Weaving Retreat | Weaving in Greece
Woven Sketches: Translating Inspiration to Frame Loom Weaving with Jessie Mordine Young
Athens + Tinos, Greece | May 23 - 30, 2027
Join textile artist Jessie Mordine Young on an inspiring Greek journey, as we learn to translate luminous horizons, raw island textures and coastal palettes directly onto our looms.
Our experience opens in dynamic Athens - a city rooted in ancient lore yet buzzing with modern artistic life - before we set sail for the tranquil shores of Tinos. Renowned for its sacred heritage, marble-carved villages and serene charm, Tinos offers a dramatic backdrop of wind-swept hillsides, historic dovecotes and sea-bleached architecture. We'll explore the artistic villages deep within the island, soak in the charm of Tinos town and uncover the meanings behind tamata - metal votive charms visitors have been leaving for centuries.
Throughout our retreat, Jessie will introduce the principles behind her celebrated woven sketches. You'll explore frame loom fundamentals, learn basic tapestry techniques and practice weaving in the round all while cultivating your own artistic voice. Workshop days blend classroom instruction with on-the-go weaving, where villages and beaches become our studios as you train your eye to see the island as a living tapestry. Using fiber, found objects, and thoughtful color play, you'll translate your surroundings and personal impressions directly into your weaving.
Woven into every day are moments of unhurried ease - lingering over looms by secluded coastal coves, savoring multi-course Cycladic feasts, and enjoying the connections that unfold when people gather to create surrounded by sea and stone.
This Ace Camps Travel trip is open to all skill levels. Trip Itinerary, Details and Important Notes below.
DATES
May 23 - 30, 2027
8 Days + 7 Nights
PRICING
Private Room - $0,000 USD
Partial Sea View, Private Room - $0,000 USD
Sea View, Private Room - $0,000 USD
Sea View Private Suite - $0,000 USD
Full Rooming + Pricing Details Below
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON
SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
WEAVING RETREAT HIGHLIGHTS
Multi-Day, In-Class and On-the-Go, Frame Loom Weaving Workshops with Jessie Mordine Young, learning weaving fundamentals + basic tapestry techniques, design principles and how to translate motifs and inspiration into woven form. You’ll work with a variety of textiles and found materials to create tactile collages and woven sketches.
Woven Bag Workshop with Jessie Mordine Young, learning to weave in the round and create structure and pattern.
Wooden Loom and Toolkit, to use during the workshops + your on-the-go weaving sessions and selection of beautiful yarns and fibers in various colors and textures.
Designer and Textile Artist led Tama Workshop
Locally Guided, Multi-Village Tour of Tinos
Locally Guided walk through Tinos Town and Tour of the Church of the Panagia Evangelistria
Private Boutique Villa Accommodation in Tinos
Return Ferry Transfer from Athens to Tinos
Transportation during included meals and activities
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet fellow travelers and talk through schedules, recommendations, and questions
Travel + Learn with Jessie Mordine Young
Jessie Mordine Young (b. England, 1993) is a Brooklyn-based artist who researches, writes about, curates, creates, and teaches textile art. She holds a Master’s degree in the History of Decorative Arts, Design History, and Material Culture from the Bard Graduate Center in New York City and earned her BFA in Art History + Studio Art in Fiber and Material Studies from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She is a part-time lecturer/faculty at Parsons School of Design of The New School in NYC.
Jessie’s practice is deeply rooted in material exploration, memory, and an intuitive relationship with color and texture. Between 2021 and 2024, she embarked on a daily practice of creating small woven artworks for varying durations. The resulting handwoven drawings or “thread sketches” are visual journals that mark fleeting moments through color, gesture, and materiality. She incorporates found materials from nature into the surface of her weavings, transforming each piece into a tactile collage that blurs the line between textile and sculpture.
The scale of these works references portraiture, inviting an intimate dialogue between the viewer and the woven form. Each piece reflects her evolving relationship with nature, where color and texture become tangible references to memory. Mordine Young’s iterative process underscores her belief in intuition as a guiding force leading her from one woven form, material, and pattern to the next.
Her artwork has been exhibited internationally including Onna House SOHO, Amelie Maison D’Art, Paris, France, Mana Contemporary, Jersey City, New Jersey, and The Invisible Dog Gallery, Brooklyn, New York. She has shared her practice in publications like Maake Magazine and the Create! Magazine’s Alchemy issue and has been interviewed such as Botanical Colors' Feedback Friday. She has collaborated in diverse ranges of creative spaces and is a former resident of the Texere Textile Residency and Textilmiðstöð Iceland.
