Bookings for 2026 classes open!
8 days
Join internationally renowned goldwork expert Alison Cole for an inspiring week of stitching, creativity, and Dutch charm in the heart of The Hague. Over the course of 4.5 teaching days (27 hours), Alison will guide you through her signature techniques in an intimate and relaxed environment—perfect for those looking to refine their embroidery skills or embark on an exciting new project under expert tutelage.
We will be staying at the stylish and centrally located Novotel Den Haag City Centre, offering modern comfort with easy access to cultural sites, shops, and cafés.
This retreat is more than just stitching—throughout the week, we’ll explore some of the Netherlands’ most iconic experiences:
To keep you fuelled throughout your stitching sessions, lunches will be provided at the hotel on every teaching day, and three group dinners are included. On the other evenings, you're free to discover the local hospitality scene—The Hague’s culinary offerings are sure to delight.
Whether you're captivated by Alison’s goldwork mastery or intrigued by the Dutch springtime splendour, this retreat promises a rich tapestry of learning, inspiration, and discovery.
Spaces are limited—don’t miss your chance to join us for this unique creative getaway!
Every detail of your retreat has been thoughtfully curated to provide a seamless and enriching experience. From contemporary city comfort to inspiring excursions and expert tuition, this package includes everything you need for a week of creativity, culture, and connection in the heart of The Hague.
Accommodation
Seven nights at Novotel Den Haag City Centre – a stylish 4-star hotel set in the vibrant centre of The Hague. Located in a historic building above the elegant Passage arcade, this modern hotel offers excellent service and comfort, with easy access to shopping, museums, and restaurants.
Meals
Daily breakfast and lunch are served in the hotel on all workshop days. Three dinners are included during the retreat, including a farewell dinner at a local restaurant. On other evenings, you are free to explore The Hague’s diverse culinary scene at your leisure.
Excursions & Entry Fees
A curated programme of excursions including:
Studio Access
Access to a dedicated workshop space within the hotel with natural lighting, tables suitable for embroidery, and magnifying lamps to support detailed work.
Tuition Fees
Four and a half days (27 hours) of expert embroidery tuition with Alison Cole, delivered in an intimate group setting. Alison’s specialist knowledge and warm guidance will inspire your stitching journey throughout the week.
While we aim to provide an all-encompassing retreat experience, the following items are not included in the package price:
Travel to and from the retreat venue
Guests are responsible for arranging their own travel to Novotel Den Haag City Centre in The Hague, including flights and transfers. Private airport transfers can be requested for an extra charge during the booking process.
Travel Insurance
Personal travel insurance is not included and is strongly recommended to cover unforeseen events such as cancellations, illness, or travel disruptions.
Beverages outside of studio and mealtimes
All drinks, including those served during meals, are not included in the package and will be charged separately. This also applies to beverages ordered at the bar, through room service, or outside of scheduled studio breaks.
Meals away from the hotel
Dinner on four evenings is not included, allowing guests the opportunity to dine independently and enjoy local cuisine.
Gratuities
Gratuities for hotel staff and guides are not included. However, a pre-paid gratuity option is available during the final booking process should you wish to contribute in advance.
Project Kit
The embroidery project kit is not included in the tuition fee and must be purchased directly from Alison Cole. All participants will receive full details and pricing in advance of the retreat.
The Hague is well connected and easy to reach from across Europe.
By Air
The most convenient airport is Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS), approximately 30 minutes by direct train or 40 minutes by car to The Hague. Private airport transfers can be requested for an extra charge during the booking process.
By Train
Den Haag Centraal Station offers excellent rail connections to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Brussels, and beyond. The hotel is a 10-minute walk or a short tram ride from the station.
By Car
The hotel is accessible by car and public parking is available nearby for a fee.
Pre-Arrival Support
Closer to the retreat date, we’ll provide detailed arrival information and directions. We’re always happy to assist with travel planning to ensure a smooth and stress-free journey.
Your comfort and enjoyment are at the heart of this retreat. With high-quality service, spacious rooms, and a central location, the Novotel Den Haag City Centre provides an ideal base for a week of inspiration and relaxation.
