What better way to start the year than to combine your hobby with a holiday. Learn new skills, allowing your mind to wonder in these beautiful and inspirational locations. Writer’s retreats allow you to enjoy the freedom of your mind, and can also be a great place to meet other writers and sharing creative ideas and thoughts! Here's a list of some of the top retreats around the globe.

1 - Arvon Foundation – Shropshire, Devon.

A five day retreat held at three beautiful rural writer’s houses, where there is no television or wifi to distract you - just the glorious countryside. The retreat covers a range of genres from fiction to poetry to screenwriting! You don’t have to be a published writer to attend this retreat as they cater for all levels of experience.

2 - Whiteface Lodge – Lake Placid, USA

The Whiteface Lodge is a great place to just get away, with its rustic and cosy lodges. It is not a retreat as such, yet a place that you can take in the stunning views with your own writing desk. You may also wish to stay downstairs in your lodge, near the warm and cosy fireplace. If you are stuck for ideas, why not go skiing or canoeing as the many activities on offer at the resort may help to inspire you. With 6 million acres of parkland, you are sure to enjoy a peaceful week away!

3 - The Watermill – Tuscany, Italy

The Watermill provides the perfect environment for your writing with no distractions of everyday life. Their courses aim to hold around 10 students creating a friendly atmosphere and provide you with some top writing secrets to succeed. Not only will you meet new people, create new ideas but you can also enjoy the sunny weather, delicious foods and wine Tuscany has to offer. Successful author Sharon Kendrick and thriller writer Meg Gardiner are just some of the course speakers.

4 - The Writers Lab – Skyros, Greece

Take a 5 day break or a two week holiday. The Writer’s lab is a wonderful place to share the joys and struggles of your creative process. Start your day with fresh fruits and yogurts, followed by some relaxing yoga classes before taking your morning writer’s course.

5 - Kathrin Lake – Mexico

Enjoy group classes, private coaching, and social events as well as indulging in food and drink. Kathrin Lake retreat is the perfect place to meet other writers and regain your passion for writing. Over a 7 day course you will network with other writers, become inspired through readings and the town’s most wonderful sights.

6 - Rocky Mountains Fiction Writers – Colorado, USA

With its peaceful and breath taking location, the Rocky Mountains Fiction Writers retreat has a lot to offer. You will feel truly inspired with its natural beauty, you’re also not far from Cripple Creek and the Colorado Springs. Over four days you will learn new strategies, listen to readings, meet with special guest and have private coaching as well as taking in all the beautiful views.

7 - Hamlets Hideaway – Danish Countryside

Here at Hamlets Hideaway you can really enjoy yourself on a luxurious week long break with accomplished writers Anja Klemp Vilgaard and Shawna Kenney. With its beautiful countryside you are shown how to improve creativity, narratives and how to avoid clichés! Hamlets Hideaway is a place where you can really immerse yourself in a Scandinavian elegance!

8 - Iceland Writers Retreat – Iceland

Led by Orange Prize winner Barbara Kingsolver and New Yorker Adam Gopnik, enjoy a place to escape, learn and create! Between intimate workshops and lectures, you can explore the spectacular Golden Circle, soak in geothermal hot springs, listen to new Icelandic music, meet contemporary Icelandic writers, and learn about the country’s rich literary tradition.

9 - Wellstone Centre – Redwoods, USA

Tucked away in the Santa Cruz Mountains four miles from the Pacific Ocean, the retreat helps to unleash the writer within. With workshops and author events, this calm and peaceful environment surrounded by woodlands is ideal for disconnecting from the fast paced world of today.

10 - Creative Adventures - Morocco

This five-day itinerary places lots of emphasis on fuelling your imagination with lots of excursions into the vibrant, buzzing city of Marrakech. You’ll cover plotting to structure to gaining inspiration from your surroundings. Don’t forget to enjoy the mint tea, mules and Moroccan markets!