INSPIRATION FROM NATURE
With Kristian De La Riva
SEP 15th - SEP 21ST 2026
6 nights / 5 full days
Location: Casa Almeda & Casa La Daina, Romanyà de la Selva, Catalonia, Spain
A retreat for those who want to learn more about the magical sytems of nature and ecology
This retreat offers gentle, sensory-based journeys into the quiet heart of the forest for both everyday nature lovers and practising artists, where moss, mycelium, birdsong and wind all feel like parts of one living, breathing system that we also belong to.
On this retreat we step out of the rush of daily life and into an older, deeper world where time stretches and the senses really wake up. Wandering under the trees we notice the subtle relationships—between fungi and roots, birds and berries, soil-smells and rain—that make the forest feel like a responsive, intelligent being.
Renowned nature guide and tracker Kristian De La Riva will act as an interpreter between humans and the more‑than‑human world: through simple invitations to see, touch, smell, and listen, you’ll explore the science, the poetry and the mystery of how trees communicate through fungal networks and pheromones, how animals co-exist in an intricate dance, how water shapes the land, and how lichens and mosses interact with stone and wood. As we follow curiosity and listen for stories in stones and streams, your own nervous system will have space to soften and re‑calibrate.
This retreat offers daily guided walks into the forest of La Selva and along the coastline of the Costa Brava. Talks both formal and informal will be offered in the early evening in the living room and around the dining table of Casa Almeda.
Eight to twelve participants are invited to settle into a rhythm of guided ecology walks, informal conversations, enlightening eco-system talks, mealtimes, and alone project time allowing ideas to deepen and inspiration from nature to trickle into creative projects and the every day.
Who this retreat is for
This retreat is open to artists and everyone with an interest in knowing more about the magical, fascinating systems at work in the forest and in nature in general.
No level of ecology knowledge is required. What matters is a hunger to know more about the complex and beautiful patterns and workings of the natural world.
As well as a sleeping area, each private room has a work-table area for journalling and other creative activities. Some time will be allotted each day for people to integrate some of their learnings into their work, or to have some daily reading time to get further into our reading list.
Retreat structure
Arrival day
Arrival at Casa La Daina from 4pm. Settle in, freshen up, explore
Introductions, welcome drinks and canapés at 7pm
Delicious 3-course dinner in the large dining room at 8pm
Five full retreat days
Self-serve breakfast each morning
Guided nature walk with Kristian De La Riva (days 2, 3, and 4) and Rory Pierce (days 1 and 5)
Nutritious lunch buffet together
Late afternoon time for journalling or creative work/ reading
Early evening hosted talks with Kristian De La Riva (days 2, 3, and 4)
Evening meals together at the house, with one dinner out beside the sea (not included in the retreat fee)
Departure day
Breakfast and relaxed departure by 10am
Guided nature walks
During the five full days of the retreat, the mornings will be filled with guided nature walks in the surrounding forests of La Selva and along the dramatic coastline of the Costa Brava.
These 3hr - 4hr daily walks are intended to be gentle, ecologically inspiring and creatively inspiring rather than strenuous. Moving through cork oak woodland, along ancient paths and coastal trails, participants will be introduced to the history, nature and ecology of the region — the deep systems of the forest, the Mediterranean flora and fauna, the celtic dolmens, menhirs, and stone circles of the area.
The coastal walks involve optional sea swims at beaches such as Playa Castell and Cala Rovira
There are also maps for self-guided walks available should you require solo quiet time in the local forest.
The setting. Two conjoined properties, Casa Almeda and Casa La Daina
Together these adjoining properties offer:
Comfortable private and shared bedrooms
Dedicated work-desks/ tables in each bedroom
Multiple quiet communal workspaces
Gardens, terraces, and shaded outdoor areas for working
A swimming pool with sun loungers
Reading nooks and common rooms
Wi-Fi throughout the properties
The old medieval hamlet of Romanyà de la Selva is small and peaceful, with no shops or cafés. This simplicity allows participants to fully disconnect from daily demands and focus on their work.
