Marrakech Writing Retreat at Maison 28 – May 24-30, 2023

Writing Retreat Leaders

Adrienne Chinn, international bestselling author of The English Wife, The Lost Letter, Love in a Time of War and The Paris Sister

Carolyn R. Parsons, award-winning author of six published novels, including The Forbidden Dreams of Betsy Elliott and Desolate

Join Adrienne and Carolyn on an Inspirational Writing Retreat in Marrakech

Join writers Adrienne Chinn and Carolyn R. Parsons in Marrakech from May 24th to May 30th, 2023 and explore the inspirational environment of vibrant Marrakech as you hone and practise your creative writing. Whether you are at the beginning of your writing career, somewhere in the middle, or are a published author looking for quiet time to work on your latest project, this writing retreat is organised to give you what you’re looking for. Learn about writing techniques that will help you shape and improve your creative writing through Adrienne and Carolyn’s practical and inspirational talks and enjoy ample private writing time. Then, stimulate your senses and explore the abundance of creativity in the ‘Red City’ as you visit the Medina, the souk, a secret garden and historic sites.

Adrienne fell under Morocco’s spell over 15 years ago and since then has returned year after year for creative inspiration for her writing and to delve into its rich culture. She’s sure you will find Marrakech as richly inspirational as she has.

You’ll stay at the charming riad, Maison 28, in the heart of the Marrakech medina, for this exclusive writing retreat filled with special experiences. Five per cent of all fees will be donated to girls’ empowerment and educational charity Project Soar, based just outside of Marrakech. See projectsoar.org for more information.

Each day will start with a delicious breakfast with many lunches and dinners out at some of the best cafes and restaurants in Marrakech. Along with plenty of writing time, you’ll also visit some of the beautiful sites of Marrakech and learn your way around the souks of the Medina. On your final evening, you’ll enjoy a Moroccan buffet at Maison 28, then we’ll roll up the carpets for dancing to the music of traditional Moroccan musicians.

If you wish, we’ll organise a visit to luxury hammam and spa Le Hammam de la Rose for you, and, of course, there’s plenty of time to shop!

Included In This Retreat

• Airport Transfers
• Private Transportation Throughout the Trip
• Guided Tours of the Marrakech Medina, the Bahia Palace, El Badi Palace and Le Jardin Secret
• Educational Writing Sessions led by Adrienne Chinn and Carolyn R. Parsons
• Lots of private writing time
• One-to-One meetings with Adrienne and Carolyn
• A copy of Adrienne’s novel “The Lost Letter from Morocco”
• Day visit to Beldi Country Club
• Breakfast Each Day at Maison 28
• 6 Delicious Lunches
• 5 Delicious dinners
• Advice on Shipping from Marrakech
• One-Time Laundry Service
• Leather notebook
• Planning Assistance for Your Free Time
• New Friendships and Cultural Experiences
• A Lot of Amazing Memories!

Payment and Terms

All Maison 28 rooms have en suite private shower rooms for your comfort and convenience. Participants from outside the UK are very welcome! Prices in your currency are per the international exchange rate on the date of payment.

• £2,475 – Private Queen Room (3 Available). Please note: If this is a couple sharing, then the rate is £2,125 per person.
• £2,125 per person – Shared Twin Room (4 Spaces Available)
• £2,125 – Small Single Room

A non-refundable deposit of £650 is required to reserve your space. The remaining balance will be due over two additional equal payments from time of booking. You will be emailed an invoice for each payment 2 weeks prior to the due date.  Please email Adrienne at adrienne@nulladrienne-chinn.co.uk to book a place or with any queries. Payments should be made via bank transfer or Paypal. 5% of all fees will be donated to girls’ empowerment and educational charity Project Soar, based just outside of Marrakech. See projectsoar.org for more information.

Please note that the following are not included and will have to be paid by participants:

• Airfare
• Proof of Travel Insurance
• Dinners and Tours Taken During Your Free Time
• All Shopping and Cost of Shipping (If Applicable)
• Spa/Hamman at Le Hamman de la Rose (optional extra – please advise Adrienne)
• Alcohol Outside of Planned Dinners
• Staff Gratuities

Cancellation Policy

Keep in mind that your deposit and subsequent payments are a commitment and each payment becomes non-refundable at the time it is received. If you are forced to cancel prior to 2 months before the start of the retreat and your reserved spot can be transferred to another person, Adrienne will refund any previous payments less the £650 deposit. However, no refunds or transfers will be available after your final payment. By registering for this trip with your deposit, you agree to the above Cancellation Policy and to purchase your own travel insurance, evidence of which is required. Please ensure you have a minimum of 6 months on your Passport before it expires.

