Guest Authors: JD Barker, Clare Mackintosh, Jonas Saul, Liane Carmen, and Rania Stone!

Join us for our annual Reading Retreat, set for six enchanting nights on the stunning Greek island of Amorgos. We’ve planned an amazing, fun-filled week that will make you never want to leave. Come for the stories, stay for the memories!

Lock your spot in now for a small deposit of 199€

Check out the itinerary schedule for a full briefing of what's to come! We will be adding exciting excursions such as swimming in Kalotaritissa, snorkeling, a murder mystery event, and shopping in the historic village of Chora as the retreat date approaches. Stay updated through our Facebook group, Travel to Greece - Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures.

Note: Plan to arrive in Athens a few days before taking the ferry to the island of Amorgos. We have an Acropolis tour, and a tour of the National Museum arranged. We can stroll down the shopping streets of Athens and enjoy some Greek cuisine as a group over several days, then take the ferry together. (All excursions are optional)

JD Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and THE FOURTH MONKEY. His latest, BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, was released on May 13, 2024. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

With over 2 million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and France’s coveted Prix du Polar in 2016. Four of her thrillers have been selected for WHSmith's Richard & Judy Book Club, and her books have been translated into forty languages. Her new crime series, featuring Welsh detective DC Ffion Morgan, has been critically acclaimed, with both The Last Party and A Game of Lies hitting the Sunday Times top ten. Her books have spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists. In 2024, she published a memoir, I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This.

Cancellation Policy: 

We offer a 100% refund to all cancellations prior to April 15, 2025, two months before the retreat begins.

Waiver of Liability

By participating in this retreat, I agree to release Imagine Greece Retreats (IGR), the retreat faculty, staff, and the associated hotel from any liability for injuries that may occur during the retreat. I understand that this release includes financial responsibility for any injuries incurred, even if due to negligence.

I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with activities such as yoga, meditation, sightseeing, and hiking. I voluntarily assume these risks and understand that I can withdraw from any activity if I feel uncomfortable at any time.

By joining this retreat, I forfeit the right to bring any claims against IGR, its faculty, or staff related to my participation. I understand that I am responsible for following all safety precautions provided in writing and verbally, and I will seek clarification whenever necessary.

In return, I will benefit from the activities and experiences offered during the retreat.

These are optional tours. Fly in early enough to join us!

Pre-Retreat Athens Adventure

June 21st 
Morning

• Start the day with a group breakfast in Monastiraki, savoring traditional Greek dishes while taking in the lively atmosphere of this historic neighborhood.
• Stroll along Ermou Street, Athens' vibrant shopping hub, and enjoy some leisurely browsing before making our way to the iconic Parliament Building.

Mid-Morning

• Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building—an unforgettable display of precision and tradition.
• Take a relaxing walk through the lush National Gardens, where you can enjoy a refreshing beverage, admire the greenery, and spend a peaceful moment in nature.

Afternoon

• Visit the Kallimarmaro Stadium, the world’s only stadium made entirely of white marble, and feel the history of the first modern Olympic Games.
• Explore the grandeur of the Temple of Zeus, one of the most significant monuments of ancient Athens.
• Stroll through the picturesque Zappeion Gardens and admire the elegant architecture of the Zappeion Hall.
• We will end our tour in front of the Parliament Building, completing our circular route. From here, you can walk back along Ermou Street for more shopping or simply relax.

Evening

• Wrap up the day with a group dinner at a fantastic Monastiraki restaurant, where we’ll indulge in delicious Greek cuisine and share stories from the day.

The duration is approximately 4–5 hours, perfect for immersing yourself in the heart of Athens before our retreat begins.

Athens Adventure: The Day Before We Sail

June 22nd
Morning

• Begin with a group breakfast in Monastiraki, soaking in the morning charm of the city.

10:00 a.m.

• Embark on a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, where history comes alive with its incredible artifacts and stories from ancient Athens.

