A 7-day escape to Puglia, Italy
May 22nd - May 28th, 2027
Salice Salentino, Lecce, Italy
At EAT PLAY WRITE, we create nourishing, connective, fun-filled escapes for writers to refill their creative wells and get words on the page.
You get yourself there. We’ll take care of the rest!
Expect a week filled with…
Friendly hosts who make you feel at home
Dedicated writing time in a dreamy Italian setting
Chef-prepared, locally sourced meals (yes, they’re as good as they sound)
Plenty of curated, optional excursions around the countryside
A built-in community of fellow writers to connect with
Free time to soak up the Masseria —bike ride among the vineyards, dip in the pool, and nourish your creative spirit
The perfect mix of productivity, adventure, and a little European magic
Hey there, we’re Eileen and Julia!
Two TV writers, friends, and moms…
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Eileen Álvarez is a multi-hyphenate Latina, mother of two, chronic wanderluster, and unapologetic planner.
After graduating from UCLA and earning her M.F.A. from the Actors Studio in New York, Eileen made her directorial debut with Finding Mabel, an award-winning documentary about Argentina's 30,000 Disappeared. Her second film, Grit—a dark comedy about infertility—racked up several festival awards and landed on Elizabeth Banks' Whohaha.
In 2020, Eileen’s comedy pilot Güera snagged first place at the Page International Screenwriting Awards. That same year, she joined the writers' room for the adult animated series Close Enough on HBO Max.
By 2021, Eileen was part of the inaugural class of the NALIP + Netflix Short Narrative Incubator, where she wrote and directed the horror-comedy Mama Retreat. The film premiered at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF) and scored a licensing deal with Netflix.
Eileen has been tapped to write scripts for Nickelodeon and Sony and has developed TV series with The Tannenbaum Company, Wilmer Valderrama’s WVE, and Will Smith’s Westbrook.
Eileen is thrilled to be hosting Eat Play Write escapes with Julia, and can’t wait for the next adventure!
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Julia Meltzer is a Los Angeles-based screenwriter, writing teacher, and postpartum doula/lactation educator. She started her career in entertainment as a development assistant for Modern Family star Ty Burrell’s production company before selling her original multicam pilot YOURS, MINE & PAUL’S to 20th Century Fox Television in a competitive situation; it later sold to ABC with Burrell producing and Sarah Hyland attached to star. Her next pilot, MARRIED WITH FRIENDS (also a multicam), sold to CBS; she then went on to adapt the Israeli TV series THE STYLIST into a feature film for Amazon Local Originals. Her female driven R-rated comedy feature THE TWIST is in development with Feigco, and she has developed TV projects with Fanfare, Miramax, Shoot to Midnight (Leslye Headland), and Loudmouth (Idina Menzel).
After struggling with her own writing practice after the birth of her son, Julia became passionate about parental wellness and empowering primary parents to share their creative voices with wide audiences, and created the groundbreaking New Parent Pilot Class, an incubator for parents of young children to create outstanding TV writing samples where their parenthood was seen as an asset, not a liability.
Julia deeply believes that the process of writing should be enjoyable, and what’s more enjoyable than a week at a gorgeous Italian farmhouse??
We created EAT PLAY WRITE because we believe great writing isn’t exclusively about putting words on a page, it’s also about…
Having inspiring lived experience
EAT PLAY WRITE is the perfect opportunity to get out of your bubble: experience a different culture, savor gourmet catered food, explore local delights on planned-for-you excursions, and make memories.
Cultivating a joyful writing practice
EAT PLAY WRITE gives writers time and space to immerse themselves in their writing project in a beautiful location away from home, with meals taken care of and fun excursions to shake things up.
Finding nourishing community
EAT PLAY WRITE creates an opportunity to forge deep relationships with fellow writers. Intimate by design, we will spend the week connecting over delicious meals, shared experiences and our paths as creatives..
And in May, we’re heading to Puglia! You in?
Masseria Pezza
Salice Salentino, Lecce, Italy
Nestled in the heart of Puglia, Masseria Pezza traces its roots back to 1747, when this storied farmhouse first appeared on the land registry of Terra d'Otranto.
Once a working farm growing tobacco and grain, it's now a centuries-old property turned boutique retreat, surrounded by 50 sprawling acres of vineyards, olive groves, and orchards in the Salento countryside.
It's the perfect backdrop for slowing down, writing, and reconnecting, exactly what we want for our week together.
Days at the Masseria…
With the exception of our off-site excursions, we’ll be immersing ourselves in our craft in the serene cocoon of Masseria Pezza. Days will consist of…
Morning movement
Start each morning with a refreshing (optional) movement sessions (yoga, pilates, somatics, nature walks and more).
Designated writing hours
Daily blocks of independent writing time to tap into your vision and get it onto the page.
Fireside chats
Grab your blanket and a glass of wine for lightly structured post-dinner group hangs (don’t worry, no trust falls :-)
Optional daily mini-excursions
Choose from a variety of local activities including local bike rides, wine tasting, exploring the local town, and more!
Gourmet catered meals
Meals at Masseria Pezza will be catered by Chef Alma of Alma’s Open Table.
