Retreats

Exclusive Retreat:

Center for Story Culture presents

Storytelling & Cultural Healing

An invitation to rest and create by Dr. Maytha Alhassen

A narrow street in a historic city with stone and white buildings, street lamps, and a castle tower in the background.

Three young men playing traditional drums while sitting on the floor, dressed in traditional attire, in an indoor setting.

Close-up of a yellow bowl filled with chopped strawberries garnished with fresh mint leaves.

A person with red-painted nails writes on a spiral notepad with a pen, resting on a striped tablecloth. The person is wearing a dark-colored long-sleeve shirt, and the background features a patterned carpet.

Dr. Maytha Alhassen invites you for a journey of Storytelling & Cultural Immersion & Holistic Renewal

Dates: April 13th -April 18th

(Arrive on the 13th before 4pm and depart on the 18th by 12pm - program starts the evening of the 13th and end the morning of the 18th)

Pricing & Registration

Private Room with En-Suite Bath: $2,500
Shared Room Option (Friends sharing 1 King-Size Bedroom with Full Bath): $4,000
Optional Extension
- One-Day in Tunis: $250
  Includes visits to the Bardo Museum, Sidi Bou Said, and Carthage
  Member Benefit
Center for Story Culture Member Discount: −$500
Scholarships available for selected candidates and Tunisian writers.

What’s included:

Airport Transfers – Pick-up and drop-off from Tunis, Enfidha, or Monastir. Additional fee if dropped to another location apply
Luxury Accommodation in the Heart of Sousse’s Medina – Elegant king or queen bedrooms, each with private bathroom, heating, and air conditioning.
Seasonal Tunisian Cuisine – Daily meals prepared by our private chef, with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options available.
Workshops & Masterclasses – Full access to all sessions, activities, and creative programs (daily writing, yoga and storytelling circle with surprise guests speakers)
Excursions & Guided Visits – Carefully curated cultural outings as part of the program schedule. (This includes a historic medina tour, olive oil tasting, catamaran tour)
End of the retreat Hadhra Party (If you have never seen the tunisian hadhra, expect music, movement and collective joy)
A gift bag curated by Dr.Maytha

Not included:

International flights
Travel Insurance
Personal Expenses
Tips

Spaces are limited. Registration is reviewed on a rolling basis. No refunds after March 1st.

If you have any questions about the retreat please contact us at : admin@thenewmedina.com

Join Dr. Maytha Alhassen, writer, producer, journalist, and professor, for an immersive exclusive retreat that positions storytelling as a pathway to personal and collective renewal. Through her integrated approach to narrative and embodiment, participants explore authentic self-expression and inner clarity, complemented by trauma-informed yoga, meditation and authentic connection.

Curated by Soraya Hosni, anthropologist, cultural healing expert, and host at The New Medina, this retreat offers a deep engagement with the rhythms of place, community, and history. Walk into her community and the streets once inhabited by Carthaginians and early Muslims, uncover local stories, and engage with food systems through an olive oil tasting that reflects the living heritage of the land.

Explore the African side of the Mediterranean, a meeting point of cultures, histories, and renewal. Engage in ancient self-care practices, savor seasonal cuisine, and activate your senses with incense and the rhythms of traditional drums. Every element is designed to support the body, mind, and spirit.

Each day is thoughtfully structured: seasonal, locally inspired cuisine, intimate conversations with writers and thinkers, and immersive experiences within a 9th-century UNESCO World Heritage site. This retreat combines cultural depth, creative practice, and holistic wellbeing in a fully curated, high-end unique experience.

You may fly into Tunis–Carthage (TUN), Enfidha–Hammamet (NBE), or Monastir Habib Bourguiba (MIR) airports.
Airport transfers are fully arranged for you. Once you share your flight details, you will receive all transfer information in advance.
The program begins on the evening of April 13. Please plan to check in before 6:00 PM.
The program concludes on April 18 at 1:00pm
Departures should be scheduled after 1:00 PM.
Departure transfers will be planned according to your individual flight details and coordinated ahead of time.
- Payment Methods: Payments are accepted via wire transfer. Details will be provided upon registration.
- Registration: To secure your spot, please complete the registration form and submit your payment. Spaces are limited to 18 participants and booked on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Currency: All pricing is listed in USD, unless otherwise specified.
Participation is strictly capped at 15 guests, ensuring an intimate and exclusive experience.
The program features a curated lineup of guest speakers, including authors and creatives, selected for their depth, originality, and alignment with the program’s purpose.
Guests stay in luxurious and comfortable accommodations, thoughtfully designed for rest and focus. All rooms include:
- Air conditioning and heating
- Warm, comfortable showers
- High-quality bedding and quiet spaces
This is an elite, purposefully curated program, where every detail from hospitality to atmosphere is intentional.
- Meals: All meals are seasonal and prepared by our private chef, using fresh local ingredients.
- Dietary needs: We can accommodate most dietary restrictions, including gluten-free, shellfish-free, vegetarian, and dairy-free. Please share any food intolerances in advance.
- Extensions: A limited number of rooms are available for 1–2 additional nights in Sousse, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. An optional one-day extension in Tunis is also available.
- Transportation: All excursions and transfers are conducted in comfortable, high-quality vehicles, in partnership with the best travel agencies in the country.
Our team will documenting the retreat for archival and communication purposes.
If you prefer to remain anonymous or not appear in photographs or videos, your wishes will be fully respected. Please inform our team in advance or upon arrival so we can ensure your privacy throughout the program.