Amalfi Coast Writer's Workshop With Elizabeth Berg™

Join New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg and Cooking Vacations for a writer’s workshop and cooking school on the Amalfi Coast in Positano. This extraordinary Literati Culinary Week is set for October 6 to 11, 2012. This small intimate group will be limited to 8 participants. Non-writer companions are welcome and can choose from hands-on cooking classes, watercolor painting, and ceramic making while your co-traveler is writing.

Spend a gorgeous week in sunny Positano with Elizabeth Berg and learn about the art of writing in this exclusive Writers’ Studio which includes hands-on cooking classes too. Elizabeth, as you know, loves to cook!

A Note On Elizabeth

Elizabeth Berg is an American author whose books include, Durable Goods, Joy School, Talk Before Sleep, The Year Of Pleasures, Open House, The Pull Of The Moon, and The Day I Ate Whatever I Wanted, to name a few.

“Elizabeth Berg’s gift as a storyteller lies most profoundly in her ability to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, the remarkable in the everyday.”? ~ The Boston Globe

A Literati Culinary Week

Walk in the footsteps of literati greats such as Pablo Neruda, Somerset Maugham, John Steinbeck, Filippo Tommaso, Marinetti, Boccaccio, Tennessee Williams, Forster, Rainer Maria Rilke, Alexandre Dumas, Hans Christian Anderson, Adeline Virginia Woolf, DH Lawrence, Norman Douglas & Axel Munthe while learning and expanding your writing skills with Elizabeth Berg. Follow the greats that were attracted and inspired by the beauty of the Amalfi Coast, Positano, Capri & Ravello and scribe your most memorable story too.

The Writer’s Studio

In talking about what makes for good writing, Elizabeth says, “It’s all in the details. A writer must learn how to find or imagine such details, then learn how best to present them to the reader.”
Discuss and learn how to make your page come alive with Elizabeth Berg in outrageously beautiful Positano. While you are there, enjoy not only a marvelous stay at a seaside villa property hotel and the sumptuous cooking classes featured in her popular National Geographic Traveler cover story, but also enjoy a writing workshop. By focusing on character, place, and dialogue, you will learn what constitutes interesting detail. You will also learn how to select those things that will advance and help shape a story. You will return home with a finished piece of work, either a short story or a narrative essay based on your stay in Positano.

The workshop will be structured in this way:

• Every morning, the participants will meet with Elizabeth at 10am for about thirty minutes over breakfast in order to have questions answered, and to discuss the assignment of the day.

• Four / 3-hour Writers’ Studio with Elizabeth each day.

• Participants will have free time to prepare their finished (up to ten pages) story to be read aloud to Elizabeth and the group on the fourth day.

This workshop will teach you about what techniques work best for you as a writer. You will also have a chance to see how others respond to your work, through kind but honest critiquing. Best of all you will be given tools that you can continue to use at home.

There’s something about being away from home that can allow us to tap into our creativity in ways we never have before. Come to Italy and see what you discover about yourself.

*No manuscripts can be read by Elizabeth outside of the group or sent on to publishers.

Accommodations

The luxury 4-Star hotel is set in Positano and is centrally located to the main square, sidewalk cafes and artisan shops. Each room offers a Mediterranean atmosphere decorated with pastel frescoes and Amalfi coast ceramic tiles in azzurra blue and the natural cool colors of the region. Each room has a town view balcony and fully equipped private en-suite bathroom, air conditioning, mini-bar, and Satellite TV. The Villa offers a rooftop swimming pool with bar, a full service bar, Internet point, an award-winning restaurant, a wellness center with spa services, sauna and gym, 24-hour room service and free shuttle service around Positano. Upgrade to a Superior Sea View Room at a supplement.

Each morning a copious International buffet breakfast is served at the Villa with cappuccino, cafe, tea, fresh Italian croissants, assorted seasonal pastries and breads, cakes, fruits and pizza to satisfy any palate. The knowledgeable staff are available 24 hours to answer questions, give advice and offer every comfort you might imagine.

Photo GalleryClick Here For Property Photos

Cooking Classes

Elizabeth loves to cook! Tie on your aprons for a hands-on cooking class that will bring you into the kitchen with Executive Chef Vincenzo who guides each guest in hands-on cooking while sharing his knowledge on local regional cuisine. Discover how to create authentic southern Italian foods and also learning the important cooking techniques for each recipe. In each hands-on cooking class you will prepare an antipasto, pasta or Risotto, fish or meat or vegetarian main course, and a delicious dessert. Chef Vincenzo advocates the healthy Mediterranean diet using only fresh organic vegetables from the garden and locally produced extra virgin first-cold-pressed olive oil. Dinner follows as everyone joins together at the table to enjoy the food that were made in class. Local red or white wine is included.

The warm sun and rich soil of southern Italy, along with the sea, provide the perfect climate for healthy vegetables and fruits to grow 12 months per year. After each class, everyone enjoys eating the food that was prepared in class accompanied with a glass of local red or white wine.

Positano~“It’s A Dream Place,” John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck lived in Positano in 1953 and wrote, “Positano bites deep, it’s a dream place, that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”
Positano is a little Moorish-style village, discovered by American and British troops at the end of World War II. Its small winding streets are filled with tiny cafés, terraces, and artisan shops selling ceramics, limoncello and antiques.

In the 10th century, Positano was part of Amalfi’s Maritime Republic and rivaled Venice as an important mercantile power. It was an important center during the 16th and 17th centuries, when its ships traded in the Near and Middle East, carrying spices, silks and precious woods. The majolica dome, Positano’s landmark, is that of the Chiesa Madre, or the parish church of Santa Maria Assunta. It has a green and yellow majolica dome, topped by a cupola. It was built on the site of a former Benedictine Abbey of Saint Vito, a 13th-century Romanesque structure, and was almost completely rebuilt in 1700. Through the years it has been a magnet for writers, artists, musicians and artists during the Grand Tour.

