The Writer's Workshop TRAVEL WRITING IN CHAMPAGNE
May 23-29, 2027
Travel writing, Food writing and Wine writing are some of the most appealing genres of nonfiction, calling on all of an author’s skills—dramatic scenes, character sketches, concrete detail, point of view, scene by scene construction—to compose compelling, engaging travel narratives.
In addition to learning these skills, you’ll dine at outstanding restaurants, visit some of the world’s best wineries, and explore fascinating historic sights during the travel writing classes. You’ll enjoy exclusive behind- the-scenes tours unavailable to the general public. Best of all, you’ll receive up-to-date story ideas from local industry experts that you can turn into finished travel, food and wine stories by the end of the class and submit to newspapers and magazines for publication.
The one week travel writing class will take place in Reims, France’s city of kings, and a center of the region’s cultural and epicurean life since before Roman times. The cost will be $3500 per person, including accommodations and most meals. (Single supplement, $500 per person) Plane fare, transit to and from Reims and some meals extra (see itinerary below).
THE PLACE
Known as the city of Kings, Reims is the capital of the Champagne region and famous for its stunning Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, where many French kings were crowned. It offers a rich blend of history, architecture, and gastronomic delights, including famous Champagne houses like Mumm’s and Veuve Cliquot, and an abundance of superb restaurants.
The city boasts an impressive architectural heritage, featuring Romanesque and Gothic styles, with significant landmarks such as the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, the Palace of Tau, and the Abbey of Saint-Remi, all of which are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
A thriving, modern city surrounded by famous vineyards, Reims features an ideal combination of culture, history and gastronomy, an appealing destination to explore the cultural and culinary attractions of France.
Reims is easily accessible, located 129 km northeast of Paris. Frequent high speed trains reach Reims in an hour from Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Local cuisine features jambon de Reims, Brie de Meaux cheese, boudin blanc sausage and fresh, local delicacies such as white asparagus, smoked trout and duck breast. Reims is a city built on the human scale, perfect for relaxing strolls, window shopping in the central square and late evening suppers in one of the town’s many outstanding restaurants. It epitomizes the style and elegance of France and one of its most famous products, the effervescent wine known as Champagne.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Double-occupancy rooms at lovely hotel in Reims. Single rooms available with a $500 supplement.
TO ENROLL
The cost will be $3500 per person, including accommodations and most meals. (Single supplement, $500 per person) Plane fare, transit to and from Reims and some meals extra.
Please pay the non-refundable deposit of $800. Enrollment is limited to 10.
Spouses, partners or friends can attend the events and meals but not the class for $2700, with a $800 deposit. For more information, contact me. Please sign up early; the class likely will fill quickly.
The balance for the class will be due April 1st. After that date, there will be no refunds except in the case of medical emergency.
CANCELLATION POLICY : The $800 deposit is refundable within 24 hours of payment. After that, it’s non-refundable. In the case of a medical or family emergency, the balance of the course fee may be transferable to a future class or may be refundable if you let me know far enough in advance to cancel the hotel room and other expenses. I highly recommend purchasing travel insurance before you go to make it easy to get a refund in the case of an emergency.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
This course will give you an intensive introduction to the art and practice of travel writing, allow you to experience the incredible richness of the local wine and cuisine scene, and provide time to explore this amazing place.
SUNDAY – 7:30 p.m. – Welcoming dinner at the local restaurant. Sample Champagne and regional specialties such as white asparagus, jambon au Reims and smoked trout as you get to know the other participants.
MONDAY – 9 a.m. to noon – Introduction to the travel writing course, discussion of travel writing, genres of travel writing (article, essay, profile, etc.), story ideas. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Tour of Reims. Dinner at local restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner provided.)
TUESDAY – 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. – Lecture and discussion of scenes, scene by scene construction, dramatic outlines. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tour of Notre Dame Cathedral. (Breakfast provided.)
WEDNESDAY – 9 a.m. Visit Reims’s lively Wednesday Market. Tour Mumm Champagne House. Lunch at renowned local bistro. Cooking class and dinner at Reims Restaurant. (Breakfast, lunch, dinner provided.)
THURSDAY – 9 a.m. Dramatic outlines – 10 a.m. – noon – Draft story. Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch. – 2 p.m. – Optional walk through surrounding countryside. (Breakfast provided.)
