Creative Writing Retreat
With Ruth Brandt
18th - 25th June 2027
This creative writing retreat with Ruth Brandt is suitable for writers of all levels – from those writing creatively for the first time to experienced writers who want the time and space to focus on writing and to deepen their skills.
It is an opportunity to receive guidance on a project in progress, to start writing something new, or simply enjoy writing in a supportive and encouraging atmosphere.
Morning taught sessions are tailored to the interests of attendees and include fiction writing, life writing (memoir) and poetry. Afternoons are free for individual writing, discussing work in more detail during a one-to-one with Ruth, relaxing round the pool, or simply enjoying the peace of Hotel Leone.
Daily evening workshops provide an opportunity to share work and get feedback from Ruth and fellow writers.
Feedback takes into account a writer’s aims and ambitions, and not only points out specific ways in which the work could be made more impactful, but as importantly where the writer is already succeeding.
About Ruth
Ruth Brandt is a writer and creative writing tutor. Ruth has tutored for organisations including West Dean College, Kingston University, Surrey Adult Learning, the National Trust and Surrey Wildlife Trust, as well as running regular classes and retreats.
Her prize-winning short story collection ‘No One has any Intention of Building a Wall’ is published by Fly on the Wall Press, and her short stories and flash fiction have appeared in numerous literary magazines and anthologies. Her work has received nominations for the Pushcart Prize, Write Well Award and Best Small Fictions Award, and she won the Kingston University MFA Creative Writing Prize.
Ruth lives in Surrey, England with her husband and has two delightful sons.
Your Stay and Retreat Experience
• All tuition fees
• 7 nights accommodation in luxury air-conditioned, en-suite rooms with: see our rooms here
– Luxury bedding
– High quality, 100% natural, Italian toiletries: shampoo, shower gel, body lotion and hand gel
– Daily servicing of the rooms
– Mid-week linen and towel change
– 100% cotton waffle robes and slippers
• All meals including breakfast, buffet lunch and a choice of up to 4 courses from our daily changing gourmet evening menu
• A ‘pizza-giro’ evening at a local trattoria within a few minutes walk of the hotel
• Delicious local wine with lunch and evening meal
• Private group transfers to and from either Ancona airport or Pedaso (station or bus stop)
• 5 days writing tuition
• One Free day with the option to take an excursion to San Benedetto del Tronto, a vibrant coastal town known for its palm-lined promenade, golden beaches, and excellent boutique shopping—including one of Italy’s largest weekly markets with over 200 stalls. Culturally rich, it features the open-air Museo d’Arte sul Mare with over 230 artworks along the promednade, and the historic Torre dei Gualtieri, a medieval tower offering panoramic views over the town (lunch not included on this day)
• Guided orientation walking tour of the medieval hill-top town of Montelparo on day of arrival
•Unlimited use of air-conditioned studio
Room Type
Shared Classic Ensuite Room
Private Classic Ensuite Room
Private Superior Ensuite Room
Private Deluxe Ensuite Room
Private Junior Suite Ensuite
2 Bedroom Suite - private room, shared en-suite bathroom
Price Per Person
€2799
€3449
€3599
€3749
€3899
€3299
For more information, including pricing per room type, please fill in your details below
Deposit
To secure you spot on the retreat please click on the Retreat Booking button above, complete the form, select your preferred room type and pay a non-refundable deposit of €350.
Travel / Transfers
The group pick up is at 2pm from Ancona airport and 3pm at Pedaso train station or bus stop.
On the day of departure we will leave for Ancona airport after breakfast at 9.30am. Hotel Leone is about one hour and a quarter from the airport so you should arrive just before / around 11.00am your ideal return flight should be later than 12 noon.
If you’d like to arrive a day or two early and stay in Ancona or Pedaso, below are the hotels we normally recommend:
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The hotel will be booked exclusively for you and your group.
Please note that the hotel is situated in a medieval hill-top town and that from the main building to the studio building there is a very brief walk on a slightly sloping but smooth cobbled street.
All rooms have stairs-only access and if you choose a room the upper floor in the main building this will entail two sets of stairs.
Therefore, this venue may not be suited for participants with limited mobility.
