The Writing Retreat blends literary culture with Italian culinary indulgence—a fantastic way to immerse yourself in a region’s bookish heritage, explore the elements that influenced Petrarchan Sonnets, Dante's Inferno, Elena Ferrante's stories, and many more pieces of literature, and create your own.
Meet your instructor:
Veronique Manfredini
Veronique Manfredini, is an Italian writer from Bedonia, Italy, currently based in New Jersey. She has an M.F.A. in Creative Writing and an M.A. in English from Monmouth University, a B.A. in Creative Writing from Columbia University, and dual A.A. degrees in English and Business Administration from Brookdale Community College where she is also an adjunct instructor.
She runs The Bookish Godmother's Writing Workshop at Thunder Road Books in Spring Lake, NJ every 3rd Sunday of the month.
Winner of the Monmouth University Creative Writing Award in Poetry for Spring 2024, her work has appeared in Strip Mall Magazine, Spirit Lake Review, the Monmouth Review, the Platform Review, amongst others. She is currently working on a mystery novel and a collection of poems.
You can find her on social media as @TheBookishGodmother.
Writing Retreat Schedule
Day 1
Departure from the United States.
Day 2
Arrival at MXP Airport, transfer to Bedonia. Relax, wine, cheese & dinner.
Day 3
Wonder the alleyways of antique Genoa and taste the authentic pesto. Check out Christopher Columbus's house.
Day 4
Explore the majestic marble mountain of Carrara. Taste the aged lard of Colonnata, enjoy some time at the beach.
Day 5
Visit the Prosciutto di Parma factory, savor a meal of cured meats, Parmigiano cheese, and wine. Roam the rooms of the castle down the road.
Day 6
Free day to explore our village on your own or hop the train somewhere.
Day 7
Walk through the Parmigiano Cheese Factory while they're making it. Enjoy a handmade meal and dance to live music with the locals.
Day 8
Explore historic Modena, discover Balsamic Vinegar and enjoy a delicious tasting.
Day 9
Flight home.
Please Note: Villa Tre Angeli reserves the right to change the schedule of tours due to weather or unforeseen events. Your comfort and safety are our top priorities.
