Southern Puglia is home to amazing food, stunning olive fields, captivating coastlines, and quaint historic towns. Historically, Italy has a long tradition of fashion and woven arts and we invite you to join Ace Camps Travel in this wonderful region for a mindful art retreat learning techniques used in various forms of visible mending.

Join us and explore Visible Mending with Arounna Khounnoraj of bookhou. We all have that favorite pair of jeans or a well-loved sweater we don’t want to give up, no matter how baggy or worn they might become. In the movement against throw-away culture and fast fashion, learn how to use the simplicity of a needle and thread to rediscover the forgotten techniques and the joy of mending. We will learn the key techniques of weave mending, seed stitch, and scotch darning, to name a few, and explore different ways to patch woven fabrics from the both the front and back. These techniques will be the core foundation to help you breathe new life into your your favorite garments.

We will also work on a unique piece of your own creation—taking a button down shirt and reworking it into a new garment by adding different mending details that we’ve learned from the previous days. Alongside learning the practicalities of mending, Arounna hopes you’ll leave her workshop reviving your garments and with a new perspective and relationship with your clothing.  

As we slow down and empower ourselves to breathe new life into our garments, we’ll also be taking in the culture and charm of the Salento region of Puglia. Staying in a 16th-century palazzo, we’ll be surrounded by art, nature and history. We’ll dine on regional delicacies, home cooked by locals who focus on typical dishes of the area. We’ll visit the seaside town on Otranto, where we’ll take in the sun-drenched streets and azul views, and we’ll tour Lecce to learn the history of this famed ancient city.

This Ace Camps Travel Trip is open to all creative skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details + Important Trip Notes below.

DATES

October 3 -10, 2025 ∙ 8 Days, 7 Nights

PRICE

Twin Shared Room $4,595 USD

Private Room from $5,095 USD

Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below

TRIP HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE

• Multiple visible mending workshops with Arounna Khounnoraj to learn various mending stitches, darning, patching, and upcycling

• Guided, vintage fashion and material tour in Bari

• Visit to the seaside village of Otranto

• Guided walking tour of historic Lecce with free time to explore the shops and architecture

• Pasta making workshop lead by local Italian women

• Visit to a local Textile Collective, complete with weaving demonstration

• Accommodations in a 16th-century, Italian palazzo

• Transportation to and from included activities and meals

• Return transport from Bari

• Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip

• Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions

Travel + Learn with Arounna Khounnoraj

Arounna Khounnoraj is a Canadian artist and maker working in Toronto where she immigrated with her family from Laos at the age of four. While her education includes a master’s degree in fine arts in sculpture and ceramics, it was through subsequent residencies that she found her current focus in fibre arts. In 2002 she started bookhou, a multi-disciplinary studio with her husband John Booth, where Arounna explores screen printing and a variety of textile techniques such as embroidery and punch needle. She creates objects such as bags, home goods and textile art. 

In addition, Arounna’s passion for creating and belief in the importance of the handmade has allowed her to become one of Canada’s most sought-after mentors and educators working with colleges, workshops and social media projects.  

Sustainability became a core element of the company and studio Arounna Khounnoraj and her husband John Booth opened in 2002. bookhou, a combination of their last names.  Arounna is dedicated to bringing art into everyday life through natural materials and slow design and handmade production. Through bookhou, Arounna sells her textile art and teaches workshops.  Arounna is also an author and has written 6 books and is currently working on three more books, with two of the books being published with Abrams Books based in NYC that will be released in 2026. Learn more about Arounna at bookhou.com, her books and follow her on Instagram for inspiration at @bookhou.

OPTION 1 - TWIN SHARED ROOM PRICE

The fee for this trip is $4595 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $2600

Room Notes: Shared rooms have two guests total and have two individual beds. You will share a bedroom and ensuite bathroom with one other guest. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 2 - SMALL PRIVATE ROOM with separate shared bathroom

The fee for this trip is $5095 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $3100

Room Notes: In Bari you will have a private room + ensuite for 1 night. In Southern Puglia, you will have a private bedroom + SHARED bathroom with one other guest. At the house in Puglia, your shared bathroom will be located a few steps from your bedroom. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 3 - LARGE PRIVATE ROOM with separate shared bathroom

The fee for this trip is $5195 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $3200

Room Notes: In Bari you will have a private room + ensuite for 1 night. In Southern Puglia, you will have a private room + SHARED bathroom with one other guest. At the house in Puglia, your shared bathroom will be located a few steps from your bedroom. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 4 - PRIVATE ROOM with separate private bathroom

The fee for this trip is $5495 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $3500

Room Notes: You will have a private room + private bathroom for the duration of the trip. At the house in Puglia, your private bathroom will be located a few steps from your bedroom. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 5 - STANDARD PRIVATE ROOM with ensuite bathroom

The fee for this trip is $5695 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $3700

Room Notes: You will have a private room + ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

OPTION 6 - SUPERIOR PRIVATE ROOM with ensuite bathroom

The fee for this trip is $5795 per person, paid in two separate installments.

Deposit due immediately to secure your place on the trip: $1995

Final Payment due April 6, 2025: $3800

Room Notes: You will have a private room + ensuite bathroom for the duration of the trip. The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.

Culinary Notes

Italy has a very seafood, dairy + gluten focused culinary culture. We cannot accommodate vegan, gluten-free or dairy/egg-free requirements, and some specific allergies. The majority of our meals will be prepared and served at the house family style and there will not be options.

