What would it be like to have all day to write?
What could you accomplish?
What if you could have all day to write AND get instant feedback on your story all at the same time?
If there was no dinner to make, no house to clean, nothing to worry about except your story for an entire week, how much could you get done?
It sounds like a dream, right? Something every writer wishes they could have.
What if we told you it isn’t just a dream anymore, but can become your reality?
All day to write with meals taken care of and no chores to worry about is now REALITY with the Write With Us! Writing Retreat in Toledo, Spain!
September 17-23, 2023 your dream will come true! At the Write With Us! Writing Retreat, you’ll get all day to write, good food to eat, 1:1 help with your story, interaction with other writers, time to experience the ancient city, Toledo, exposure to Spanish culture, and more!
Important Information:
September 17-23, 2023
Flights into Madrid and train ticket to Toledo are NOT included, but we would be glad to help you navigate getting from the airport to the train. (It’s very easy!)
Taxi ride from Toledo train station to Carmelitas Descalzos is INCLUDED.
Check-in begins on September 17 at 5pm.
Check out is after breakfast on September 23.
At the Write With Us! Writing Retreat Toledo, you will not only have the time to write as much as you want, but also writing tools at your fingertips and the beautiful place to be inspired.
In this beautiful, ancient city, you’ll have plenty of time to work on your book, as well as share your thoughts and writings with other authors. Each day, after breakfast, we will wake up to an optional meditation and writing prompt time, with the rest of the day to write and receive guidance from Kat and Marci.
Lunch will be provided, along with the opportunity to chat with the other authors. In the afternoon, perhaps you will want to take a break and wander the cobblestone streets in the city, receive a therapeutic massage at the local Arab bath hamman, or spend more time writing on your own.
In the evening, we will come together over amazing Spanish food to connect with each other and share about our work. It’s a fun and safe way to receive feedback on your writing and to ask for any help in areas you might be stuck in.
Each day, you will have plenty of time to meet with Kat or Marci (or both!) and receive 1:1 help with your story.
Price:
$1895 with private room, bath and all meals included
***Save $100 if you pay in full upfront!
What is included in the price?
Personal 1:1 coaching with Kat or Marci
Help with your story, chapters, structure, jacket copy, blurb, or anything else you need help with
Plenty of time to write in a quiet, beautiful atmosphere
Interaction with other writers
A private bedroom (with desk and chair) in beautiful Carmelitas Descalzos, an ancient convent (now retreat center in Toledo, Spain).
Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner each day included
A celebration dinner
Cultural tours (optional)
—————– Covid Policy ——————-
No masks or vaccine cards are required. At the moment, May 2023, Spain DOES NOT require a vaccine card or Covid test to enter the country. We have no control over whether that changes or not.
Due to how the retreat is set up, there are initially no refunds. If you are not be able to attend the retreat, due to extreme illness, we will work out something privately.
In case a cancellation needs to be worked out due to extreme illness, $50 of the initial downpayment will NOT be returned to cover transfer fees from Paypal or Stripe.
Carmelitas Descalzos
The retreat center is called Carmelitas Descalzos. It is a former convent, now a private retreat center, in the middle of Toledo, Spain. Each room has a bed, private bathroom, and a desk and chair. There is also a private courtyard and various other places to write inside the incredible former convent. During the day, writers are also encouraged to wander through the ancient streets of Toledo and write at a cafe or park, wherever they feel most comfortable.
All meals are included in the price and will be served at the retreat center, except for two dinners. We will be taking everyone out for a tapas night on Wednesday evening and a celebration dinner on Friday, the last evening we’re together. Both of those meals are also included in the price.
What about traveling?
Barajas airport in Madrid is the closest airport to Toledo (1hr by car, 40 minutes by train). Feel free to come in early and explore Madrid, or come in the same day and travel straight to Toledo. Marci and I would be happy to help you arrange a train ticket to Toledo from wherever you are on September 17. Once you arrive in Toledo, we will be at the train station, ready to help you get to the retreat center. Travel from the Toledo train station to the retreat center is included in your ticket.
FAQs
Can I stay in another hotel and still attend the retreat?
All participants are expected to stay on-site at Carmelitas Descalzos. Being together is what makes a retreat special. It’s during the meals and work times that we will grow closer to one another and make those writing connections that we don’t get otherwise.
Are there scholarships available?
Not at this time. We understand that some would consider this a high ticket price, but for everything that’s included, the margins are too thin to offer scholarships. We also believe in paying ourselves for the time we spent organizing and running this.
Will there be more Write With Us! retreats in the future?
We are planning to offer a writing retreat every fall; however, this one is extra special, being the first one we’ve ever offered. We also can’t promise the price will stay the same going forward.
Can I bring my child or significant other along?
No. Sorry. The rooms are single occupant rooms. If you have a friend or significant other who wants to come write, that is fine, but they would have to get their own room.
But please keep in mind that part of the reason we go on retreats is to have the space to write openly. I promise you that we will take good care of you and make you feel very much at home. IF this is your first time traveling overseas, we’ve got you! Marci and I have extensive experience living abroad and can give you advice and help along the way. There’s nothing to worry about!
I’m an introvert. Is this retreat right for me?
We are working hard to make sure everyone feels included and comfortable as a participant of the Write With Us! Writing Retreat. You are not obligated to share your work with others, but we do invite you to be part of the evening gathering as a way to decompress from writing and refill your mind for the next day.
I‘ve never traveled overseas. Is this retreat right for me?
This is a perfect trip to start! Both Kat and Marci are comfortable speaking Spanish and will be able to help you in case of anything (emergency or just needing to order a coffee). We are excited to share our love for Spain with you!
Are flights included in the price?
The price covers your room, taxi to and from the train station, and all your meals, but not flights or train ticket to Toledo. Madrid is the best airport to fly into in terms of distance, but you are free to come in from wherever you are. We can help direct you towards our favorite plane ticket websites, and we will help you get the train ticket, if needed. In Toledo, we will be waiting for you to take you to the retreat center.
What if I have food allergies or special dietary needs?
Carmelitas Descalzos will accommodate special dietary needs. If you have any food allergies or restrictions, please let us know. We will communicate that to the staff, and they will take care of you.
What additional costs will I have that are not included in the retreat price?
You will need to purchase your train ticket from the Madrid airport to the Toledo train station (approximate cost?). You will also want to plan on having money for snacks/coffee during our free times in the city, tourist shopping/gifts, as well as optional cultural activities (visit to the Cathedral, museums, Arab bath house hammam, etc.)
What optional cultural activities will be available during our stay?
—The Cathedral of Toledo (include link and price)
—Walking Tour of Toledo (free, need to leave tip)
—The Arab bath house hammam (include link and price range) for the thermal baths and/or relaxation massage
—Museo El Greco
—Etc . . .
What is the best way to exchange money?
If you bring cash with you, you can easily exchange it at the airport. Although, the rates will probably not be the best! You can also exchange it at a bank in the city. Others find it easier to withdraw cash out of an ATM using a debit/credit card. You can also easily use most credit/debit cards for purchases in Spanish cafes, restaurants, and stores. American Express is not yet widely used, so some stores are not currently using it.
Meet your hostesses!
Marci Renée
Kat Caldwell
Marci is a published indie author of five children’s picture books and two memoirs. She has been writing creative nonfiction and poetry for over a decade through her cultural story blog. She is a certified writing coach.
Kat is a published indie author of four novels, as well as a short story author. She’s a certified fiction book coach and has worked for years in the indie publishing world.