Find your writing rhythm in:

     Turkey’s Riviera.    

August 28 - September 6, 2025

Finding your creative flow is effortless when you’re cruising the cerulean coves of Turkey’s Riviera. This women-only seafaring retreat is rooted in a balance of soft structure and spontaneity that’s good for writers of all levels. Through guided sessions, you’ll discover ways to tap into your creative state with ease and infuse new life into your writing. Days are filled with limitless possibilities, inviting you to immerse in a good book, drift into blissful daydreams, or pour your thoughts and reflections into your journal. Consider this your own floating writers colony, in one of the most beautiful corners of the world. 

Discover a new way to travel.

The story

When I first came to the Datca Peninsula in 2020, I knew it was special. A narrow sliver of land splicing the warm turquoise sea in two—the Mediterranean to its south and the Aegean to its north; mountains and valleys laced with viridescent olive groves and wild sage; the ruins of ancient Hellenistic cities, imprints left from the Ottoman and Persian empires, and rock tombs carved into the limestone cliffs from the Carian civilization. 

Now I’ve called this place home for five years, and though I’ve written about it for publications like AFAR, for the first time I’m sharing it with you.

Stories are in the soil and the sea here, and we’ll tap in to that terroir on this unique retreat. In fact, one tale has captivated me so much, that it serves as both the inspiration of and the format for this trip.

It’s about gulets, beautifully-crafted wooden ships built on this peninsula. Originally used by sponge divers, these boats gained prominence in in the mid 20th century, when a group of Turkish writers, artists, and politically exiled intellectuals began using them as a creative refuge and studio. On them, they wrote books and poems that became so famous that an entirely new type of getaway was coined in Turkey: The Blue Cruise.

We’ll channel that spirit of writing rhythm, recreation, and creative refuge on this journey, letting the coastline, the stars, its waters, and its lore light our way. 

Turkish writer Ezra Erhat, who popularized the Blue Cruise with her book “Mavi Yolculuk” in 1962.

Friends and I re-creating our own Blue Cruise in 2023.

Here’s your invitation to disconnect and plunge into a world of creativity and leisure—and discover what happens when the two intersect in one of the world’s most tranquil settings. Every component of this trip is designed for you to replenish, get inspired, and create. Think of it as part one part retreat, one part adventure, and one part floating artist colony.

Highlights

Travel creatively

Ditch the guidebook and discover how following your creative compass can lead to new breakthroughs, perspectives, and connections.

Replenish

Enjoy a vacation that combines the restorative powers of a retreat with the invigorating learnings and exchanges of a residency.

Chart new creative territories

With limited connection to the outside world, we’ll maximize connecting with our internal and communal creative landscapes. Break through writers’ block, envision new narratives, or finish that draft that’s been gathering dust. Together, we’ll get to new level as storytellers.

Our floating writing retreat is set on a 30-meter luxury two-mast gulet built in 2018, and staffed by a professional crew of four. On board we’ll be fueled by the best ingredients of the Mediterranean: fresh local seafood, produce, fruits, herbs, and coffee, all prepared by our private chef. Read more about the boat here.

It’s stocked with everything we need for writing and relaxing—a custom micro-library, WWJ journals, creative playlists, and writing prompts—as well as for fun: kayaks, stand-up paddle boards, snorkel gear, and painting sets. Plus, a little extra decor and lighting for ambiance. With all of the food, cleaning, and navigating done for you, you’re free to follow your callings.

Accommodations

We’ll come together in Datca, the tiny coastal village on the tip of the Datca Peninsula that I call home. There, we’ll spend two days discovering everything that makes this place so special. Then our boat arrives to sweep us up the coastline, hitting every beautiful beach, inlet, and cove along the way.

On board, each day begins with quiet writing time on the deck as the sun rises over the Mediterranean. After breakfast, we’ll dive in to the day’s theme with an insight talk, providing some gentle guidance for the day. The nexus of each day centers around leisurely creative time for daydreaming, swimming, reading, and of course, creating.

At sunset, we will gather at the bow of the ship to share our daily discoveries and support each other on our creative journeys. And after dinner, we’ll share stories as we drift beneath the starry sky.

Our Itinerary

Our journey begins in Datça, a seaside hamlet where the Mediterranean and Aegean seas meet, and where the land holds centuries of stories. We’ll gather for a welcome dinner and begin forming connections that will inspire and support us throughout the trip.

Day 1

We’ll awaken our creativity together by learning how to channel our senses and connect with place. A local herbalist will lead us through a guided essential oil-making workshop that shows us how the process of crafting scents encourages a deeper engagement with our surroundings. Then we’ll visit the ancient city of Knidos, which dates back to the 4th century BCE, to connect with the ancient history of this unique place. We’ll end the day at dinner with a local winemaker, savoring the flavors as we discuss how tuning into our senses can bring our stories to life.