Food
Meals are served in the hotel’s stylish dining area. Expect fresh, international dishes made with seasonal ingredients. The package includes:
Dietary requirements are gladly accommodated – please let us know in advance.
Accommodation
Guest rooms are modern, well-equipped, and spacious, with en-suite bathrooms, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and tea/coffee facilities. Room upgrades may be available – contact us for details.
Learn more about the hotel:
www.all.accor.com/hotel/1180
To ensure a comfortable and enjoyable stay in The Hague in early spring, we recommend packing the following:
Embroidery Supplies
Bring your preferred tools such as scissors, magnifiers, needles, and any equipment you like to work with. Alison Cole will provide full details of the project kit in advance.
Comfortable Footwear
Excursions include walking and standing in gardens and markets – pack well-cushioned shoes.
Layered Clothing & Waterproof Jacket
March and April weather can be cool and changeable. Include layers and a waterproof.
Smart-Casual Attire
Smart-casual clothing is ideal for dinners and excursions.
Travel Adapters
The Netherlands uses standard European plugs (Type C). Universal adapters are recommended. Charging facilities are also available in the workshop.
Day Bag
Ideal for carrying water, essentials, and souvenirs during excursions.
Camera or Smartphone
Capture the beauty of Keukenhof and the colourful energy of The Hague.
We want every guest to have a safe, enjoyable, and fulfilling experience during their time in The Hague. Due to the nature of this retreat and the historic urban setting, we kindly ask guests to consider the following before booking:
We are committed to supporting your participation and are happy to assist with any concerns or special requests. Please don’t hesitate to reach out – we’re here to help ensure your time with us is both comfortable and rewarding.
Alison Cole
Alison has been embroidering for most of her life and her love of it has seen her try her hand at a large array of techniques – but her favourites have always been Goldwork and Stumpwork embroidery for which she is renowned worldwide.
She considers herself fortunate to be a freelance artist in an industry which she loves, professionally designing and teaching embroidery for over twenty-five years. Her career has given her the opportunity to study, teach and exhibit around the world, meeting wonderful like-minded people.
Over this time, Alison has won a number of awards for her work, both in Australia and internationally. She has worked as artist in residence, feature artist, guest lecturer, judge and consultant and has contributed in many publications and taken on a range of commissions.
Alison is inspired by nature, her love of period embroidery and historical art. She is passionate about passing on her knowledge and is currently working on her sixth book and pieces for an exhibition.
Welcome to The Hague! Today marks the beginning of a week filled with exquisite embroidery, cultural delights, and new friendships.
Guests are invited to check in to the Novotel Den Haag City Centre from 15:00. For those arriving earlier in the day, it is possible to store luggage at reception and enjoy a stroll through the nearby historic streets, explore boutique shops, or relax at a local café while rooms are being prepared.
In the evening, we will gather at 18:30 in the hotel bar for a welcome drink—a relaxed moment to meet your fellow guests and be personally welcomed by Alison Cole, our internationally renowned embroidery tutor. At 19:30, a delicious dinner will be served at the hotel, offering a warm and friendly start to our time together.
For added convenience, private airport transfers from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport to the hotel can be pre-booked during the registration process, ensuring a smooth and stress-free arrival.
Following breakfast, we gather in the hotel’s bright and spacious meeting room for our first full day of embroidery with internationally renowned goldwork and stumpwork expert Alison Cole. Today marks the beginning of a beautifully immersive journey into historical and contemporary needlework.
Alison will introduce the project she has specially designed for this retreat, guiding you through the foundational techniques and materials. With her warm teaching style and deep expertise, you'll receive clear demonstrations and tailored support as you begin stitching.
Both morning and afternoon sessions are structured to offer ample time for focused work and individual guidance. A light lunch will be served at the hotel to keep you nourished and energised.
After class, enjoy a little downtime to explore the city, relax at the hotel, or take in the atmosphere of The Hague before we reconvene for a delightful group dinner at a carefully chosen local restaurant—a chance to enjoy Dutch hospitality and conversation in a relaxed setting.
After a leisurely breakfast, we return to the hotel’s dedicated workshop space for another enriching day of embroidery with Alison Cole. Building on the techniques introduced on Day 2, today offers the opportunity to deepen your skills and further develop your project under Alison’s expert guidance.
