PLOTS, PALACES, and PROSECCO
An “Italian Riviera” retreat priced at $5800
An inspirational writing retreat and marketing intensive for authors of all genres designed to kick-start a stalled novel, or bring an idea to fruition, and elevate your writing to resonate with your audience with lectures, one-on-one support, brainstorming, problem solving, and prosecco!
DATES
May 14 – May 20, 2023
ITINERARY
Genoa
Stay in the ancient port city that was home to Christopher Columbus and Italian kings
Visit the opulent Renaissance and Baroque palaces on the Strade Nuove (New Streets), a UNESCO World Heritage site
Savor pesto in the town that invented it and lose yourself in the historic Romeo Viganotti chocolate factory
Boccadasse
Do as the Genoese do and escape to the nearby fishing village made famous by Andrea Camilleri, author of the Inspector Montalbano series
Stroll along the pebbled beach and admire the colorful homes and shops that seem straight out of Cinque Terre
Dine on “Boccafritto” and cuculli (fresh fried fish and chickpea croquettes) at a beachside taverna while sampling Ligurian white wine
Monte Carlo
Admire Monaco’s glamorous French Riviera port known for its luxury yachts and Formula One races
Gaze upon the Grimaldi family’s royal residence where Hollywood royalty, Grace Kelly, once lived
Gamble in the iconic casino that served James Bond many a vodka martini—shaken, not stirred
Portofino
See and be seen in the most exclusive harbor and resort town in all of Italy
Shop in style or hike to a fifteenth century castle for a stunning view of the Italian Riviera (and Dolce & Gabbana’s villa)
Sip spritzes and eat gelato in the Piazzetta while you plot your novel and your return to la bella Italia
DAILY ITINERARY
Note: This schedule is tentative and may be adjusted as needed. Writers have the option to skip excursions to spend extra time working on their projects at the hotel or in one of Italy’s many delightful public spaces.
Pre-Trip (dates TBD)
- Phone consultation about your book project
- Group online FAQ and mini Italian lesson
Day 1 Genoa
- Arrival
- Piazza Duomo meet and greet
- Writers share loglines
- Diana: “What is Story?”
- Traci: “Who is a Protagonist?”
- Welcome Dinner
Day 2 Genoa
- Breakfast
- Diana: “Beating your plot into submission: How to craft a book pitch that will have agents chasing you”
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Genoa: Centro storico, Via Garibaldi, Palazzo Bianco & Palazzo Rosso
- Brainstorm over aperitivi
- Dinner
Day 3 Genoa and Boccadasse
- Breakfast
- Traci and Diana meet individually with writers
- Writing time
- Lunch at Taverna Dindi
- Explore: Piazza Dante, Porta Soprana, Christopher Columbus’s House, Boccadasse (catch bus from Piazza)
- Return to Genoa
- Dinner
Day 4 Monte Carlo
- Breakfast
- Depart by train to Monte Carlo
- Writing time on the train
- Lunch
- Explore Monaco: Prince’s Palace, Casino de Monte Carlo
- Train to Genoa
Day 5 Genoa
- Breakfast
- Traci: “Riveting First Sentences, First Paragraphs, and First Pages”
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Genoa: Porto Antico, Piazza De Ferrari, Chiesa di San Lorenzo, Palazzo Ducale
- Brainstorm over aperitivi
- Dinner
Day 6 Italian Riviera and Portofino
- Breakfast
- Traci and Diana meet individually with writers
- Depart by boat for Portofino
- Writing time on the boat
- Lunch
- Explore Portofino: Piazzetta, Dolce & Gabbana villa, St. Giorgio, Hotel Splendido
- Return to Genoa
Day 7 Genoa
- Breakfast
- Diana: “Perfect POV and Narrative Voice: The art of finding out what you readers want and giving it to them!”
- Traci: “Compelling Characters and Scene-Stealing Dialogue”
- Writing time
- Lunch
- Explore Genoa: Centro storico, Palazzo Spinola di Pellecceria (Francesco Grimaldi)
- Brainstorm over aperitivi
- Farewell Dinner
Day 8 Genoa
- Breakfast
- Departing writers to airport
Post-Trip
- Phone consultation about your book project (date TBD)
- Membership in our closed Facebook group for ongoing support
COST (USD)
$5800 Plots and Palaces Italian Riviera Retreat
CONSULTATION
To make sure the trip is a good fit for you and your book project, email Diana diana@lemonlit.com or Traci traci@lemonlit.com. We’ll schedule a fifteen-minute phone or video chat to discuss your writing skills, your needs, and how we can get you on track to completion.
DEPOSIT AND CANCELLATION POLICY
Following your consultation, pay in full or reserve your spot with a $1000 deposit (non-refundable). We will invoice you for the balance.
COST INCLUDES
Pre-Trip
An individual phone consultation to discuss your book project and goals
A suggested reading list and worksheets (as needed) to prepare you to arrive ready to write
A group video chat for trip FAQ and a mini Italian lesson
During the Trip
Three group writing instruction lectures
A one-on-one mentoring session with Traci or Diana
Single-room lodging plus VAT and hotel tax
Transportation
Welcome dinner (with limoncello!)
Farewell dinner (with more limoncello!)
Post-Trip
An individual phone consultation to make sure you’re on track to complete your book
Access to our closed Facebook group to stay in touch and exchange ideas with fellow lemonistas (our nickname for ourselves and you)
COST DOES NOT INCLUDE
Airfare to and from Italy
Transportation to and from hotel and within cities
Lunch, pre-dinner aperitivi, dinner
Entrance fees to museums and exhibits
Personal expenses
EXTRA BENEFITS
Group and one-on-one brainstorming sessions
Connecting with fellow writers
Learning Italian language, culture, and history
PASSPORTS
Some countries require a passport to be valid at least six months beyond the dates of the trip. Although Italy is not currently included among this group, travel laws are subject to change at any time. We therefore recommend that you have at least six months left on your passport prior to its expiration date. Otherwise, you might not be permitted to board your flights.
If you can’t make the PLOTS, PALACES, AND PROSECCO retreat, reserve a spot on our CHARACTERS, CANALS, AND CAMPARI retreat in Venice September 24–October 1, 2023.