Food and drink
The food each day is nourishing and generous.
Breakfast: self-serve, including cereals, yoghurt, fruit, homemade breads, jams, eggs, and ham
Lunch: a substantial buffet with soups, salads, quiches, tortillas, cheeses, and seasonal dishes
Dinner: relaxed, varied and substantial three-course evening meals, with one meal out at a harbour-side restaurant on the Costa Brava (not included in the retreat fee)
Coffee, tea, biscuits and maybe the occasional cake will be available during the day.
Wine and other drinks are not included in the retreat fee. You’ll be able to purchase excellent wine from us at cost value (€8-€15) or you’re welcome to bring your own. Tap water is fine to drink, though we will provide bottled water too.
Vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free and lactose-free diets will be catered for. Please inform us when you book. Unfortunately, those with nut and other severe allergies cannot be catered for.
Accommodation and fees
Accommodation is offered in a range of rooms throughout the adjacent properties, with shared or private bathrooms. Fees vary by room size and bathroom arrangement. Click to view the room list and the room prices
The retreat fee includes:
6 nights’ accommodation at the adjoining properties of Casa Almeda/ Casa La Daina
All breakfasts, lunches, and all evening meals (except one evening meal out)
Welcome drinks
Access to all retreat spaces and facilities
Optional guided nature walks
Local transport for group activities (such as sea-swimming or travel to a restaurant) where required
There are extra non-private writing spaces throughout the villa and farmhouse.
If you’re interested in sharing Mercè or Libertad, consider inviting another creative friend so you’re sharing with someone you know. Alternatively, we’ll aim to pair you with someone suitable. Contact us to find out more.
There is also the option to bring a ‘non-participating partner’ for any of the double rooms. Your partner will probably not use the work-area in your room, however they may wish to work in a communal area, or in the garden, or read by the pool etc. There are extra non-private writing spaces throughout the villa and farmhouse. They will be included in all the mealtimes and can come on all the optional acivities such as walks. The cost for a ‘non-participating partner’ is €950.
RETREAT FEES
The retreat fee does not include:
Flights, trains or other means of transport to and from Spain. Please arrange these yourself and let us know.
Transport to and from the reatreat property (unless you travel to/from Santa Cristina D’Aro for a free pick up/ drop off)
Wine and other drinks at dinner. (We will sell good Spanish wine at cost price, approx. 8-15 euros a bottle.)
One dinner at a lovely harbour-side restaurant in Sant Feliu de Guixols. The excellent three-course set menu is about 30 euros (not including drinks) or you can order à la carte, if you wish.
Getting there:
Romanyà de la Selva is 35 minutes from Girona and 90 minutes from Barcelona.
Girona Airport is our closest airport, followed by Barcelona Airport. The high-speed TGV and AVE trains from France stops in both Girona and Barcelona.
From Barcelona airport and Barcelona centre, you can take a coach which will drop you off at Santa Cristina d'Aro and we are happy to pick you up from there. A one-way coach ticket from Barcelona Airport is about €19. Download the Omio app for coach times and to book.
Alternatively, we can arrange taxis from Barcelona Airport or city centre (about €180 per taxi) or Girona Airport or city centre (€50-€65 per taxi) straight to Romanya De La Selva. We'd be happy to organise taxi shares wherever possible. This would be the fastest, most comfortable option.
Consider spending some time in Girona, the Costa Brava or Barcelona before or after the retreat and making a holiday out of it!
Bookings and cancellations:
Payment schedule as follows.
€300 deposit at the time of booking
The balance to be paid 2 months before retreat start-date
Making the Payment
Please pay by bank transfer. Contact us for payment instructions when you’re ready to book.
Cancellations
Please note your deposit is non-refundable.
However, if you need to cancel but can find someone to take your place, we will refund you the balance of the retreat immediately.
If we find someone to take your place, then we will need to sell out the retreat before refunding the balance of payment.
Places are limited to 8-12 participants so book early to secure a place and the room you want.
We’d love to see you in Romanyà de la Selva, and are excited to share this magical part of the world with you!