This is a new and exciting tour for this year. Anna Lunk our tutor is well known in the West country as a teacher of Creative writing. Our base in Castillon dates back to 1807 and provides en-suite accommodation for up to ten people. The back of the house looks on to a large garden complete with Box hedge maze, and direct access onto a large park with river and waterfall; plenty of seclusion and tranquillity for solitary writing. The front of the house opens onto the main village street where there are bars, patisseries and the throng of daily village life to observe and record. The house itself has been sympathetically restored and provides plenty of places to sit and write; a library; a sitting room and a large dining room. Myriam's delicious cooking has become something of a myth on Jonathan's walking tours. She sources her ingredients locally, buying organic wherever possible, to produce her own special blend of French/Greek/Spanish cooking.

The writing element of the holiday will focus on the wonderful surroundings for inspiration. Whether you're a complete beginner wanting some guidance or a writer of some experience requiring time and tranquility this is the ideal writing holiday. You will be encouraged to write 'en plein air' to capture the unique quality of time and place. You will be sent out to record village life and encouraged to carry your notebook on walks and visits. We will make our own excursions beyond the present moment into poetry and fiction. But most of all we will enjoy sharing an enthusiasm for the written word away from the distractions of our daily lives.

The cost of £493 * includes all tuition (including personal tutorials if required), four excursions with Jonathan, accommodation, breakfast and picnic lunches and four evening meals. (We will eat out locally for the remaining three.) It also includes transfers from Toulouse airport if required, but not the flight itself. (Advice will be available on recommended flights).

*A few 'non writing' places for partners are available at the reduced price of £390.