Planning a creative retreat should be exciting, not complicated. Here you will find answers to some of the questions we are most often asked. If there is anything else you would like to know, please get in touch. We are always happy to help.
Creative Experiences is a family-run business creating five-star creative retreats across Europe and beyond. Led by Nadine and Mark, we bring over 20 years of experience in hospitality, including five-star hotels and Michelin-starred restaurants.
We work with RSN-trained tutors, award-winning artists and exceptional creatives to offer inspiring retreats in beautiful destinations. We arrange the accommodation, most meals and excursions, so you can relax and enjoy your creative time.
Each retreat is carefully designed around the tutor, craft and destination, bringing together expert tuition with wonderful places to stay, local experiences and time to connect with like-minded creatives.
We believe the little details make all the difference. From choosing the right venue to planning excursions that complement the destination, our aim is to make every retreat feel personal, relaxed and truly special.
A member of the Creative Experiences team is always on-site, so you can simply immerse yourself in your creativity, we take care of the rest.
If you love being creative, learning something new and spending time with like-minded people, a retreat could be just for you.
Our retreats are welcoming, relaxed and suitable for a range of experience levels. Check the individual retreat page for details on the craft, itinerary and physical requirements.
Yes. Many of our retreats are suitable for complete beginners as well as more experienced makers.
Our tutors are there to guide and encourage you throughout the creative experience, and our small-group approach allows for individual tuition and support with the craft.
Because the level varies between retreats, please check the individual retreat description before booking. If you are completely new to a craft and are not sure which experience to choose, contact us and we will help you find the right one.
Accessibility varies considerably depending on the retreat, venue, destination and itinerary.
Some of the beautiful and historic properties we use have stairs, uneven surfaces, cobbled areas, steep paths, limited lift access or other architectural features that can make certain areas difficult to access. Excursions may involve walking, standing for extended periods, steps, uneven ground or getting in and out of vehicles.
Important: you must tell us about any mobility, accessibility or physical support requirements before booking. Please give us as much notice as possible. We need this information so that we can check the practical arrangements with the venue and relevant suppliers. If requirements are disclosed after booking or close to departure, suitable adjustments may not be possible.
You are responsible for reading the retreat itinerary and considering whether you can safely and comfortably manage the physical requirements of the experience. Creative Experiences, its tutors and hosts do not provide personal care, medical support, mobility assistance or one-to-one physical assistance unless this has been expressly agreed in writing before booking.
Guests must be able to manage their own personal needs and must not rely on tutors, hosts or other guests to provide regular physical or personal assistance. This is important because unplanned support requirements can affect scheduled activities and the experience of the wider group.
Where a guest requires significant assistance that was not disclosed and agreed before booking, or where their needs materially affect the safe or reasonable operation of the retreat or the experience of the wider group, participation in particular activities may not be possible.
Absolutely. Many of our guests travel alone, and our small-group retreats are friendly and welcoming.
You can enjoy time with the group while still having space to relax and do your own thing.
Yes. A non-participant option is available on most retreats.
Non-participants receive a £250 reduction and can enjoy the accommodation, included meals, excursions and activities without taking part in the creative workshops.
Please check the individual retreat page for exact inclusions.
All guests must be 18 years of age or over to join a Creative Experiences retreat. Beyond this, there is no upper age limit. Age alone does not determine whether a Creative Experiences retreat is suitable for you.
Every retreat is different, but you can expect a relaxed mix of creative tuition, project time, exploration, good food and shared experiences.
Retreats usually begin with a welcome drink at your arrival, followed by workshops or time to work on your own projects. The itinerary also include free time, excursions, cultural visits and local experiences.
You will find a detailed day-by-day itinerary on each retreat page.
You can also read our blog articles about some of our past retreats to get a better feel for the experience.
Our retreats are deliberately kept small, with up to 15 guests on our tutored retreats and a maximum of 20 guests on our Bring Your Own Craft retreats. This allows us to create a friendly and welcoming atmosphere while ensuring guests on tutored retreats receive more personalised attention and guidance from their tutor.
