Barcelona Retreat: April 2026

Barcelona Retreat: April 2026

Barcelona Residential Needlework Retreat 2026

April 10-20, 2026

Mercer Hotel, Torre de Remei

Barcelona, Spain

Silk Embroidery, Crewel Work, Metal Thread Embroidery

From R 142,716

£500 Deposit

With the Following Tutors

Zina Kazban
Phillipa Turnbull
Natalie Dupuis

Retreat Overview

Experience the vibrant culture of Barcelona from April 10th to 20th, 2026, during our exclusive retreat. Begin your journey in the heart of the city, staying in the elegant old town of El Gòtico at the 5-star Mercer Boutique Hotel.

On day 3 we will board a luxury coach to travel to the serene valley of La Cerdanya, an area of outstanding natural beauty surrounded by breathtaking mountain views, for a seven-day stay at the luxurious Torre del Remei. Engage in creative workshops, guided by expert tutors, and immerse yourself in the perfect blend of culture, creativity, wellness ,and relaxation. Secure your spot for this unforgettable retreat.

The Details

Full Itinerary

April 10–20th, 2026

Friday, April 10th- WELCOME
Retreat begins at 11am at the exclusive Mercer Hotel in the heart of Barcelona. We’ll gather to meet the group and enjoy our first meal together.

Saturday, April 11th- EXCURSION
Enjoy a day out to Costa Brava, then return to the Mercer Hotel for dinner.

Sunday, April 12th- MUSEUM VISIT & BONUS WORKSHOP
Guided visit to the Picasso Museum, followed by a bonus workshop. Enjoy lunch at a nice restaurant, then depart for Torre del Remei at 4pm to check into our second hotel.

Monday, April 13th – TUITION
Workshops begin! Spend the day with your chosen tutor – Natalie Dupuis, Zina Kazban or Phillipa Turnbull – followed by an evening lecture and dinner.

Tuesday, April 14th– TUITION
Continue working on your selected design with your tutor. Evening lecture and group dinner to follow.

Wednesday, April 15th – TUITION
Complete your first project with your tutor, followed by an evening lecture and meal.

Thursday, April 16th – EXCURSION & MUSEUM VISIT
Visit the Terrassa Textile Museum, followed by a leisurely lunch at a traditional Masia Restaurant.

Friday, April 17th – TUITION
Time to begin your second project! Join Zina, Phillipa or Natalie for another inspiring day of stitching.

Saturday, April 18th – TUITION
Continue working on your second chosen design. Enjoy dinner with the group in the evening.

Sunday, April 19th – TUITION
Final day of workshops. Work through the last details of your design before our special farewell dinner to celebrate the week’s achievements.

Monday, April 20th – TRAVEL & FAREWELL
We travel back to Barcelona for final farewells. Drop-offs available at Barcelona Airport and city centre hotels.

Arrival & Departure

Arrival: We recommend flying to Barcelona El Prat Airport. The retreat will officially begin at 11am on Friday 10 April 2026 at the Mercer Hotel, Barcelona.

Departure: We will return, by coach, to the Barcelona with drop offs to Barcelona city centre hotel or El Prat Airport on Monday 20 April 2026. We will depart from our mountain retreat, Hotel Torre de Remei, at 9am and expect to arrive in Barcelona around midday and the airport by 1pm.

Extra Nights: Our recommendation is to arrive a few days early, especially if you haven't not had the pleasure of exploring Barcelona. Pre-retreat nights are available at Mercer Hotel, and can be added at time of booking.

Tuition

During this retreat, we will offer three new designs created especially for Barcelona: The Rocamora Fan with Zina Kazban, 18th-century Jacket with Natalie Dupuis, and Floral Frame with Phillipa Turnbull.

Each tutor will teach a three-day class, and students will have the opportunity to choose two of the three designs to work on during the retreat — an inspiring balance of variety and depth across six full days of workshops.

What's Included

Accommodation & Food
10 days full board accommodation.

Tuition & Kits
6 full days of tuition, workshop kits, loan of a frames, magnifying light and other equipment, refreshments during class, and a goody bag.

Excursions & Lectures
Local needlework excursions and informal stitching sessions, as well as optional walks and cultural visits.

Travel
Travel as per the programme. Transfers from and to Barcelona El Prat Airport and local transport links.

Terms & Conditions

What is included in the price?

- All tuition, talks, and lectures
- All materials and instructions required for workshops
- Loan of all the necessary frames and equipment required for workshops
- All hotel accommodation for the stated duration of the retreat and all coach travel Meals as stated in the timetable (some external lunches are not included for practical reasons)
- All entry fees for castles, country houses, museums, and other special excursions Refreshments during workshops and lectures
- If you are arriving by plane of train, transfers from and to the recommended airport or train station (to and from our first and last hotel only)

What is not included in the price?

- Travel (other than stated in the previous section)
- Personal expenditure at hotels, excursions and events, e.g. bar, laundry, telephone, IT, meal extras beyond anything that has already been arranged as part of the Retreat
- Additional tips and gratuities at your discretion

How to book

Reservations can be made by paying a non-refundable deposit (or the full amount immediately) for your chosen Retreat via our website www.crewelwork.com. We use WeTravel to handle all bookings and once your payment has been received you will receive confirmation from that platform. Subsequent installment requests will also be sent via WeTravel.

