Notes from a Magical Week at Redbud’s International Writing Retreat in Portugal

Last October, Redbud went to Portugal for our first-ever international writing retreat—and we had the time of our lives. We won’t bury the lede: it was such a magical experience that we’re doing it again.

Join us for six unforgettable days of writing in the small town of Seia from October 4–10, 2026. Here’s a glimpse of what awaits:

We landed in Lisbon and gathered at our pickup spot, a mix of jet-lagged excitement and anticipation in the air. Some participants had already been exploring Portugal, while others flew in together from Raleigh, arriving as instant travel companions. From there, a shuttle carried us north toward Seia, rolling through golden hills and terracotta-roofed villages, with a stop along the way for flaky, custard-filled Portuguese pastries (the first of many memorable bites).

When we arrived at our retreat home, it felt like stepping into another era. The rooms were full of old-world charm, complete with stone walls, oil paintings and ornate wallpaper. After settling in, we gathered beneath a canopy of grapevines, introducing ourselves and sharing our hopes for the week ahead. Despite a day of travels, everyone leaned into the moment with excitement.

Nothing beats exchanging story ideas under the grapevines

From there, the days fell into a tranquil and deeply productive rhythm. Each day offered a balance of craft lectures, shared meals, writing time, rest, and reflection. Over the course of the week, we explored topics like “Backing into Backstory,” “Getting out of the Bathtub,” “Capturing Place,” “All Your Questions, Answered,” and “Eye of the Storm.” These sessions, plus our guided writing exercises, sparked new ideas and gave writers practical tools they could apply to their stories. (One participant wrote, “I especially appreciated that most or all of the exercises could be done on our target work -- this was a HUGE help to not start from scratch in the afternoons.”)

Mornings began with a generous breakfast spread: homemade baked goods still warm from the oven, creamy yogurt, fresh bread, local cheeses, jams, honey, and juices made onsite. And of course—plenty of coffee. We’re writers, after all. In the quiet sleepy mornings, as we all slowly came to life, writers chatted about breakthroughs, puzzled through sticking points, or simply got to know one another. Moments like these are why spaces like this matter: they transform writing, often a solitary endeavor, into something hopeful and alive with possibility. The feedback we heard time and again was the same: participants felt newly energized and genuinely excited about their work, both during the retreat and long after it ended. (The other most frequently uttered comments: raving about the food, lamenting that the retreat had to end, trying to puzzle out whether the dog we were currently petting was the “big” dog or the “small dog.” (Given that both dogs were enormous fluffy Portuguese mountain dogs, we’d say both were the big dog.))

Midway through the retreat, we ventured out to the nearby Serra da Estrela mountains for a change of scenery. The landscape was breathtaking: glacial valleys, towering moss-covered rocks, wild shrubs and heather, and a sparkling blue lake. (Fun fact: Arshia had just started taking adult swim lessons and was able to do a clumsy freestyle—her first such attempt outside of a pool environment. After successfully doing a few strokes, she did shout, “This is the best day of my life!” The waters of the Serra da Esterala mountains will do that!)

After drying off, we grabbed cold beers from the park café and enjoyed a packed picnic lunch from our hosts; the cherry on top was a rich, homemade brownie that we still dream about.

Back in Seia, we spent the afternoon wandering its quiet streets, popping into a local shop that offered samples of sweet blueberry wine, cheeses, and cured meats. Small treasures were found: alpaca socks, tiny moccasins, and of course, some of the aforementioned blueberry wine to share back at the retreat.

Throughout the week, we offered office hours for one-on-one guidance. During these times, we helped writers brainstorm plot points, flesh out characterization, sharpen dialogue, build out fantasy worlds, and deepen emotional stakes. These conversations often led to breakthroughs—those quiet but powerful shifts where a story suddenly opens up.

In the evenings, we took our glasses of wine to the patio to watch the sun set in technicolor pinks and oranges and to debrief: sharing stumbling blocks, strategies, and success stories.

The retreat unfolded at each writer’s own pace. Some took afternoon naps to recharge. Others wandered down to visit the horses grazing nearby, or slipped into the kitchen for a slice of homemade olive oil cake and an extra cup of coffee. The retreat atmosphere of calm and quiet focus allowed writers to take each day at their own pace, tailoring the time to what suited each writer best.

A few favorite moments:

Walking back from the pool as a majestic group of horses filed past us to stop and, one by one, receive pets before continuing onward
Lingering over conversations with our hosts over slices of homemade orange and almond cake
Being greeted by one the adorably fluffy (big or bigger) Portuguese mountain dogs when you stepped onto the patio
Sharing long, laughter-filled dinners of vibrant vegetarian meals paired with local wine
Floating in the natural pool overlooking the rolling countryside

But beyond the beauty and the food and the setting, what made the retreat truly special was the growth we witnessed. Writers arrived with ideas in various stages—from half-formed to completely new—and left with stronger drafts, clearer direction, and renewed confidence in their work. Many pushed past creative blocks that had lingered for months. Others discovered entirely new approaches to their writing. Perhaps most meaningfully, everyone left with a sense of community: a group of fellow writers who understood the vulnerability and joy of the creative process.

We capped off the retreat with a final reading. A little dressed up, glasses of wine in hand, we gathered one last time to share excerpts of the work that had taken shape over the week. There was laughter, a few tears, and a deep sense of pride in the room. It was a celebration not just of what had been written, but of the courage it takes to write at all.

And that’s why we’re doing it again.

Last year, the single rooms sold out quickly, so snag your spot today to join Redbud for another magical week in Seia, Portugal!

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redbud writing project, llc

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