A MEMOIR WRITING RETREAT for WOMEN
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JOANNE FEDLER
& Anna Kwiecinska
27 September - 9 October, 2027
This writing retreat is preceded by an optional
add-on SOUL OF PORTUGAL -
3 days in Lisbon exploring the essence
of Portuguese art, music & literature
with Anna and specialists. MORE
You are invited to join us for this unique memoir writing retreat in Portugal where we will work with the material of our lives – no matter how shattering or modest – and weave them into a memoir that makes sense of a life fully inhabited.
We will take the shambles and shards of our experiences and work out: what did it all mean?
What is the sum of it all, this great, rollicking, thrilling exhausting business called ‘my life’.
This retreat is for all women who yearn for self-definition after the confinements and belittlements of stagnant relationships, outgrown roles, stultifying routines, past failures and mistakes. It is for those of us who have outworn ourrent responsibilities, graduated from our histories and outgrown the version of ourselves we’ve spent so long chasing. It is a call to anyone who wonders, not just a little, what life has been suppressed within to get us to where we are now.
We have two lives. And the second one begins when you realise you only have one.
MARIO DE ANDRADE
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WHY PORTUGAL? - A journey of discovery
When Portugal’s King Joao set his sights on wresting the lucrative spice trade from the Venetians’ monopoly,
he needed, first, to learn the secrets of the Indian Ocean, whose currents and had long been mastered by Arab sailors. Along its treacherous, watery perimeters, merchants from ‘the east’ had traded for centuries, bringing all manner of exotica to Cairo, from whence it made its way, prices increasing with each transaction, to satisfy the cravings of medieval and early Renaissance Europe.
The man whom history remembers as the first to discover a sea route from Europe to India, dwelt, not on a rocky cliff overlooking the Atlantic, but deep in the heart of Portugal’s Alentejo region; it was from here, Evora, that Vasco da Gama rode to nearby Estramoz, to personally accept from King Joao, his instructions to lead the fleet which would initiate Portugal’s spectacular naval dominance and the birth of global trade.
Just 130 km east of Lisbon, Evora is so precious that the entire town has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
With its uniquely rich history during which Neolithic man, Phoenicians, Romans and Moors have all played their part, this walled city will be celebrated as the European City of Culture in 2027.
You are invited to join Joanne Fedler and Anna Kwiecinska here on a journey of self discovery.
What We Will Cover In The Workshops
In addition to covering the basics of memoir writing (narrative arc, selection of key scenes, themes, timeline, throughlines, structure and symbolism) we will also explore:
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The seismic changes of midlife and what it means to ‘come to elderhood;’ Liminality, transitions and thresholds of this time of life;
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The search for true belonging as we turn inwards, individuate into maturity and claim self-authorship;
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Hearkening ancestral voices – being the bridge between the living and the dead;
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Embodiment of the ageing self: how do we work with desire and pain; Eros and Thanatos?
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The courage of a broken heart – the roles of fear and longing in our writing;
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imbuing them with new meaning; remembering of life stories and The Heroine’s Journey – the
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Myths, stories and dreams: unfolding our personal myth and creating the mytho-poetic identity;
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Guardianship and stewardship: responsibility for future generations; When the whole soul speaks – the shape of shadows and the beauty of dragons.
No matter where you are in your writing journey – a beginner or a veteran, this retreat will meet you exactly where you are, and dance you through the myriad possibilities for whatever project is pushing against your heart to be expressed.
If you have always wanted to write a book about your life and leave a legacy … this is an invitation to you to come join us in Portugal for a
life-enhancing writing experience to Europe's 2027 City of Culture.
JOANNE FEDLER
I am an internationally bestselling author of fifteen books, and retreat leader. I have written fiction, non-fiction, memoir and poetry and have been published by Penguin, Hay House, Allen & Unwin and other international publishers.
My books have sold over 750 000 copies worldwide. I am a mother, open water ocean swimmer and writing mentor.
My fourth memoir about losing my mother to ovarian cancer during Covid will be published in 2026 by Ginninderra Press).
'Birthing your Book in Bali' with Joanne Fedler at Anna' Kwiecinska's Villa Nilaya near Candi Dasa. Morning sessions with Joanne for 3 hours before lunch over 5 days
Villa Nilaya as the sun rises and brightens Villa Nilaya where Writing by The Sea retreats are held.
For anyone with a desire to write… to be on retreat with Joanne is to be in the presence of a true master of her craft.
I feel excited, inspired and confident to pursue my own writing.
