2025 Textiles & Treasures of Sardinia, Olbia, Italy
Transform your knitting passion through the magic of Sardinia!
Have you ever imagined creating your own design inspired by breathtaking landscapes? Let the enchanting Mediterranean island of Sardinia, with its emerald waters and ancient traditions, be your muse. Join accomplished designer and Fiber Ambassador Hailey Hodge as she guides you through this creative journey.
Discover Sardinia’s unique sheep breed and explore its centuries-old carpet weaving heritage, where heraldic symbols and spiritual motifs tell stories through thread. We’ll venture to Bronze Age sites of the Nuragic Civilization, decoding the meanings behind the vibrant colors and patterns that define Sardinian textile art. You’ll experience every aspect of the craft—meeting the sheep, sampling their renowned cheese, and learning to create your own design charts using traditional natural dyes.
Your creative spirit will flourish in our stunning accommodations, perfectly positioned to inspire. Savor Sardinia’s celebrated cuisine and distinctive local wines as you develop your design skills. The adventure culminates with a boat excursion along the island’s spectacular coastline, weaving the mesmerizing blue Mediterranean into the tapestry of this transformative experience.
Itinerary
Day 1 - Olbia, Sardinia
You be greeted at the Olbia Airport by your Fiber Ambassadors.
Here, you'll meet the distinctive Sarda sheep—the vital source of both Sardinia's renowned tapestries and exquisite cheeses. Immerse yourself in an enlightening introduction to these remarkable animals, followed by a delightful tasting of artisanal cheeses crafted from their milk. We'll savor a relaxed lunch in this idyllic pastoral setting before our afternoon adventure begins.
Next, we'll step back in time to explore Sardinia's ancient heritage with visits to the mysterious Romanzesu Historical Site and the awe-inspiring Tomba di Giganti (Tomb of Giants)—both offering fascinating windows into the island's prehistoric civilization. Afterward, we'll journey to our charming hotel where you'll have time to settle in and unwind. The day culminates with a festive welcome dinner, providing the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow fiber enthusiasts while enjoying authentic Sardinian cuisine.
Day 2 - Oliena & Samugheo, Sardinia
After breakfast, we will head out for a private, guided tour of the Murats Museum, a place dedicated to Sardinia’s extraordinary tapestry traditions of the island. Discover the techniques, symbols, and colors that have been passed down through generations, and begin to see how these elements can inspire your own work. We will then make our way into a local village for a wander and lunch before returning to our hotel in the evening, where you’re free to enjoy dinner on your own.
Day 3 - Oliena & Atzara, Sardinia
Our adventure this morning will focus on the plants that provide the vibrant colors seen in yesterday’s tapestries. We head out for an interactive dying workshop at La Robbia, where you’ll explore Sardinia’s vibrant natural dyes and learn techniques that have colored local textiles for centuries. We will then head to the village of Mamoiada, the heart of Sardinia’s Blue Zone. We’ll dine among the vines with a lunch of abbamele, a traditional Sardinian treat, and take part in a wine tasting in a scenic vineyard. It’s then home to our hotel for a relaxing evening and dinner on your own.
Day 4 - Oliena & Cheremule, Sardinia
After breakfast this morning, we will proceed from inspiration to design-our first design workshop with Hailey Hodge. Drawing from the tapestries seen at Murats and the colors of La Robbia, you’ll learn how to translate these traditional patterns into your own unique knitting designs. This will certainly help us work up an appetite for lunch together at the hotel, after which we will venture to the Necropolis de Mosedu, an evocative archaeological site that invites contemplation of Sardinia’s spiritual heritage and of its pre-Nuragic ancestors. We will head into town where you will have time for dinner on your own before heading home for some knitting time together and perhaps a nightcap.
Day 5 - Oliena & Cal Gonone, Sardinia
Another design workshop with Hailey Hodge begins our day, allowing you to refine and expand your knitted creations inspired by Sardinia’s rich tapestry tradition. We then set off for a scenic boat tour of Sardinia’s coastline, where the azure waters, striking cliffs, and secluded coves reveal the island’s wild beauty. We’ll explore the various grottos carved into the coast for a glimpse into Sardinia’s famous sea caves and enjoy lunch on board. We head home to our hotel in the evening for our final dinner and a celebration of creativity, friendship, and the enchanting spirit of Sardinia.
Day 6 - Olbia, Sardinia
All good things must end. Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before our journey back to Olbia Airport, departing at 9:00 am for a 10:30 am arrival, where we will wish each other a fond “Adiosu” and until we meet again on the yarn trail!
