Reading Retreat with Ruth Ware, Mark Edwards, and others!

Tolo, Greece

IG
18 reviews
Jun 2 - 9, 2026
Group size: 1 - 60
Reading Retreat with Ruth Ware, Mark Edwards, and others!
Tolo, Greece

18 reviews

Jun 2 - 9, 2026
Group size: 1 - 60

About this trip

 

Guest Authors: Ruth Ware, Mark Edwards, Jonas Saul, and Rania Stone!


Join us for our annual Reading Retreat, set for seven enchanting nights in the stunning Greek village of Tolo. 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 with no deposit!


Experience the splendor of Tolo, Greece, at The John & George Hotel for a full week of reading! We will also tour an ancient theater, visit several islands (Hydra and Spetses), and the gorgeous town of Nafplio, all for one low price!


Check out the itinerary PDF for a full briefing of what's to come!


Note: Plan to arrive in Athens a few days before taking the chartered bus to Tolo. We have an Acropolis tour and a tour of the Acropolis 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)


Ruth Ware worked as a waitress, a bookseller, a teacher of English as a foreign language, and a press officer before settling down as a full-time writer. She now lives with her family in Sussex, on the south coast of England. She is the #1 New York Times and Globe and Mail (Toronto) bestselling author of In a Dark, Dark Wood; The Woman in Cabin 10; The Lying Game; The Death of Mrs. Westaway; The Turn of the Key; One by One; The It Girl; Zero Days; One Perfect Couple; and The Woman in Suite 11. Visit her at RuthWare.com or follow her on socials @RuthWareWriter.


Mark Edwards writes psychological thrillers in which scary things happen to ordinary people, the best known of which are Follow You Home, The Magpies, Here To Stay, and The Retreat. His novels have sold over 5 million copies and topped the bestseller lists numerous times. He lives in the West Midlands, England, with his wife, their three children, two cats, and a golden retriever. When he’s not writing or reading, Mark loves karaoke, horror movies, and spending far too much money on vinyl.  


Jonas Saul, renowned as the bestselling author of the Sarah Roberts Series, has a literary impact beyond two million copies sold. With almost sixty novels under his belt, the bustling city of Los Angeles saw the fruition of numerous deals, including MadRiver Pictures’ optioning of his extensive forty-book Sarah Roberts Series, currently in development.


Rania Stone, born with the Aegean in her soul, she splits her time between buzzing Athens in winter and the peaceful shores of Amorgos in summer. A storyteller at heart, she’s written six novels and twelve children’s books, including gripping thrillers that blend suspense with rich, atmospheric settings. With a degree in hotel management and a background in culinary arts, Rania has spent over twenty years as a business owner, gaining an insider’s perspective on the hospitality industry. Her expertise ensures that every retreat she curates is beautiful, well-organized, comfortable, and truly immersive.


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 chartered bus to Tolo. We have an Acropolis tour and a tour of the Acropolis Museum arranged. We can stroll down the shopping streets of Athens and enjoy some Greek cuisine over several days, then take the ferry together. (All excursions are optional)

Cancellation Policy

Cancellation Policy: 

We offer a 100% refund to all cancellations prior to March 1, 2026, three months before the retreat begins. We must pay the hotel for your rooms by March 1st, so if you cancel after that date, we won't have your funds to give back to you.

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 hotel
    A chartered bus will transport us from Athens to Tolo and back to Athens at the end of the trip.
  • Accommodations
    All seven nights at the Tolo hotel are covered in the Reading Retreat fee.
  • Access to all Sessions
    The retreat fee offers you unfettered access to all the sessions with the guest authors, as well as the book signing event, plus more!
  • Greek buffet breakfast
    Buffet 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 buffet
    Buffet style dinner - Greek and American dishes.
  • Visit Epidaurus
    Visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, regarded as the best-preserved ancient theatre in Greece. Then we visit a local olive oil factory in an amazing environment surrounded by olive trees.
  • Evening Walk of Nafplio
    Tour of Nafplio which is the first capital of Greece. You will see the old town built by the Venetians, and the castle of Bourtzi, as well as Palamidi.
  • Hydra and Spetses Tour
    Tour the picturesque island of Hydra with its unique singularity: the absence of cars on the island. Then continue to Spetses Island where "Knives Out" was filmed!
  • Attendance at Q&A
    All retreat attendees are welcome to come chat with the guest authors. Have your questions ready!
  • Retreat materials
    Attendees will be given a gift bag of fun and exciting things related to the retreat, as well as new books offered from authors worldwide.

What’s not included

  • Flights to/from Greece
    Attendees must find their own way to and from Greece.
  • Refreshments, Beverages
    The one thing your fee does not cover are beverages. All beverages can be charged to your room and settled up upon check-out.
  • Alcohol
    As noted above, all alcohol (even during buffets) can be charged to your room and settled up later.
  • Travel Insurance
    Please investigate what travel insurance works best for you, if needed.
  • Hotel Tax Fee
    There 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

Double Occupancy
Deposit: €0

Most of the rooms can accommodate anywhere from two to four people. Note: The rate for these rooms is lower based on double occupancy or more. This rate is per person in the room.

  • Wi-Fi Internet 
  • Hairdryer 
  • Equipped Kitchen 
  • DVD 
  • Air Condition 
  • Balcony 
  • Bath Tube 
  • W/C
€1,599
Deposit: €0
Single Occupancy
Deposit: €0

Consists of one spacious room overlooking the garden or the swimming pool. Each room has its own unique design. 

