At a Glance
Locations:
Ubud
Duration:
Date:
Impossible Moments
Alice MacGillivray
9
Years visiting Bali
40+
Some of my earliest memories are of my parents' extravagant dinner parties. I grew up in a house of passionate food lovers, where gathering around a table, sharing stories and creating beautiful experiences through food was simply a way of life. That love of connection has shaped everything I do.
Travel, for me, has always been driven by food and curiosity. I love a beautiful fine dining restaurant as much as anyone, but equally, some of the most memorable meals of my life have been eaten on a plastic stool by the side of the road. I believe the best experiences often happen off the beaten track, in small family-run food stalls where generosity and authenticity are served alongside each plate.
I have been travelling to Bali since I was six years old and now visit two to three times a year for work, as well as with my family. For more than 40 years, the island has become a second home. I base myself in Sanur, drawn to its village feel, gentle pace and sense of community. A perfect morning there begins with a sunrise walk along the boardwalk, followed by a big bowl of pawpaw for breakfast.
I am equally inspired by Ubud and find myself returning there time and time again. While it is known for its creativity and artisan culture, for me it is also one of the most exciting food destinations in Bali. We travel there often to immerse ourselves in its incredible dining scene - from beautiful destination restaurants and local warungs to hidden gems tucked down quiet laneways. There is something incredibly special about the village feel of Ubud; the slower pace, the sense of community and the way food, art and everyday life are so beautifully intertwined. It is a place that encourages curiosity, creativity and connection, and it continues to inspire the way I live, create and host.
Bali is also where Bright Threads comes to life. Creating table linen is an incredibly tactile process, and after years of working with fabric, my fingertips have become remarkably sensitive to texture and weave. I have always believed that the imperfections in hand screen printing are what make a piece beautiful. It is a privilege to collaborate with the artists and artisans who bring my designs to life and to share their creativity and craftsmanship with others.
A handful of times each year, I open the door to my Bali and invite you to experience it alongside me - a Bali that feels mindful, authentic, peaceful, kind and endlessly creative. Whether we're sharing a meal around a long table, discovering a family-run workshop or wandering through a local market, I believe there is a profound connection between food, conversation and community.
Everything I do - through food, fabric and travel - is ultimately about bringing people together and creating experiences that feel deeply personal, thoughtfully curated and genuinely memorable. These experiences aren't about simply seeing Bali; they're about feeling it.
Finding the right makers led me to Bali, where I now work closely with traditional screen printers and a highly skilled sewing team who handcraft every piece with care and skill. Bright Threads has grown alongside me and today continues to evolve — still made slowly, intentionally, and with heart.
More than anything, I want to inspire people to be brave with colour — to mix patterns, break the rules, and create tables that feel warm, generous and full of life. For me, it has always been about the same thing: bringing people together, one beautiful table at a time.
This retreat is an extension of that — an opportunity to step inside the process, the people and the place that shape everything I create.
And if you're the kind of person who believes the best memories are made around a table — not behind a screen — I can't wait to welcome you.
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