Storytelling Retreat•Barcelona, Spain • Nov 1 - 6, 2023
6-Day Storytelling Retreat
Awaken your creativity and tap into your storytelling nature
The Mountains of Barcelona Await
This exclusive 6-day storytelling retreat offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to learn from Yulia Denisyuk, an award-winning travel journalist, photographer, and writer, in a series of immersive workshops, discussions, and storytelling experiences as you take it all in for six days spent in the mountainous hills of Barcelona, surrounded by nature.
Nov 1 - 6, 2023
Join us in Alt Penedes, Catalonia’s charming wine region
Only an hour away from the world-class city of Barcelona lies Alt Penedes, a quiet, peaceful region where some of Catalonia’s best vineyards are grown. Nestled in the surrounding hills, our beautiful Masia (restored farmhouse with rustic charm) offers views of Montserrat, a famous mountain range near Barcelona, luxurious amenities like a top-notch sauna and a pool, and an ideal location to tap into our creative spirit. The weather in early November is still warm, which means we’ll be able to hike, stretch into our poolside yoga rhythm, and breathe the fresh air of creativity and freedom all day long.
Embark on a journey of self-expression & connection at our storytelling retreat
Imagine Six Days of Endless Inspiration…
Wake up to the sounds of wild birds as you meet other guests for a session of morning yoga poolside at a deck of our private Catalonian retreat. After a healthy breakfast served outdoors, we’ll kick off our daily creativity & storytelling workshops led by Yulia Denisyuk, all done at a leisurely pace to ensure we rest and restore in order to create. Afternoons are spent immersing in nearby landscapes with a series of luxurious experiences like an ethnobotanical walk, a visit to a nearby winery, a cava tasting, or an acupressure massage.
You’ll spend one full day meeting artisans, farmers, and producers of Catalonia in a gastronomic experience of a lifetime. All throughout, Yulia will share her insights and guide you into unlocking the power of your own storytelling craft and breathing life into your creativity as you wander through ancient forests, sip traditional Catalan wines, and bask in the warm Mediterranean sun. Evenings will be spent at our private retreat where family-style meals served in community await to celebrate our days.
Storytelling Workshops
Footage from our day-long workshop in Puerto Rico in May 2023
During the 6-day retreat, Yulia will lead a variety of storytelling workshops, all custom-developed for you to help you get in touch with your creativity and improve your storytelling chops.
The actual workshop content is subject to change, but here are some examples of what you can expect:
Compelling Storytelling: What Makes It Work?
Tapping Into Your Voice & Curiosity
Listening To The World (Inspiration Is Everywhere)
How To Find Story Ideas & Angles
Developing Your Legacy
Meet Catalonia’s Artisan Farmers
During the retreat, we’ll join our friends at Aborigens Barcelona for a full-day experience getting to know passionate artisan farmers & producers of Catalonia. We’ll visit a farm outside of Barcelona and discover the stories behind some of the region’s most iconic foods.
Included In The Retreat:
5-night accommodations in our private Masia farmhouse
All healthy and delicious, vegan and vegetarian-forward meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), prepared by our chef on-site
Transportation to and from the airport
Transportation to and from our experiences
Experiences: forest hike with an ethnobotanist, cava tasting, visit to a local winery, full-day event meeting artisan farmers & producers of Catalonia
All workshops and sessions led by Yulia Denisyuk
Three days of morning yoga flows
One-hour massage
Not included: airfare to and from Barcelona, alcohol beyond what’s included in meals and wine tastings
Led by award-winning travel journalist Yulia Denisyuk
Yulia Denisyuk is a veteran travel photographer and writer with work in The New York Times, National Geographic, TIME, Lonely Planet, Conde Nast Traveler, AFAR, and more. She has traveled on assignments to places like Mongolia and Rwanda and worked with multiple tourism boards. Yulia has led travel media workshops and masterclasses for National Geographic Traveler, Society of American Travel Writers, Wanderful, and more. She is also the founder of Travel Media Lab.
Our Mountain Hideaway
Can Vital is a vision of Frederik Mellentin and Carmen Montero Pérez, two dreamers with an amazing story who you’ll meet during our storytelling retreat.
Set on a sprawling nature area in the hills of Alt Penedes just an hour away from Barcelona, this carefully restored Masia farmhouse features natural materials like wood and cotton linen, a beautiful communal kitchen, cozy outdoor spaces, mountain views, and more.
