Knitting retreats in Provence
Kind words from our knitters
The Club Garrigue knitting retreat was truly a one of a kind vacation. The food…the location….the accommodations….Maaike Van Gerin as an instructor….our retreat coordinator Paulina…all made the week one to remember. Along with wonderful memories I made some wonderful new…
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The Club Garrigue knitting retreat was truly a one of a kind vacation. The food…the location….the accommodations….Maaike Van Gerin as an instructor….our retreat coordinator Paulina…all made the week one to remember. Along with wonderful memories I made some wonderful new friends. I’d recommend this retreat to knitters in a heart beat!
The knitting retreat at Club Garrigue was so much more than I expected. The staff couldn’t do enough for us, the food was amazing, I had a lot of laughs with 8 special women! MaaIke taught us colour work on…
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The knitting retreat at Club Garrigue was so much more than I expected. The staff couldn’t do enough for us, the food was amazing, I had a lot of laughs with 8 special women! MaaIke taught us colour work on our socks we made. She made our week relaxed and fun! I would highly recommend Club Garrigue to anyone, they make dreams come true.
The retreat was a dream come true. To be able to spend a week knitting with expert and inspiring tuition accompanied by other like minded knitters was wonderful. The villa and it's setting were gorgeous and the fantastic team (Oriane,…
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The retreat was a dream come true. To be able to spend a week knitting with expert and inspiring tuition accompanied by other like minded knitters was wonderful. The villa and it's setting were gorgeous and the fantastic team (Oriane, Maaike and Michel) took care of every need. It was wonderfully indulgent. I would love to return.
I had the most wonderful time at Club Garrigue! The French countryside setting was beautiful, the room was spacious and comfortable, and the hosting was top-notch—every detail was handled with so much care. The food and daily aperitifs were delicious,…
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I had the most wonderful time at Club Garrigue! The French countryside setting was beautiful, the room was spacious and comfortable, and the hosting was top-notch—every detail was handled with so much care. The food and daily aperitifs were delicious, and the expert knitting instruction really inspired me and built my confidence. It was such a well-organized event, a great value, and I’d love to return! I honestly can’t say enough good things about it!
Our knitting retreat was perfectly planned and executed. Communication was flawless and consistent, the accommodations were exquisite, the atmosphere was perfect and the instructor was knowledgeable and professional. The chef provided delicious, fresh, local and healthy meals that were original…
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Our knitting retreat was perfectly planned and executed. Communication was flawless and consistent, the accommodations were exquisite, the atmosphere was perfect and the instructor was knowledgeable and professional. The chef provided delicious, fresh, local and healthy meals that were original and creative. We had wonderful excursions to local villages and a marvelous meal at a local upscale restaurant. Our insight organizer could not have been kinder or more helpful. The size of our group was perfect for an intimate gathering. The value for price was remarkable. The transport included was exceptional. We were met at our train and airport arrivals efficiently and without any problems. I can’t recommend this organization more highly.
The Club Garrigue team planned a fantastic knitting experience, which is especially impressive considering it was their first time hosting a knitters and working with this venue. I cannot say enough about the quality of the retreat - from the…
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The Club Garrigue team planned a fantastic knitting experience, which is especially impressive considering it was their first time hosting a knitters and working with this venue. I cannot say enough about the quality of the retreat - from the instructor to the accommodations to the food. They thoughtfully organized every aspect of our time in Provence and I could not be happier with my decision to participate in their inaugural endeavor. I was especially impressed by the genuine care and concern I felt from the team members. They were fun, engaging, and helpful. I would enthusiastically join another Club Garrigue retreat in the future.
Welcome to a Space for Knitters in Provence
Intarsia with Anna Husemann
This retreat is all about colors, shapes and the joy of creating something truly your own. We will start with an introduction to intarsia, exploring both stockinette stitch and garter stitch before diving into Marled Intarsia, a playful way of combining different yarns, colors and materials to create subtle, marled motifs.
We will then take things a step further with Brioche Intarsia, an exciting combination of three-dimensional ribs, strong vertical lines and colorful motifs.
Building on these techniques, you will develop your own intarsia scarf design, experimenting with shapes, color combinations and material contrasts to create something that reflects your personal style. You will then translate your ideas into a color chart before picking up your needles and bringing your design to life, starting to knit your very own scarf.
Toy knitting with Cinthia Vallet
This week is an invitation to let your playful side lead. You’ll knit an animal friend with Cinthia’s original method, which builds the whole toy on the needles without a single seam.
