Having taught myself last year in Barga, Tuscany for Artemisia Holidays, I can highly recommend the experience of writing and exploring one's creativity in a place removed from one's everyday life. My friend the novelist Charles Palliser recently sent me details of three writing holidays this summer that have been recommended to him and with his permission, I'm posting those details here:
1) A poetry course with Roger McGough in Grasse in southern France
"I have attended (three times now) a one week poetry course run by Roger McGough in the South of France. The course was excellent, Roger is a superb teacher (and a great bloke generally) and it takes place in a lovely villa with gardens and pool. The price is also extremely reasonable for what it is. I am writing to you as the course is sadly under-subscribed this year - only three people have booked and normally they prefer 8 upwards. If it doesn't run this year it will not run again. I was therefore wondering if you could pass the details on to your contacts to see if any of them might be interested. Roger welcomes all levels from published poets to complete beginners and manages to please all! The website address is www.larivolte.com and the home page has a course link."
2) This is from Sally Bradshaw. For information about Betou, email betouholidays@britishlibrary.net "Here is the information about a summer singing course in the depths of the South Western French countryside. Other courses I am running in 2006 appear on my website at songful.net. There is a return visit to Scoraig on the West Coast of Scotland from 15-22 July and weekends at the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds. The French course is called "Discover Your Voice" and in 2006 will run from 26th August to 2nd September. The course has proved very popular so it is advisable to book early if you want to participate, as numbers are so limited. The course takes the form of a relaxed week in a beautiful, remote, country-house enclave. The owner has bought and converted not a farmhouse but a small village, grouped round an ancient well, so accommodation is in one of several farmhouses and there are all sorts of corners to relax in, barns, terraces, hammocks and a swimming pool. The hamlet is on the side of a steep hill with views across the valley of walnut groves. Surrounding country yields good walks. The area is famous for ducks, geese and foie gras. Local markets and tourist towns make the place well worth a visit for a non-participating partner who can come at a reduced rate. A chef is on hand who cooks serious food every evening and caters to special diets, and the week is a festive holiday as well as a chance to work in depth. There will only be a maximum of eight people on the course, so there is time for one-to-one lessons as well as classes and group singing. At the end of the week there is a concert for local friends. Participants have the opportunity to perform at this event if they feel like it. Singers of any standard are welcome including people who have always wanted to sing but never got round to it. Betou is near Toulouse and Bergerac airports. Currently you can fly there for under £40...! The nearest railway station is at Agen. Sally Bradshaw"
3) And finally... LA MAISON VERTE 31 avenue Henri Mas, 34320 Roujan, France
POTTERING ABOUT AT LA MAISON VERTE SAT 8 TO SAT 15 JULY 2006 The idea began two years ago when, faced with a large financial hole due to a late cancellation, we offered friends, friends of friends, complete strangers who somehow got to hear about it, a week of what we called POTTERING ABOUT. We worked too hard, made a small loss, and had a stimulating and brilliant time. So did everyone else, judging from the many pleas for us to 'do it again'. Here's what we're offering, and we hope that if you came last year, you'll come again, and if you were thinking of coming, you'll make it this time, and if you had no intention whatsoever of coming last year, that you'll change your mind and give it a go! And if you know you can't, then pass this on to someone who might… POTTERING WEEKS IN A NUTSHELL Early morning Hatha Yoga, with heavenly Mireille Martini, Painting and drawing classes with Jackie Devereux the talented local English artist who specialises in watercolour and calligraphy; 3D work with Teddy Hutton, the hunky resident sculptor, or ceramics with the divine Susan Davis-Paturel who is our potter in residence. We are also intending to run a Reading Group, which will be led by Martin Bailey, erstwhile publisher and professional book-worm. Alternatively, just sit, read, write or gaze into space by one of the two swimming pools, or in the shade of a fig or almond tree. Lee and Zoë will cook sensationally fabulous candlelit dinners and ply you with fine wines and … the total cost for this nirvana is a mere £375 for all tuition, breakfast and evening meal. We have up to fifteen places available, (no need to share a room unless you want to) so it's on a first come, first served basis. And don't forget - tell your nicest friends if you can't get here yourself.
Do hope that some of you get to enjoy some of these wonderful retreats...
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