Creative Happenings in Pontelandolfo

2026 Writers’ Refuge in the Sannio Hills

June 1 to June 11, 2026.

Limited to 8 writers

Writers’ Refuge in the Sannio Hills takes its name from the rifugi, mountain huts that provided a haven for shepherds in Italy. Like those rifugi, the Writers’ Refuge offers a sanctuary where writers of all genres can shepherd in their latest creative writing project. Whether you are a first-time writer or have had many publications, the 10 days you’ll spend amidst the gorgeous Sannio Hills in the lovely Italian village of Pontelandolfo will surely inspire and nurture your creative output. Here your time is your own. Write all day everyday if you like, read all those books you’ve wanted to read, spend time sharing your work with the other writers, or wander through town enjoying the new view. While all these nurture your work, we also offer one-on-one creativity coaching sessions, daily writing prompts, nightly salons, and other creativity boosting activities brought to you by award-winning poet and small press editor Maria Williams

Together with playwright and event facilitator, Midge Guerrera, the time together is sure to be fun and inspirational .

$2200 All Inclusive Fee Includes:

·      Participants will share large, double rooms with ensuite bathrooms in La Locanda della Presuntuosa, a unique villa built into a mountain on acres of land. The villa includes a swimming pool, tennis court, washing machine, and park-like grounds that are minutes from Pontelandolfo village life. (A price for a single room at a local apartment will be available upon request.)

·      Three meals a day cooked by an Italian chef using local ingredients. Vegetarians and those with allergies can be accommodated

●      Roundtrip Transportation from the Benevento Train Station

●      Welcoming “Bar Crawl”–drinks and local snacks included–where you can discover off-site places to write while absorbing local Italian culture.

●      Daily shuttles will bring you (and your computer) to the village center - Piazza Roma.

●      All workshops, one-on-one sessions, and salons

●      A morning of writing in neighboring Morcone’s Storico Bar and lunch at Biancamela

●      An unforgettable locally sourced Italian lunch at Agriturismo Borgo Cerquelle

●      Opportunity to meet and talk to Italian authors

●      Wine and artesian food tasting at a local vintner

●      Writing excursion to the Altilia Saepinum archeological site

●      Excursion to Traditions of Historical Pontelandolfo – Dance, Cheese Rolling, Crests

●      English-speaking translator for all Italian-centered events.

Add-ons

●      Optional sharing a meal with a local family in their home. (Additional fee of €30).

●      Optional Excursion to Reggia di Caserta tickets are currently €15

Application fee is $150 to secure your spot. Deadline: April 5, 2026

As part of your registration please send no more than 10 pages of your work plus a paragraph or two describing your goals for the 10 days.

Your hostsMaria Williams, is the author of White Doe, winner of the Verse Daily Prize (2023), and the chapbook A Love Letter To Say There Is No Love (FutureCycle Press, 2011). She is a Pushcart Prize nominee and has been awarded residencies and fellowships from Jentel, PEN America, the Vermont Studio Center, A Room of Ones Own, and the Summer Literary Seminars, among others. Her poems have been published in numerous journals, including Bellevue Literary Review, Pank,Quarterly West, Allium, and Bateau. Maria has provided consultation to writers of all genres for over ten years. Visit her website.

Literally Italy is the American company founded by Midge Guerrera. Midge, herself a

published author of numerous books and plays, spends half the year in Italy blogging as “Nonna’s Mulberry Tree” and the other half in the US. She, along with Rossella and Annarita Mancini, is the founder of the award-winning program, Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo. That local team will be the on-site organizers for the retreat. Visit her website.

For more information and registration materials contact info@midgeguerrera.com