The day is structured to balance group instruction with plenty of individual support and uninterrupted stitching time. Alison will share additional techniques, offer refinement tips, and provide insights into the historical influences behind your project.
A light lunch will again be served at the hotel, allowing you to stay focused and refreshed throughout the day.
Following class, take time to unwind or explore more of The Hague at your own pace. In the evening, we’ll meet again for dinner at a local restaurant, continuing our journey of creativity and camaraderie over delicious cuisine.
Today we step away from the embroidery frame and immerse ourselves in one of the Netherlands’ most iconic springtime experiences. After breakfast, we board our private coach for a scenic journey to Keukenhof, the world-renowned garden known for its breathtaking displays of tulips and floral artistry.
We’ll arrive at Keukenhof by approximately 10:30, where a short guided tour will introduce us to the history and highlights of the gardens. From there, you’ll have the afternoon to wander at your own pace—whether you wish to photograph the colourful landscapes, explore the pavilions, or simply enjoy the atmosphere.
A relaxed lunch will be enjoyed on-site to keep us refreshed and ready for more exploration. At around 15:00, we reboard the coach for our return to The Hague, allowing time to rest or freshen up before we reconvene for a casual and comforting group dinner at our hotel.
After breakfast, we return to the hotel’s comfortable and well-equipped workshop space for another dedicated day of stitching with Alison Cole. With the rhythm of the retreat now well underway, today offers the chance to make significant progress on your project, refine your techniques, and enjoy the meditative flow of embroidery.
Alison will continue to offer individual guidance and group demonstrations, helping you build confidence and add intricate detail to your work.
A light lunch will be served at the hotel to keep you refreshed and energised, allowing for a seamless day of creativity.
After class, enjoy a bit of leisure time before we gather once again for dinner at a nearby local restaurant, where good food and great company await.
We begin today with a change of pace as we step outside the studio and into one of The Hague’s most vibrant and colourful destinations—The Hague Market (De Haagse Markt). After breakfast, we’ll make our way to this bustling open-air market, one of the largest in Europe, where you’ll find everything from fresh produce and spices to fabrics, textiles, and artisan goods.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to browse, take in the atmosphere, and perhaps pick up a few unique treasures or stitching supplies to take home.
After our market visit, we return to the hotel in time for a light lunch, followed by a relaxed afternoon of embroiderywith Alison Cole. The afternoon session will allow you to continue your project, with Alison on hand to offer guidance, inspiration, and support as your work takes shape.
In the evening, we’ll gather in the hotel for a comforting group dinner—an opportunity to reflect on the week’s progress and share stories with newfound friends.
Our final day of embroidery has arrived—a chance to bring your project to a satisfying conclusion and enjoy one last day in the peaceful rhythm of stitching with Alison Cole. After breakfast, we return to the hotel’s studio space for a full day of creative focus, reflection, and shared accomplishment.
Alison will offer final guidance, finishing techniques, and personal feedback to help you complete your work or prepare it for further stitching at home. It's a day to celebrate your progress, ask final questions, and savour the last moments of creative camaraderie.
A light lunch will be served at the hotel, and our afternoon session will run as usual until 17:00.
In the evening, we’ll come together one last time for a farewell dinner at a local restaurant—a special moment to share memories, raise a glass to new friendships, and mark the close of a beautiful week of embroidery in The Hague.
After a vibrant and inspiring week of creativity, culture, and connection, it’s time to bid farewell. Enjoy a relaxed final breakfast with your fellow guests—reflect on the week’s shared experiences, admire each other’s completed work, and perhaps exchange contact details and photos before your journey home begins.
Hotel check-out is by 12:00. For your convenience, private airport transfers to Amsterdam Schiphol Airport can be arranged upon request, ensuring a smooth and stress-free departure.
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Deposits
For any holiday, we require a non-refundable deposit of 20% of holiday cost. If your deposit payment is not received within 7 days, the holiday may be offered to other interested parties.
Payment of holiday cost
The balance of your holiday cost must be settled 8 weeks prior to the commencement date of your holiday. If your holiday booking is made within 8 weeks of commencement, payment must be made in full immediately on booking. If payments are not made in accordance to this schedule, bookings will be treated as cancellations and deposits will not be refunded.
