THE PORTUGAL
writer’s retreat
immersive writing experience
FIVE DAY
September
16th - 21st
the
EXPERIENCE
Our days will be spent in an 18th century castle reborn filled with art and surrounded by verdant, luscious forest. We will be immersed in our writing practice, meditating, exploring the woods, the beach, and connecting with our literary selves. We will also experience delicious farm to table meals lovingly created by a local chef and have a taste of true Portuguese summer. You set the tempo here, time is all yours.
the
INSPIRATION
Time dedicated solely to you and your writing, your purpose, and your truth in one of the most enchanting private estates in northern Portugal. This experience will challenge you to think deeper, expand your creativity, and help shape the course of your writing life. We hope you create work you’re proud of, fall in love with the process of owning your story, uncover the landscapes of your feelings, and reignite your sense of wonder.
the
INTENTION
Portugal is the land of poetry, fado, and wine. It’s a place of tradition, of deep values, of a culture so profound it can be heard through the streets in song form. But more than anything, Portugal is a feeling. Here, time moves at the pace of the wind, savored with every sense. Days are drenched with sunshine and unforgettable flavors. We go to Portugal to slow down, to feel, to make space for a life of magic and meaning.
LOCATION
the
Passing through a moss-covered granite gate decorated with opulent merlons, a path shaded by grand old cork oaks leads to Paço da Gloria, our grand baroque manor that appears out of the mist at the centre of a fairytale forest, just an hour North of Porto. This is a house that has played the eccentric protagonist in a myriad of tales, whimsical dreams & extravagant endeavors since the 1700s.
Today, the current owners (a Portuguese family with ample artistic flair) have pulled back the curtains once more to be a part of the story’s newest chapter, one that creates refuge for creative minds in the heart of the Minho. Rich in history, the house dates back to the 13th century and alongside the newly revamped studio apartments and suites (where we will stay), the ground’s offerings include a saltwater outdoor pool, a heated indoor pool, tennis courts, historical gardens, a vegetable garden, a lake – and of course a private art gallery.
WRITING SESSIONS
immersive
Our writing sessions are truly for writers of all levels. While they will draw you out of your comfort zone (where most good writing happens), they are also a supportive container for experimentation and exploration. We’ve spent years designing an experience that balances craft and creativity.
Our goal is to help you unlock your creative potential and connect to your authentic voice. We lead guided intuitive sessions like Owning Your Story and More Than Memoir, as well as craft & form workshops like The Lyrical Essay, Poetry Play, and so many more.
Learning in a setting outside of everything you've ever known, surrounded by new perspectives and life-changing experiences, is at the core of what makes our retreats so special.
TOGETHER
our time
This is a sample schedule and a bird’s eye view of how we will spend our days. Every morning begins with silent morning pages and tea. There is ample time throughout your stay to work on your writing, rest, and explore. *Timing and workshops are subject to change.
16th— Arrival day. We officially begin at 5 p.m. with an Opening Circle and Welcome Dinner.
17th—Let's write. Immerse yourself in your practice with meditation and yoga. Our first workshop is a cornerstone of our work together: Owning Your Story + Intuitive Writing. It opens a portal into our truth and subconscious, helping us connect with our authentic voice and narratives from the very start. Our afternoon workshop is a generative session that will get you writing as you begin to build a body of work.
18th— Balance is everything: We will start the day with our yoga practice to connect with our creative bodies. The morning workshop session will be craft-based as we explore form in The Lyrical Essay Workshop. Then we will spend our afternoon at the beach enjoying the September Sun.
19th—Start the day with meditation, then sink into our More Than Memoir Workshop, which draws together some of the larger themes of the week and gives your work a real body. In the afternoon, we will get creative and experiment with form at our Poetry Pool Party, a generative poetry session.
20th— Bring it all together. We will spend the morning grounding out and slowing down with a yin yoga practice. Our morning workshop will tap into The Short Story, a genre that's accessible to all but requires knowledge of structure. Erin will teach us how to structure stories and develop characters from scratch. We will spend the afternoon writing, doing one-on-one sessions with Jade and Erin (optional), and getting ready for the evening's Open Mic Reading (our favorite part of the retreat!)
21st—Morning check-out and sweet goodbyes. After breakfast, we will get ready for checkout and be on our way!
Accommodations for 5 nights
Arrival gift bag
All writing workshops
Morning yoga, meditation, and journaling sessions
Beach excursion
All meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Open mic night
Optional one-on-one sessions with leaders
not included
*Airfare, alcohol, taxis, additional services
what’s included
Reservations & Rooms
We will be staying in the “Meia-Lua” house, which has a corridor of suites connected to a 3-level tower. There is a living room, a dining room, and a kitchen. All rooms have high-quality linens, bath amenities, private bathrooms, individual AC controls, and Wi-Fi throughout. Rooms are offered as single ($3,750) or shared ($2,900).
getting
TO US
Paço da Gloria is located in the Minho region of Northern Portugal. Fly to Porto from most international airports & the venue is just 45 minutes away. Although you are welcome to head straight to us, we really recommend spending a day or two exploring Porto or even Lisbon, which is 4 hours away (you will receive a travel guide upon booking). Whether you choose to connect with other writers on the way to us or travel solo, Portugal is a stunning country to discover. Our co-founder Jade is based in Lisbon and thrilled to get to show you a taste of what this special country has to offer. We are surrounded by hiking trails, stunning nature, a national park and several beaches.
*Private taxis and shuttles can be booked through us for an extra cost.
FAQs
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There is wifi at the venue, but we do mind and follow intentional phone practices. We require no phones during workshop or at any meals. We request the rest of the week that you leave your phone in your room or only use it very intentionally. This decision has been made after years of retreats and our quest to be present during this experience.
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You will fly into Porto Airport (OPO) if you want the nearest airport, or you can fly into Lisbon (LIS) airport if you want to adventure, see the capital and drive up to the venue.
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Private taxis and shuttles can be booked through us . An air conditioned car for up to 9 people is €100 each way from Porto. We recommend you book through us so that we can group you with others arriving at the same time as you. You are also welcome to book your own taxi.
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Check in is at 3:00pm, check out is at 11:00am. The retreat officially starts at 5pm on September 16th.
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US citizens enjoy visa-free travel to Portugal for up to 90 days.
Portugal is part of the European Union, therefore, nationals from other EU/EEA countries or from Switzerland are allowed to enter Portugal freely.
For a list of countries with visa free entry, click here.
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Absolutely. The retreat is designed to ignite your creative potential, whether you have experience writing or not. Workshops are designed to nurture all levels.
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Yes. If you are traveling alone and book a shared room, we pair you with a roommate.