Passementerie with Libby Ashdown in Milan, Italy | 12th to 19th June 2027

From expert tuition with Libby Ashdown to carefully planned cultural excursions and authentic Italian dining, every aspect of your retreat has been thoughtfully arranged to provide a relaxed, inspiring and memorable experience. Your holiday includes:

• 7 nights’ accommodation in our centrally located Milan hotel, with daily breakfast
• 24 hours of tassel-making tuition with Libby Ashdown, spread over four full days (two 3-hour sessions each day)
• A comfortable workshop space designed for creativity, with morning and afternoon tea and coffee served daily
• Four Italian lunches during the workshop days
• A guided visit to the magnificent Duomo di Milano and time to explore the historic centre of Milan
• A full-day excursion by train to Turin, including visits to the historic Antica Fabbrica Passamaneria Massia Vittorio 1843 and the magnificent Palazzo Reale di Torino
• Welcome drinks and dinner in the hotel restaurant on the first evening
• Three dinners and four lunches included throughout the retreat, as detailed in the itinerary
• Dedicated Creative Experiences host throughout the retreat
• A small group (maximum 12 guests), ensuring personal tuition and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere
• Free time to discover Milan’s elegant boutiques, cafés and artisan shops throughout the week

While we have included everything needed for a wonderful week of creativity, culture and relaxation, there are a few items you will need to arrange or budget for separately before and during your retreat.

The following are not included in the retreat package:

• Flights to and from Milan
• Airport transfers (can be arranged at an additional cost)
• Travel insurance (strongly recommended)
• 3 lunches and 4 dinners during the retreat, as detailed in the itinerary
• Drinks with meals (unless otherwise stated)
• Personal expenses and shopping
• Optional excursions or activities outside the planned programme
• Tassel-making kit and materials from Libby Ashdown (available to purchase separately)

Milan is served by three different airports, so unfortunately we will not be able to meet guests at the airport.

If you would like us to arrange a private airport transfer, please contact us individually with your flight details and arrival airport. As transfer costs vary depending on the airport, arrival time and number of passengers, we are unable to provide a fixed price in advance. We will confirm the cost with you before making any arrangements.

Arriving by Train from Milan Malpensa Airport

Travelling from Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP) to the Starhotels Anderson is quick, straightforward and does not require a taxi.

After collecting your luggage, simply follow the signs to the railway station located within Terminal 1. If you arrive at Terminal 2, a free airport shuttle bus connects Terminal 2 with the railway station at Terminal 1 in just a few minutes.

Board the Malpensa Express train to Milano Centrale. Trains depart approximately every 30 minutes, the journey takes around 51 minutes, and tickets cost from €15 per person. Tickets can be purchased online, from ticket machines at the airport, or at the station before departure.

Upon arrival at Milano Centrale Station, exit via the main entrance onto Piazza Duca d’Aosta. The Starhotels Anderson is located directly opposite the station, approximately 100 metres away, making it an easy 2-minute walk even with luggage.

Arriving from Milan Linate Airport

Milan Linate Airport (LIN) is the closest airport to the city centre and offers a quick and convenient journey to the Starhotels Anderson.

After collecting your luggage, follow the signs to the Linate Airport Metro Station (M4 Blue Line), located just outside the terminal.

Take the M4 Metro towards San Cristoforo and travel to San Babila station (approximately 12 minutes). At San Babila, change to the M1 Red Line for one stop to Duomo, then transfer to the M3 Yellow Line towards Comasina and travel to Centrale FS (approximately 5 minutes).

Exit Milano Centrale Station onto Piazza Duca d’Aosta. The Starhotels Anderson is directly opposite the station, just a 2-minute walk away.

Alternatively, a taxi from Linate Airport to the hotel takes approximately 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic.

Journey Summary

• Walk to Linate Airport Metro Station (M4 Blue Line).
• Take the M4 to San Babila.
• Change to the M1 Red Line for one stop to Duomo.
• Change to the M3 Yellow Line to Centrale FS.
• Walk approximately 2 minutes to the Starhotels Anderson.

Your comfort and enjoyment are at the heart of this retreat. From relaxed, well-paced dining to comfortable accommodation in Milan, every detail has been arranged to support a restorative and creatively focused week.

Food
Your package includes a generous mix of included meals alongside a small amount of flexibility to enjoy the local area.

• Daily breakfast at the hotel
• Four light two-course lunches
• Three group dinners at the hotel
• Tea and coffee served during stitching sessions

On four evenings, we will take a meal out and you can choose to join your tour manager or go for dinner on your own or with your new friends. On our excursion days, we will have lunch in local restaurant. 

All included meals are carefully timed around teaching sessions to ensure a relaxed and enjoyable flow to each day. The hotel is happy to cater for dietary requirements—please let us know in advance so arrangements can be made.

Accommodation
Guests will stay at the welcoming Starhotels Premium Anderson in Milan. The hotel offers a chic city atmosphere, comfortable interiors, and an ideal setting for a colourful creative retreat.