FRIDAY – 9 a.m. to noon – Write, workshop stories – Noon to 2 p.m. – Lunch – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. Discuss publication, writing query letters, course evaluation. – 8 p.m. – Class celebration at Reims restaurant. (Breakfast and dinner provided.)
SATURDAY – Check out of the hotel, alas!
UPCOMING TRAVEL WRITING CLASSES
THE INSTRUCTOR
My introduction to the moveable feast that is Europe began during a junior year abroad program in Nantes, France. On weekends and holidays, I criss-crossed the continent with my rail pass, visiting Florence to see the Michaelangelo’s David and indulge in a bottle of Chianti with Bistecca Alla Fiorentina. The next weekend I’d board the night train to Madrid to gawk at Goya’s black paintings and drink way too much sangria. Then I’d return to Nantes to enjoy oysters with a bottle of Muscadet and the occasional splurge on a leg of lamb with a good Bordeaux. In completing my studies in French at Amherst College, I saturated myself in the continent’s language, literature, art and history. I returned to Italy, France, Spain and Germany many times since then, traveling all over the continent to savor its food, wine and culture.
This in-depth knowledge of Europe quickly led to writing about it. Today, I contribute to Newsweek, Gourmet, Condé Nast Traveler, Saveur, Food and Wine, The Wine Spectator, Outside, GO, National Geographic Adventure, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Commonweal, Alaska Airlines Magazine, Westways, Sierra, and other publications. I’ve written the following books, Crush: My Year as an Apprentice Winemaker (Potomac, 2025), The Storms of Denali: A Novel (2012), On Sacred Ground: The Spirit of Place in Pacific Northwest Literature (2003), At the Field’s End: Interviews with 22 Pacific Northwest Writers (1998), Contemporary Ecofiction, (1996), Beyond Risk: Conversations with Climbers (1993).
In addition to working as a freelance travel writer, I moonlight as a winemaker, making a Cabernet, Merlot, and Syrah under the Les Copains label. At one time I contemplated a career as a winemaker, but shelved the idea because I enjoyed writing and teaching too much. After completing my MFA in fiction writing and PhD in Literature at the University of Washington, I went on to create the university’s year-long program in Narrative Nonfiction in 1993, one of the first such programs in the country. After teaching in that program for a number of years, I founded The Writer’s Workshop, an online and on-campus writing program based in Seattle, Washington. This program allows me to indulge my passion for teaching small, personalized travel writing classes as well as introduce students to the incredibly rich history and culture of Rioja, one of the crown jewels of this beautiful continent. For more, contact Nick.
ABOUT THE TRAVEL WRITING CLASSES
The Writer’s Workshop’s Travel, Food and Wine Writing classes have explored some of the best wineries, restaurants and cultural destinations in the world. The travel writing classes grew out of a visit to St. Emilion in 2004, where the food, wine and culture of the Bordeaux wine region inspired me to launch the travel writing classes in 2005, visiting First Growth wineries Chateau Margaux, Chateau Latour, Lafite Rothschild and Chateau d’Yquems as well as dining at outstanding restaurants like Le Lion d’Or and visiting historic sites like the grave of St. Emilion.
After running the travel writing classes for four years in St. Emilion, I branched out to the Champagne Region, choosing Reims, a stylish destination in Champagne, home of a lively weekly market, wineries like Mumm, Taittinger, and Veuve Cliquot and stunning Gothic cathedral where the kings of France were crowned.
Pop, Pop, fizz, fizz: Touring Mumm’s Champagne caves under the city of Reims.
Provence’s proximity to Italy inspired a visit to Tuscany where I discovered Montalcino, a wonderful town which became a destination in 2009, allowing me to introduce students to the pleasures of Tuscany, visiting wineries like Biondi Santi, restaurants and taking in fantastic cultural destinations like Pienza, the world’s first planned city, an architectural jewel box.
The class will take place in Reims in 2027, a captivating destination featuring authentic French cuisine, outstanding wine and important cultural and historical landmarks.
Enjoy superb cuisine and fantastic grower Champagne during the travel writing class in Reims.
