May/October __ - __, 2026
Selfoss, Iceland
Immerse yourself in Iceland’s wild beauty at our exclusive luxe writing retreat where nature meets craft, where like-minded writers gather to reconnect with the land, storytelling, and their creative spirit.
Location
Located in the heart of Iceland’s Golden Circle, Torfhús Retreat is blend of authentic Icelandic style and relaxed eco-luxury. Inspired by traditional Icelandic viking farms. Tranquillity and mesmerizing scenery come together in a place far away from everyday routine.
Positioned on the banks of the Ölfusá River, Selfoss serves as a gateway to several notable attractions, including the nearby Gullfoss waterfall, the geothermal area at Hveragerði, and the famous Golden Circle route, which encompasses Þingvellir National Park and the Geysir geothermal field.
This rugged landscape is very much alive, threaded with story—you might even see the huldufólk, like Marina did when she visited Torfhús in 2024.
What makes Return to the Wild different?
Return to the Wild goes beyond a typical writing retreat. It offers a full immersion in the land and local wisdom, creating an inclusive, mindful, and inspiring space for writers to elevate their craft and reconnect to their creative spirit through a nature-centered perspective, guided by published authors and industry experts.
What’s Included?
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Icelandic Luxury in the heart of the Golden Circle
A Unique Blend Of Authentic Icelandic Style and Relaxed Eco-luxury. Stay In A Unique House With A Turf Roof (torfbæir is Icelandic for Turf House), and Stone Walls with a geothermal pool outside. Inspired by Viking farms. Sustainable practices.
At Torfhús Retreat, tranquillity and mesmerizing scenery come together in a place far away from everyday routine. Surrounded by natural beauty and iconic sights, Torfhús makes the perfect retreat.
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The finest, freshest local ingredients. Experience traditional Icelandic meals in the authentically designed Viking longhouse.
Cuisine at Torfhús Retreat is inspired by Icelandic tradition and the finest, freshest local ingredients. The menu changes every night, It’s informal, creative, dramatic and accomplished. Our chef uses the freshest of Icelandic ingredients mostly sourced from within a 10-mile radius.
Berries and soft fruits, vegetables, herbs and salads are grown year-round in classic greenhouses, heated by Iceland ‘s abundant geothermal energy. Salmon and char are caught on nearby rivers and seafood comes from coastal fishermen. Mountain grazed lamb and beef is fresh and local and is complemented by wines from our carefully selected cellar.
Breakfast and dinner are included in the retreat price. Lunches are at your own discretion. Each Torfhús has a full kitchen and opportunity to stock up on groceries will be available on our way to the Torfhús on the first day.
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Prepare for true story and craft elevation! Every day we will return to the wild and our craft with nature-based and craft-focused writing exercises. You can apply these sessions to your current WIP or work from scratch and flex those storytelling muscles away from your comfort zone! Every session will come with an opportunity to share our ideas and work as a group.
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This is an immersive retreat! Marina chose Torfhús because it has so much to offer on its own. This is a chance for you to put your head down and generate those worlds, or go for a stroll amongst the volcanic landscape and dream up your next bestseller.
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Each attendee will be paired with dedicated faculty and for one scheduled 30-minute meeting
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A goodie bag to greet you upon arrival and inspire the magic of our retreat week to come!
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As a compliment to our craft sessions, faculty will provide daily talks on all things storytelling. Usually, these talks will take place in the evening, before or after dinner.
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Torfhús, our home base, is located in the heart of the Golden Circle. There are so many sights for us to see! Marina is arranging a few key sights for us to visit on our first day as we venture from Reykjavík to our accommodations.
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Relax in private basalt stone hot pools, heated by nearby geothermal sources.
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Interact with the gentle Icelandic horses, learn about their history, and enjoy guided rides through the countryside.
One of the many unique features of Torfhús Retreat is our beloved Icelandic horses. These magnificent creatures are a vital part of Icelandic culture and have been an important part of daily life on the island for centuries. Our guests have the opportunity to interact with these gentle animals, learn about their history, and even take a guided horseback ride through the beautiful surrounding countryside.
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Horseback Riding: Icelandic horses are our passion and were pivotal in bringing together the families who created Torfhús Retreat. As a result the horses have a special place in our hearts. For those who would like to experience the thrill of riding a pure Icelandic horse and the five gaits of which they are uniquely capable, riding expeditions from expert guides are easily organized.
Hvítá River Rafting / Kayaking: Don’t worry, the kayaking will be quiet as we sail quietly through the exquisite natural beauty of canyons, gorges and fascinating geological formations
Faculty
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FACULTY NAME
AUTHOR
Bio here
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Faculty Name
AUTHOR
Bio here
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Marina Green
Agent, Editor, Founder
Bio here
Rooms
Each 60 sqm Torfhús accommodates up to 4 guests in two bedrooms, each configurable with king or twin beds. The residence includes a luxurious shared bathroom with large bottle vanity products, a spacious living room, and a private veranda. A fully equipped kitchen and dining area. Outside, enjoy your own private geothermally heated basalt stone hot pool, sunken into the earth for a tranquil soak under the open sky. Interiors combine reclaimed oak, rustic painted walls, and handcrafted furniture to create a cozy, chalet-style atmosphere. Modern comforts include a Nespresso coffee machine, herbal teas, and a daily restocked minibar.
Private King Room: $3,850
Private room with a king bed in a shared Torfhús
Shared Twin Room: $3,450 (per person)
Shared room with one other person. Roommates have one twin bed each. Beds are close together. In a shared Torfhús
Storytelling is rooted in the land
FAQs
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accommodation
food and drink (inc alcohol)
airport transfers
full itinerary
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flights
travel insurance
food & drink outside of the accommodation
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Yes! if you would like to room with your friend, please coordinate before enrollment so that you both choose the same type of room. After enrollment, you will be provided opportunity to disclose your chosen roommate! We will do everything in our power to accommodate roommate requests to the best of our abilities.
If you do not have a specific roommate in mind or if you do not get your requested pairing, don’t worry! You’re coming to a place with like minded people who you could very well make life-long connections with. You will also have tons of time during the day to spend time with all of your friends—new and old.
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We will provide a detailed packing list in July. If you like to prepare extra, extra early, think autumn in northern England. Cool gusts of wind, potential warm spells, mud, rain, and sunshine. Among other things, Marina will be bringing her waterproof hiking boots, an umbrella, and (waterproof) jackets to layer.
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Our daily schedule includes daily walks in nature. These are completely dependant on weather and will mostly be short. However, there will be a guided walk and wild swim one afternoon that will be light but slightly lengthy. In other words, this will be a moderate exercise. Other activities are being planned that will be nature-based and therefore will require movement.
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You must be at least 18 years old to participate.
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Life happens. Don’t we know it. We highly recommend you purchase good travel insurance to protect against rare incidents like this!
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Item description
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A deposit of $1,000 USD is required upon booking to secure your spot.
The full balance can be paid in instalments or in full. Instalments are split into two and due on ___ and ___.