About this trip
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
Cancellation Policy:
We offer a 100% refund to all cancellations prior to April 15, 2025, two months before the retreat begins.
Waiver of Liability
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.
What’s included
- Transport to/from hotelBuses will be waiting to transport you to and from the hotel upon arrival and departure.
- AccommodationsAll six nights at Lakki Village Hotel are covered in the Reading Retreat fee.
- Access to all SessionsThe retreat fee offers you unfettered access to all the sessions with J.D. Barker and Clare Mackintosh, and the guest authors, as well as the book signing event, plus more!
- Greek buffet breakfastBuffet breakfast is served every day from 8:00 - 10:30 with a wide variety of dishes and beverages: Coffee, tea, juices, jam, cheeses, olives, eggs, warm dishes, seasonal fruits, and more ...
- Dinner buffetBuffet style dinner - Greek and American dishes.
- Visit the Monastery11th-century monastery Hozoviotissa is a wonder that must be seen.
- Village Tour: ChoraThe ancient village of Chora is a magnificent sight to see, with its historic windmills still adorning the hillside.
- Greek NightGreek music, Greek food, and a wonderful Greek good time takes place on Greek Night.
- Retreat materialsAttendees will be given a gift bag of fun and exciting things related to the retreat, as well as new books offered from authors worldwide.
- Village hikeWe take you from the village of Tholaria across a mountain path to the neighboring village called Lagada for a picturesque walk.
- Free use of yoga ShalasThere are several yoga shalas on site for any of the attendees to use.
What’s not included
- Flights to/from GreeceAttendees must find their own way to and from Greece.
- Ferry ticketsBlue Star Ferries offers tickets online. Please plan ahead and get your tickets to Amorgos before the retreat begins, and for when the retreat is over.
- Refreshments, BeveragesThe one thing your fee does not cover are beverages. All beverages can be charged to your room and settled up upon check-out.
- AlcoholAs noted above, all alcohol (even during buffets) can be charged to your room and settled up later.
- Travel InsurancePlease investigate what travel insurance works best for you, if needed.
- Hotel Tax FeeThere may be a small fee of a few euros when checking out to cover the hotel tax fee the Greek government imposes upon hotels.
Available Packages
Consists of one spacious room overlooking the garden or the swimming pool. Each room has its own unique design. Each room has its own unique design.
Note: The rate for these rooms is lower based on double occupancy or more.
- Daily cleaning service
- Air condition
- Refrigerator
- TV
- Kettle
- Safe box
- Bath Amenities
- Hair dryer
Consists of one spacious room overlooking the garden or the swimming pool. Each room has its own unique design.
- Daily cleaning service
- Air condition
- Refrigerator
- TV
- Kettle
- Safe box
- Bath Amenities
- Hair dryer
Apartment with a bedroom and a second seating/sleeping room with a kitchenette overlooking the sea, the garden, or the swimming pool. Each apartment has its own unique design.
- Daily cleaning service
- Air condition
- Kitchen
- Refrigerator
- TV
- Kettle
- Safe box
- Bath Amenities
- Hair dryer
Itinerary
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.
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