Writers Retreat in Northern Italy
Trip Date: April 16 - 23, 2023
Price:
$7,500 per person, private room
This trip can also be customized as a private experience for families, solo travelers, couples, or groups of friends, over dates of your choosing. Contact Valise to enquire about creating a Private Journey during dates of your choosing.
Dig deeper into your memoir or novel, or revise your essays and short stories while surrounded by the gently rolling hills, farms and forests of Italy’s Piedmont region.
The Experience
Valise, in partnership with Sweet Lab, is thrilled to announce a spring Writers Retreat in the Piedmont region of Italy, known for its elegant medieval cities and stellar cuisine. The site of this workshop will be the luxury boutique hotel, La Villa, one of the top small hotels in Piedmont. It is surrounded by UNESCO world heritage Monferrato vineyards and stunning views of the Alps. Our Writers Retreat will give you the time to connect with other writers and do your work. We’ll tour, eat, laugh, and of course, share and discuss our writing.
Private rooms at La Villa Hotel
Daily Writing Workshops
One-on-One meetings with Laura Zinn Fromm
Writing time and optional touring activities in the afternoons
"Open Mic” readings at night
A visit and guided tour in Turin, the capital of the region, to discover the abundant baroque architecture and the monumental landmark Mole Antonelliana.
A truffle hunting experience in a region famed for both white and black truffles
A guided walk to explore the gorgeous scenery, quaint, sleepy villages, and gentle hillsides
A cooking class to learn about regional products and preparation methods.
Don’t miss this opportunity to energize your senses, to deepen your writing practice and to enhance your understanding of this lesser known, but stunningly beautiful region of Italy.
Day 1
D
International arrivals to MXP, Group transfer to La Villa, ~1.5hrs
Upon arrival - Free time to take a walk around the grounds of La Villa or schedule a massage
6:00pm - Social Hour
7:00pm - Welcome Dinner
Day 2
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:00am - 10:00am - One-on-One meetings with Laura
10:00am – 12:00pm - Writing Workshop
12:30pm - Lunch at La Villa
2:00pm - 4:00pm - One-on-One Meetings with Laura
Those not in meetings can join a (silent) group writing session, enjoy a hike on the property, schedule a massage, or visit a local village or thermal baths (not included)
6:30pm - Social Hour
7:00pm - Group Dinner at La Villa
8:00pm - Open Mic
Day 3
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:00 - 10:00am - One-on-One meetings with Laura
10:00am – 12:00pm - Writing Workshop
12:15pm - Lunch at La Villa
2:o0pm - Afternoon Truffle Hunt
7:30pm - Dinner at La Villa
Day 4
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:00 am
9:00am - Depart for guided tour of Turin
1:30pm - Lunch in Turin
4:30pm - 5:30pm - One-on-One meetings with Laura
Those not in meetings can join a (silent) group writing session, enjoy a hike on the property or schedule a massage (not included)
6:30pm – Social Hour
7:30pm – Group Dinner at La Villa
8:30pm - Open Mic
Day 5
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:00am - 10:00am - One-on-One meetings with Laura
10:00am - 12:00pm - Writing Workshop
12:30pm - Lunch at La Villa
2:00pm - Guided local hike/walk
6:30pm – Social Hour
7:30pm – Group Dinner at La Villa
8:30pm - Open Mic
Day 6
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:00am - 10:00am - One-on-One meetings with Laura
10:00am – 12:00pm – Writing Workshop
12:30pm – Lunch at La Villa
2:00pm - 4:00pm - One-on-One meetings with Laura
Those not in meetings can join a (silent) group writing session, enjoy a walk on the property, schedule a massage, or visit a local village (not included)
5:00pm - Cooking Class
8:30pm - Open Mic
Day 7
B/L/D
Breakfast: Served between 8:00 am - 9:30 am
9:00am - 10:00am - One-on-One meetings with Laura
10:00am – 12:00pm – Writing Workshop
12:30pm – Lunch at La Villa
2:00pm - 4:00pm - One-on-One meetings with Laura
Those not in meetings can join a (silent) group writing session, enjoy a hike on the property, schedule a massage, or visit local thermal baths (not included)
6:00pm – Social Hour
7:30pm – Farewell Dinner at La Villa
Day 8
B
Breakfast: Timing depends on departures
TBD – International departures
Itinerary is subject to change
Included Meals in itinerary are indicated as follows:
B - Breakfast
L - Lunch
D - Dinner
After landing on Day 1 at Malpensa airport in Milan, Italy (MXP), we will gather for our group departure to La Villa, a 1.5-hour drive. We will coordinate our arrivals so that we all depart together. You will be given guidance about the timing of your arriving flight.
We will depart from La Villa as a group for the Malpensa airport in Milan, Italy (MXP) on Day 8. After registering, you will be given instructions for the timing of your departing international flight.
Detailed information will be sent to you when you register, including reading assignments, a packing list, tipping guidelines/cash needs, and some suggestions to help you prepare for the Retreat.
The available rooms are a mix of Double Deluxe and Junior Suites. All are lovely, but the higher category rooms will be assigned in the order of your registration, with preference given to repeat clients of our Writing Retreats. So.....join the trip early to get a Suite!
Please contact Valise with any questions about flights.
Please contact Laura, zinnfromm@gmail.com with questions about the Writing Workshops.
A non-refundable 50% deposit, per person, is required to confirm a reservation. The full balance is due 6 (six) weeks prior to the start date of the retreat, this amount is non-refundable upon payment. Cancellations less than six weeks prior to arrival are non- refundable.
This retreat is limited to 10 participants
If less than 8 people are registered by Feb. 1, 2023, the Retreat will be cancelled and you will receive a refund, less any credit card fees.
Trip Inclusions
Daily writing workshops and one-on-one sessions with Laura
Private accommodations including private bathroom
Daily Housekeeping
All ground transportation including roundtrip group transfers from/to Malpensa Airport (MXP)
Daily Meals
The following activities and excursions: 1 guided visit to Turin, 1 truffle hunting experience, 1 guided local walk/hike, 1 cooking class
Trip Exclusions:
International flights
Alcoholic beverages other than those explicitly stated
Gratuities
Personal expenses such as laundry services
Travel insurance is strongly recommended
For more information, please contact Valise Travel Concierge