Michele H. Sydney,
on Writing by the Sea in Bali Retreat with Joanne Fedler & Anna Kwiecinska 2025
THE FULL PORTUGAL ITINERARY starts with an optional pre-writing retreat tour with Anna 'Soul of Portugal' (3 days, A-D below), followed by this 'Coming to Age Memoir Writing Retreat' with Joanne and Anna (11 days, Days 1-13 below).
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DAY A - SEPTEMBER 24 - arrival day if you are on the pre-writing retreat arts tour
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DAY B - SEPTEMBER 25 - Arts Prelude Walk and Workshops
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DAY C - SEPTEMBER 26 - Arts Prelude Walk and Workshops
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DAY D - SEPTEMBER 27 - Arts Prelude Walk and Workshops
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DAY 1 - SEPTEMBER 27 - participants for 'WRITING RETREAT ONLY' ARRIVAL DAY
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DAY 2 - SEPTEMBER 28 - Writing Retreat starts with a full day tour of Historical Overview for Lisbon with a unique Welcome Dinner at an iconic restaurant - the epitome of elegance of fine dining in Lisbon. with an enchanting view of the city and the Tejo River, as a backdrop to excellent gastronomy - you'll love this timeless classic!
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DAY 3 - SEPTEMBER 29 - private bus transfer to EVORA with our first writing session after lunch.
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DAYS 4- 8 SEPTEMBER 30 - October 4 (inc)- 6 nights in Evora - A UNESCO World Heritage city - writing workshops for 5 half days with a guided walk of monuments during the week.
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DAY 9 - OCTOBER 5 - private bus transfer to C.17th monastery in Alentejo region with a vineyard visit, wine tasting and lunch
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DAY 10 & DAY 11 - OCTOBER 6 and 7 - private writing and relaxation, a workshop with Anna to design and bind your own book, a guided tour of this remarkable monastery, and time to chat with Joanne about your writing.
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DAY 12 - OCTOBER 8 - private bus transfer to Lisbon and retreat ends on your arrival back at the hotel from which we began. Your hotel accommodation is included this night, but the time once we reach Lisbon is your own.
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DAY 13 - OCTOBER 9 - retreat ends
Following a full day of exploring Lisbon with Anna and staying in the picturesque district of Alfama, you’ll travel to Evora, where for 5 days, you’ll explore the art of memoir with Joanne. Each morning, after a breakfast of Portuguese delicacies, you’ll adjourn to the salon of the gracious 18th Century nobleman’s home in which we all stay, (we will be the only guests if the retreat group is filled), to work on your writing with Joanne.
Later, discover squares beyond its whitewashed walls as you follow alleys to find an astonishing range of restaurants, patisseries and cafes. Alentejo’s cuisine is rooted in its past – since Roman times the region has produced some of the finest olive oil and today produces 90% of all Portugal’s olives, and 50% of its wines. Traditional restaurants take superb local ingredients and with simple cooking techniques, create regional cuisine based on rich and robust flavours – aromatic herbs, tangy cheeses, smoked meats, and Atlantic fish.
Next, we travel farther towards the Spanish border, to immerse ourselves in the contemplative beauty of a magnificent 17th century rural monastery nestled amongst cool pine forests. With exquisite cuisine taken in the frescoed refectory and the opportunity for a guided wine tasting, you can relax by its two swimming pools, walk its forested tracks, sink deeply into comfy armchairs in hidden nooks, and marvel at the 54,000 hand-painted azulejos tiles that line the hundreds of meters of its elegant corridors.
Take this quiet time to write, Joanne will be on hand to support and chat to those who need it during these two days, and we will have nightly sharing of our work in a supportive environment
With Anna, you’ll learn how to bind your own book and decorate it with designs you create yourself.
Return to Lisbon for the night where your retreat ends.
All transfers are by private coach.
Our unique retreat in the early days of Autumn, will reveal a softer side of Portugal, with an average temperatures of Celcius 28 day / C.17 night, when the local people relax after summer’s heat.
Your retreat is fully supported by Anna Kwiecinska and Joanne Fedler, two women who together presented in 2025, “Birthing Your Book In Bali” and this memoir retreat in Portugal, 2026
... Anna took care of our evey need with such warmth and care, leaving us able to focus on what we came here for .
Will definitely return.
Michele H. Sydney, 2025
on Writing by the Sea in Bali Retreat with Joanne & Anna
ABOUT ANNA
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists and writers continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
Over the last 16 years, dozens of retreats participants from all over the world have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster.
Creative Living Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively.
Many retreatants return for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing that Creative Living Retreats have become known for, More
Anna lived in Portugal, where she taught English. The arc of this writing journey combines some of her most beloved locations, where art, literature, history, gastronomy and the enduring beauty of Portugal's southern region, the Alentejo are highlighted along with memorable boutique hotels of exceptional historical significance.
The photographs on this site are hers.
WHERE DOES THE RETREAT TAKE PLACE?
Anna has carefully selected these hotels with all the criteria of comfort and convenience in Lisbon, privacy, excellence of facilities and historical beauty in Evora, and in the Alentejo, an important religious building whose history makes it an artform in itself - the cuisine is something else too...
LISBON - a 4-star hotel In the heart of downtown Lisbon, ideal placed to stay and discover the city of the seven hills. with plenty of shopping and dining options, and within easy walking distance the sights of the Baixa, Alfama, the waterfront and museums.
EVORA - once the C18th. estate of a Portuguese nobleman, our 4-star boutique hotel in the heart of the old UNESCO walled city is brilliantly situated - tucked away and serene, yet close to walk as you discover this historic city, which in 2027 is the European Capital of Culture.
ALENTEJO CONVENTO - a magnificent C.17th monastery over-looking the vast Alentejo plans towards Evora, with our group enjoying suites and 'best rooms'. This contemplative hillside sanctuary is perfect to conclude your writing retreat, featuring a knowledgeable sommelier and excellent Alentejo cuisine, forest walks, two swimming pools, spacious rooms to relax, sunny terraces, hidden nooks - and 54,000 hand-painted azuelos tiles. adorning its walls. Three nights here provide a magnificent conclusion to your Portuguese odyssey before we return for a last night in Lisbon at the same hotel where we began our journey.
… Over the course of several days together, we learnt the ribs, bones and joints of writing. Joanne spilled forth her legions of learnings our way … she is a seasoned and compassionate
writing mentor who ceremoniously gathered a small cluster of mature women, for the most part unknown to each other, to express soulful stories through their foray into writing.
I’m thrilled to have received the exquisitely distilled gifts of her in-person tutelage.
I spent a week alongside extraordinary women with whom deep communion was achieved and friendships born. We leave … nourished, supported, and invigorated.
I hold dear these precious gentle, and joy filled days writing by the warm and salty sea.
Nathalie R. Canada, 2025
Writing by the Sea in Bali Retreat with Joanne & Anna
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
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3 nights own-room at a boutique hotel in Lisbon (2 at the beginning, one at the end)
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6 nights own room at a heritage boutique hotel in Evora (if our retreat is fully booked, the hotel s our private residence for the entire period - your apartment has kitchenette facilities
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3 nights own room accommodation in a boutique heritage monastery
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Breakfast 12 days
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5 days writing tuition with Joanne Fedler (half-day sessions)
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Handbook and writing support materials
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Book-binding workshop with Anna to create your own hand-bound journal
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Lisbon full day of (2) walking tours with Anna and our specialist guides
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Welcome Dinner Lisbon
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An afternoon walking tour in Evora and entrance to museums/monuments
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Group dinner in Evora
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Vineyard Tour with wine tasting and lunch
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Monastery Tour with architectural guide
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Farewell Night Dinner in the monastery
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A tour to Vila Vicosa, the Royal House of Braganza, with entrance and guided tour
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Coach and driver for travel from Lisbon-Evora; Evora-Convento; Convento-Lisbon
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Breakfast 12 days
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Retreat bag with surprises
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2 zoom calls with Joanne and Anne pre-retreat to familiarise yourself with the tour details
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fully supported by Anna with pre-departure information and throughout the week
What's Not Included
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airfares
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Lisbon airport transfers
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All transport not listed in the inclusions - Lisbon taxis etc
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hotel porterage
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your personal insurance
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all food and beverages not mentioned in the list of inclusions
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any entrance tickets to places not described in the itinerary supplied on this site
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all personal expenses laundry, telephone etc
COST OF THIS RETREAT WILL BE POSTED SOON. MEANWHILE, PLEASE REGISTER YOUR INTEREST HERE!
Please choose your room package from 4 categories of room combinations for this retreat
COSY = Cosy Room in Lisbon + a Standard room in Evora + a Standard room in the Convento (we have only 6 available)
SUPERIOR = a Superior room in Lisbon + a Superior Room in Evora + a Superior room in the Convento (only 3 available)
SUPERIOR PLUS = a Superior Plus on Lisbon + a Superior Room in Evora = a Suite in the Convento (we have only 2)
DELUXE = a Deluxe Room in Lisbon + a Deluxe Room in Evora + a Junor Suite in the Convento (we have only 1)
What do the room names mean? - they relate to the room type in our Lisbon Hotel
Cosy room is a small double (14 m2)
Superior is 20 m2
Superior Plus is 23m2
Deluxe is 24 m2
If you are doing the Lisbon Art Walks and Workshops 'Soul of Portugal' Prelude, please choose the SAME CATEGORY so that you don't have to change rooms.
