Portugal Knitting Experience
A curated cultural tour in Portugal for knitters
OUR JOURNEY BEGINS in the vibrant cultural capital of Lisbon, where colorful tile buildings on steep hills afford stunning views of the Tagus River. We'll gather with our knitting guru, kick off our Mystery Knit Along, and start our crafting and cultural exploration of Central Portugal.
Portugal has a deep connection to fiber crafts, including wool production, spinning, dyeing, knitting, crochet and weaving. We'll work with local experts who will teach us about the rich history of fiber arts in the country, talk to us about the yarn-making process, and show us unique Portuguese knitting methods and patterns. Our time will be a mix of workshops, knitting time, and cultural activities that will let you experience this breathtaking country in a unique and fun way.
From Lisbon, we'll head east to Évora, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the heart of the Alentejo Region. From this central hub, we'll explore the area with day trips to visit studios and workshops ranging from spinning and weaving to embroidery and cross-stitch, all showcasing the historic and ongoing use of textiles in Portuguese culture. Since this is also Portugal's largest wine-producing region, a visit isn't complete without a stop at one of the area's many wineries. Plus we've got plenty of free time for knitting everywhere we go!
Next, it's on to Caldas da Rainha, one of the arts capitals of the country. While famous for its ceramics, "Caldas" is host to a lovely local yarn festival. We'll have time to participate in festival activities as well as private workshops, visit the many free museums, and the wander the gorgeous park at the center of this city. We will wrap up our trip in the coastal town of Ericeira, where we'll relax, knitting together atop the gorgeous cliffs overlooking the Atlantic surf.
Portugal has it all... beautiful wine country filled with both historic and modern architecture, rugged coastal cliffs watched over by majestic castles, and colorful cities decorated in bright Moorish tiles. Every region has its own colors and flavors, all filled with wonderfully friendly Portuguese people.
You'll enjoy a curated selection of excellent local cuisine, eating the best that Portugal has to offer. We will seek out uncommon adventures and find opportunities to connect with local culture, all while doing what we love to do: KNIT!
We're excited to welcome our knitting guru Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen to guide our exploration of knitting and fiber arts together. With a background in film and television costume design, Dorothy now dedicates her time to designing and crafting beautiful and unusual knitwear.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS:
If you enjoy knitting, you'll love knitting in PORTUGAL!
Meet local knitters and learn unique techniques and patterns.
Experience Portuguese arts and culture.
Visit places off the beaten track.
Enjoy amazing Portuguese cuisine at curated restaurants.
Did we mention the wine?
TIPS:
Companions are welcome! Many of our guests bring a non-knitting companion. They are welcome to participate in the knitting activities as an observer, or enjoy more free time exploring.
Meet Your Hosts
Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen
Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen has created costumes for film and television for 40 years. She has made superheroes, spacesuits and creatures for companies such as Marvel, DC and the Star Trek franchise (Thor, Baby Groot, Batman, Spock, Worf, and the Borg Queen), and with a specialization in fabric manipulation, her skills appear in costumes that range from Muppets to Romulans to Lady Gaga.
Having now retired from the Entertainment Industry, Dorothy gives her full focus to her knitwear. She approaches her knitting designs with the aspect of her previous profession, enjoying the mixing of textures, colors and techniques. Many of her designs draw inspiration from characters of her past. Her upcoming shawl “I’m Batman” with its dramatic wingspan is reminiscent of the caped crusader.
Now living in Portugal, she is eager to have everyone experience all that the country offers, which is rich in the fiberarts.
Dorothy Bulac-Eriksen
William and Alex
William Kyle and Alex Hay founded Resonate Tours based on their shared passion for European culture and travel.
William lived in Florence, Italy while studying architecture in college. He fell in love with the urban lifestyle steeped in history, a contrast with his life growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles. Over the two years he lived in Florence, he learned to speak fluent Italian and developed deep friendships that he's maintained ever since. He has since visited Italy dozens of times, and has other favorite haunts across Europe. In addition to his Italian, William speaks passable Portuguese and some Spanish.
Similarly, Alex studied abroad in Spain not once, but twice! Adapting to a foreign culture and learning a new language fascinated him and he developed a lifelong passion for travel and exploring new cultures. He's visited more than 20 countries across Europe, Latin America and Asia. He speaks Portuguese and Spanish, some Italian and about thirty words of Mandarin Chinese.
A life of living in various cities in multiple countries has led William and Alex to reside in Lisbon, Portugal, a 21st-century intersection of world cultures.
Resonate Tours
PORTUGAL
from
$3,995
11
days
Available Dates:
Aug 31 - Sep 10, 2024
PRICE INCLUDES:
10 nights 4-star accommodation
Knitting workshops and other guided fiber arts activities
Cultural tour experiences and activities
European breakfast at the hotel each morning
Lunch or Dinner each day
Transport to all included activities
Group activity entrance fees
AVAILABLE EXTRAS for an additional cost:
Airport/hotel pick up and drop off
Additional meals & drinks
Single Supplement (standard price is based on two people sharing a room). Subject to availability.
OTHER INFORMATION:
Price is in US Dollars
Airfare to Portugal and transfer to/from the hotel is not included