Elise Valmorbida

A HAVEN FOR STORIES
1-week Creative Writing Retreat in Italy, 17–24 October 2026
—booking now!

What are the stories you want to tell? Do you dream of starting — or finishing — a writing project, unblocking your creativity, or giving your work-in-progress some much-needed time and attention?

This is your chance to spend a week in the Italian countryside with three acclaimed writer-teachers who have worked in many genres and media (fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, poetry, children’s literature, theatre, journalism). They’re big-hearted and very experienced teachers of creative writing, brilliant individually and as a team. They’ll help you develop ideas, hone your voice, structure your story, build narrative drive — and advise on any writing or publishing queries that crop up.

To be at Villa Pia is to enjoy long lunches and traditional four-course dinners at one big table, with good coffee, wine and Aperol spritz on tap. All the essentials are looked after, so that you can concentrate on your writing. The week involves morning workshops in small groups, and one-on-one tutorials with each of your tutors in the afternoons. There are evening readings, plus — for those who fancy it — the option of yoga, tennis, table-tennis, swimming, cookery lessons, massages, walks and excursions.

‘A Haven for Stories’ was dreamed up during lockdown by Tobias Jones, Alice Vincent and Elise Valmorbida. This unique retreat, devised and revised each year by the same trio, has been fully booked since launching in 2022.

PS In 2026, our 5th year, Alice will be on maternity leave (and will be missed), but we’re very excited to announce that our new tutor is Clare Pollard.

A HAVEN FOR STORIES
1-week Creative Writing Retreat in Italy, 17–24 October 2026
—booking now!

		A Haven for Stories

		Home Books Teaching Central Saint Martins Arvon Migration + other stories Umbrian Retreat Writing + wellbeing Writing Projects Events Contact + Links		“Such a great group of humans. Loved how there was a blend of ages, backgrounds, places of origin. Change nothing. It’s perfect.” —participant “People. Care. Trees. Cooking. Perfection.” —participant A HAVEN FOR STORIES 1-week Creative Writing Retreat in Italy, 17–24 October 2026 —booking now! What are the stories you want to tell? Do you dream of starting — or finishing — a writing project, unblocking your creativity, or giving your work-in-progress some much-needed time and attention? This is your chance to spend a week in the Italian countryside with three acclaimed writer-teachers who have worked in many genres and media (fiction, non-fiction, screenplays, poetry, children’s literature, theatre, journalism). They’re big-hearted and very experienced teachers of creative writing, brilliant individually and as a team. They’ll help you develop ideas, hone your voice, structure your story, build narrative drive — and advise on any writing or publishing queries that crop up. To be at Villa Pia is to enjoy long lunches and traditional four-course dinners at one big table, with good coffee, wine and Aperol spritz on tap. All the essentials are looked after, so that you can concentrate on your writing. The week involves morning workshops in small groups, and one-on-one tutorials with each of your tutors in the afternoons. There are evening readings, plus — for those who fancy it — the option of yoga, tennis, table-tennis, swimming, cookery lessons, massages, walks and excursions. ‘A Haven for Stories’ was dreamed up during lockdown by Tobias Jones, Alice Vincent and Elise Valmorbida. This unique retreat, devised and revised each year by the same trio, has been fully booked since launching in 2022. PS In 2026, our 5th year, Alice will be on maternity leave (and will be missed), but we’re very excited to announce that our new tutor is Clare Pollard. A HAVEN FOR STORIES 1-week Creative Writing Retreat in Italy, 17–24 October 2026 —booking now!