The Quiet Return Writing Retreat
A week-long writing retreat in Olhão this November
Seven days of writing by the sea.
This November, join a small group of ten women for a unique writing retreat in Olhão, Portugal, designed for those who are ready to begin transforming traumatic lived experiences into words—carefully, compassionately, and at their own pace.
Whether you are writing for yourself, for publication, or simply because your story is asking to be told, this retreat offers a safe, structured environment where writing—not disclosure—is the focus.
They have been waiting to be shared,
Your stories.
Held too tightly
For too long
They are finally ready
To be wrapped
In your language
And released.
A Different Kind of Writing Retreat
This is not group therapy.
It is a carefully facilitated writing retreat that recognises the complexity of writing about trauma while respecting every participant's autonomy and emotional boundaries.
Together, in a beautiful environment in Portugal, we will explore practical approaches to writing about difficult experiences. There will be no pressure to disclose any of the trauma you write about, but there will be space for group, and individual feedback if you would like it.
Whether you are writing memoir, creative non-fiction, poetry, personal essays, or simply trying to find language for experiences that have previously felt impossible to describe, you will be supported throughout the week.
During the Retreat You Will Experience
- A structured week of guided writing practice exploring different ways to write about trauma
- Time and space to write privately
- Optional, no-pressure, sharing
- A focus on writing, not disclosure
- Individual feedback, if requested
- A calm, coastal setting designed for focus, rest, and reflection
- Lots and lots and lots of FUN!
What this retreat does not provide:
- Group therapy
- A performance or storytelling environment
- A fast-paced personal development opportunity
- Promises of "instant cures"
Instead, it offers time, space and expert guidance to help you develop your own writing practice in a compassionate and sustainable way.
Your Accommodation
Our retreat will be hosted at Casa Rosa Villa Olhão, a peaceful boutique guesthouse in the heart of one of Portugal's most beautiful coastal cities on the Algarve.
Your place includes a private room at Casa Rosa, and two delicious meals
each day.
Casa Rosa is a beautifully restored Portuguese villa centred around a tranquil courtyard with a heated outdoor swimming pool and sauna.
Each thoughtfully designed room includes:
- Ensuite bathroom with rain shower
- Luxury cotton bedding and towels
- Air conditioning and heating
- Writing desk or comfortable seating area
- Organic bathroom products
- Quiet, sound-insulated interiors designed for restorative sleep
Details In Brief:
📍 Olhão, Portugal
📅 November (7 days)
👥 Maximum 10 participants
💶 €2,200 per person
For more information, and to book, please contact me using the form below, or by email to: hazel@traumarecovery.ie