Barcelona

 

 

Join a seven-day writing retreat in Barcelona

Dates:

1st to the 8th June 2025

9th to the 16th June 2025

  • Connect

    Meet other creatives from around the world during our relaxed retreat. You'll have a chance to make new friends, feel the creative energy and new ideas flowing.

  • Relax

    The Alaya retreat center spans several hectares of vineyards and gardens. Horses roam freely around the vineyards, and chickens provide fresh eggs. The estate consists of five beautiful Catalan farmhouses grouped together around a courtyard.

  • Write

    Whether you're a professional writer or beginner, unleash your imagination through a series of guided activities. 

WHAT CAN YOU EXPECT?

Writing sessions, connecting with like-minded writers, sharing ideas, and attending business workshops in Barcelona. The center is surrounded by mountains and vineyards, and the nearby beach is Sitges.

Here’s what you can expect: 

  • 7 days (6 nights) in Barcelona.
  • Full board, including 7 breakfasts and 6 lunches in the villa and 4 dinners and 2 in a local restaurant.
  • Special diets such as gluten-free, lactose-free or specific for allergies carry a supplement of 5 euros per day per person.
  • Wine tasting afternoon.
  • Tour and bathing in a nearby waterfall.
  • An afternoon trip to the beach, Sitges.
  • Daily yoga sessions.
  • Transfer from and to the closest airport in Barcelona/Girona
  • 6 writing sessions with guided activities prepared by an experienced writer and facilitator
  • Formal workshops in marketing and business strategy.
  • Friendly atmosphere of creatives from around the world (max. 12 people)
  • Bring a friend and qualify for a €100 discount with your booking.
  • 5% discount if paid in full on booking.

Full price: € 1,800 (single room) or € 1,400 (twin room shared with another participant) per person, including € 450 deposit. The rest is due 4 months prior to the arrival date. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a writing retreat?

A writing retreat offers time and space to step away from your daily duties and focus on your creativity. This retreat is guided by an experienced writer and facilitator, so you don't have to worry about staring at the blank page, as we'll take you through a series of fun activities.

Do I need to be a writer to join this retreat?

No, everyone is welcome, regardless of their experience, as our retreat provides a supportive environment in which you can fully express your creativity. This might include working on your first manuscript or taking your writing skills to the next level. 

Are you going to provide in-depth feedback on my writing?

No, this is a writing retreat to help you with your creative flow.You can share your writing with the facilitator and the group.

Weekly Program

Day 1: Arrival and Settling In

  • Morning: Arrival and check-in. Welcome breakfast and orientation.
  • Afternoon: Free time to explore the villa and surroundings.
  • 8:00 PM: Welcome dinner and meet-and-greet with fellow writers.

Day 2: Inspiration and Exploration

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Morning writing workshop
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Scenic walking or cycling route
  • 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Downtime (relax, journal, or nap)
  • 8:00 PM: Dinner
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Evening writing session or group discussion

Day 3: Wine Tasting and Creative Inspiration

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Wine tasting trip to a local vineyard, including lunch and vineyard tour
  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Return to the retreat and downtime
  • 8:00 PM: Dinner
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Group reading and feedback session

Day 4: Inspiration from Nature

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Writing exercises inspired by nature
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
  • 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM: Scenic walking or cycling route
  • 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM: Downtime (relax by the pool or take a yoga class)
  • 8:00 PM: Dinner
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Open mic night for sharing work

Day 5: Cultural Immersion in Valencia

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Trip to Valencia center for a walking tour, including lunch and free time to explore the city
  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Return to the retreat and downtime
  • 8:00 PM: Dinner
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Storytelling session around the fire

Day 6: Spa Day for Relaxation

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM: Spa day to relax and rejuvenate, including lunch at the spa
  • 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM: Return to the retreat and downtime
  • 8:00 PM: Dinner
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Evening writing session or personal project work

Day 7: Paella Cooking Class and Final Reflections

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM: Intensive writing workshop
  • 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM: Lunch
  • 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM: Cooking class to learn how to make paella, followed by downtime
  • 8:00 PM: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant
  • 9:00 PM - 10:30 PM: Sharing final reflections and goodbyes

Day 8: Departure

  • 9:00 AM: Breakfast
  • Morning: Check-out and departure.

Dietary requirements

I am catering for the existing dietary requirements:

  • Vegetarian
  • Vegan
  • Gluten-Free
  • Dairy-Free
  • Nut-Free
  • Diabetic-Friendly
  • Allergies (specific foods, such as shellfish, eggs, etc.)

Discounts

  • 150 euros discount for all referrals that book a weekly retreat
  • 5% discount if paid in full on booking

What's not included in the price?

- Flights/Transport to/from Valencia - Attendees must find their own way to and from Valencia. - Alcoholic Beverages - Are provided only during the meal and one alcoholic beverage during the cruise and flamenco show only. 

- Travel insurance is not included, therefore all attendees are advised to book their own insurance. - Any excursions requested by the attendees outside of the itinerary provided by the schedule will be subject to additional costs by the attendees. 

Can I stay longer?

If you're already traveling to the Valencia, why not spend more time in this beautiful part of the world? We can help you find accommodation in the villa or in another charming place in the area - just let us know your plans via the registration form.

What if I have special food requirements?

We can cater to special food requirements (vegetarian, vegan, etc.), but we need to know about them upfront to make necessary adjustments. Please specify your dietary needs, as the caterers might not be able to fulfill them on short notice. 

Payment Plan

- Deposits are non-refundable and will be paid by a PayPal invoice.

- The remaining payment must be paid by the 1st June 2025, or the booking will automatically be canceled.  

- Payment Plan option of $150 per month if required only for the 7-day retreat.

Pet Friendly

At Alaya retreat center animals are always very welcome, so if a participant in your event or retreat wants to come accompanied by their dog there will be no problem. We charge a small fee of €10 per day, of this amount we donate 50% to a local non-profit animal protection entity (www.adap-penedes.org). So with the stay of each animal that passes through our center, we are contributing and helping the most disadvantaged animals. NOTE: The only space where animals cannot be accommodated is in the Alaya area where the bunk beds with capacity for 20 people will be found.

Other Information

- All attendees who pay the deposit will be given access to the private Facebook group. - I will update and include more information about the retreat within the following weeks in the group.