Andalucian Writers Retreat 2025
Unlock your story with two bestselling authors
Highlights
Our second ANDALUCIAN WRITERS RETREAT. Our first one sold out so do not delay to book your place.
- 5-night writers retreat in the beautiful Finca Buenvino in the Natural Park of La Sierra de Aracena, north of Seville.
- Daily workshops with Joanna Quinn PhD, author of the best selling novel The Whalebone Theatre.
- Additional workshops and introduction to the area, the poet Lorca and the spirit of Duende from Manni Coe, author of Sunday Times best selling memoir brother.do.you.love.me and Andalucia Tour Guide.
- Your accommodation has nooks and crannies, a lounge and outside space on the terraces perfect for inspiring writing.
- One of the most spectacular infinity pools you will ever have the pleasure to swim in.
- Wifi throughout the property.
- Suitable for those at every stage of the writing journey – whether you’re just starting out or well under way.
Trip Profile
Duration:
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Tour Summary
Imagine yourself in the middle of a chestnut forest, 750 metres above sea level, on a private estate that stretches into the horizon and down into the valleys. Sam and Jeannie Chesterton found the land almost 40 years ago and set to building their forever home. FINCA BUENVINO was born and they have been delighting guests with their unique hospitality and delicious food ever since. Jeannie is a Cordon Bleu trained chef and has taken her training and skill on a unique tangent through Spanish cuisine and tradition, using local produce, sustainably sourced. Their son, Charlie, has learned from his mother and works with her in the family kitchen to create meals that will linger with you long after breakfast, lunch or dinner. Sam is a delightful host and raconteur and together they form a team that cannot really be described; it has to be experienced. Every meal is an event and every mouthful is a treat.
Finca Buenvino is located just north of the town of Aracena which is 70 mins driving from Seville
Finca Buenvino – where your thoughts and words will soar
You’ve found yourself at Toma & Coe’s Andalucian Writers Retreat, where you have the luxury of a relaxed and supportive week to focus on your writing.
In beautiful surroundings, with inspiring workshops and helpful feedback from two best-selling authors, you’ll have the chance to gain motivation and deepen your creativity.
Your time is your own but every day there is an optional morning writing workshop tailored to the group. These will include writing exercises, themed discussions, and opportunities to read from your work in a supportive atmosphere.
Suitable for those at every stage of the writing journey, whether you’re starting out or well under way.
FREE GIFT to help you tell your story at the retreat and on your onward writing journey.
All meals included (and drinks within reason)
About Your Hosts
Joanna Quinn PhD is the author of The Whalebone Theatre, a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller. Her novel was shortlisted for Best Debut Fiction at the British Book Awards, The Authors’ Club Best First Novel award, The Society of Authors McKitterick Prize and The Winston Graham Prize for Historical Fiction. It was chosen as a 2022 Book of the Year by The Times, The New York Times, Amazon, The Washington Post, Red magazine and Waterstones.
Joanna has also worked as a journalist and has just received her PhD in Creative Writing.
Manni Coe is founder and co-owner of Toma & Coe, and author of the Sunday Times Bestseller brother.do.you.love.me. The book was shortlisted for the British Book Awards 2023 in the category Non-fiction: Narrative. Waterstones selected the book as its Book of the Month in March 2024.
Manni’s love of travel and writing inspired him to create this Writer’s Retreat, so you can grow on your personal writing journey.
More Information
Itinerary
Monday
Arrive by 3/4pm and settle in
Welcome Drinks and Introductions
Evening welcome talk “Duende and the life of Lorca” by Manni Coe
Evening Meal with wine
Tuesday
Optional morning pages before breakfast
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn with mid-point coffee break
Afternoon for writing
Evening meal with wine
Wednesday
Optional morning pages before breakfast
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn with mid-point coffee break
Free writing time
Early evening hike with Manni
Evening meal with wine
Thursday
Optional morning pages before breakfast
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn with mid-point coffee break
Afternoon for writing
“Writing Memoir and writing about trauma” – workshop with Manni Coe
Evening meal with wine
Friday
Optional morning pages before breakfast
9-12 Morning workshop with Joanna Quinn with mid-point coffee break
Afternoon for writing
Evening: Farewell Gala
Saturday
Wrap up session
Depart after breakfast
Individual one-on-one sessions with Joanna will be scheduled nearer the time. Workshop outlines are available upon request.
The itinerary is subject to minor timing changes.
FULL BOARD
Arrival:
Fly into Seville airport.
Ryanair flies from Edinburgh, Stansted, Gatwick, Dublin, Düsseldorf, Brussels, Beauvais, Pisa, Bologna and Milan
Easyjet flies from Gatwick, Luton, Toulouse, Lyon, Nice and Geneva.
Vueling flies from Florence, Rome, Amsterdam, Bibao, Madrid, Ibiza, Menorca and Mallorca. Many flights involve a change in Barcelona, so check.