The eco-friendly farmhouse uses solar panels for energy generation. Its saltwater swimming pool is not only environmentally friendly but is also excellent for your skin. We’ll for sure make use of its wellness facilities like a sauna, an outdoor yoga platform overlooking the majestic Montserrat Mountain range and so much more. Surrounded by nature, forests, and vineyards, it is a sanctuary where you will enjoy the rich plant and wildlife of the Alt Penedes while reawakening your creativity and soul.
Each of the 11 carefully restored rooms has a unique design, but they all come with private bathrooms, a luxurious bed, amenities, natural morning light, and plenty of cozy nooks to get your creativity flowing.
Book Your Spot
Shared Room
$3,350
Shared kind bedroom, two guests per room
3 rooms, 6 spots available
You will share one of the masia’s eleven bedrooms with another guest. Each room varies in design and comes with a private bathroom, king-sized bed, and amenities. Some of the beds can be separated while others cannot.
Single Room
$3,950
Private king bedroom
6 rooms, 6 spots available
You will stay in one of the masia’s eleven bedrooms, completely private to you (you won’t be sharing this room with anyone else). Each room varies in design and size and comes with a private bathroom, king-sized bed, and amenities.
Single Suite
$4,650
Private suite
3 suites, 3 spots available
You will stay in one of the masia’s three suites, completely private to you. Each suite varies in design and comes with additional space like a reading nook and a terrace, in addition to a private bathroom, king-sized bed, and amenities.
Tap into your creativity guided by Yulia’s insights, in community with like-minded souls on a similar journey towards more freedom and storytelling in their lives
Questions? We’ve got answers.
What if I don’t have any pro storytelling experience?
We strongly believe that creativity and storytelling are at the heart of who we are as humans. This retreat is for you if you desire to get in touch with your inner storyteller and awaken your creative soul while being nurtured and inspired at an incredible location in the mountains of Catalonia. Yulia has a passion for storytelling and she wants to share this passion with the group - but it is not mandatory by any means to be a professional photographer, writer, or journalist like she is. All we ask is that you come with an open mind and heart and be ready to be inspired and let your creative energy flow.
Where should I fly into?
You should fly into Barcelona El Prat International Airport (BCN). Transfers from the airport to our retreat location will be included. Our start time is 4pm onwards on November 1 and end time is noon on November 6. Please plan your flights accordingly.
Do I need to arrive & depart at a specific time?
We have included transfers to/from the airport as part of the retreat, so you will have flexibility in choosing the flights that work for you. Our start time is 4pm onwards on November 1 and end time is noon on November 6. Please plan your flights accordingly.
What should I pack?
Days in early November will be warm, while evenings will be brisk. Pack a light jacket and comfortable clothing that you can hike, yoga, and explore Catalonia in. We’ll have a saltwater pool and sauna, so pack a swimsuit, too!
What’s included in the price?
5-night accommodations in our private Masia farmhouse; all healthy and delicious, vegan and vegetarian-forward meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), prepared by our chef on-site; transportation to and from the airport; transportation to and from our experiences; a forest hike with an ethnobotanist, cava tasting, visit to a local winery, full-day event meeting artisan farmers & producers of Catalonia; all workshops and sessions led by Yulia Denisyuk; three days of morning yoga flows; one one-hour massage session
What’s not included?
Airfare to/from Barcelona; personal expenses + drinks not on the meals / scheduled wine tastings, mandatory travel insurance
What about travel insurance?
Travel insurance is required to join this retreat. All guests will be asked to provide proof of current and adequate travel insurance 30 days prior to departure. There are many options for travel insurance. We recommend Travel Insured.
What’s your cancellation policy?
All payments are non-refundable (in the event of retreat cancellation by us, payment will be refunded).
We strongly recommend that your travel insurance addresses trip cancellation coverage. All payments are final; Trip cancellation insurance may be the only means of receiving reimbursement for flights and other non-refundable travel expenses should you be unable to make the trip for any reason.
More questions?
Reach out to us at any time at hello@travelmedialab.co.
“The concept of telling travel stories on a much deeper level opened my eyes to how I can make travel writing more meaningful, even on my own platform.”
— Christine, 2023 Puerto Rico Attendee