Dates: August 19-25, 2024
Cost:

To reserve your spot, fill out the registration form and submit a $250 deposit here.

• Six-nights accommodations at the Sportschalet in Murren, steps away from some of the most sought out trails in the world!
• An intimate group of 8-16 women
• A hearty breakfast, lunch, and dinner each day (Vegetarian and vegan options available, two dinners are not included) 
• Daily writing workshops
• A daily guided hike into the mountain valleys through different trails
• Transportation and admission fees for all excursions: Schilthorn, Lake Brienz Boat trip, Trummelbach Falls, all hiking trips
• Goldpass to use indoor pool at the Sportzentrum
• Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you’ve taken prior to 2016

• Airfare to the Switzerland
• Transportation tickets within the Switzerland
• Two dinners

Day 1

We’ll get together at our hotel at 5pm for a welcome and orientation writing session. With the Alps surrounding us on all sides, we’ll review the schedule in detail, meet our fellow participants, and get our creative juices flowing. We’ll head to dinner at the hotel and partake in a plentiful and delicious Swiss meal. Once satiated, we’ll tour the local town and take in the fresh mountain air. We’ll weave in and out of shops, bars, cafes, and restaurants and get a taste of Swiss hospitality.

Day 2

After a delicious breakfast we’ll head to the world-famous Schilthorn summit for a morning hike.  We’ll return for a filling lunch, and then get to work! Our daily writing workshops are made up traditional writing activities, as well as innovative exercises designed to open up our imaginations. We’ll take a short break, re-lace our hiking boots, and set out for the spectacular Mountain Brook hike. After an active day in the Alps, dinner will be incredible!

Day 3

We’ll begin our morning with a sumptuous breakfast followed by an experiential writing workshop. We’ll hop a gondola to the charming towns of Gimmelwald and Stechelberg. We’ll admire the astonishing Trummelbach Falls, the only interior falls in Europe open to the public, which pound through narrow chutes at a rate of 20,000 liters per second. After lunch, we’ll stroll through the mountain village of Lauterbrunnen. We’ll sit on the grass, taking in the views and writing our hearts out before returning for dinner at the Sportschalet.

Day 4

 After breakfast, we’ll hike through a field of wildflowers and then settle down for some strong espresso and ice cream. We’ll walk off our dessert through the hilly Allmendhubel, taking a funicular back to our homebase, Murren. We’ll chow down some lunch and decompress with a writing workshop. After dinner, we’ll have the option of going out in Murren, taking a dip at the indoor pool at the Sportzentrum, or relaxing with a good book.

Day 5

After breakfast, we’ll enjoy a relaxing boat trip on Lake Brienz, which is situated in the foothills of the Alps. Docking in Interlaken, a town between two lakes, we’ll eat a packed lunch in the mountains. Then, we’ll explore the quaint village of Iseltwald, see the magnificent waterfalls in Geissbach, and visit the town of Brienz, which is famous for woodcarving. After catching the train back to Murren, we’ll indulge in a filling dinner. In the evening, we’ll enjoy local folk music and drinks.

Day 6

Our morning will take us to Grutshalp, where we’ll hike along train tracks with stunning views all around. Back in Murren, we’ll eat lunch and prepare for our final writing workshop. Get ready for laughter, tears, hugs, and promises that you’ll make and keep to meet up again in new exotic locations. We’ll enjoy a celebratory dinner and dessert in the mountains.

Day 7

We’ll savor our last Swiss breakfast and say our goodbyes!

Itinerary specifics are subject to change.

Under Jaclyn’s guidance, I found new direction for my writing and tackled topics that I haven’t been able to put down on paper until now. I shared my work and became part of a community of writers, whose feedback was invaluable to me. I dove into my fears and created new dreams for what I might do with my writing in the future. I cannot recommend this course highly enough. I’m already sad that it’s over.

– Katie Kindle

I now have the motivation and confidence to write and publish, which previously seemed more like a faraway fantasy. I learned that reality is what you create and build for yourself, not something you should wait for or leave for chance to decide.