You can learn more about Jessie at jessiemordineyoung.com or follow her @jessiemordine on Instagram.
Day by Day Itinerary
Nota Bene: This is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, partner schedules, unexpected opportunities and the needs of the group.
Day 1
Sunday, May 23
Welcome to Greece!
Today we arrive in Athens - a city famous for its ancient philosophy, vibrant street life and rich artistic heritage, all cradled in the shadow of the majestic Acropolis.
After making your way to our hotel, relax, stroll the historic neighborhood or enjoy a beverage on a sunny rooftop terrace. This evening we’ll gather for a welcome dinner with Jessie and the group for our first taste of Greek cuisine.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Monday, May 24
Today we’ll begin our weaving journey with a full-day workshop with Jessie focused on fundamentals. We'll start with a brief look at weaving history to deepen our appreciation for this ancient craft before diving into the mechanics of frame loom weaving - from warping the loom and drafting a design to exploring basic tapestry techniques. Working with a variety of yarns, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of materiality and cultivate your own “tactile sensibility.”
Midday, we’ll break to enjoy lunch together, savoring authentic Greek dishes crafted from farm-fresh local ingredients, small-batch olive oils, and artisanal specialties.
This afternoon brings open studio time to play and experiment on the loom, building confidence in the art of “drawing with thread.” We’ll close out the session refining our samplers with Jessie’s hands-on guidance.
Tonight, grab a fellow weaver and dive into Athens' vibrant culinary scene - we’ll share a few of our favorite spots for an unforgettable Greek feast.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Tuesday, May 25
We kick off our morning with Jessie by crafting a custom woven bag designed to accompany you throughout the retreat. You’ll learn to weave in the round—working across multiple sides of a frame to build a functional, one-of-a-kind piece. As Jessie guides you through design fundamentals, you’ll bring your personal style to life through color, structure, and pattern. Once finished, this bag becomes your portable studio, perfect for carrying your loom and supplies as we weave across the island.
After a light, early lunch, we’ll collect our luggage and set sail across the deep blue waters toward the whitewashed shores of Tinos. We’ll arrive at our private villa just as the golden evening light hits, settling in and gathering for a sunset dinner - specially prepared by our private chef - overlooking the sparkling Aegean Sea.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4
Wednesday, May 26
Today you’ll wake to the rustle of the Aegean breeze and sweeping, panoramic views of azure waters stretching toward the horizon. Will dive into the rich heritage of woven textiles with Jessie focusing on influences and sources of inspiration. She’ll share how to communicate a concept in both abstract gestures and more pictorial representations. Jessie will also explain how a materials-driven process can make for dynamic woven artworks through a form she refers to as “tactile collage.” You’ll be introduced to the concept of memory collecting and visual journaling by incorporating intentionally sourced and found objects into your weavings.
We’ll lunch seaside today, sampling the dishes that honor traditional Greek fishing heritage with a modern, sea-to-table twist. Afterwards, we’ll pack our weaving bags and put Jessie’s lessons into action, channeling the island’s rocky shores, terraced hillsides and sun-bleached architecture into our own woven sketches.
Later, we’ll return to the villa to relax and share a meal prepared just for us, featuring fresh, locally grown vegetables harvested straight from the island's soil.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5
Thursday, May 27
We’re off to explore the island of Tinos, translating its iconic landscapes into textured, woven art. Lesser known than some of its island counterparts, Tinos offers a deeper, more authentic experience — full of spirituality, art, tradition, and wild natural beauty. With over 40 villages, Tinos has an incredible variety of landscapes and communities. The island’s rugged hills, windmills, and dovecotes (pigeon towers) create a uniquely Cycladic landscape.
We’ll make our way around the island visiting a few of the most beautiful villages and locations. As we explore, we'll pause to put our loom techniques into practice, training our eyes to see the island as a living tapestry. Inspired by the surrounding beauty, we’ll distill the ethereal light, earthy textures, and coastal colors into our own woven sketches.
We finish our day with a communal dinner together, enjoying seasonal island specialties crafted by our personal chef, all set against the backdrop of the sunlit waters.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
Friday, May 28
Today, marble-paved Tinos Town, also known as Chora (Χώρα), becomes our weaving studio. Jessie will arm us with creative prompts for capturing real-time inspiration, turning the morning’s sights into tactile design notes. From there, the town is yours to explore: follow the scent of rich Greek coffee down winding whitewashed alleys, watch line and shadow play across hidden courtyards, or pull up a chair at a waterfront café to translate the sea’s movement into thread. You’ll have time to wander, weave in the wild, and savor a sun-drenched lunch in a classic island taverna.