Instalments will be required as follows:

- Deposit on booking
- 50% to be received 1 year prior to departure date
- 100% to be received 6 months prior to departure date

Some installment dates may differ depending on the retreat. In the case that your booking has been made after the scheduled installment date, you will be automatically prompted to pay it during the booking process. Please contact us if you would like to discuss this.

Payment Methods

Deposits may be paid via our website, which accepts credit/debit card or Paypal. We do not accept Paypal for payments other than the deposit. Instalment payments from the UK may be made by UK cheque or bank transfer. Payments from a foreign currency may be paid by debit or credit card or by bank transfer (in our experience the best transfer service to use for foreign currency transfers is wise.com). Please opt to pay all sending and receiving fees.

Cancellations

You may cancel your travel arrangements at any time. Written notification from the person who made the booking or your travel agent must be received at our office by email. Since we incur costs in cancelling your retreat arrangements, refunds are applied as follows:

- Less than 6 months before departure date - no refund
- 6 months to 1 year prior to departure date - 50% of price of holiday
- More than 1 year prior to holiday - 100% refund (minus deposit)

Note: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges. If, at any point, we are able to fill your place with someone from our waiting list, we will notify you of any refund that can be made. All refunds in this case are at the Organiser’s discretion.

Download

ABTA

We are a member of ABTA with membership number Y6352. We follow ABTA’s Code of Conduct to provide a high standard of service. For more information, visit www.abta.com.

Visit ABTA
Retreat Designs

Threads of the Past

The Rocamora Fan with Zina Kazban

Zina’s design takes inspiration from a rare 17th-century rigid fan, once part of the remarkable collection of Barcelona’s renowned collector Manuel Rocamora (1892–1976). Measuring 69 by 21 cm, the original fan combines silk-covered board embroidered with coloured threads, lace, velvet, and fringes within a wooden frame — an elegant everyday object from 17th-century Barcelona.

18th-Century Jacket with Kate Barlow

Natalie’s class is inspired by an extraordinary 18th-century jacket, richly embroidered in coloured silks and metallic threads. This lavish garment reflects the opulence of its time, and Natalie has reimagined one of its most striking motifs into a new design that invites both exploration and creativity.

Floral Frame with Phillipa Turnbull

Phillipa’s design is based on a late 19th-century floral frame pattern created by Barcelona’s Casa Sivilla workshop. Hand-painted with delicate blossoms and butterflies, this charming original captures the artistry and refinement of its era. We will share images and full details in our next newsletter, but we can promise it will be every bit as inspiring as the other historic pieces.

Barcelona

Heart of the Mediterranean

Barcelona, a vibrant Mediterranean gem, offers a perfect blend of stunning architecture, rich history, and lively culture. Explore Gaudí's masterpieces and wander through the Gothic Quarter's charming streets. With its dynamic nightlife and world-class museums, Barcelona promises unforgettable experiences for every traveller seeking adventure and inspiration.

Mercer Hotel & Torre del Remei

Discover the elegance of Mercer Hotel, an exclusive 5* hotel in the heart of Barcelona, renowned for its rich history and sophisticated ambiance. Whether savoring exquisite cuisine or simply enjoying the hotels rooftop lounge or outside terrace, Mercer provides an unparalleled experience in one of Barcelona's most charming neighbourhoods.

Our second home in the tranquil heights of Cerdanya, in the Catalan Pyrenees, is is the stunning Hotel Torre del Remei. For 8 nights the hotel is exclusively ours, a home away from home. The hotels gastronomic focus on local products and authentic flavors of the region of La Cerdanya, mean we are in for a culinary treat. The peaceful setting provides the most idyllic space for settling into some stitching.

What's Included

Accommodation & Food
10 nights full board accommodation throughout (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and refreshment break during class included)
Travel
Coach travel during the retreat. Transfers from local train stations and airport are available.
Tuition & Kits
6 full days of tuition, 2 workshop kits, a goody bag, plus loan of frames, magnifying light and other equipment.
Excursions & Lectures
Evening lectures from local speakers as well as from our tutors. Visit to local villages and town during our mountain stay.

*Air Travel, extra hotel expenses and tips are not included

Meet your tutors

Zina Kazban

Zina is a graduate of the Future Tutors programme at the Royal School of Needlework. She has also trained at Ecole Lesage (Métiers d’Art CHANEL).
Learn More About Zina Kazban

Phillipa Turnbull

The founder of the The Crewel Work Company, Phillipa has over 30 years of experience as an embroidery tutor. She leads a fun and relaxed session packed with Crewel Work tips and tricks to get you feeling confident with your needle.
Learn More About Phillipa Turnbull

Natalie Dupuis

Holding a Masters in Education, Natalie Dupuis turned her experience in education to hand embroidery after having children, transforming passion for needlework into a thriving career, with a particular focus on the traditional art of or nué.
Learn More About Natalie Dupuis

Start Your Mediterranean Adventure!