Have you ever dreamed of writing in Italy?

By Sarah White

If you’re a reader of this blog, then you’re all too aware of my fixation on travel to Italy. I go as often as my budget and project work allow.

The idea of combining travel, writing, and the company of fellow writers has grabbed me and won’t let go. I was the first person to put down a deposit on Sheila Bender and Brenda Miller’s “Writing It Real” retreat in Lake Garda, September 26 – October 3, 2026. Shall we make it a party?

Some of you were familiar with writing instructor Sheila Bender before you found my blog. One writer whose posts you’ve read here–Marlene Samuels–has even traveled with Sheila’s Italy retreats in the past.

I had been thinking about organizing something similar, but was daunted by the prospect of managing all the details. Sheila and Brenda used to organize their own retreats, but now partner with Il Chiostro, a firm that designs travel experiences specifically crafted for instructors and their students. You can expect attention to every detail from the team of Brenda, Sheila, and Il Chiostro.

When I discovered that their retreat checked all the boxes I’d want to deliver, I realized that instead of being the workshop leader–I want the luxury to be a participant!

What’s on offer

“Writing It Real” retreats are guided by Brenda Miller and Sheila Bender, two acclaimed teachers and authors known for helping writers find their truest voice. In the next weeks, I’ll post essays here, written by Brenda and Sheila.

Through daily workshops, you’ll explore multiple genres—memoir, poetry, fiction, and the lyric essay—while receiving generous, individualized feedback. Their combined expertise creates a supportive space where you can experiment, take creative risks, and return home with fresh pages and new confidence in your craft.

Click here to see details about the writing retreat. By the way, there’s an option for non-writers as well, If you have a friend or spouse who’d enjoy the trip.

What’s the setting

The retreat unfolds on the shores of Lake Garda, Italy, in the village of Gargnano. You’ll stay at the family-run Hotel Gardenia al Lago, surrounded by lemon and olive groves with sweeping lake views. Afternoons are yours to wander cobblestone streets, visit vineyards, ride ferries across the water, or simply sit at a lakeside café soaking in the beauty. Evenings bring shared meals and lively conversations that deepen the sense of community and inspiration.

To read about a typical day at the Hotel Gardenia on their website, follow this link.

Dream now, decide later

Advance deposits are due in July 2026–that’s more than nine months to sleep on it (although I suspect this will fill up fast). I’ll occasionally post here about the availability of slots in “Writing It Real Lake Garda 2026”.

In my opinion, this is the kind of journey every writer deserves. It would be a joy to find myself there with members of my writing community at my elbow. Dream on it!