  • Wi-Fi Internet 
  • Hairdryer 
  • Equipped Kitchen 
  • DVD 
  • Air Condition 
  • Balcony 
  • Bath Tube 
  • W/C
€1,799
Deposit: €0


Your Organizer


IG
Imagine Greece Retreats
18 reviews
🌟 Unforgettable Memories Await with Our Canadian-Greek Team! Our dedicated team is committed to creating unique memories that will forever hold a special place in your heart. We want to see people smiling, having fun, and enjoying life. That's why we do our best to offer you the best. Join us for a fun-filled week of beach, sea, sunshine, and retreat time! 👥 Don't miss out on exclusive member benefits! Join our Facebook group, "Travel to Greece - Read, Write, and Retreat," to stay updated on special perks.

Reviews

Overall, I had a blast and I'd do it again in a heartbeat! I loved the sense of community and camaraderie. I think Tanya did a wonderful job leading us and her workshop on deep work was well-planned and executed. The sheet was especially useful. I also enjoyed the location country. I would prefer to go outside of Europe, but of all the European countries, I would say Greece is a top choice for me. There's a little bit of everything for everyone, and it's just such a beautiful country. Moving forward, I think an underlying theme that could be better smoothed out is consistent messaging. For example, I understood that food would be buffet style for all meals, but that wasn't the case for lunch. I wasn't as big of a fan of the limited options for lunch, including the hotel closing off the caffeine options. I would also say that I noticed some concerning patterns in communication when it came to Jonas. One on one, I had nothing but positive experiences with him. He was quick and responsive with me. However, the room snafu with 2 of the participants left me feeling concerned about how else he could drop the ball. Another instance that gave me pause was his underselling the difficulty of the hike. I did not attend, and honestly, I was so thankful I didn't because several of the participants did not seem amused since it sounded like the hike was much more difficult than how it was originally explained. Lastly, this is small but I would've really appreciated more snacking options from the beginning. I love cake, but my goodness, by day 3 I was caked out. Thankfully, after a request from a participant, they changed the offerings (for the better in my opinion).
By Emilce S for Creative Connections: Writing and Meditation Retreat on Jul 09, 2025
Imagine Greece Retreats has the unique ability to take a group of people with a common interest, place them in a picturesque location, and have them leave a week later feeling like an extended family. Add their warm, welcoming nature and delicious food and it’s a trip that you’ll be thinking about long after you return home. Greece has a way of making its way into your heart so that you can’t wait to start planning your return!
By Liane C for Reading Retreat with J.D. Barker, Clare Mackintosh, and others! on Jul 09, 2025
This was an amazing week on the beautiful island of Amorgos, full of Greek hospitality. Very well organised with two days exploring Athens followed by a wonderful week at Lakki Village, beautiful accomodation, friendly staff and delicious food. It was such an experience to meet these fun, talented authors and many other people from acros the world with a love of reading. New friendships were formed. Brilliantly organised by Jonas Saul and Rania Stone. Definitely a week to remember for ever!
By Sue M for Reading Retreat with J.D. Barker, Clare Mackintosh, and others! on Jul 09, 2025
I had an amazing experience! Accomodation, food, authors and attendees were awesome! The hosts were incredibly helpful and responsive.
By Laura M for Reading Retreat with J.D. Barker, Clare Mackintosh, and others! on Jul 08, 2025
Amazing accommodations, people, and food.
By Marcelle M for Creative Connections: Writing and Meditation Retreat on Jul 08, 2025
Show More Reviews

References

I attended the Retreat, hosted by Jonas and Rania in October 2024 as part of my solo holiday and as a way to kickstart my aspirational writing career. After a lot of various last minute changes, not least the ferries going on strike, everything worked out for the better in the end. Overall it was a wonderful experience in the magical island of Amorgos. The scenery was spectacular, the Greek hospitality was exemplary and the food was delicious at Lakki Village. It was like being part of an extended Greek family (even the cats and dogs were welcoming). The course participants were also friendly and i made long lasting friendships there. Most importantly, I was inspired by the classes and wish I could have stayed longer in Amorgos (had to leave on the 26th itself). With encouragement from both, I came out equipped and confident to start writing more and losing the fear in the process. I am hoping to be able to attend more of these retreats next year in Greece :)
By MING G on 03 Nov, 2024
TK
What an amazing trip to Amorgos, Greece for the Psychological Thriller Readers Retreat. Hosted by the legendary Authors Jonas Saula and Rania Stone, I was delighted by this little corner of paradise. The hotel resort was lovely in its complete and modern rooms, ground amenities, dining options, the pool area and bar. Lena the bartender was superb. Rania's family owns and runs the resort. So friendly and inviting this family was, I could not ask for more. The resort is located right on the beach. I started my mornings with tea and breakfast and a glorious beach view. It does not get better than that. The retreat schedule of events was just right. Something fascinating to experience each day with plenty of time to explore or chill as you like. Jonas is the perfect host with knowledge, humor, energy enough for everyone. The author guests were accessible and engaging, even those we met via Zoom. It was thrilling to learn about their beginnings, writing styles, publishing and all. AND, oh the giveaways! The retreat swag is top notch. I truly enjoyed this experience and am looking forward to a return trip. I highly recommend this retreat experience.
By TINA K on 29 Sep, 2024
We did the Reading Retreat in Amorgos June 2024, and it was fabulous!! The island, the venue, the food, the events—everything was perfect! It was so helpful to have Imagine Greece Retreats coordinate all arrangements, and they were readily available to answer questions. If you love reading and want to experience Greece, this is the way to do it!!
By Tracy Y on 25 Sep, 2024
Show More References