The project comes from Cinthia’s book Chez Myrtil. Each session follows your animal as it grows, and along the way you’ll practice short rows, finishing techniques, facial details and stuffing. By the end of the week you’ll take home a finished woolly friend with its own name and story, along with the skills to knit the next one on your own.
Colorful knitting & finishing with Maaike van Geijn
We’ll start the week with an introduction to colorful knitting and the techniques that reveal its creative possibilities, followed by hands-on colorwork exercises where you’ll explore palette selection for intricate knitting, learn about color dominance and discover practical tools and techniques for testing color combinations. After the introductory classes, we dive into an in-depth project: Midsummer Socks, inspired by Maaike's very popular Midsummer sweater for Laine Publishing’s bestseller 'The Art of The Sea'. Additionally, you’ll also learn clever shortcuts and techniques, from transformative finishing methods to garment fit and shaping. Powerful tips that can make a major difference in your projects.
For the Midsummer Socks, we recommend some experience with knitting small circumferences in the round, plus some experience with stranded colorwork knitting.
Signature Purl Inlay Colorwork with Filipa Carneiro
We’ll start the week with an introduction to the Portuguese knitting style, learning how to tension yarn effortlessly around the neck or with a knitting pin, a gentle and ergonomic method that makes purling smooth and comfortable. From there, we’ll dive into Purl Inlay Colorwork, an innovative authorial technique inspired by domestic knitting machines that blends hand knitting with weaving to open up endless creative possibilities with color and texture. Throughout the retreat, we’ll knit and learn together side by side as we work on an exclusive project designed especially for this retreat, created to help you practice your new skills, experiment with rich color combinations and master the artistry behind this unique method.
With teacher Filipa Carneiro.
Club Garrigue Is A Home For Lifelong Learners
I’ve been sitting on the idea of Club Garrigue for a very long time. It was a secret desire that I didn’t share with anybody.
In my younger days, I grew up surrounded by wonderful, strong women, who took pleasure in teaching me their skills.
But when I moved to France, away from home, I deeply missed that presence and experience of shared learning.
Even when I became part of the founding team that turned Salemi Ceramics from a raw concept in Sicily into Europe’s most visited ceramics school, the itch to build something of my own never went away.
Club Garrigue is different — it’s not a ‘retreat centre’. It’s meant to be a home of knitting. A warm place where everyone feels invited and nurtured. Where no one has to apologise for wanting to relax and enjoy themselves.
This year, I’ve chosen Domaine de la Tuiliere as the venue. But, my vision is to go further than that. In the future, I want to find a permanent home for Club Garrigue, and create a year round home away from home for knitters from all over the world.
I invite you to join us for one of our introductory retreats and become one of the very first members of our Garrigue community.
I look forward to meeting you!
Rebeca.
INTRODUCING THE MAISON
A Welcoming Home for Knitters in the Countryside of Provence
Domaine de la Tuilierie is our venue for our first retreats. It’s the perfect place to knit and relax.
Domaine de la Marquette · Lauris, Provence
Find your room
All rates include the full retreat program.
Premium plus · Room 11
La Tour
Come and discover La Tour, more than just a bedroom, it’s a space entirely your own. With its spacious walk-in wardrobe, private lounge, modern bathroom and private outdoor access, you can enjoy the full experience in absolute comfort.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Deluxe · Room 10
L’Alcôve
Discover l’Alcôve and its unique atmosphere beneath an ancient stone vault. With timeless charm, exceptional comfort and absolute tranquillity, you’ll also enjoy a terrace all to yourself.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Deluxe · Room 9
La Secrète
For the shy or the adventurous, the Secret is a little world of its own. Nestled in the garden, around fifty metres from the house, it offers a peaceful retreat. Let yourself be lulled by birdsong and the scent of flowers.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Standard shared · Room 7
Le Partage
Sharing is a state of mind, just like adventure. Enjoy this charming room, designed for communal living, with its separate bathroom. Experience everything Club Garrigue has to offer, with that little something extra.
Private shared bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private shared bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Premium · Room 6
La Provençale
La Provençale is one of the estate’s standout gems. Spacious and full of character, with a wonderfully comfortable layout, this room is sure to steal your heart. The very essence of Provence.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Premium · Room 5
La Princière
Space takes on a whole new meaning in La Princière. With its high ceilings, exceptional comfort, fully equipped bathroom and spacious walk-in wardrobe, it feels like a home within a home.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Premium · Room 3
L’Appartement
Be careful not to lose your way—this room is the heart of the house. Follow the corridor through its spacious private quarters to discover a magnificent bedroom steeped in history. With its majestic bed and romantic paintings, let yourself be captivated by its indescribable beauty.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Standard single · Room 2
L’Ecuyer
This charming room is made for you. With its quintessential Provençal character, all the amenities you need and an en-suite bathroom, it offers comfort and serenity.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
Premium · Room 1
La Terrasse
La Terrasse, as its name suggests, offers all the comfort and amenities you need, with a special touch: direct outdoor access to your own terrace, for a uniquely magical experience.