A range of room types will be available for this retreat, allowing guests to choose the option that best suits their preferences and budget. Full room details and options can be viewed on the hotel’s website, with allocations made on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information about the hotel, accommodation, and facilities, please visit:

Starhotels Anderson

To help you feel comfortable, prepared, and ready to enjoy your time in chic Milan, we recommend packing the following essentials. June in Italy is warm and therefore summer clothes are a good start.

Passementerie Supplies
Please bring your own tools such as scissors or any specialist equipment you prefer to work with. Details of the project kit will be provided separately by Libby.
Suncream, Sun hat and sun glasses
Please bring all these items to stay safe from the sun. 

Comfortable Footwear
Pack comfortable, supportive shoes suitable for time on your feet, walking in Milan or in Turin, and moving between hotel spaces.

Smart-Casual Clothing
A selection of relaxed, smart-casual outfits is ideal for workshop days, group dinners, and evenings out in town. 

Travel Adapters
Please bring European adapters with you to charge your electrical equipment. 

Camera or Smartphone
Perfect for capturing the beautiful moments. 
Your medication
Please pack your medication for the week and make sure you have enough suncream. 

Small Day Bag
Useful for excursions, carrying essentials such as your phone, purse, water bottle, and any personal items you may need during the day.

Packing these items will help ensure a relaxed and enjoyable retreat, allowing you to focus fully on your workshop, learning, and enjoying the summer in Italy.

Health and Accessibility

We want every guest to enjoy a safe, comfortable and rewarding experience during their time in Milan. As this retreat combines four days of tassel making with cultural excursions in both Milan and Turin, we kindly ask guests to consider the following before booking:

The workshop involves extended periods of seated handwork, with regular breaks throughout the day. Guests should be comfortable sitting for several hours and able to move independently between the workshop, dining areas and guest rooms.

Our excursions include a significant amount of walking through the historic centres of Milan and Turin. Many streets are paved with cobblestones, and some attractions include steps, uneven surfaces and limited lift access due to the age of the buildings.

Guests should be comfortable walking at a relaxed group pace for several hours, standing during guided visits, and using public transport, including travelling by train between Milan and Turin.

June in northern Italy is typically warm, with daytime temperatures often ranging between 25°C and 30°C. Guests should be prepared for walking in warm weather by wearing comfortable footwear, lightweight clothing and suitable sun protection, and by staying well hydrated throughout the day.

Guests with mobility considerations, medical conditions or accessibility needs are strongly encouraged to contact us before booking so we can discuss individual requirements in advance.

While we will always do our utmost to support participation and explore reasonable adjustments, it is important that any arrangements do not adversely impact the experience of the wider group.

Please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions. We are always happy to discuss the suitability of the retreat and help ensure your experience is as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.

The Art of the Tassel - Learn the endangered art of tassel making in Italy with Elizabeth Ashdown.

Passementerie is the art and craft of creating decorative textile embellishments such as tassels, rosettes, braids and fringes made for interiors, millinery and fashion. It is a craft of extraordinary refinement, with roots stretching back centuries to the courts of Europe. Today it appears on the UK’s Red List of Endangered Crafts, practised by fewer than three makers in the country.

Over four immersive days of tuition, you will be guided by one of Britain’s last remaining passementerie specialists through the creation of a single, magnificent tassel - a brand new design conceived exclusively for this retreat. Its inspiration runs deep - from the lavish textiles of the Medicis to the bold designs of mid century Italian design, Italy has always known how to marry beauty with innovation. This tassel carries that spirit forward, combining the country’s extraordinary art and design heritage with a vivid contemporary sensibility.

From the first session to the last, every element of your tassel will take shape under careful guidance. By the final day, you will leave with a large, handmade tassel entirely your own, ready to hang from a curtain, a piece of furniture or a door handle.

What you will learn:

Working with a beautiful palette of linen, cotton and silk threads, you will be invited to select your chosen colour way in advance from a curated collection. Your tassel kit will be waiting for you in Italy.

Techniques we may explore in the creation of our tassel:

• Covering multiple tassel moulds using satin shading and snailing
• Hand spinning a variety of cords
• Netting
• Cartisan - the art of decorative silk thread wrapping
• Ruff making
  

Kit cost: About £95 - £110

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

Emergencies

Your safety and wellbeing are very important to us. If you need help during your holiday, our team will be on hand to assist—whether that means helping you access local healthcare, contacting authorities, or guiding you through the process if your passport or important documents are lost.

In the rare case that extra costs arise from situations linked to personal negligence (for example, missed transfers or additional bookings), these may need to be covered by the guest.

Conduct

We want every retreat to be an enjoyable and supportive experience for all. We simply ask that all guests treat one another, our tutors, and our staff with kindness and respect.

If any damage occurs at our partner hotels or venues, the guest responsible will be asked to cover the costs directly. In very rare circumstances, where someone’s behaviour endangers others or causes serious distress, Creative Experiences reserves the right to withdraw their place from the retreat.

Please rest assured, we have never had to enforce these measures—they exist purely to ensure that everyone enjoys a safe, welcoming, and inspiring holiday together.