Afternoon

• Noon: Experience the grandeur of the Acropolis and Parthenon on a guided tour. Dive deep into the rich history and architecture of this iconic site.
• 3:00 p.m.: Enjoy free time to relax, explore, or shop in nearby Plaka or Monastiraki at your own pace.

Evening

• 7:00 p.m.: Optional pre-dinner drinks at a chic location (details provided closer to the day).
• 8:00 p.m.: Gather for a delightful dinner at Hermion, a beloved restaurant known for its authentic Greek cuisine and warm atmosphere.

Upon your arrival in Amorgos, a hotel van (or bus) will be waiting to transfer us all to the Lakki Village Hotel, where we will check in, rest, swim, or read.

19:00: Gather in the restaurant by the sea for a welcome drink and to mingle - get to know one another as we discuss books!

20:00:  Buffet Dinner

22:00: Gather at the pool bar for late-night drinks before retiring for the night.

08:00: Breakfast is served

10:00: After breakfast, we all gather to enjoy the Readers Retreat opening ceremonies. JD Barker, Clare Mackintosh, and the other guest authors will be available to mingle among the guests. All authors will be available to answer questions, so bring your questions! And remember to bring your books, as they'll be signing them, too! 

Then we break for the afternoon to enjoy the Greek weather, swim, and read. This is a calm day of rest and reading. 

19:00: Gather in the restaurant for pre-dinner drinks

20:00: Buffet dinner will be served

22:00: Pool bar chats will commence

Excursion: Morning Village Hike from 10:00 to 13:00.

Starts in the historic village called Tholaria. We will hike for approximately 2 hours to the largest village in the Aegiali region of Amorgos called Lagada and then descend to the small village by the sea called Ormos for lunch. 

Afternoon: rest and read and swim

19:00: Meet at the hotel restaurant for pre-dinner drinks and mingling.

20:00 - Buffet dinner

22:00 - Gather by the pool bar for post-dinner beverages. Soft music will play as we mingle into the evening.

08:00: Breakfast is served

09:30: The bus arrives to take us to the 11th-century monastery, Hozoviotissa, a living testament to Greece's rich cultural heritage. This architectural marvel, built by hand over 1,000 years ago, once housed nearly 100 monks (currently, only two monks reside there). Nestled into the rock wall of a mountain, this is a must-see for all history enthusiasts. 

After this, the bus will transport us to the “Navagio” shipwreck, another fascinating piece of history. Once we've explored these historical sites, we will pause for an hour at Kalotaritissa Beach, a serene spot to enjoy a meal by the turquoise waters of the protected bay.

19:00: Pre-dinner drinks at the hotel restaurant by the sea

20:00: Buffet Dinner at the hotel

22:00: Pool bar chats and drinks begin

08:00: Breakfast is served

After Breakfast: This is a day to enjoy the pool and the beach. Or lounge around the pool and read all day. How about a walk through town for souvenir shopping, a light lunch of Greek salad, and a bit of suntanning on the sandy beach?

Seize the opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, discover what’s on their reading list, and enrich your own collection of books or ebooks.

You’re on a reading vacation–relax and enjoy it!

19:00: Pre-dinner gathering to mingle and sip a tasty beverage

20:00: Dinner is served

22:00: Pool bar gathering for a nightcap

08:00: Breakfast is served

10:00: Excursion day: For the last full day on the island, we're taking a select group to the historic village of Chora for a shopping/lunch day. We hope you'll join us!

19:00: Pre-dinner gathering at the restaurant

20:00: Dinner is served

21:30: We will do some Greek dancing during our farewell party/dinner in the evening.

Then, our guest authors will take a moment to chat about reading and writing and bid us all a safe journey home.

22:30: Final drinks at the pool bar as we all bid each other a safe journey home.

Transportation to the port will be provided to get you on the ferry, taking everyone back to Athens (or wherever you're going next). Once on the boat, you can continue to other European cities, keep touring, or stay in Athens longer. 

If you’re leaving for home immediately, please consider that the boat ride back to Athens is approximately eight hours. Be sure to give yourself an extra day before flying out to ensure you arrive on time for your flight.