Day 2

Day 3

Ease into the day with a guided nature walk and optional spa sessions. In the afternoon, it’s time to board the gulet that will be our floating creative sanctuary. Just in time for dinner, we’ll enjoy our first meal at sea together, and contemplate the possibilities ahead. 

Day

4

With the turquoise waters and craggy coastline of the Datça Peninsula as our backdrop, we’ll explore how to orient ourselves both geographically and creatively. Through guided exercises, you’ll learn to tap into your internal compass to bring clarity and authenticity to your storytelling. 

We’ll turn to the craft of shaping raw material into a story’s natural form. With guidance and exercises, you’ll learn to find the heart of your narrative and refine its structure, creating work that is honest and evocative. 

Day 5

Today we’ll explore tactics for moving from freewriting to a sustained flow state. You’ll discover strategies to overcome creative blocks, enter a rhythm of expression, and keep the words coming. It’s all about turning the faucet on and letting the ideas pour out. 

Day 6

As we cross into the Bozburun Peninsula we’ll enter the perfect setting to explore the art of foraging for inspiration. This is one of Turkey’s 305 Key Biodiversity Areas, with a rich and diverse array of flora. We’ll spend the day taking in the natural beauty, visiting hidden swimming coves, and letting our surroundings refresh and energize us. You’ll learn how to channel such experiences into your writing, capturing the essence of a moment in vividdetail. 

Day 7

On this special day, we’ll head ashore for a guided excursion and explore the power of archetypes and how they can lend depth and structure to our stories. This day is a perfect reminder of the powerful connection between place and creative expression. The evening will end with a memorable dinner on land, offering time to reflect and share insights. 

Day 8

Today, we’ll focus on the powerful role of daydreaming in creative work, and learn techniques to transform fleeting ideas into potential material. Let your mind wander as we glide above the water and swim beneath its surface, or laze in the sunshine on the upper deck. We’ll interpret our dreams and thoughts to uncover fresh ideas for our writing. 

Day 9

On our final morning, we’ll disembark and say farewell to the gulet that has been our home and haven. Reflect on the growth we’ve achieved and carry the tools and inspiration gained throughout this journey into the next chapter of your creative life. Together, we’ll celebrate a shared experience that has enriched not only our writing but also our connections and perspectives.

Day 10

FAQs

    • Master suite with shared queen bed: $5,495 per person

    • Private room with double bed: $5,995 per person

    • Shared room with single beds (2 people per room, but individual beds): $4,995 per person

    *You might also prefer to sleep on the deck under the stars—I do!

    • All accommodations

    • All meals listed in the itinerary (3 meals per day, coffee, water, and snacks)

    • Airport transfers to/from DLM (Dalaman Airport)

    • All activities included in the itinerary

    • All organized local transportation as it relates to the itinerary

    • Flights/transport to/from DLM (Dalaman Airport)

    • International medical or travel insurance (required)

    • Additional gratuities

    • Alcohol

    • Any activities and transportation not included in the itinerary

    • Private consultations (can be added)

    • Spa treatments (can be added)

    • Any meals on your own

    • This journey is open to storytellers, writers, and artists of all levels! However, if you’re new to writing, I encourage you to take one of Jenna’s online courses prior to the trip.

    • Please note this is a women-only trip.

  • It’s easy! Just apply here and we’ll get back to you within a few business days.

    • On deck: Main dining area, two couches, one communal bench seat, personal sun loungers, sea ladder. Shaded and sun-exposed areas.

    • Below deck: Salon with communal table and banquet seating, bar, espresso machine.

    • The cabins: 24-hour A/C, private en-suite bathroom with toilet and shower, quality bed linens, portholes, spacious.

    • The staff: Four professionals, including the captain, skipper, chef, and cleaner. The boat is up-to-date at at international standards with all necessary safety equipment, technical and navigation systems, and licenses.

    • Other perks: Kayak, paddle board, sound system, De’Longhi coffee machine, ice machine, safe, hair dryer, games, library, writing and art supplies.

  • This is a low-tech retreat. In order to fully immerse in the experience, deepen our creative access, and avoid disrupting others in the group, our usage of internet will be limited. We hope that you can agree to limit yourself to our designated 30-minute per day rule of internet when on the boat. Also keep in mind that as we will be in remote areas, there will be times when we don’t have access to internet or cell phone reception, so please plan accordingly.

Who You’ll Meet

Local Partner & Guide

Elizabet Kurumlu

Host & Founder

Jenna Scatena

Captain Ünal

Boat Captain & Guide

Begin your journey