Private ensuite bathroom
What’s included & not included
Included
- Private bedroom
- Tuition sessions
- Private ensuite bathroom
- Local excursions
- All meals
Not included
- Airport / train transfers (available at an additional cost)
- Knitting needles and equipment
- Travel insurance
- Flight / train tickets
- Tips
1 / 9 · La Tour
Meet The Team
Club Garrigue is the brainchild of Rebeca Newton, an experienced retreat organiser with dozens of successful events under her belt. She is best known as the co-founder of Patch Adventures, Australia’s most popular women only travel company, Leatherback Travel and Salemi Ceramics, a ceramics school in Sicily that receives hundreds of students each year.
Oriane is the other half of our team; she will be your retreat leader for the week. Based in Marseille, since 2018, she has worked as a tour guide and luxury retreat host in France, Belgium, Canada and Australia – developing a passion for personalized, high-end hospitality.
Getting There
Location & Access
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The nearest airport is Marseille Provence (MRS) and the closest train station is Aix-en-Provence TGV. We offer complimentary transfers from both on the starting and ending date. The property is approximately 1 hour from Marseille and 35 minutes from Aix-en-Provence.
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Provence enjoys warm, sunny days in September with temperatures typically between 22–28°C. Evenings can turn cool, so we recommend bringing a light cardigan or wrap for after-dark knitting and al fresco dinners.
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We recommend arriving a day early to settle in and explore the area. After your retreat, consider visiting Aix-en-Provence, the Calanques near Marseille, or spending a night in the Luberon villages.
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Lauris is a charming hilltop village perched above the Durance valley in the Luberon. With its weekly market, local cafés, and stunning views, it offers an authentic taste of Provençal life.
Limited spots available
Club Garrigue Is A New Idea For Lifelong Learners
I’ve been sitting on the idea of Club Garrigue for a very long time. It was a secret desire that I didn’t share with anybody.
In my younger days, I grew up surrounded by wonderful, strong women, who took pleasure in teaching me their skills.
But when I moved to France, away from home, I deeply missed that presence and experience of shared learning.
Even when I became part of the founding team that turned Salemi Ceramics from a raw concept in Sicily into Europe’s most visited ceramics school, the itch to build something of my own never went away.
Club Garrigue is different – it’s not a ‘retreat centre’. It’s meant to be a home of knitting. A warm place where everyone feels invited and nurtured. Where no one has to apologise for wanting to relax and enjoy themselves.
This year, I’ve chosen Domaine de la Tuiliere as the venue. But, my vision is to go further than that. In the future, I want to find a permanent home for Club Garrigue, and create a year round home away from home for knitters from all over the world.
I invite you to join us for one of our introductory retreats and become one of the very first members of our Garrigue community.
I look forward to meeting you!
Rebeca.
Your Teacher
Maaike van Geijn
Maaike van Geijn is a Dutch-American knitwear designer and workshop teacher based in Schoorl, a small coastal village in the Netherlands surrounded by sea, dunes, and woods.
Maaike is a sought-after teacher who has taught in 5 countries across Europe, and whose work has been featured in magazines worldwide including most recently Laine Magazine and La Bien Aimée. Her workshops focus on the design elements and techniques present in her own work, particularly colorwork knitting.
Maaike’s core specialism is working with colour in knitting — be it stranded colourwork, marled knitting, or textured stitches. Her workshops are always grounded in her own published designs and are hands-on and technique-focused.
When she became pregnant with her daughter, Maaike picked up her knitting needles again — and has not stopped since. She has since built a distinctive career as an independent knitwear designer whose work is known for elegance, playfulness and a deep sensitivity to colour and texture.
Your Teacher
Filipa Carneiro
Filipa Carneiro is a knit designer and teacher based in Lisbon. In 2013 she launched a YouTube channel with weekly knitting tutorials, and it has since grown into the leading knitting channel in Portugal.
Filipa loves teaching and has a gift for breaking techniques down so that knitters of every level can follow along. Her classes give you the confidence to turn your own ideas into real garments and, above all, to enjoy knitting them.
Filipa Carneiro is a knit designer and teacher based in Lisbon. In 2013 she launched a YouTube channel with weekly knitting tutorials, and it has since grown into the leading knitting channel in Portugal.
