LISBON, PORTUGAL
Arounna Khounnoraj | The Art of Repeat Patterns Workshop
March 31 - April 5, 2025
Journey to Portugal with Designer Arounna Khounnoraj as we discover the world of pattern design and tiles. Tiles (also known as azulejos) are everywhere in Portugal. They decorate everything from walls of churches and monasteries, to palaces, ordinary houses, park seats, fountains, shops, and railway stations. Even today they’re individually painted and laid down by hand, following processes created hundreds of years ago.
Arounna Khounnoraj will take you on a journey to discover how tile works as a powerful pattern generator. In this small group setting, you'll learn the basic fundamentals of a repeating pattern and further explore various aspects of patterns and tiles using different techniques such as block printing and painting. We venture south of the city to discover tile painters in Azeitão where you’ll have the chance to paint your own tile with traditional colours. We’ll examine some of the great tile installations around Lisbon before we explore the fundamentals of the National Tile Museum together. Throughout our explorations around the city, Arounna will share insights into how she considers inspiration for her pattern designs.
This Ace Camp Travel trip is ideal for aspiring designers, artists, surface designers, and tile and pattern enthusiasts looking to explore all things pattern design in a unique way.
This program open to all creative ability levels. Trip Itinerary, Details + Important Trip Notes below.
DATES
March 31 - April 5, 2025 ∙ 6 Days, 5 Nights
PRICE
Private Room $4395 USD
Shared Rooms - Please contact us for details
If you and another guest would like to share a room at a reduced fee, you may request a shared room, due to rooming layouts, you may have to share one large bed. Please contact us HERE to discuss this option.
Trip Highlights Include
Bespoke Pattern Design workshop with Arounna Khounnoraj
Learn about block printing + how to tile repeats
Hand sew a custom tote bag with your own fabric!
Traditional Tile Painting Workshop
Tour a small tile production workshop where they make + paint individual tiles by hand
Paint your own tile to take home!
Guided tour of the National Tile museum
Seaside lunch in Sesimbra
Traditional Portuguese Culinary Walking Tour
Explore the “real” flavours of Lisbon
Transport during included meals + activities
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout your trip
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.
Arounna has written and published five books with a focus on Textile design and processes, such as newly released Contemporary Patchwork: Techniques in Color, Surface Design & Sewing and Winter Celebrations, A modern guide to a handmade Christmas. Learn more about Arounna at bookhou.com, her books and follow her on Instagram for inspiration at @bookhou.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Portugal! Arrival in Lisbon, Portugal. Make your own way to our hotel close to Príncipe Real and the Botanical Gardens. Have a rest, walk the city, head for a beverage or explore the neighbourhood. Please plan to arrive at our Lisbon hotel no later that 5pm so you have time to settle in before dinner.
This evening we have a welcome dinner with Arounna.
Meals included: Dinner
Day 2
Today is a full day workshop with Arounna. Our morning begins with Arounna introducing you to the idea of pattern design. We will take a brief stroll in the surrounding neighbourhood to gather some reference drawings to use as inspiration for your designs.
Back at the studio Arounna will share with you to the various ways a repeating pattern can be created before you delve into creating your own custom pattern design and block print.
This afternoon you will continue working on your block designs and start laying out your patterns for printing on fabric.
Dinner this evening is free time to relax or explore on your own or with others from the group. We will provide suggestions for some of our favourite spots to check out.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 3
Let’s explore the Tiles of Lisbon! We make our way south of the city to the beautiful Azeitão region, where you’ll visit the well-known Azulejos de Azeitão workshop. Here you will learn about the process of making a tile by hand followed by the opportunity to paint and stencil your own tile to bring home with you. Nearby we visit a coastal fishing village for lunch near the beach.
This afternoon we’ll admire some of the most impressive tile artwork around the city followed by a visit to Madre de Deus Convent, the home of the Azulejo Museum. The Museum features an impressive collection of tiles, ranging from the 15th century to contemporary artists.
Dinner this evening is on your own to explore all the amazing flavours of Lisbon! We will provide suggestions for some of our favourite spots to check out.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Day 4
This morning you will have some free time to explore this incredible city together or on your own. You might take a trip to Belem to visit the MAAT, go shopping in the markets or check out some of the great craft and design shops, stroll through the botanical gardens, or look for colourful canned sardines!
Mid Afternoon we will meet up for a culinary walking tour as we discover the enchanting and complex food scene of Lisbon. Take a closer look and you’ll discover a city that maintains the deep-rooted links of its former trading empire, one that once connected Macau in the east to Rio de Janeiro in the west. We’ll visit some lesser known parts of the city as we taste our way through a variety of dishes. Along the way there will also be a tasting of signature Portuguese cheeses and wines. We’ll sample savory pastries at a historic bakery, a spot as beautiful as the pastries are delicious. Finally, no day in Lisbon would be complete without a pastel de nata, the famous local custard tart, with a stop at a tiny neighborhood shop that serves one of the city’s best.
Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 5
Today you’ll have a full day workshop with Arounna. You will continue with your block printing pattern designs on fabric, and will have the chance to overdye them in indigo.
This afternoon you will choose one of the patterned fabrics you have printed and you will be hand sewing the fabric into a simple tote bag with leather handles. Arounna will work with each guest one-on-one and answer any questions you might have to help you to continue your pattern journey.
This evening we gather for our final group dinner to share stories and celebrate our creative week together!
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 6
This morning we pack our bags and say our farewells. We can help you arrange airport transfers together if possible.
Thank you for joining us on this incredible and often unexpected journey to Lisbon!
Meals included: Breakfast
Nota Bene: this is a prospective itinerary. It is subject to modest modifications, dependent on local weather, new opportunities, and the desires of the group.
Where We’re Staying
We’ll be staying at a 19th century townhouse that is loaded with charm, lovingly restored, overlooking a quiet historical praça. Specifically designed to feel like a home, it invites guests to become part of the thriving Lisbon creative scene. It features a spectacular fountain, palms and centenarian banyan trees, and it’s located in the Prínciple Real, one of our favorite neighborhoods in Lisbon that features a wide array of colorful boutiques and yummy restaurants.
ROOMING OPTIONS
Please read below carefully and make your rooming selection on the booking page
Group Size: Minimum 8 guests and maximum 12 guests. All Prices are in USD.
PRIVATE ROOM PRICE
The fee for this trip is $4395 per person
Payment Schedule
Initial Payment due immediately:: $1995
Final Payment due December 20, 2024: $2400
About your room: You will have a private room with ensuite for the duration of the trip.
Important Trip Notes + Details
Accessibility
Please note this tour includes several walking tours. You should be comfortable walking on uneven ground for a distance of at least 2 miles. Cobblestones, steep stairs and uneven pavement may be present.
Culinary Notes
Portugal has a very seafood + dairy focused culinary culture. While we will try our best to manage allergies, we cannot guarantee to accommodate vegan, gluten free, egg free or dairy free options.
Please note the following restrictions during our culinary tour: Some, but not all, tastings can be altered for vegetarians, but vegetarians will have to skip two dishes where seafood and meat are served as part of the traditional ingredients.
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.
Supplies
Essential supplies for your workshop will be supplied but you will need to bring a few things of your own. A workshop supply list will be sent to you prior to your departure. All items will be easy to travel with.
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 with a local community of skilled artisans 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
Consult a doctor, nurse or health care provider, or travel health clinic as soon as we confirm your booking on the Trip so you know what may be required, based on your individual circumstances. If you have any health concerns you should contact your health care provider for advice prior to registration of this Ace Camp Travel trip.
Trip Start + End Locations
This trip starts and finishes in Lisbon, Portugal.
Humberto Delgado Airport, also known simply as Lisbon Airport, is an international airport located 7 km northeast from the city centre of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. The airport is the main international gateway to Portugal with many direct flights from all over North America + Europe.
Weather
Late March and Early April is a nice time of year to visit Lisbon, as it’s spring and the flowers are in bloom. Days are usually warm with balmy evenings. Daytimes temperatures usually range from 60°F to 70°F, which means you should pack layered clothes for your stay and a light jacket + umbrella to prepare for the chance of showers.
Included in this Trip
Five nights accommodations in Lisbon
Five breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners
Transport during included activities
Exclusive hands-on workshops with Arounna Khounnoraj on Pattern Design, Block Printing and creating a custom tote bag
Traditional Tile Painting Workshop
Traditional Portuguese Culinary Walking Tour
Tile tour with local guide
Seaside lunch in Sesimbra
Most workshop supplies
Dedicated Ace Camps Travel Host, with you throughout the trip
Ace Camps Travel Host
An Ace Camps Travel Host will be with you throughout 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. The Ace Camps Travel Host is not a local guide but will work with our local partners to ensure 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; some workshop supplies; alcoholic drinks; activities and food and beverages not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; and expenses during free time; some workshop supplies.
Travel Arrangements
Ace Camps Travel will email you when it is time to make your travel arrangements. This email will be sent approximately 90 prior to your trip start date unless you book within 90 before the start of the trip. We will also send you an Ace Camps Travel preparation document prior to your trip. It will include a detailed itinerary, arrival and departure information, a suggested packing list, useful country information and more.
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 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 including various Covid-19 related requirements, providing proof of vaccination, testing before or after entry, masking, etc.
During our 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 there may be a need to mask, distance, self isolate, or remove yourself completely from the trip which will be determined by the Ace Camps Travel Host with the best interests of the group health and safety as the main priority. This is one of the many reasons we require all guests to have Travel Insurance.
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.