We cannot accommodate any specific dietary allergies if you do not advise us when you register. Please contact us in advance of registering if you have any dietary questions.

Accessibility

Please note this tour includes some walking tours where the ground may be uneven, you may be on your feet for a couple of hours at a time. You should be comfortable walking, standing or sitting for long periods. Our villa property and workshop space have several sets of stairs to reach rooms and no elevator.

Who is this Trip for?

This trip is for the open minded and patient traveler. You should be eager to learn and work hands-on during your workshop session and be curious about regional culture and cuisine.

This is an immersive adventure and best suited for those who enjoy traveling as a part of a small group.

Travel Health

We recommend consulting a doctor, nurse, health care provider, or travel health clinic once we confirm your booking on this Ace Camps Travel trip so you know what may be required based on your individual circumstances and based on the locations you’ll be traveling to. If you have any health concerns, contact your health care provider for advice prior to booking this Ace Camps Travel trip. 

Trip Start + End Locations

This trip starts and ends in Bari, Italy.

Bari is serviced by an international airport, also known as Bari International Airport-Karol Wojtyla, located 8 kilometres (4.9 mi) from the city center. If you arrive in another part of Italy you can also take the train to Bari to meet the group here.

On October 10th, there will be one group transfer from our villa in Southern Puglia to the Bari Airport, which is about a two-hour drive.

Weather

October is a pleasant time of year to travel to Southern Puglia. Daytime temperatures average around 22°C (72°F) with evenings around 18°C (65°F). Skies are mostly sunny with the chance of showers as the rainy season starts creeping in with the fall colours.

Included in this Trip

• Multiple visible mending workshops with Arounna Khounnoraj to learn various mending stitches, darning, patching, and upcycling

• Guided, vintage fashion and material tour in Bari

• Visit to seaside village, Otranto

• Guided walking tour of historic Lecce with free time in the afternoon

• Pasta making workshop lead by local Italian women

• Visit to local Textile Collective, complete with weaving demonstration

• Accommodations in a 16th-century, Italian palazzo

• Transportation to and from included activities and meals

• Return transport from Bari

• 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches and 7 dinners

• Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip

• Trip Prep call to meet your fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations and questions

Ace Camps Travel Host

An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you through your trip, dedicated to ensuring you have the best possible experience. Your Host is there for any questions or concerns, to look out for the health and safety of the group and to help resolve any issues that might arise. This Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to insure the right combination of pace, information, and duration. Our local partners are deeply knowledgable in the culture and customs of the area and will be there to share their knowledge and passion with the group.

Not Included in this Trip

International roundtrip airfare; required Travel Insurance; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including but not limited to room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and all expenses during free time.

Travel Arrangements

Ace Camps Travel will send you detailed Trip Planning information when it’s time to make your travel arrangements. We usually send this information once we’ve reached the minimum number of guests required to run the trip. We’ll also send you an Ace Camps Travel “Preparing for your Journey” document prior to your trip, which will include arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information, and more.

Supplies

Most supplies for your workshop will be provided but you will need to bring a couple of things of your own including one or two button up shirts that you will use as your primary upcycling project. An additional small workshop supply list will be sent to you prior to your departure. All items will be easy to travel with.

Questions + FAQ’s

If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.

You can also read our FAQ’s here.

Travel Insurance

As stated in our Terms and Conditions, we require all guests to have  Travel Insurance  that at minimum covers both medical emergencies and trip cancellations. Cancellations 180 days or fewer prior to the trip start date will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy which is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance. 

For full details on our Travel Insurance requirements, visit our FAQ’s and review ourTerms and Conditions.

Health + Safety

Our goal is for each of our guests to enjoy the amazing trip we’ve put together. To ensure that happens, we put the health and safety of the group as our top priority. Individual guests are responsible for ensuring they meet all destination and layover country requirements and laws, including any Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.

During the trip, if you feel unwell, exhibit signs of, or test positive for an illness, you should be prepared to follow the advice of local health authorities as well as the Ace Camps Travel Host to ensure the health and safety of the entire group. Depending on the severity of your symptoms and/or viral nature of your illness the Ace Camps Travel Host may determine you need to mask, distance, self isolate, or depart the trip early. You are responsible for any expenses incurred from an illness, injury, or early departure including testing, treatment, isolation, accommodation, transportation, etc. and you will not be issued a refund for any unused portion of the trip. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance, as outlined in our Terms and Conditions. 

For full details on our Health and Safety Policies, visit our FAQ’s and review our Terms and Conditions.

Cancellation Policy

If you choose to cancel your trip for any reason, you must do so via email to hello@acecampstravel.com.  If we receive written notice 181 or more days prior to the Trip start date, we will refund your initial payment, less a $1,000 cancellation fee. If we receive written notice 180 days or fewer prior to the Trip start date you will incur a cancellation fee equal to 100% of the price for the Trip. There are no exceptions to this cancellation policy, including for reasons related to weather, terrorism, civil strife, pandemics, illness, personal, family or medical emergencies, or any other circumstances beyond our control. For this and other reasons, we require you to purchase Travel Insurance.

Be sure to read our Terms and Conditions for full details on Booking and Payment, Cancellation by You and Trip Changes and Cancellations.