Insurance
Every person for whom a holiday is booked with Creative Experiences must have adequate insurance cover and must be able to show us proof of insurance upon request.
Cancellation by the client
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife, KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Alteration by Creative Experiences
If in the unlikely event that there have to be any alteration made by Creative Experiences, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you one of the following options.
We will not be liable for refunding any expenses, which have been occurred as a result of the booking.
Our holidays require a minimum amount of guests to be able to to continue with the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the holiday in case the minimum number has not been achieved.
Changes
Should you wish to change your booking, Creative Experiences will endeavour to accommodate any changes subject to any differences in price and availability, but cannot guarantee that changes can be made. Creative Experiences will make an administration charge of £50 for any change in booking. Bookings cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the start of your holiday.
Responsibility
Creative Experiences will not be liable for any loss or damages occurred to any client as a result of:
Any event or circumstance which could have been avoided if the client had taken reasonable care.
Any circumstance or event which Creative Experiences or its suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented even with all due care and attention.
Circumstances out of the reasonable control of Creative Experiences such as strikes, wars, civil or political unrest, quarantine restrictions, terrorism, government actions, natural or nuclear disaster adverse weather conditions including injury or illness to staff thus reducing level of service.
Injury, illness or death due to any activity at any time during your holiday, except where such injury or death is caused by the negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences.
Loss of, theft of or damage to any of your belongings at any time of your holiday, whether within the chalet, in the neighbourhood or otherwise.
Injury, illness or death associated with the consumption of any food or drink we may supply except where such illness, injury or death is caused by the wilful negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences or its directors, officers or employees.
Excursion days
We do not accept responsibility if an artisan or person does not show up or cancels private booked excursion such as walking tours, artisan lessons, cooking lessons, wine tastings etc. Should this situation arise, Creative Experiences will try their very best to book another excursion and find an alternative at no cost to the client.
Our suppliers
Creative Experiences is working with third party suppliers such as hotels, villas, transfer companies and others. We are more than happy to discuss any of your requirements such as food allergies with hotels, specific room allocations, pick and drop off times with transfers companies, however we cannot guarantee that your request can be fulfilled. In case of special client requirements not being accepted by the third party, we will be contacting you at our earliest convenience to let you know.
Complaints and Problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday, you must immediately inform the Creative Experiences representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to solve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to your home country giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we do not accept any liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with this clause.
Website Accuracy
Please note that the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices, regrettably errors occasionally do occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. The website is the sole responsibility of Creative Experiences. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.
Emergency
Creative Experience will provide you with assistance in case of emergency during your holiday with us. We can help you bringing you to health services, working with local authorities and international consulate in case you lost your passport or important papers.
If you have an emergency because of your own negligence, Creative Experiences may ask you for a fee occurred during the process such as extra transfers, missed bookings with third parties and more.
Conduct
When you enjoy your holiday with Creative Experiences, you are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. In case of damage in a hotel or villa (third party supplier), the client has to pay the damage charges directly to the supplier.
We do reserve the rights to cancel your holiday, in case you put others in danger through your actions, verbal abuse and by causing significant distress to other holiday makers who are joining that group. We do not tolerate violence or abuse in any form to our clients or staff members.
Deposits
For any holiday, we require a non-refundable deposit of 20% of holiday cost. If your deposit payment is not received within 7 days, the holiday may be offered to other interested parties.
Payment of holiday cost
The balance of your holiday cost must be settled 8 weeks prior to the commencement date of your holiday. If your holiday booking is made within 8 weeks of commencement, payment must be made in full immediately on booking. If payments are not made in accordance to this schedule, bookings will be treated as cancellations and deposits will not be refunded.
Insurance
Every person for whom a holiday is booked with Creative Experiences must have adequate insurance cover and must be able to show us proof of insurance upon request.
Cancellation by the client
Cancellation shall take effect only when Creative Experiences receives written notification from the person confirming the booking. All correspondence should be addressed to Creative Experiences, 55 Westfield Avenue, Cupar, Fife KY15 5AA, United Kingdom or by email to info@creative-experiences. In all cases of cancellation, the deposit forfeit. The following cancellation fees expressed, as a percentage of the total holiday cost, will become immediately payable to Creative Experiences.
