Stitching adventures in Italy
TUSCAN GARDENS:
patterns, embroidery AND GASTRONOMY
with Nadia Albertini
October 26-31, 2025
Join us on an unforgettable embroidery journey through the enchanting landscapes of Tuscany! Immerse yourself in the timeless beauty of Italian gardens and villas as haute couture embroidery and textile designer Nadia Albertini guides you through this unique creative retreat.
Nadia, now a lecturer at the prestigious Polimoda, has spent years experiencing Tuscany firsthand, discovering the perfect setting for an Italian-inspired embroidery and textile design adventure. In her signature style, Nadia will unveil the fascinating connection between the Tuscan gardens and the French embroidery genius, Réné Bégué, also known as Rébé.
Why Join Us?
Experience Tuscany like never before—through the eyes and stitches of a master embroiderer! Explore iconic sites, sketch your own patterns, and craft beautiful textile designs inspired by the region’s lush gardens and rich history. Our journey takes you from vibrant Florence to the serene countryside, where creativity flourishes at the stunning agriturismo Ebbio near Monteriggioni.
D E T A I L E D I T I N E R A R Y
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October 26, Sunday
After meeting at the Santa Maria Novella station in Florence at 9:00am, we will travel to Pistoia to explore the hidden gem that is the Embroidery Museum, showcasing an incredible 17th-century textile treasure. While in Pistoia, we will enjoy a delicious lunch where we will have the chance to get to know each other.
In the afternoon we will visit Villa Petraia for an introductory session to Tuscan gardens. Afterwards, we will travel to Ebbio, where a farm-to-table dinner will bring the day to an end.
Included:
Lunch, dinner, entry fees, transportation, lodging at Ebbio. -
October 27, Monday
We will begin our morning with a tour of Ebbio’s magnificent vegetable garden, drawing inspiration from it for our repeat-pattern design class.
Afterwards, we will enjoying an all-organic lunch.
The afternoon will be all about block-carving and block-printing our motifs on natural fabrics.
Our day will end with a relaxed al fresco dinner surrounded by the Tuscan hills.
Included:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, pattern design and printing kits, lodging at Ebbio. -
October 28, Tuesday
In the morning Nadia will hold an embroidery workshop where we will stitch on the prints from the previous day.
In the mid-afternoon we will put our embroideries aside and head towards Monteriggioni, a charming walled medieval village close to Ebbio where we will enjoy a delicious Tuscan dinner.
Included:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, embroidery kit, lodging at Ebbio.
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October 29, Wednesday
The morning will find us embroidering once again. After lunch, we will print more fabric, this time using cyanotype. We will work on these prints until dinner time.
Included: Breakfast, lunch, dinner, cyanotype supplies and lodging at Ebbio. -
October 30, Thursday
In the morning, we will work on beading techniques on our cyanotype prints.
After lunch, we will learn about featherwork and will wrap up the day on this high note.
Included:
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, beading and featherwork kits and lodging at Ebbio. -
October 31, Friday
In the morning, we will work on putting the last touches to our embroidery projects.
In the early afternoon, we will say goodbye to Ebbio and head to Fiesole for a celebratory farewell lunch on a sunlit terrace with breathtaking views of Florence. After gelato, we’ll take off towards the airport and/or train station, following the arrangements each participant made with Nadia.
Included:
Breakfast, lunch, beading and featherwork kits, transportation back to Florence.
JOIN NADIA IN ITALY THIS FALL
October 26 to 31, 2025
6 days — 5 nights
Capped at 7 participants
English-spoken
€5,200 per participant in single-occupancy room
Secure your spot with a non-refundable deposit of €1,000
Included in this experiential learning opportunity:
Lodging for 5 nights
Most breakfasts, except on day 1
ALL lunches
Most dinners (with either two glasses of house wine or beer to accompany these meals) except on day 6
Transportation
Drop-off at the airport or train station in Florence in the afternoon of day 6
Admission fees to all paid-for activities
Basic sketch, printing, embroidery and featherwork kits (fabrics, carving and printing tools, embroidery hoop, embroidery needles, thread snips. embroidery floss, beads, feathers)
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 kits
Breakfast on day 1
Dinner on day 6
Drop-offs to airport and/or train station outside of what has been arranged for the group
Any additional expenses guests may incur on their own outside of what has already been stipulated, such as groceries, other art supplies, spa services, drinks and/or snacks outside of the offered three main daily meals.
The focus of our program is around the topic of Italian gardens and villas and their influence in embroidery, textiles and 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 program.
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 program.
Please note that some activities in the program may be subject to change.