WELCOME ! WRITING RETREATS HAVE CLOSED FOR 2024 AND BOOKINGS OR INQUIRIES FOR 2025 WILL OPEN IN JANUARY. WRITING RETREATS TAKE PLACE FROM LATE MAY UNTIL LATE SEPTEMBER 2025.

RETREATS FOR INDIVIDUAL WRITERS GO FROM SUNDAY TO FRIDAY THROUGHOUT THE SUMMER SO CHOOSE YOUR DATES.

ADDITIONAL ONSITE MENTORING SESSIONS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE, OR NOVEL CRITIQUES. MESSAGE VIA THE CONTACTS PAGE FOR INFO.

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I live in a farmhouse in Palladio’s corner of Veneto, close to Venice, Verona, Padova and Vicenza, beneath Petrarch’s beloved Euganei Hills, where the great poet chose to live at the end of an illustrious life. The area is rich in history and graced with countless villas designed by Palladio and his followers, the countryside is tranquil and inspiring with an abundance of walks, local food and wine, easy access to the above cities. In short, a perfect place to step out of the fray to write.

Each spring and summer I host individual writers in the renovated dairy attached to the main house, a wide, cool room decorated with West African art, beneath an airy portico. We have a large, cool garden surrounded by sunflower fields, corn and vineyards, an inviting kitchen where meals are prepared. Retreats go from Sunday evening through to Friday morning, so you have a four full days of writing or editing or research time, depending upon where you are with your project. I will meet you at Verona, Treviso or Venice airport. Local food is prepared at home, wine (included) comes from the surrounding vineyards.

A day trip is optional: I usually bring guests on a day trip to Venice, perhaps a visit to the well-known Libreria Acqua Alta (although it’s become very touristy) and can give you an insider’s view of the lagoon city (food and public transport are not included for this excursion).

And if you wish, it is also possible to go for an afternoon or evening trip to nearby Vicenza for gelato or drinks, or a meal (off-site food is not included). Or for a hike in the hills which I find great for ideas! Or a gentler hike through the vineyards nearby.

Most writers come with a specific project in mind - a story collection to review, a novel to edit, a non-fiction project to plan, a screenplay to complete - and find the environment a productive place to work. I have had writers from many fields - from screenwriters to academics, from flash fiction writers to novelists and non-fiction writers. Some guests simply wish to detach and contemplate. Everyone finds a place of their own and a way to move forward.

WRITING RETREAT DATES, PRICE AND DETAILS

DATES FOR 2025!

MAY-JUNE-JULY-AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

5-NIGHT STAY FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON TO THE FOLLOWING FRIDAY MORNING (longer stays also possible)

PRICE for individual writing retreat 920 euro (COUPLE 1450 euro)

INCLUDES: TRANSPORT FROM VERONA, TREVISO OR VENICE AIRPORT

LARGE QUIET ROOM

HOME WIFI, WASHING FACILITIES

THREE HEALTHY HOME-COOKED MEALS PER DAY PLUS LOCAL WINE (arrival day – dinner only; checkout day – breakfast only; off-site meals and drinks not included)

OPTIONAL: ONE DAY EXCURSION TO VENICE; AFTERNOON OR EVENING OUTING TO VICENZA FOR SHOPPING or GELATO or DRINKS or MEAL. OR A HIKE IN THE EUGANEI HILLS

UNFORTUNATELY THE HOUSE IS NOT WHEELCHAIR-EQUIPPED

Deposit of 25% via Paypal or bank transfer

SEE CONTACT PAGE TO BOOK YOUR WRITING RETREAT IN ITALY

I cannot recommend a stay with Cat highly enough, it’s absolutely magical. The most peaceful and beautiful surroundings to write in, with a thoroughly charming host and incredible food. You will leave with a full heart as well as a full notebook.Clare Walsh (Ireland) novelist

The retreat was exactly what I needed to finish my script. The gorgeous hikes and tours around nearby cities gave me the energy and clear mind to get rid of any writer’s block, and Cat was so supportive in giving me the space and push I needed to create my best work. Would highly recommend to anyone who needs peace and quiet to finish a project. You won’t find a better host than Cat! Geneview Eckelaert (USA) scriptwriter and director

Highly recommended! I adored being there and got a lot of writing done. Can’t wait to be back.Agnes Marton (Hungary) poet

Very much recommend Catherine McNamara’s writing retreat in Northern Italy. I’ve stayed at her house and it is lovely, as is the surrounding area.Rowena Macdonald (UK) novelist and short story writer

We had a lovely mother-daughter retreat with Cat in her farmhouse surrounded by vineyards and hills. The house and garden are filled with color and magic and I was inspired to sketch and paint with watercolors, when I wasn't writing. We loved Cat’s warm welcome and the healthy home-cooked meals accompanied with local wine and wonderful conversations. She was an amazing tour guide on our visits to Venice and Vicenza. We looked forward to our mentoring sessions with Cat. She was supportive and encouraging and had so many ideas for our flash fiction and a collection of short stories. (Shaily Menon and Kyra Butler (USA) flash fiction and short story writers)