Reconnecting after lunch, we’ll gather for a guided walk to the island’s most iconic landmark, the Church of the Virgin Mary. Inside its candlelit walls, we’ll discover one of the most spectacular collections of gold and silver tamata. These metal charms serve as a universal language for hope, love, desire and gratitude. We’ll uncover the stories behind these tamata and the visitors who have been hanging them for centuries. Afterwards, we’ll move into a collaborative workshop where you’ll create your own tamata as part of a unique, deeply personal piece of textile art.
We close out our day with dinner together featuring elevated island cuisine, set in a candlelit, hidden garden courtyard.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 7
Saturday, May 29
Perched high above the sparkling shoreline, we’ll come together for one last workshop with Jessie. Jessie will work with us on finishing pieces and adding any final touches. She’ll also guide us through a conversation on how to integrate the lessons, textures and rhythms of the trip into our everyday lives. You’ll end the session with practical tools and creative prompts to deepen your creative practice back home.
Our final afternoon unfolds at your own peaceful pace. You might linger over your loom on the terrace, wander the sun-drenched coastline or simply soak in the quiet magic of Tinos one last time. As night falls, we’ll gather for an intimate showcase of our woven sketches, reflecting on our creative journeys and shared moments. We'll end the night savoring a magnificent chef-prepared feast, raising our glasses to celebrate an unforgettable time in Greece.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 8
Sunday, May 30
This morning, we bid farewell to our seaside home and catch the ferry back to the mainland.
Upon arriving at the port of Rafina, a private transfer will bring us into central Athens, where we’ll gather for our final heartfelt goodbyes. Thank you for joining us on this extraordinary - and often wonderfully unexpected - Greek journey.
Meals included: Breakfast
Where We’re Staying
ATHENS:Centrally located on vibrant Ermou Street, our boutique stay is housed in a beautifully restored Athenian building full of character, warm textures, and historic charm. Within easy walking distance, you’ll find Syntagma Square, the ancient ruins of Monastiraki, and the historic streets of Plaka. Step outside directly onto Athens’ premier pedestrian avenue, surrounded by artisan shops, lively cafes, and authentic local energy then unwind on the hotel’s lush rooftop terrace with direct views of the Acropolis.
TINOS: Built into the gentle hillside, our villas offer Aegean sea and island views. Outdoors you’ll find large pools and terraced lounge areas. Indoors, refreshing minimalism, simplicity and contemporary design unfold into comfortable living spaces. Framed windows inspire a connection with the Cycladic landscape and are oriented towards the sea and sunset views.
Rooming Options
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the Booking Request form.
The style and layout of every room is unique and may not be exactly as pictured.
Note: If you are two guests traveling together and would like to share one bed, please contact us for details about a shared bed option.
Group Size: Minimum 9 guests, Maximum 11 guests.
All prices are in USD.
BOOKING FOR THIS TRIP STARTS ON SEPTEMBER 1, 2026 AT 1:00PM PST
OPTION 1 - PRIVATE ROOM IN TINOS
with Small Private Room in Athens
$0,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
For 2 nights in Athens you’ll stay in a small boutique hotel. Here you’ll have a Small Private Room with en suite bathroom. Though smaller than many North American hotel rooms, the rooms are simple, elegant, and carry the charm of an old, Athenian home.
For 5 nights in Tinos you’ll stay on a villa property. In the villa you will have a Private Room with en suite bathroom and a small shared living space with other Ace Camps Travel guests. This room does not have a view.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 20, 2026: $0,000
OPTION 2 - PARTIAL SEA VIEW, PRIVATE ROOM IN TINOS
with Medium Private Room in Athens
$0,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
For 2 nights in Athens you’ll stay in a small boutique hotel. Here you’ll have a Medium Private Room with en suite bathroom. Though smaller than many North American hotel rooms, the rooms are simple, elegant, and carry the charm of an old, Athenian home.