PARTICIPANTS IN THE TRAVEL WRITING CLASSES
Participants in the travel writing classes are a self-selected group, some of the most interesting, diverse and motivated students I’ve had the pleasure of teaching. Many work as chefs, sommeliers, restaurateurs, public relations professionals, editors, authors as well as professionals in other fields such as medicine, law, teaching and engineering. Some have written books, others are new to writing, but all have appreciated the expert instruction and beautiful surroundings. Some have likened it to a summer camp for adults.
The class is ideal for those traveling with or without a friend or significant other. The self-selected nature allows participants to quickly bond, making friendships that have lasted a lifetime. Though packed with activities, the schedule allows free time for writing, reflection, and the opportunity to explore the destination on your own.
WHAT FORMER STUDENTS SAY ABOUT THE TRAVEL WRITING CLASS
These travel writing classes are incredible. This is my third one, each in a different location, each a fresh experience. I learn something new each time and always have new adventures and meet new friends with like minds.
–Teresa Shorter writes from Greensboro, North Carolina.
You are the Domaine de la Mordorée rosé of writing teachers!
–Julie Ramos writes from West Nyack, New York.
Best of all is Nick’s straight-forward advice, helpful information, down-to-earth nature, sense of humor and great taste. I love how we left the class with an article to send out!
– Jenine Abboushi writes from Beirut, Lebanon.
It’s a very pleasant way to energize your writing in a beautiful setting with congenial colleagues. I enjoyed it so much I came back a second time.
– Concha Alborg writes from Philadelphia, PA.
What an amazing week in the most beautiful place on earth! Learning the craft of food, wine and travel writing with your excellent insight and instruction was so helpful. Thank you for organizing the dinners, excursions and wine tastings. I would recommend this travel writing adventure to anyone with a curiosity to learn what writing for this genre can entail.
– Michelle Morgando is a judge and chef from Las Vegas, Nevada.
I wanted to say thanks for an amazing travel writing trip! It keeps hitting me now just how special everything was, particularly meeting the winemakers…wow! Thanks so much for making the trip so memorable.
– Anne Banas is the Executive Editor of Smarter Travel
The Travel, Food and Wine Writing Class was so much fun that I find myself smiling whenever I think of it. The small class size is ideal for a seminar and even better for the excursions to the wineries and restaurants. Nick is extremely knowledge in all areas included in the seminar and is a marvelous host with a great sense of humor. It is obvious why the small “garage” wineries and the venerable estates alike warmly welcome Nick and his entourage. While not a fan of group travel in general, this travel writing class could not have been better. I highly recommend it to aspiring travel writers, Francophiles, and anyone who wants to enrich their appreciation of wine and food.
– Kate Jackson is a writer from Missoula, Montana.
James and Marcus howled with laughter. Ann and Jack, heads crushed together, pored over photos. Nick gestured wildly, indicating precisely what it is about Bordeaux that speaks to his soul. Balash, the international party boy/philosopher, snatched and drained half empty glasses. Out of the corner of my eye I saw silver-haired Barbara tiptoe into the kitchen in search of more crème brûlé. I felt the kind of relaxing smile you feel at the end of a long day with people you know well. How did this selection of strangers become so at ease with each other?… http://www.thewritersworkshopreview.net/article.cgi?article_id
– Erin Byrne is a writer from the Seattle area.
I can’t thank you enough for our week in Saint-Émilion. Rosemary and I had so much fun. I learned so much about travel, writing, food, wine and good teaching. I am so grateful.
– Andy Hall is a freelance writer from Seattle, Washington.
I’m still smiling over our excellent St. Emilion travel writing adventure! Take care and thanks!
– Kristin DeCook is a freelance writer from Chicago.
Thank you for such a wonderful week – you are a master!
– Lauren Hirt is a freelance writer from Seattle, Washington.
RECOMMENDED READING
The Widow Clicquot: The Story of a Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It, by Tilar J. Mazzeo.
Wine and War by Don and Petie Kladstrup.
Adventures on the Wine Route, by Kermit Lynch.
From Paris to the Moon, by Adam Gopnik.
Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain.
The Art of Eating by M.F.K. Fisher.
GETTING THERE:
By train: Take TGV or other train from Paris or Charles de Gaulle Airport. You can walk to the hotel from the train station or take a cab.
GETTING THERE:
