Study Travel Writing Substance and Style with Camille Cusumano in Mendoza, Argentina's Wine Capital

April 23, 2009 - PRLog -- Camille Cusumano, author of “Tango, an Argentine Love Story,” more than a dozen other books, and scores of published articles, will lead a workshop, “Substance and Style in Travel Writing," in Mendoza, Argentina from July 25- August 1, 2009.

Sponsored by the Mendoza Intercultural Association (MIA) the workshop will cover a range of issues for practicing and aspiring travel writers. MIA  (http://www.mdz-intercultural.org ) is a non-profit association based in Mendoza whose purpose is to promote intercultural exchange between Argentina, the U.S. and other world cultures.


The workshop  will offer a winning combination of intense instruction with practical exercises in the class and in the field, as well as exposure to quintessential Argentine culture—tastings its world-class wines (look out Napa and Sonoma!), savoring the country’s cuisine, including the unparalleled Argentine barbecue (think grass-fed beef and other meats as well as small-farm produce) and, of course, a tango, tango, tango demonstration and lesson.

Mendoza, set at the base of the Andes in northern Argentina, is a European-style city known for its parks and sidewalk cafes, a lively restaurant scene and vibrant cultural life. One of only nine “wine capitals of the world," Mendoza is famous for its Malbec and other fine wines.  Excursions into the nearby countryside offer views of vineyards silhouetted against the continent's tallest mountains--including Aconcagua, the highest mountain in Latin America—at 22,841 feet.  

In the first group session, participants will set a personal goal to accomplish during the workshop. In subsequent sessions, Cusumano will guide participants through topics including: the art of reporting and researching, how to pitch your article or book to an editor, how to find your own voice as a writer, and self-editing.

Class sessions will alternate with a series of activities including visits to local wineries, a full-day excursion into the Andes mountains, and an opportunity to meet with local Mendoza writers. Cusumano will also be available for individual consultations.

Lodging will be at the Posada de Rosas   (http://www.posadaderosas.com) , a centrally located, boutique inn operated by American writer Ellen Hoffman and her artist partner, Riccardo Accurso. Hoffman and Accurso are the owners of the inn, as well as founders of the MIA with their Argentine partner, Pablo Falconi. A lifelong resident of Mendoza, Falconi has extensive experience traveling in other cultures and in educating executives on doing business in world cultures.

WORKSHOP DATES:  July 25- August 1, 2009
PROGRAM COST:  $1,495.00 U.S., double occupancy; $350.00 U.S. single supplement. (Fee covers lodging, tuition and excursions, most lunches and some dinners, but not airfare).  
REGISTRATION Deadline: June 1, 2009. Space is limited, so reserve early.
TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Ellen Hoffman at :
ellen@mdz-intercultural.org or 304.876.2243 in the U.S.

Cusumano  (http://www.camillecusumano.com) is an American writer and editor who divides her time between San Francisco and Buenos Aires. In addition to her book, “Tango,” her published works include cookbooks, travel anthologies, essays and travel and food articles for publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, Yoga Journal, and Islands magazine. She was an editor at VIA Magazine for 17 years. Her short story, “Plot Theory,” won third prize in the annual Kurt Vonnegut short fiction contest in 2007.

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The Mendoza Intercultural Association(MIA) is a non-profit association based in Mendoza, Argentina whose purpose is intercultural exchange between the U.S., Argentina and other cultures. Founders Ellen Hoffman and Riccardo Accurso also operate Amazing Mendoza Tours, a small American-owned tour company, specializing in high-end and custom tours in Argentina wine country, and the Posada de Rosas, a boutique inn in the center of Mendoza. Tours offerings include visiting wineries, wine tasting, food, art and culture, and Andes mountains excursions.