WRITING RETREAT TURKEY
2026 Writing Retreat Turkey
Write, sail and dream as we cruise the waters of the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas in 2026 with my Writing Retreat Turkey. Disconnect from the chaos of daily life, find your inner voice and enjoy evenings sharing stories under the stars. Learn how to make your words tell a story that sings with truth and honesty, within the safety of a small group with space for creativity, inner focus and personal growth. Be inspired by ancient ruins and the mindful rituals of traditional Turkish culture then dive into the aquamarine waters from the teak deck of a handcrafted wooden sailing boat.
If you want to learn how to take your writing from the level of backyard swimming pool to deeper waters, then my 2026 writing retreat hosted by Meridian Travels and Yachting is for you.
Writing Retreat Turkey program – onboard and off
Each of the six full days of the cruise combines a writing/learning session with offshore outings such as walks through ancient ruins, a riverboat tour, swimming in secluded coves, a visit to a local family and more.
These activities are your inspiration as I lead you through structured exercises designed to help you learn and practise skills to improve your writing, whether you want to dip a toe into travel writing, work on your memoirs or private journals.
By the end of the week you’ll be confident in the use of a writing skill set comprising;
The use of observation, questioning and note taking.
Knowledge of pertinent grammar and style factors (don’t worry, it won’t be an English lesson).
The importance of word choice.
Knowing how much detail is too much.
An awareness of voice and perspective
The benefits of constructive criticism
The first three people to book my Writing Retreat Turkey will receive a personal one hour feedback session with me, and everyone gets a signed copy of my essay collection Inside Out In Istanbul: Making Sense of the City.
Writing Retreat accommodation – Turkish heritage on the water
We’ll be staying aboard the luxury teak and mahogany gület East Meets West. This traditional two masted sailing boat is owned and operated by Meridian Travels and Yachting.
Based in Marmaris, they’ve been cruising the coasts and bays of Western Turkey for more than 18 years and are members of the Turkish Chamber of Shipping. The vessel is captained by Adil Bektaş, an experienced seaman, and manned by his well trained and organised crew.
Your writing retreat teacher – Lisa Morrow
I’ve been working as a freelance travel writer for more than a decade, but I’ve been writing since I knew how to put words on a page. After graduating with a Masters Degree in Sociology I started tutoring in essay writing techniques at universities in Australia then moved on to teaching general writing and creative non-fiction skills to adult students there and here in Turkey, where I’ve lived for more than 15 years.
My byline has appeared in CNN Travel, The New York Times, Fodors, BBC Travel, The Guardian and elsewhere. I’ve also written five books about Istanbul and Turkey, available here.
People tell me they like the way I write because they feel like they’re walking beside me rather than just reading a book. They smell the aroma of food cooking in the restaurants I describe, see and feel the softness of the petals opening on flowers starting to bloom, laugh with people I meet and get lost in time at archaeological sites where the past appears totally in the present.
If you want to learn how to draw pictures with words too, cast anchor with me and get on board from 30 May to 6 June, 2026.
Reserve your cabin now. Book before 31 December 2025 and get an early bird discount of €100 with my code LISA100.
For all the nuts and bolts of my Writing Retreat Turkey – how much it costs, what’s included and what’s not, and most importantly, how to book your spot – go to the Meridian Travels & Yachting website.
I look forward to meeting you and going on an exciting journey together.