Writing & Cooking In Positano

October 6 to 111, 2012

6 Days / 5 Nights

Saturday: Welcome To The Writer’s Studio~ Meet Elizabeth & Readings~ Chef’s Tasting Dinner

• Pick-up and transfer from Naples airport or train station to the property.
  Arrival, check-in. Refresh and relax on your private terrace with an aperitivo. Read over the contents of your Welcome Bag including, a copy of Elizabeth’s Escaping Into the Open: The Art of Writing True, a writing journal, a helpful information that will acquaint you with the area and outline your Literati Culinary program. Also included is your Chef’s apron, general information on landmarks, and our “Positano Hot Pick list.”
  Meet & greet, program overview and aperitivo with a reading by Elizabeth from one of her books to get you started.
• Chef’s Tasting Dinner at our favorite local restaurant. Dine on award-winning southern regional Italian food set in charming surroundings that overlook the panoramic Amalfi Coast. (Wine, drinks, grappa and an assortment of after dinner digestives are not included, and are available at a surcharge).

Sunday: Morning Meeting With Elizabeth & The Writer’s Studio

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet with Elizabeth for briefing, questions & answers, and intro of writing assignment. ?The rest of the morning is free to explore town and start writing. Lunch on your own.
• Writer’s Studio: In the afternoon at 5pm, meet with Elizabeth for your writing workshop that will explore “character.” 3 hours with Elizabeth.
• Dinner on your own. Your Welcome bag has a Restaurant Hot Pick with suggestions.

Monday: Morning Meeting With Elizabeth & The Writer’s Studio

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet with Elizabeth for briefing, questions & answers, and intro of writing assignment.
• Writer’s Studio: In the afternoon at 5pm, meet with Elizabeth for your writing workshop that will explore “place.” 3 hours with Elizabeth.
• Dinner on your own. Your Welcome bag has a Restaurant Hot Pick with suggestions.

Tuesday: Morning Meeting With Elizabeth & The Writer’s Studio

• Breakfast is served.
• Meet with Elizabeth for briefing, questions & answers and writing assignment.
• Rest of the morning is free & lunch on your own. Suggestion: Amalfi & Ravello. Getting there is easy and fun, as you will see the amazing panoramic Amalfi Coast, passing Sophia Loren’s home along the way. Time out along the way for some photo snapping, and a visit to the famed-artisan ceramic makers noted for their volcanic hand-painted tables.?? The town of Amalfi is rich in culture and history. The small town, perched on the coastline, is dominated by Amalfi’s Cathedral and noted for its handmade Amalfi paper. Writers came from all over Italy for the special carta. Inspired by your surroundings, take a café chair at the oldest and most famous pastry shop in southern Italy- dating back to the 1800′s. These sweets will inspire any food lover’s mind. A local tradition is eggplant layered with chocolate, with pine nuts, liqueur and orange served with a steamy espresso!
• Ravello, hailed the ‘International City of Music’ and known for its precious panoramic view from the gardens of Villa Cimbrone, was and remains a hideaway for literati greats. Virginia Woolf, Gore Vidal, André Paul Guillaume Gide, Truman Capote, Tennessee Williams, Henry & Graham Greene lived in this small town perched 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast.
• If you want to see Ravello with a local, there is Angela! Angela our literati local leads our Ravello Writer’s Walk to the Villa Cimbrone, once the residence of Greta Garbo, through the lush gardens and the Terrazza Della Rosa, and continue to the Terrazzo dell’Infinito (Terrace of Infinity) sure to inspire any writer’s mind. This natural balcony is adorned with weathered marble busts and an infinite blue of sea and sky. One can almost reach out and touch the vertical cliffs that fall to the sea. Angela tells about the famous writers who lived in hidden villas as she takes you through the passageways and walks along the tour. (Make sure to reserve in advance; this tour is a suggestion and not included.)
• In the afternoon, Olive Oil & Wine Tasting with tastings & discussion. You will taste Cooking Vacations’ Extra Virgin First Cold-Pressed olive oil drizzled over local bread cooked in a wood oven. Informal tastings & discussions included.
• Writer’s Studio: At 5pm, meet with Elizabeth for your writing workshop that will explore “dialogue.” 3 hours with Elizabeth.
• Dinner on your own. Your Welcome bag has a Restaurant Hot Pick with suggestions.

Wednesday: Morning Meeting With Elizabeth & The Writer’s Studio & Cooking Class 2 ~ Farewell Dinner

• Breakfast is served. Meet with Elizabeth for briefing, questions & answers and writing assignment.
• Writer’s Studio Readings: Meet with Elizabeth for your final writing workshop devoted to reading the completed stories of participants based on the assignments of character, place and dialogue during the week.
• Cooking Class: Traditional Neapolitan: Join Chef Vincenzo in the kitchen in our hands-on cooking class featuring seasonal ingredients in regional recipes. We will prepare an appetizer, pasta, fish, meat or vergetarian main course and a sweet dessert. Everyone joins together at the table to enjoy the foods made in class for our farewell dinner. Toast with a glass of local red or white wine, included. Raise your glass and salute to all!

Thursday: Departure! Ciao!

• Breakfast & departure. Ciao e a presto!
• Additional nights available for those wishing to extend their stay.
• Group add-on excursions to Capri, Ravello, Amalfi and Pompei also available.
• Transfer to Naples airport or train station.