British Airways flies from Gatwick.
Transfers from Seville Airport can be arranged through the TOMA office. Alternatively there are two buses a day from Seville to Aracena and then a taxi hop to Finca Buenvino
Departure:
Fly out of Seville airport.
Transfers to airport or transport terminals are not included but can be arranged.
Prices
COSTS PER PERSON 2490 EUROS – 5 Nights all inclusive
8-10 guests in total
5 rooms in the main house
2 rooms in a cottage
1 room at the pool house
Allocation on a first come, first served basis.
The cottage is a 10 minute walk away from the main house.
The pool house is a 3 minute walk from the main house.
INCLUDED
- Accommodation in private rooms
- Breakfasts
- Lunches with wine
- Dinners with wine
- Coffee breaks
- All tuition
- 1 to 1 consultation for your writing project with Dr Joanna Quinn
- Writing gift
NOT INCLUDED
- Flights
- Insurance (obligatory)
- Transfers from and back to Seville (can be arranged through the TOMA office)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the writers retreat for fiction or non-fiction writers?
It’s for both. Joanna Quinn is the bestselling author of The Whalebone Theatre and will lead the daily workshops. Manni Coe is the Sunday Times Bestseller author of brother.do.you.love.me, a memoir, and is on-hand for advice and guidance on crafting your non-fiction.
Will all the writing workshops be relevant to me?
When you sign up, we will send you a quick survey to complete so Joanna can tailor the workshops to suit everyone’s needs.
Is wine/alcohol included in the price?
Welcome drinks, and wine for the first and last evenings are included in the Full Board price. However, other wine or alcohol is not included.
Is there private space for me to write?
Each room has its own writing desk. There is also the chance to explore the surrounding countryside and find yourself a quiet space to contemplate and write if that’s what you’d like.
Do I have to be an experienced writer or have started a work to join the writers retreat?
No, the Andalucian Writers Retreat is for writers of all stages. Whether you have a germ of an idea or are part way through your work, or simply want time away to lean more about the art of writing, this is the perfect retreat for you.
Where is Gaucín?
Gaucín is a traditional white village in the Serrania de Ronda (Ronda mountains), around 1 hour from Gibraltar and 1 ½ hours from Malaga in Andalucia.
Reviews
★★★★★
This was the trip of a lifetime.
The time I enjoyed to create and write on my own in this majestic setting was balanced perfectly with workshops and connection with other writers from all throughout the world. Joanna poured her soul into her lessons to us and handled our work with care and precision. Manni shared openly from his works in the past, present and future, while deeply investing in each one of us. I will never forget my time here and I WILL – mark my words- be doing another one!
Transformational!
The Writers Retreat in Gaucin was truly inspiring and a real opportunity to learn how to improve our individual writing skills. Friendships were forged as stories were shared. It was a week I would repeat in a heartbeat.
Writing Retreat in Gaucin, Spain
Thanks to Toma & Coe, the writing retreat I attended was superb. Everything, including the inn, La Fructuosa, that we stayed at, the excellent meals, and the scenic views was orchestrated to perfection. Our days were well-organized with a blend of workshops led by Joanna Quinn, talks given by Manni Coe, private coaching, and time off to write, walk, and share our writing with fellow writers. It was an amazing week!
Express yourself through writing
I’ll never forget the week I spent at Toma and Coe’s Andalucian writers’ retreat. We came together for one week in the lovely village of Gaucin in Andalucia, Spain. It didn’t matter how far along you were in your writing project, or if you even had one at all. The sharing, the feedback, the encouragement in a safe and inclusive space, and the support that has continued even though the retreat has ended, was genuine and unforgettable. During the workshops and free creative time, we were able to freely express ourselves, and in turn, thrive. If you’re looking for a top-notch writers’ retreat, I’d recommend Toma and Coe without reserve.
Truly Exceptional Writers’ Retreat
I had little idea of what to expect from this Writers’ Retreat in Andalucia. But if I’d been asked to create my ideal cocktail of like-minded souls, expert tuition, and delicious food in an unpretentiously beautiful location, this would have been it. We were housed in the wonderful Hotel La Fructuosa in Gaucin, a jewel of a village high in the hills of Southern Spain. Rooms were completely individual, beautifully decorated with antique furniture and the views down to Gibraltar were unparalleled. The sun soon burned through the early morning mists revealing blue skies and sunshine warm enough to enable Al fresco lunches on the terrace … in November! Led by Joanna Quinn (The Whalebone Theatre) and Manni Coe (Brother. do. you. love.me) the retreat featured workshops dealing with various writers’ blocks, free time for writing and exploring the village and surrounds, and meals together, beautifully prepared by Daniel’s talented team. I cannot recommend the Writers’ Retreat highly enough and cannot wait for another opportunity.
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