Filipa loves teaching and has a gift for breaking techniques down so that knitters of every level can follow along. Her classes give you the confidence to turn your own ideas into real garments and, above all, to enjoy knitting them.
Today she is the head designer at Portugal’s leading yarn brand and a reference in Portuguese knitting. She gives talks and teaches at knitting festivals across Europe in Portuguese, Spanish and English, and moves easily between the Portuguese, Continental and English knitting styles.
Your Teacher
Anna Husemann
Anna Husemann is a textile and knitwear designer based in Hamburg, Germany. She holds a Master’s degree in Textile Design and has taught workshops at knitting festivals and events across Europe and beyond. Her work has been featured in publications and collaborations including Laine Magazine, Pom Pom Quarterly, La Bien Aimée, John Arbon Textiles, Farm & Fiber Knits and Initiative Handarbeit.
Her work is all about color, shapes and materials and how they interact with each other. She interprets the traditional craft of knitting in a modern, abstract way, stepping back from small, repetitive motifs to create an expressive, pictorial character. Intarsia is her favorite tool for this.
Nature, and the seaside in particular, is a major source of inspiration for Anna. In the natural world she finds endless ideas for motifs and compositions, as well as beautiful color combinations and special color nuances. During her master’s degree she discovered collage. Most of her paper collages are made on the spot, capturing the mood of a landscape, a scene or a specific motif in an abstract way. She then translates these illustrations into knitted textiles by filling their shapes with various materials.
Your Teacher
Cinthia Vallet
Cinthia Vallet lives in Nantes, France, with her husband, kids, furry companions and a lot of woolly friends! With an aesthetic rooted in her passion for children’s literature, she created an original method that fully reinvigorates the experience of toy knitting and makes it joyful, seamless and easy. She writes patterns and books to empower every knitter to make their own.
She is the author of Mouche and Friends: Seamless Toys to Knit and Love and Chez Myrtil, published by Laine Publishing, a Finland-based international publisher. Cinthia believes that the characters we knit are more than toys. They hold tenderness and joy and open the door to the spirit of childhood. They link people of all ages and are the greatest love spreaders.
Cinthia Vallet lives in Nantes, France, with her husband, kids, furry companions and a lot of woolly friends! With an aesthetic rooted in her passion for children’s literature, she created an original method that fully reinvigorates the experience of toy knitting and makes it joyful, seamless and easy. She writes patterns and books to empower every knitter to make their own.
She is the author of Mouche and Friends: Seamless Toys to Knit and Love and Chez Myrtil, published by Laine Publishing, a Finland-based international publisher. Cinthia believes that the characters we knit are more than toys. They hold tenderness and joy and open the door to the spirit of childhood. They link people of all ages and are the greatest love spreaders.
Everything you need to know
Program and Inclusions
- 01 Program Sunday: Arrival, orientation and welcome dinner. Monday to Friday: A curated program of classes, activities and relaxation time. Expect to improve… Sunday: Arrival, orientation and welcome dinner. Monday to Friday: A curated program of classes, activities and relaxation time. Expect to improve your knitting skills, enjoy a couple of journeys into the Provencal countryside, and enjoy a wine or two. The formal plan for the week will be adjusted based on the projected weather and will be provided to you on arrival. Sit back and let us take care of the planning for you (you deserve it!) We will send you a packing list so that you know what to bring in order to maximise your learning and enjoyment. Saturday: Farewell breakfast and goodbye.
- 02 Accommodation Private bedroom with private bathrooms for all guests. (No shared accommodation options are available at this retreat.) Domaine de la Tuilierie is a… Private bedroom with private bathrooms for all guests. (No shared accommodation options are available at this retreat.) Domaine de la Tuilierie is a secluded, private Maison, located half an hour’s walk from the nearest town, Lauris. It is surrounded by olive groves, wineries and secluded local laneways. It features a pool with lounge chairs, ample gardens, and spacious rooms with lots of natural light. Picking a space where you can settle in and deeply relax was important for us. That’s why we chose this maison primarily for its many comfortable spaces – where you can share knitting time with others or find a corner for yourself for a little while.
- 03 Meals We can provide for most dietary needs but not for severe allergies of any form. Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options are available. If you have… We can provide for most dietary needs but not for severe allergies of any form. Gluten Free, Vegetarian and Vegan options are available. If you have questions, we will answer them gladly. However, in our experience of hosting retreats, it is often the case that people who ask for Gluten Free or other options change their minds once they see the delicious, high quality food available to them. Please take this into account when making your requests, as it is a lot of effort for our team to make these accommodations. Full board is provided in the French style, with all meals made using locally sourced ingredients. You will also be making a couple of visits to a couple of our favourite local restaurants – thoroughly tested by the Club Garrigue team!