– Nechama Winston

I appreciated meeting every woman in my group. We were all so different, coming from very different backgrounds and places, but we all shared our love of writing and traveling in common.

– Elayne Sanchez

I came out of it a different person than I went in…[Jaclyn] made us linger in our discomfort long enough to compel us to make a change. In fact, she had to relinquish control in order for it to be a catalyst. That’s a mark of a great teacher.

– Stephen Elliot

I finally remembered what I really need, and who I really am.

— Alex Pendleton

The trip did everything for me. Planned by the amazing team behind Pink Pangea, I can officially say the trip changed my life for the better. I not only practiced my writing in ways that expanded my passion and skill, but I also made friends of all different ages from all over the world that I now consider some of the greatest people I’ve ever met.

– Kathryn Cardin

I stumbled upon Pink Pangea’s writing retreat. I only had to read through the page once to know that this was the right time and the right opportunity to finally take that risk. I signed up in a heartbeat, and I am so glad that I did.

– Julianne Kanter

The only reason I submitted an article and was accepted was because I went to the writing retreat and gained the confidence needed as a writer to think my writing was even good enough to submit to a major online publication.

— Shannon Whaley

Pink Pangea retreats bring together women of all ages who:

• Want to gain new skills and tools that will improve their writing and publishing potential
• Have an itch to write
• Are ready to sharpen their unique voice
• Want to receive feedback and gain confidence in their writing
• Love to explore new places
• Enjoy sharing their stories with other travelers
• First timers to Switzerland, as well as frequent travelers

Jaclyn Mishal

Jaclyn Mishal is a co-founder of Pink Pangea. Since 2006, Jaclyn has worked in the travel industry, connecting thousands of individuals with international academic, volunteer, and internship opportunities. In addition to her work devoted to making the “gap year” mainstream, Jaclyn played an integral role in developing international service learning programs.

An entrepreneur, writing teacher and an inspirational public speaker, Jaclyn’s speciality is guiding people to express themselves fully. Her creative guided writing activities help even the most seasoned writers break out of their habits and expand their abilities. Jaclyn has led writing and Fearless Living workshops internationally in partnership with colleges and companies, including Google, Barnard College, Mount Holyoke College, Smith College, Wellesley College, Wagner College, REI, Global Yoga Journeys and Hostelling International. According to Jaclyn, writing enables us to access parts of ourselves that we may have trouble expressing otherwise.

Jaclyn is a certified yoga instructor, whose travels have taken her through the Middle East, Europe, North America and Central America. She holds a B.S. from Binghamton University.

Jaclyn’s maternal grandmother survived the Holocaust and her paternal grandmother fled Baghdad, Iraq. To them, Jaclyn dedicates her work to providing a space for women to share their stories.

Swiss Alps weather is crisp and delightful with a chance of showers. The days are mid-70s F (18 C) and the nights are mid-50s F (8 C). We recommend packing layers, as well as some rain gear. 

Pink Pangea’s staff will provide all of the information and support that you need to make this experience exceptional.

Trip Resources

Before the retreat, Pink Pangea will send you details about arriving in and departing from Switzerland; as well as a detailed packing list.

I’m new to writing workshops. Will I fit in?

Absolutely! Jaclyn’s unique writing prompts and exercises benefit both new and experienced writers. The Pink Pangea community is encouraging, and all writers are welcome.

I’m a seasoned writer who has been published in a various media outlets. What will I get out of this retreat?

Jaclyn’s speciality is guiding people to express themselves fully. Her creative guided writing activities help even the most seasoned writers break out of their habits and expand their abilities.

How old are the women who attend the retreat?

Women of all ages attend Pink Pangea retreats.

How will I get to the hotel?

We recommend flying into either Geneva or Zurich. The train from the Geneva Airport to Murren is 3:45 hours, and the train from Zurich to Murren is 3:10 hours. The last train from Interlaken up the mountain to Murren leaves around 7pm.

To reserve your spot, fill out the registration form and submit a $250 deposit here.

If you have any questions about the retreat, email [email protected].