Cancellation charge:
Cancellation within 8 weeks; 40% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 7 weeks; 60% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 6 weeks; 80% of holiday cost payable
Cancellation within 4 weeks; 100% of holiday cost payable
Alteration by Creative Experiences
If in the unlikely event that there have to be any alteration made by Creative Experiences, we will notify you as soon as possible and offer you one of the following options.
We will not be liable for refunding any expenses, which have been occurred as a result of the booking.
Our holidays require a minimum amount of guests to be able to to continue with the holiday. We reserve the right to cancel or postpone the holiday in case the minimum number has not been achieved.
Changes
Should you wish to change your booking, Creative Experiences will endeavour to accommodate any changes subject to any differences in price and availability, but cannot guarantee that changes can be made. Creative Experiences will make an administration charge of £50 for any change in booking. Bookings cannot be changed within 2 weeks of the start of your holiday.
Responsibility
Creative Experiences will not be liable for any loss or damages occurred to any client as a result of:
Any event or circumstance which could have been avoided if the client had taken reasonable care.
Any circumstance or event which Creative Experiences or its suppliers could not have foreseen or prevented even with all due care and attention.
Circumstances out of the reasonable control of Creative Experiences such as strikes, wars, civil or political unrest, quarantine restrictions, terrorism, government actions, natural or nuclear disaster adverse weather conditions including injury or illness to staff thus reducing level of service.
Injury, illness or death due to any activity at any time during your holiday, except where such injury or death is caused by the negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences.
Loss of, theft of or damage to any of your belongings at any time of your holiday, whether within the chalet, in the neighbourhood or otherwise.
Injury, illness or death associated with the consumption of any food or drink we may supply except where such illness, injury or death is caused by the wilful negligence or fraud of Creative Experiences or its directors, officers or employees.
Excursion days
We do not accept responsibility if an artisan or person does not show up or cancels private booked excursion such as walking tours, artisan lessons, cooking lessons, wine tastings etc. Should this situation arise, Creative Experiences will try their very best to book another excursion and find an alternative at no cost to the client.
Our suppliers
Creative Experiences is working with third party suppliers such as hotels, villas, transfer companies and others. We are more than happy to discuss any of your requirements such as food allergies with hotels, specific room allocations, pick and drop off times with transfers companies, however we cannot guarantee that your request can be fulfilled. In case of special client requirements not being accepted by the third party, we will be contacting you at our earliest convenience to let you know.
Complaints and Problems
In the unlikely event that you have any reason to complain or experience any problems with your holiday, you must immediately inform the Creative Experiences representative and the supplier of the service(s) in question. Any verbal notification must be put in writing and given to our representative and the supplier as soon as possible. Until we know about a problem or complaint, we cannot begin to solve it. Most problems can be dealt with quickly. If you remain dissatisfied however, you must write to us within 28 days of your return to your home country giving your booking reference and full details of your complaint. We regret we do not accept any liability in relation to any complaint or claim which is not notified entirely in accordance with this clause.
Website Accuracy
Please note that the information and prices shown on this website may have changed by the time you come to book your holiday. Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the website and prices, regrettably errors occasionally do occur. You must therefore ensure you check all details of your chosen holiday (including the price) with us at the time of booking. The website is the sole responsibility of Creative Experiences. It is not issued on behalf of and does not commit any independent organization/carriers whose services are featured in it.
Emergency
Creative Experience will provide you with assistance in case of emergency during your holiday with us. We can help you bringing you to health services, working with local authorities and international consulate in case you lost your passport or important papers.
If you have an emergency because of your own negligence, Creative Experiences may ask you for a fee occurred during the process such as extra transfers, missed bookings with third parties and more.
Conduct
When you enjoy your holiday with Creative Experiences, you are responsible for any damage or loss caused by you. In case of damage in a hotel or villa (third party supplier), the client has to pay the damage charges directly to the supplier.
We do reserve the rights to cancel your holiday, in case you put others in danger through your actions, verbal abuse and by causing significant distress to other holiday makers who are joining that group. We do not tolerate violence or abuse in any form to our clients or staff members.