Group sizes may vary depending on the retreat, tutor and destination. Please check the individual retreat page or contact us if you would like to know the expected group size for a particular experience.
Of course. It is your holiday too.
You are welcome to skip an activity, relax or explore independently.
Please note that unused activities may not be refundable. If you leave the group itinerary, you will be responsible for your own transport, costs, arrangements and personal safety.
Our tutors are at the heart of Creative Experiences, and we carefully select them for their expertise, experience and passion for sharing their craft.
Many are recognised artists, designers and educators, with specialist training, qualifications and awards. A number of our embroidery tutors have also trained with the Royal School of Needlework.
Most importantly, we choose people who we believe will make your creative holiday both inspiring and enjoyable.
Booking your retreat is easy.
First, log in to your account. If you do not already have an account, you will need to sign up and complete the required information.
Once you are logged in, choose the experience you would like to join and select Book Now on the retreat page. You will then be guided through the booking process, where you can select the available options and provide the necessary details.
Once we have received your booking and the required payment, we will send you a confirmation email with your booking details and the information you need to start looking forward to your creative holiday.
If you would like some additional visual guidance, we have also created a YouTube video that takes you through the booking process step by step.
If you have any questions or need assistance with your booking, please contact us. We are always happy to help.
What is included varies between retreats and destinations. On the retreat (expect day courses) your package include accommodation, creative tuition, selected meals, excursions, entrance fees, and other activities.
You will find a detailed What Is Included section on each retreat page. We recommend reading this carefully before booking so you know exactly what is covered.
Yes. All guests are required to have adequate travel insurance for their holiday.
We strongly recommend arranging your insurance as soon as you book and making sure it provides appropriate cover for your destination, activities, cancellations and personal circumstances.
Flights are not included in the price of our retreats. Guests are responsible for arranging and paying for their own.
This gives you the flexibility to choose the departure airport, airline and travel times that suit you, as well as the option to use air miles or extend your holiday before or after the retreat.
We strongly recommend that you do not book flights or other non-refundable travel arrangements until your retreat booking has been confirmed.
Yes. For added convenience, we can arrange airport transfers from the designated arrival airport directly to the retreat location as an optional add-on.
Additional charges apply, and availability depends on the destination, your arrival time and the arrangements for the individual retreat.
If you would like us to arrange an airport transfer, you can either add it at the booking time or contact us as early as possible with your flight details. We will confirm availability, collection arrangements and the additional cost with you.
We want your arrival to feel easy and welcoming from the moment you reach your destination.
Where possible, a member of the Creative Experiences team will be there to welcome you with a Creative Experiences sign on arrival and help you meet your arranged transfer to the retreat location.
On some occasions, a pre-arranged taxi driver will be waiting for you instead. If this is the case, we will let you know in advance and provide clear information about where to meet your driver and what to expect when you arrive.
We will provide your transfer details before you travel so that you know exactly what to do when you arrive.
Absolutely. Many of our retreats take place in wonderful destinations that are well worth exploring for a little longer. You may also prefer to arrive a few days early to settle in, relax and familiarise yourself with the destination before the retreat begins.
Depending on availability, we can arrange additional nights at the retreat accommodation for you, either before or after your retreat. Additional nights are available at an extra cost.
Please let us know about any dietary requirements or allergies when you book.
We work closely with our accommodation and hospitality partners and will always do our best to communicate your requirements to them. As food is often provided by third-party hotels, restaurants and venues, however, we cannot guarantee that every request can be accommodated.
If you have a serious allergy or specific dietary requirement, please contact us before booking so we can discuss your needs.
We want you to feel completely comfortable and excited about your Creative Experiences holiday.
If there is anything you would like to ask before booking, whether it is about the craft, accommodation, accessibility, physical requirements, travelling solo or the destination, please get in touch with us. We are always happy to help.
Please raise any mobility, accessibility or support requirements before booking. The earlier we know, the better able we are to give you accurate information about whether the retreat is suitable for you.