Sing Eat Retreat has announced a new season of musical theatre group breaks across Europe, including Sound of Music training in Salzburg filming locations led by West End professionals. Olivia Palamountain reports
Musical theatre retreat company Sing Eat Retreat has unveiled its 2026 programme featuring nine themed weeks across Mediterranean and Alpine locations, combining West End professional training with premium holiday experiences.
Participants stay in private villas in Tarifa, Spain, the hills of Salzburg, Austria and the Greek island of Zante, with each week centred around different musical themes ranging from rock musicals to opera. The retreats limit participants to seven people per week to ensure individual attention from professional vocal coaches, performers and musical directors.
The season opens in March with “Sing! Rock Musicals” in Tarifa, featuring numbers from Jesus Christ Superstar, Hair, Rent and We Will Rock You. Musical director Seve Moss, known for his work on Les Misérables and Mary Poppins, leads alongside director Katherine Hare, whose West End credits include Bat Out of Hell. 
A standout offering celebrates the 60th anniversary of The Sound of Music with retreats in Salzburg, where the film was shot. The soprano-and-alto-only weeks include exclusive tours of iconic filming locations alongside vocal coaching from Leigh Stanford Thompson, whose experience spans Les Misérables and Miss Saigon.
“Sing! Mamma Mia” takes place on the Greek island of Zante, combining ABBA’s catalogue with Mediterranean setting, whilst “Sing! The Mega Musicals” explores productions including Phantom of the Opera, Les Misérables and Miss Saigon under guidance from Mark Hedges, resident director of Phantom of the Opera.
The programme includes a specialised Sondheim week led by West End lead actress and director Pippa Duffy, exploring the composer’s complex works. A “Contemporary Choir & Walking Holiday” blends ensemble singing with coastal walks, whilst “Sing! 50s & 60s Retro” celebrates Grease, Hairspray and Little Shop of Horrors.
The season concludes with “Sing! Opera – Eat Gourmet!” combining operatic training with gourmet dining. Stephen Anthony Brown, whose credits include Opera Della Luna and English Touring Opera, provides vocal instruction alongside world-class cuisine from an undisclosed guest chef.
Participants receive more than 30 hours of expert tuition throughout each week, working on voice refinement, confidence building and iconic musical numbers. The all-inclusive format provides accommodation, meals and professional instruction within luxury settings.
Co-creator Zane Rambaran describes the participant response as “often overwhelming in the best way,” noting that many arrive simply wanting to sing but leave feeling transformed. The combination of professional support and personal growth within intimate group settings forms the retreat’s core appeal.
The programme addresses growing demand for experiential travel beyond traditional wellness escapes, with added clout from the West End credentials of the group instructors.
Bookings for 2026 are available through the company’s website, with retreats spanning March through October across the three countries.
