La selva
creative retreats & residencies
CREATIVE RETREATS AND RESIDENCIES IN NATURE
Welcome to a place where creativity meets nature in the deep forests of La Selva, Catalonia, Spain. Our unique retreats and residencies are designed for music creators, visual artists, walkers, writers, creatives, makers and anyone seeking inspiration, connection, and renewal in a truly beautiful natural environment. “La Selva” means the deep forest — and here, close to the Medterranean, with the cork-oak trees, quiet trails, ancient dolmens, menhirs, stone circles and wide open skies, creativity flows naturally.
Happy artist couple Rory Pierce (composer/performer) and Priscilla Morris (author) offer you a carefully curated selection of retreats and residencies in the tranquil, forested hills of Catalonia. Our retreats provide the time and space, guidance and atmosphere to reconnect you with nature and nurture your creative spirit.
upcoming retreats
SEP 3rd - SEP 9th. This retreat brings together creatives and makers from different disciplines in a relaxed, supportive environment. Visual artists, writers, poets, musicians, photographers, makers and creatives of all kinds share ideas, explore the surroundings, and draw inspiration from the natural beauty of La Selva. The result is a rich, collaborative atmosphere where new artistic directions can emerge and you also have the time and space to focus on your projects.
SEP 15th - SEP 21st. This retreat combines facilitated talks and creative time with guided walks through the forests and hidden paths. These walks are designed to refresh the mind, inspire new ideas, and deepen your connection to the landscape. Nature becomes part of the creative process, offering all sorts of inspiration, rhythm, silence, and perspective.
Sep 28th - Oct 4th. This retreat offers a blend of world class author-led classes, workshops and individual consultations, with plenty of time built in to write and be inspired & refreshed by nature.
OCT 19th - OCT 25th. This retreat focuses on learning about local flora and fauna, the processes of nature, ecology and mindful connection with the land. Our guides will lead you through forests, valleys, and scenic viewpoints on the wild Costa Brava, allowing you to experience the peaceful power of this region at a gentle, enjoyable pace. There is also plenty of downtime in the afternoons for relaxing by the pool.
Food is a central part of every retreat. We work with high-quality, professional chefs who prepare fresh, seasonal meals using the finest local ingredients. Dining with the other retreatants becomes an experience in itself — nourishing, connecting and creatively inspiring.
La Selva is one of Catalonia’s hidden treasures: its rolling forests of cork oak trees, beautiful landscapes, and slow rhythm of life make it the perfect setting for rest, creativity, and meaningful connection.
If you are looking for an inspiring escape where nature, art, music, walking, and exceptional food come together, our retreats in La Selva offer a truly unforgettable experience.
(Swimming pool available during retreats, not residencies. The Mediterranean sea is yours all year round)
who we are
A HUSBAND AND WIFE TEAM:
RORY PIERCE
Rory is a music composer, educator and performer, who has played music all over the world in well known bands, orchestras and ensembles including The Divine Comedy, the Grit Orchestra and the Hibernian Orchestra. He was trained at the Royal Academy of Music in London, and has taught composition for decades at many modern music institutions including BIMM and Pulse College, Dublin. He is also a nature lover and used to live and work in the permaculture school at the Esalen Instute in Big Sur California. He has trekked and recorded the sounds of nature in many mountainous and wild parts of the world.
PRISCILLA MORRIS
Priscilla is a writer and educator, whose novel Black Butterflies has achieved critical acclaim and been translated into over 10 languages. It was shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2023 and awarded Fiction Runner-Ip for the Dayton Literary Peace Prize 2025. She is a nature lover and loves teaching Creative Writing. She has an MA and PhD in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia and has taught creative writing at University College Dublin, City Lit and Kingston University among other places.
LUCY DOHERTY
Lucy is one of our fabulous chefs. She is Cordon Bleu-trained and has cooked at the Michelin-starred AngloThai restaurant and the River Cafe in London. She’s assisted The Hairy Bikers and many other interesting folk. Her incredible food and wonderful energy were a complete hit on our first writing retreat in 2025.
She grew up spending many summers on the Costa Brava, and this region remains one of her favourite places to cook. She loves working with fresh, seasonal produce and drawing inspiration from local ingredients.
Breakfasts are self-serve, along the lines of overnight oats, homemade breads, jams, eggs and ham. Lunch is a nutritious, filling buffet and will be eaten outside, weather permitting. Delicious three-course dinners may include a paella, a Catalan feast, a Thai night and a barbecue.
Local Catalan wines are the perfect pairing for Lucy’s delicious food.
LEARN MORE about Lucy’s cooking…
OUR ETHOS:
The vision of La Selva is to nurture creativity, reflection, and artistic connection. Set within a nature reserve, we provide a sanctuary where artists and thinkers can slow down, find inspiration, and bring new ideas to life.