- 04 Tuition and Yarn Each week features 5 x 3.5 hour hand-ons tuition with your dedicated teacher who meets you at your level. Thoughtful guidance, personal attention, and… Each week features 5 x 3.5 hour hand-ons tuition with your dedicated teacher who meets you at your level. Thoughtful guidance, personal attention, and space to learn without pressure. Everything will be included for you, from yarn to needles and all necessary equipment to complete your project – so you can arrive empty-handed and be fully present.
- 05 Local Excursion During the week, we will go on a couple of local excursions, and also make space for optional walks and cultural visits. We’ve also lined up a delicious… During the week, we will go on a couple of local excursions, and also make space for optional walks and cultural visits. We’ve also lined up a delicious dinner at one of our favourite restaurants. We won’t tell you where, just yet – some things should be a surprise.
- 06TransfersThe nearest airport is Marseille Provence (MRS) and the closest train station is Aix-en-Provence TGV. The nearest airport is Marseille Provence (MRS) and the closest train station is Aix-en-Provence TGV. We offer complimentary transfers from both on the starting and ending date. The property is approximately 1 hour from Marseille and 35 minutes from Aix-en-Provence.
What’s Not Included
- 01 International Travel and Insurance International travel is not included. The nearest airport is Marseille Provence Airport and the closest train station is Aix-en-Provence TGV. Travel insurance is not required but we recommend it.
- 02 Personal Spending Personal shopping, meals, drinks or excursions outside anything that has been arranged as part of the program.
- 03 Additional Accommodation Additional accommodation before or after the retreat is not included, but we can accommodate one additional night before the start of the retreat at an additional cost. Please see the ‘Book Now’ page for the cost and availability.
- 04 Tips and Gratuities Tips and gratuities are at your own discretion.
What you can expect
A Day in the Life at Club Garrigue
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Breakfast
Enjoy a relaxed breakfast — French style — pastries, fresh fruit and coffee.
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Morning
Guided knitting workshop with your teacher, accompanied by tea and refreshing drinks.
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Lunch
Light, fresh, lunch at the maison. Filling but not overwhelming.
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Afternoon
Each day will vary — time to practice on your own, chill out by the pool, or organized local visits to nearby towns.
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Dinner
Dinner at the maison under the stars or a visit to one of our favorite restaurants.
FAQs
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Our Intermediate retreat is for those with some prior knitting experience who want to develop their skills further. We provide all yarn and patient, expert instruction.
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Just yourself, your needles and comfortable clothing for knitting and relaxing by the pool, visiting local markets and nearby towns and a dinner or two at different restaurants. All yarn is included in the retreat fee.
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The nearest arrival points are Marseille Provence Airport (MRS) and Aix-en-Provence TGV station. From either one, you can easily take a taxi or an Uber to the maison.
If you’d rather not worry about it, we’re happy to arrange a private transfer for you at an additional cost. Just let us know when you book, or send us a message anytime before your arrival and we’ll gladly organize it.
Full travel details, including check-in time and the address, are sent once your booking is confirmed.
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This is a frequent question, and a very legitimate one given the current state of the internet. Happily, I am very proud of my own past and am glad to talk about it here. I am the cofounder of Leatherback Travel and Patch Adventures . I am also the cofounder of Salemi Ceramics, which is a ceramics school in Sicily. But something else was restless in my being. Notice the ‘co’ in cofounder? I have LOVED building projects with my partners in entrepreneurship, but I’ve always wanted to start something of my own. And Club Garrigue is it. I’ll tell more about my story over time, send them this article that talks about my story and my entrepreneurship history. ~ Rebeca.
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Reservations can be made by paying a non-refundable deposit (or the full amount immediately) via our website clubgarrigue.com. We use WeTravel to handle all bookings and once your payment has been received you will receive confirmation from that platform. Subsequent installment requests will also be sent via WeTravel.
Installments will be required as follows:
- Deposit on booking
- Remaining balance to be received 60 days prior to starting date
For further questions please contact us at contact@clubgarrigue.com
Payment Methods
Deposits may be paid via our website, which accepts credit or debit card. Payments from a foreign currency may be paid by debit or credit card.
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You may cancel your booking at any time via our booking platform WeTravel.
- Deposit is non-refundable
- More than 60 days before starting date — 50% refund
- 60 days or fewer before starting date — no refund
Note: If the reason for your cancellation is covered under the terms of your insurance policy, you may be able to reclaim these charges through them.
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