For 5 nights in Tinos you’ll stay on a villa property. In the villa you will have a Private Room with a Partial Cycladic Sea View, en suite bathroom and a small shared living space with other Ace Camps Travel guests. From your window, you’ll have partial Cycladic landscape and sea views.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 20, 2026: $0,000
OPTION 3 - SEA VIEW, PRIVATE ROOM IN TINOS
with Medium Private Room in Athens
$0,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
For 2 nights in Athens you’ll stay in a small boutique hotel. Here you’ll have a Medium Private Room with en suite bathroom. Though smaller than many North American hotel rooms, the rooms are simple, elegant, and carry the charm of an old, Athenian home.
For 5 nights in Tinos you’ll stay on a villa property. In the villa you will have a Private Room with Cycladic Sea Views and an en suite bathroom. You’ll share a semi-private outdoor terrace and small shared living space with other Ace Camps Travel guests.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 20, 2026: $0,000
OPTION 4 - SEA VIEW, PRIVATE SUITE IN TINOS
with Large Private Room in Athens
$0,095 per person, paid in two separate installments.
Rooming Details:
For 2 nights in Athens you’ll stay in a small boutique hotel. Here you’ll have a Large Private Room with en suite bathroom. Though smaller than many North American hotel rooms, the rooms are simple, elegant, and carry the charm of an old, Athenian home.
For 5 nights in Tinos you’ll stay on a villa property. In the villa you will have a Private Suite with Cycladic Sea Views. Yoursuite occupies the top floor of the villa, featuring a private living room, kitchen and sea view outdoor deck.
Initial Payment due immediately: $2,495
Final Payment due November 20, 2026: $0,000
Important Trip Details
Culinary Notes
Unfortunately we are unable to accommodate vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free and some serious food-based allergies on this trip.
This trip is best suited for those open and eager to enjoy and experience a variety of regional ingredients and flavors
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, you will need to submit those on your booking request form. We cannot accommodate any allergies or dietary restrictions if you do not advise us when you submit your initial booking request.
Please contact us before booking if you have any questions.
Accessibility
Please note this trip includes several walking tours where the ground may be uneven such as cobblestones, trails, hills, and stairs. You may be on your feet for several of hours at a time and should be comfortable walking 2 - 5kms.
Our villa property and workshop space have several sets of stairs to access rooms and amenities and no elevator. You should feel comfortable going up and down two flights of stairs, unassisted.
During on weaving on-the-go sessions we will be creating outdoors in a variety of conditions. You should be comfortable sitting on the ground, sand, large rocks or similar items and weaving with your loom in your lap.
Supplies
Most supplies for the workshop will be provided, including a portable, wooden loom toolkit and a selection of yarns and fibers. You’ll want to bring a sketchbook and pencils or pens for drawing and taking notes. Closer to your departure date, we’ll send a reminder and additional details for what you need to bring with you.
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.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and finishes in Athens, Greece. Athens International Airport, officially known as Eleftherios Venizelos Airport (Airport Code: ATH) is located 20 miles from the city center. The airport is the main international gateway to Greece. From the airport to our city center hotel you can take a taxi, prebook an airport transfer or take the Express Airport bus or metro which drop off 2 blocks from our hotel.
Weather
May is generally a lovely time of year to visit Greece. Days are usually warm with cooler evenings. Entering into the dry season we hope for sunshine and longer days. Day time temperatures average around 72 - 75F/ 23C. We recommend packing layered clothes for your stay and a light jacket and umbrella to prepare for the chance of showers.
Included in this Trip
Multi-Day, In-Class and On-the-Go, Frame Loom Weaving Workshops with Jessie Mordine Young, learning weaving fundamentals and basic tapestry techniques as well as design principles and how to translate motifs and inspiration into woven form. You’ll work with a variety of textiles and found materials to create tactile collages and woven sketches.
Woven Bag Workshop with Jessie Mordine Young where you’ll learn to weave in the round and create structure and pattern.
Wooden Loom and Toolkit, to use during the workshops + your on-the-go weaving sessions and selection of beautiful yarns and fibers in various colors and textures.
Designer and Textile Artist led Tama Workshop
Locally Guided, Multi-Village Tour of Tinos
Locally Guided walk through Tinos Town and Tour of the Church of the Panagia Evangelistria
Private Boutique Villa Accommodation in Tinos
Ferry Transfer from Athens to Tinos and back
2 nights accommodation in Athens
5 nights accommodation in Tinos
Transport during included meals and activities
7 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 6 dinners
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
Trip Prep call to meet 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.
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.
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 our Terms 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.
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.
Questions + FAQs
If you have any questions about this Ace Camps travel Trip, please feel free to contact us.
You can also read our FAQs here.
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