The Venice Creative Retreat: first 2024 dates
My first 4-day writing and creative retreats in Venice will run on the following dates in 2024, inclusive:
APRIL: 25-28 (3 spaces left.)
MAY: 23-26
JUNE: 6-9
JULY: 4-7
Please note: these are non-residential retreats. Guests arrange their own travel and transport.
There is also no ‘fixed’ or compulsory attendance for any part of the retreat. You are free to take part in as much or as little as you like, according to what suits YOU.
The reason for this is 2-fold:
Firstly, it enables the very considerably lower price than most writing retreats in Venice. I want to be as inclusive as possible, and would far rather more people are able to come and benefit in the many ways I hope they will from these retreats, than push the price impossibly high.
Secondly, my retreats are for a very particular kind of person; someone whose character and life experiences mean they seek a mixture of creative support and personal contact, but also independence and freedom. Connection and disconnection. Stimulation and peace.
They are for those who like their own flexibility, and to be able to travel and stay in a way that suits them. It’s all part of the journey of self-discovery and wandering into our creative minds, and of being individuals who all operate differently.
I believe this is very important to creativity: to be free to be who we are, do things our own way - while also taking advice and being taught new things.
To do things at our own pace and not be hemmed in by the constraints of a strict timetable or type of living arrangement; but also to join in with activities and writing sessions that can help stimulate, encourage and achieve our creative goals.
You might want to arrive a few days earlier, stay longer or even tack on some more travel elsewhere afterwards. (Venice is fantastically close to some amazing places!)
You might want to stay in a 5* palace hotel, or a tiny pensione.
I can give advice on both, if you like.
You might even want to bring a friend or family member who is not on the retreat, but is there to share some of your time here.
It’s entirely up to you.
I want all of my guests to find and enjoy their individual and creative freedom, not feel they must adhere to a strict, compulsory itinerary of timed and planned events, entertainment and organised meals.
I would personally hate that, and probably feel rather overwhelmed and creatively cramped by it - and so would anyone who would suit this type of retreat!
The world is big; each to their happy own.
Individuality and discovering our true sense of self is at the core of my retreats, and of my writing coaching.
This is what has helped me most in my writing journey, and it’s how I believe we can find and develop our creative voice and confidence - not only in our work but in our lives.
Sometimes it takes stepping completely away from our known environment, from everything ‘normal’ that can restrict our creative freedom, and step into a new place that releases and enables a voice and passion in us that couldn’t come out in our daily lives.
That’s what I hope you will find in Venice with me . . . and take back home with you.
If you would like to register your interest, please fill in the form on my website, linked HERE.
More details of cost, timings, an approximate daily schedule, what we can see, do and learn, will be coming next week.
Thank you x
