets of Florence on their own, and meet at 8:00 in Trattoria Armando for a welcome dinner.

    Included for the day:
    Welcome dinner
    Embroidery kit
    Entry fees
    Lodging in Florence

  • We begin our day with a visit to Florence’s most historical silk-weaving studio. Afterwards, we will venture beyond the Florentine walls and visit another historical gem, in this instance, a traditional pleating studio in the heart of Arezzo.

    Our day ends at 6:30pm

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Lunch
    Entry fees
    Transportation
    Lodging in Florence

  • After a morning spent stitching, the afternoon will take participants to Prato for a guided tour at the Textile Museum. There will be an opportunity to explore the beautiful city before going back to Florence for the evening.

    Our day will end by 6:30pm

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Lunch
    Entry fees
    Transportation
    Lodging in Florence

  • After a free Florentine morning filled with many possibilities for exploration, we will meet back in the hotel for an embroidery class with Nadia. Thereafter, participants will have a chance to rest before meeting at 8:00pm for dinner at Pizzum.

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Dinner
    Lodging in Florence

  • Our last morning in Florence will find us visiting one of the last feather ateliers in Europe. We will then head to Pistoia for a guided visit of the Embroidery Museum where an embroidery class led by Nadia will take place.

    Afterwards, we will drive towards Villa Lena where we will dine and settle for the next few days.

    Please bear in mind that while at Villa Lena, the accommodations will be shared meaning, there will be two participants per room.

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Lunch
    Dinner
    Entry fees
    Transportation
    Lodging in Villa Lena

  • Day 6 at Villa Lena will find us stitching throughout the day. There will be a chance to wander around and visit the gardens for inspiration.

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Lunch
    Dinner
    Lodging in Villa Lena

  • After a restful morning, we will convene at 10:30 in the kitchen of Villa Lena for a pasta cooking class which will become our lunch for the day.

    The late afternoon will offer another embroidery class with Nadia.

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Pasta making class followed by lunch
    Dinner
    Lodging in Villa Lena

  • After breakfast, we will get together for a final embroidery class using feathers based on one of the woven silk samples we saw earlier in the tour.

    We will then proceed to say goodbye during a lovely farewell lunch before heading back to Florence for drop offs at the airport and train station.

    Included for the day:
    Breakfast
    Lunch
    Transportation back to Florence

JOIN NADIA IN ITALY THIS FALL

October 24 to 31, 2024

  • 8 days — 7 nights

  • Capped at 10 participants

  • English-spoken

  • €7,300 per participant in single-occupancy room both in Florence and Villa Lena

  • €6,800 per participant in single-occupancy room while in Florence and double-occupancy room
    (shared with another participant) in Villa Lena

  • Secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of €1,000

Florence: October 24-28. Each participant will enjoy the occupancy of a single room with ensuite bathroom in Hotel Executive, very close to great restaurants, gelaterias and caffès.

Toiano: October 28-31. Our embroidery getaway in beautiful Villa Lena, an hour and a half drive from Florence; prepare to experience a stitching retreat like no other.

Questions about the accommodations? Please contact us directly before signing up.

Included in this experiential learning opportunity:

  • All breakfasts, except on day 1

  • Most lunches, except on days 1 and 4

  • Most dinners (with either two glasses of house wine or beer to accompany these meals) except on days 2, 3 and 8

  • Transportation on days 2, 3, 5 and 8

  • Admission fees to all paid-for activities (such as museums, galleries and ateliers)

  • Basic embroidery kit (pre-printed sampler, embroidery hoop, embroidery needles, thread snips and embroidery floss)

Not included:

  • Airfare/transportation to and from Florence for arrival and departure

  • Travel, medical and cancellation insurance (for which you must provide proof of acquisition before attending the workshop)

  • Any art supplies other than those included in the basic embroidery kit

  • Breakfast on day 1

  • Lunch on days 1 and 4

  • Dinners on days 2, 3 and 8

  • Any additional expenses guests may incur on their own outside of what has already been stipulated, such as groceries, spa days/evenings, and certainly any supplies acquired during our visits to specialized supply stores.

The focus of our programme is around the topic of Italian renaissance embroidery and its influence in haute couture and embellishment for fashion. It will be packed with many unique and fascinating visits, therefore, it is important to mention this experiential learning opportunity is designed to nurture your interest and curiosity in embroidery and fashion for both personal and professional advancement as it will be filled with bespoke workshops, lectures, research and practice.
Unfortunately, our schedule won’t allow for the more traditional sightseeing of Tuscany nor shopping unrelated to the learning outcomes. We invite you to plan these visits at your own leisure, either a few days before or after our programme, or in the evenings.

Don’t hesitate to reach out before signing up if you have any questions.

  • More scheduling details will be provided closer to the start of the programme.

  • Thinking of booking alongside a friend? Both of you would be eligible to a friend’s discount.
    Please reach out so we may send more details about this special promotion.

  • Please note that some activities in the programme may be subject to change.