Force Majeure: In the event of national emergency, war, riot, Act of God, pandemic, civil commotion, malicious damage, flood, storm, fire, adverse weather, failure of utility services or transport network, industrial dispute or strike, or any other act, omission, event or accident beyond the control of Adrienne Chinn or Maison 28, we agree to notify you as soon as practicable. If the Force Majeure event continues for more than 14 calendar days, either party shall have the right to cancel the agreement. Where services have been paid for in advance but have not been rendered, you will be entitled to a refund less the initial deposit of £650 from the date of cancellation for all such services.

Exclusive Itinerary

Wednesday, May 24 – Arrival Day

Marhaba! Welcome to Marrakech!

Plan your arrival to Marrakech for mid-morning. Adrienne and Carolyn will meet you at the airport and we will arrange airport transfer to the Medina where you’ll be guided to Maison 28. We’ll welcome you with Atay (Moroccan Mint Tea) and a Moroccan leather-bound journal, the week’s itinerary and a riad map. Once you’ve settled in, we’ll take a walk through the nearby souk markets for an introduction and orientation to our neighbourhood in the Medina, followed by lunch at Terrasse des Epices. After lunch we’ll return to Maison 28 for a short introduction and a writing exercise by Adrienne and Carolyn which will prime you for the week ahead. Evening brings a beautiful sunset and a welcome dinner at Maison 28 with wine.

Thursday, May 25

Getting started with your novel…

After breakfast at the riad, you have the choice of working on your current creative writing project in the riad or out in a cafe in the souk, or joining Adrienne and Carolyn on the covered terrace from 10-12:30 for a morning session on “Planning & Structuring Your Novel”, with a tea break mid-morning. We’ll enjoy lunch at the Nomad Café in the Medina, with a visit to the spice market and carpet souk, followed by the afternoon free for your writing (Adrienne will set a writing exercise related to the morning’s session for those who wish). We’ll all reconvene before dinner on the covered terrace to discuss the writing work we’ve done today and those who wish are invited to share samples of their work. Dinner will be at Le Trou au Mur.

Friday, May 26

Creating memorable characters…

After breakfast, you will have the choice to work on your own writing project or join Adrienne’s and Carolyn’s session on “Creating Memorable Characters and Effective Dialogue” on the covered terrace from 10-12:30 with a tea-break mid-morning.  Buffet lunch will be at Maison 28, followed by writing time in the afternoon (Adrienne will set a writing exercise for those who wish). We’ll all reconvene on the covered terrace for our pre-dinner meet-up to review the day’s writing, followed by dinner at Limoni for some Italian food in the Marrakech Medina.

Saturday, May 27

Writing to create emotional impact…

After breakfast, you have the option to work on your own writing project or join Carolyn’s session on “Writing for Emotional Impact” on the covered terrace from 10-12:30 with a tea-break half-way. After lunch at Le Jardin, we’ll visit the lovely Le Jardin Secret (a wonderful place to write in the middle of the Medina) for a private tour and Moroccan afternoon tea. You’ll then have free time to write and/or explore the souks. We’ll have our pre-dinner meet-up on the covered terrace then dinner at Le Tanjia.

Sunday, May 28

Explore the magic of Marrakech…

After breakfast, we’ll be met by a professional guide who will lead us on a tour of the Medina, including the ornamental beauty of the Palais Bahia and the evocative ruins of El Badi Palace. Lunch will be at La Famille. The afternoon is free to write and/or explore the souks. We can arrange for you to enjoy a luxury Moroccan hammam at the Hammam de la Rose as an optional extra (pre-booking required with Adrienne – please visit the Hamman de la Rose website to select your preferred treatment). Adrienne and Carolyn will offer 20-minute one-to-one sessions through the afternoon with anyone who wishes to discuss their writing projects. There’s no arranged dinner tonight in order to give you a chance to explore the many wonderful restaurants Marrakech has to offer, or enjoy a relaxed pizza or Lebanese food on the terrace at Maison 28 with wine.

Monday, May 29

Rest, relaxation and writing in the countryside, then a Moroccan party at the riad!

After breakfast, we will travel by private bus to the lovely Beldi Country Club for a day of writing, swimming (bring your swimsuit!), rest and relaxation, shopping in the club’s boutiques, and a delicious lunch. Adrienne and Carolyn will be on hand to meet with any participants who wish to discuss their writing privately. When we’re back at Maison 28, we’ll have a final pre-dinner writing review session on the covered terrace, then we’ll dress up for cocktails and a final farewell dinner at Maison 28, complete with traditional Moroccan musicians. Don’t forget to pack your dancing shoes!

Tuesday, May 30

Goodbye, Marrakech! Until next time.

Breakfast
Morning departures

Please note that changes to the itinerary are at the discretion of the retreat leader, Adrienne Chinn.