Escape. Create. Connect.
A 5-day songwriting retreat on the coast of Southern Italy — where nature, music, and community meet.
Write from the Heart. Under the Mediterranean Sun.
If you’re a passionate songwriter craving an inspiring escape and ready to take your craft to the next level, join us for an unforgettable retreat in the breathtaking natural beauty of Porto Selvaggio, Salento (Puglia). Here, you will have the space, time, and freedom to immerse yourself in songwriting, connect with like-minded creatives, and draw inspiration from the rich culture and landscapes of Southern Italy.
It’s not just a retreat. It’s a reset.
You’ll be surrounded by the sounds of the sea, historic villages, olive trees, and fellow creatives. This isn’t just a retreat — it’s a creative reset.
Guided & Grounded
The Rhythm of the Day
Each day is gently structured to balance focused creativity with freedom and reflection. Mornings begin with movement and mindfulness, followed by engaging workshops and hands-on co-writing. Afternoons offer space to explore Salento’s rich landscape and culture, while evenings are for sharing songs, connecting with others, or simply soaking in the magic of the moment.
After Breakfast Workshop/Class
Songwriting Techniques or Performance
Dive into a focused learning session. This could be based on specific aspects of songwriting (e.g. lyric writing, melody crafting, chord progressions) or performance, with a practical element to encourage participation and creativity.
Early Afternoon
Co-writing Sessions
In the late morning or early afternoon, participants can pair up or work in small groups to co-write. You can offer prompts or themes tied to the workshop to guide them, but the idea is to allow free creative flow.
Late Afternoon
Exploration Time (Towns/Locations)
Mid to late afternoon, give participants the chance to explore the local area, like walking through quaint towns, visiting historical sites, or taking in the beautiful natural surroundings. This also offers time for personal reflection and inspiration, possibly collecting ideas for their songs.
Evening
Sharing/Reflection/Free Time
End the day with an informal session where participants can share what they’ve written, get feedback, or simply discuss their creative process. This could be relaxed, with some social time and maybe a light meal to wrap things up. On some evenings, you could offer a specific activity like a sound bath or informal jam session.
The Experience
What's Included
- 4 Nights Cozy B&B Stay
- Daily Breakfast & Lunch (local & fresh)
- 5 Days of Workshops + Co-Writing
- Final Showcase Performance
- Excursions through Porto Selvaggio & Nardò
- Optional Wine & Music Nights
- Small, Supportive Group + Expert Mentorship
Dates & Price
Salento, Nardò (Puglia), Italy
5 Days / 4 Nights
3rd September – 7th September
£675 + Flights
(Includes 4 nights accommodation, breakfast & lunch, workshops & activities)
Limited Spots Available!
Book Your Spot
Reserve your place with a £175 deposit. Full payment due 4 weeks before the retreat.
About Your Hosts
Mauro Lacandia
Mauro Lacandia (Tarantola) is a Puglia-born singer, songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist based in London. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, he holds a BMus from the University of Bologna and BA/MA degrees in Songwriting from ICMP.
As Module Leader, Tutor and Auditioner at ICMP, he crafts and delivers courses in performance, songwriting, production and artist development.
On stage Mauro has played 1,000+ shows across Europe and fronts Tarantola, a modern-reggae band featured in the Italian Reggae Top 10 in 2024. He’s also a session musician for brands like Peroni and New Balance and runs a North London studio for emerging artists.
Eduardo Giusto
Eduardo Giusto is a Singer-Songwriter, artist, and producer with a strong foundation in composition, production, and vocal studies, earned during his three-year songwriting degree at ICMP in London.
A driven performer, Eduardo has engaged in extensive tours and performances across Europe and beyond. He actively releases his original music and works with diverse artists, enriching his creative portfolio. Leveraging his practical industry experience, Eduardo also excels as an events specialist for the live music scene, applying his holistic understanding of the industry to create and manage engaging experiences.
Yannis Iliopoulos
Yannis Iliopoulos balances his career between the music industry, the startup ecosystem, and academia. He has a solid experience in music rights, business strategy and marketing and a strong background in communication, pitching and storytelling. He is a Senior Programmes Manager at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance (ICMP) in London, designing and managing courses on music business and digital marketing. Yannis is also a startup advisor, specialising in business modelling and pitching, with experience in different sectors of the enterprise space (tech, music tech, fintech etc). Yannis is the founder of the independent record label ‘The Sound Of Everything’, its publishing arm ‘The Sound Of Everything Publishing’, and its artist development programme ‘Unsigned and Gifted’.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: The retreat takes place in beautiful Puglia, in the south of Italy. The nearest airports are Brindisi (BDS) and Bari (BRI). From either airport, it’s about a 1–2 hour drive to the retreat location, depending on where you're flying into. You can rent a car, take a train, or we can help coordinate shared transfers with other guests. We’ll provide full travel instructions after you book — and we’re always here to help you figure it out.
A shuttle service can be arranged upon request. To ensure availability and timely coordination, please notify us of your need for this service well in advance of the event.
Yes, we are delighted to offer guided excursions to explore the beautiful surrounding areas. These activities can include visits to charming nearby towns, stunning beaches, and picturesque coastal locations.
Yes! Your host will be there to drive you around and coordinate group activities, as well as exploration time. You'll also have free time to wander on your own and get lost in the charm of Salento’s towns and stunning seaside spots.
Get Your Ticket
Pay a £175 deposit today, £500 one month prior to the event.
Reserve your spot for an unforgettable week of music, creativity, and connection in sun-soaked Puglia, Italy.
This ticket holds your place for the full retreat experience, including:
Daily songwriting workshops & co-writing sessions
Beautiful shared accommodation for 4 nights
Group meals with local food & wine
Excursions to nearby towns and beaches
Final showcase night under the stars
Travel not included, but we’ll help with planning. All levels welcome – from curious beginners to seasoned songwriters. Limited spots available.
Contact Us
Have a question? Curious if this retreat is right for you? We’d love to hear from you. Drop us a message and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
A 5-day songwriting retreat on the coast of Southern Italy — where nature, music, and community meet.
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