Here's something special for my writer friends here in Sonoma County and reader/writers elsewhere in the world. Who wouldn't love to find themselves in a writing class deep in the Tuscan countryside for a week, this fall?
This wonderful retreat is on my radar via my dear friend, Michael, a fellow British/American Petaluman who is friends with one of the co-hosts and tutors, award-winning and Sunday Times best-selling author, Helena Attlee.
Close your eyes and take your fingers off your keyboard. Now picture yourself with six days of masterclasses await amidst the comfort and bohemian atmosphere of a 13th-century castle deep in the Tuscan countryside.
Guided by Helena and acclaimed biographer and travel writer Julian Evans, what an extraordinary opportunity to forge new writing skills and ways of seeing and experiencing your surroundings. Whether you wish to write about travel, history, biography or autobiography, landscape, food or nature – any form of creative non-fiction – six days at Castello di Potentino would be an ideal moment to start a new project or look at an existing one with fresh eyes.
During the week you'll view Tuscan shepherds making cheese, taste wines made from the castle vineyards, explore unspoiled landscapes with a local botanist, learn to make pasta and immerse yourself in village life at the market: lived experiences to capture on the page. Working in a small group, learn crafted techniques to strengthen your writing voice and enable you to create storytelling truth from fact. Helena and Julian will also offer one-to-one tutorials.
Special guests include Rachel Roddy, whose weekly column in the Guardian has won her many fans, and Derek Johns, who has recently stepped down from running London’s oldest literary agency.
This six-day stay is priced at around $2000 per person all-inclusive (give or take exchange rate), except for travel to and from which you'll cover the cost of yourself. This seems very reasonable considering the quality of accommodation, meals and instruction. October is a great time to travel to Italy from the U.S. Flight prices aren't too prohibitive after the summer season wraps up.
Click here to learn more about Castello di Potentino, an ancient castle built on an Etruscan site in a secret valley.
Click here for more information on how to sign up to attend.
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