Redbud @ Portugal
For centuries, writers have gleaned inspiration from traveling outside their comfort zones to beautiful settings in foreign places. We’re so excited to continue that tradition with a week-long writing retreat at Quinta da Lua Nova, a traditional Portuguese house located on a horse farm in Seia, Portugal.
Participants on this retreat will enjoy six days of writing in a rural, peaceful setting. Mornings will be devoted to craft talks, guided writing activities, and classroom discussions led by Redbud co-founders Emily Cataneo and Arshia Simkin. During the afternoons, participants will be free to work on their own writing, brainstorm with the instructors or with a partner, take a walk with the herd of horses on the property, and/or cool off in the pool. Evenings, we will reconvene for dinner and readings of student work.
Don’t miss the opportunity to travel abroad and spend a week working on your project with like-minded writers!
FAQ
What are the dates for the retreat?
October 4-10. We recommend flying out of Raleigh on the October 3 to arrive in Portugal on the 4th.
Where should I fly into?
Lisbon. The retreat fee covers the cost of airport transfers from Lisbon to Seia and back.
What else is included in the retreat fee?
The cost of the retreat includes airport transfer, lodging, all meals for the duration of the retreat, and one group excursion/activity off the property (to be announced soon, but potential options include a trek in the Serra da Estrela Nature Park or an afternoon at the beach). Please note that airfare is not included.
tell me about these meals
Meals might include: roasted aubergine with tahini, courgette soup, beet root salad, couscous salad, mushroom pasta, vegetable lasagna, stella aubergine, peixinhos da horta, apple crumble, pineapple with berries, fig compote with local cheese, homemade ice cream
what is the cost of the retreat?
We have different prices based on room type. The cost for a single room with en suite bathroom is $4400 (four spots are available at this price). The cost for a single room with a shared bathroom is $4000 (two spots are available at this price). And the cost for a shared room with a shared bathroom is $3500 (four spots are available at this price).
can i learn more about the retreat center?
Yes!
when is payment due?
A $1000 deposit is required to reserve your spot. The full payment is due by June 15.
what if i need to cancel?
After June 15, we can unfortunately no longer provide refunds.
what if the retreat is canceled due to low enrollment?
We don’t anticipate this happening, but if it does, we’ll provide full refunds to everyone who’s enrolled.
should i get travel insurance?
We recommend getting travel insurance for this trip as a protection for the unexpected.
Will there be horses present on the property?
Yes, there are horses on the property, as well as three dogs.
i’d like to reserve my spot but i can’t make the full payment right now. what do i do?
You can make the $1000 deposit that will reserve your spot.
i would like to pay the full amount to reserve my room now.
Perfect! Registration is now open for all rooms and they will be filled on a first come, first serve basis. (Note: The ensuite rooms sell out fast, so snag your spot early if you are interested in those.)
I have more questions!
Read all about last year’s trip on our blog.
Send us an email at asimkin@redbudwriting.org and we’ll provide answers!
Are you offering any scholarships?
Writers of color and writers who are under-represented and marginalized don’t often get chances to participate in opportunities such as international writing retreats. We were able to offer a partial scholarship last year thanks to your generous donations. We’d love to be able to offer another scholarship this year in the amount of $2500 (leaving a remaining cost of $1000.) If you would like to make a donation to the scholarship, use the button below.