Breakfast spread with fresh-baked bread, fresh-cut fruit, homemade granola, yogurt, chia pudding, avocado toast, shakshuka, scrambled tofu, Turkish eggs; coffee, tea, fresh-squeezed juice
Lunch featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients and locally-sourced fare. Sample menu: white fish crudo, green orzo with kale and ricotta, tomato carpaccio, lemon dessert
A farm-to-table style dinner featuring local produce and regional specialties. Sample menu: radish, lettuce, grapefruit salad beds; roasted coconut with tarragon vinaigrette; stuffed eggplant in curry dal; jasmine fragrant rice; yogurt sauce; rose water and coconut malabi
Meet your chef…
Alma
We are so delighted to be collaborating for a third time with Alma, of Alma’s Open Table.
For Alma, cooking is an ever-evolving exploration of different passions that come together on the table. With a deep connection to nature, hosting, gardening, human connection and food systems, her approach highlights seasonal, whole foods, sustainable and thought-out cooking methods.
From creating table experiences, food styling, retreat cooking, to workshops, she brings a radiant and nurturing energy to every meal she prepares and everything she does.
What past attendees are saying…
Bring a friend (or two), your writing partner, fly solo, or let us pair you up!
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LIMONE
(single or double occupancy)
2 twin beds · private en-suite bathroom · garden view
Single: $3,950 total
Double (shared): $2,675 per person
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MALVA
(single or double occupancy)
2 twin beds · private en-suite bathroom · vineyard & terrace view
Single: $3,950 total
Double (shared): $2,675 per person
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MIRTO
(single or double occupancy)
2 twin beds · private en-suite bathroom · courtyard & vineyard view · more spacious
Single: $4,050
Double (shared): $2,725 per person
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MELOGRANO — Suite
(single or double occupancy)
2 twin beds · private en-suite bathroom · living room with fireplace · extra spacious · historic atmosphere · adjoining sitting area
Single: $4,500
Double (shared): $3,075 per person
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ULIVO
(single or double occupancy)
1 king bed · private en-suite bath · private en-suite bathroom · vineyard & olive grove view · upper floor w/large private terrace · sunset views
Single: $5,225 total
Double (shared): $3,550 per person
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MANDORLO — Garden Suite
(single, double, or triple occupancy)
3 twin beds · en-suite bathroom with stone soaking tub (the only one in the house) · vineyard, courtyard & pool view · extra spacious · maximum privacy
Single (private): $5,225 total
Double (shared): $3,550 per person
Triple (shared): $2,650 per person
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NEGRAMARO — Private Apartment
(single, double, or triple occupancy)
2 twin beds + a sofa bed · separate living area with kitchen & sofa · private en-suite bathroom · vineyard view · maximum privacy
Single: $6,650 total
Double (shared): $4,525 per person
Triplet (shared): $3,650 per person
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PRIMITIVO — Private Apartment
(single, double, or triple occupancy)
2 twin beds + a sofa bed · separate living area with kitchen & sofa · private en-suite bathroom · vineyard view · maximum privacy
Single: $6,650 total
Double (shared): $4,525 per person
Triplet (shared): $3,650 per person
What’s included:
6-night accommodations at Masseria Pezza, a gorgeous centuries-old property turned boutique retreat, on 50 sprawling acres in the Salento countryside
Delicious, chef-catered, locally sourced breakfast, lunch and dinner daily
Daily writing snacks
Cycling & wine Tour in the quiet countryside along the Salento cycling route, with stops to taste glorious renowned Italian wines
An off-site excursion to the region’s most beautiful locales (includes transport, excludes meals)
Bespoke culinary workshop led by Chef Alma
Morning movement classes
Welcome drinks
Daily aperitif hour
Lightly-programmed casual chats at dinner/around the fire/ etc.
What’s not included:
Airfare
Airport transport to/from the house (but we’ll help you coordinate for convenience and ease)
Offsite meals during excursions
Alcohol (other than welcome drinks and daily aperitif hour)
FAQs
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If you write or want to write, yes! This is a mixed-experience level retreat, designed to bring together anyone with something to say, from experienced professionals to fresh, curious voices. Screenwriters, novelists, playwrights, essayists, memoirists, poets, or someone experimenting — we’re happy to have you at EAT PLAY WRITE.
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Masseria Pezza is located in Salice Salentino, in the Salento region of Puglia. The closest airport is:
Brindisi Airport (BDS): About 30km away, the most convenient option for reaching the estate directly.
If you're exploring more of the region before or after the retreat, here are other ways in:
Bari Airport (BRI): A larger airport with more international connections, about 1 hour 45 minutes by car, or reachable by train via Bari Centrale and Lecce.
By train: Salice Salentino has its own station (Salice-Veglie) with connections through Lecce, making it easy to arrive from Bari, Rome, or other points in Puglia if you're traveling by rail.
Driving in from elsewhere in Puglia: The masseria is centrally located in Salento, about 25 minutes from Lecce and under an hour from most of the coastal towns, so it's an easy stop whether you're coming from the north (Bari, Ostuni) or exploring the southern tip first.
While we don't offer transportation to and from the airport, we're happy to guide you through the process of booking transport, and help coordinate with other travelers for ride share options, etc.
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Yes! Chef Alma will curate the menu to participants’ dietary needs.
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Depending on single vs. double occupancy rooms, the retreat can accommodate up to 14 participants (not including your hosts!).
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Yes! You can invite a friend to book their own room; or share a bedroom with a friend or partner (see double and triple occupancy options for steep discounts!)
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A variety of payment plans are available; let’s chat!
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Due to the logistics of our all-inclusive retreat, we’re unable to offer refunds once your spot is secured. We can, however, transfer the spot to another individual if there’s a wait list. Once your replacement pays in full, we’re happy to issue you a full 100% refund. If the retreat is cancelled for any reason on our end, you will receive a full refund.
