“Of all peoples the Greeks have dreamt the dream of life best.” –Goethe

Welcome to our special, Friends-Edition Retreat!
Let’s gather, reset, and revitalize together in a setting of mythic beauty on the authentic Greek island of Amorgos, then blissfully maroon ourselves on tiny, secret Iraklia.

Voyage the local way into a simplified way of life, in the incredible light of Greece that clears all clutter away.

 
 
 
 

Slip barefoot out of the bounds of daily habit and back into your clarity.

Let’s get together for genuine days of freedom and fun in the healing Greek light that shines right into your soul.

There are few things as spellbinding as Greek-summer on the pristine island of Amorgos and tiny Iraklia, and the unmatched feeling of freedom and simplicity that pervades the soul here.

Equal parts yoga and fun, exploring, relaxation, and practices for deep connection to your own sense of presence. Expect a rejuvenation that will sustain you long after your time on retreat.
The great company, the healing qualities of this stunning, natural island, and the feast of culture we’ll enjoy are potent ingredients for feeling fully alive!

This retreat is for explorers who want to slowly immerse in the lesser-known hidden gems and connect with the local rhythm and nature that it may enter your heart and enrich your soul.

Imagine

Gorgeous beaches, majestic cliffs, daily yoga and meditation, genuine local food, culture and connection, the vibrance of Greece, marvelous views, hikes on footpaths to local villages, ancient monasteries and secret coves, swims and local-style living. It will bathe your being in joy: the essence of Mediterranean summer.

Away from the bright lights and busy vibe of big hotels, this retreat is a return to the simple roots, a bygone way of travel, that first ignited my life-long love of the Greek island way of life.

On Amorgos, we will stay in a beautiful, traditional, island summer estate, right on the beach. It is fully-staffed, its soul alive with generations of family stories, surrounded by its organic gardens, olive and lemon trees, with the waves, birds, wind and stars as neighbors.

On tiny Iraklia island, we will stay in a wonderful, family-owned retreat with spectacular views, comfortable rooms, kind people, the most beautiful yoga shala you could wish for. Practice with panoramic views over the sparkling sea and surrounding islands.

Expect sun-drenched nature, local-style exploring, amazing food– and a minimum of anything that could get in the way of the light.

 
 
 
 

Greece Magic

Greece has a special rejuvenating quality that can’t be described in words. The island of Amorgos in particular has been known since antiquity as a place of healing.
A true, slow-travel adventure awaits you. Venture off the beaten track with us in the Cycladic archipelago to this stunning, still-unspoiled island.

 
 

Overview

 
 
 

Our retreat is all about slow-travel, local style

Enjoy your early morning coffee sitting quietly on the beach or a swim in the smooth dawn sea before yoga on our open-air deck in the olive grove.
Morning yoga is dynamic, energizing and strength-building, setting you up for the day ahead.
A bountiful, homemade Greek breakfast is served on our terrace after class.

Daily outings include hikes on ancient footpaths to traditional villages, hidden monasteries and sacred sites, a private excursion by boat to an uninhabited islet for snorkeling, swims at pristine and remote beaches, local culture, and the main village with its labyrinthine white streets, windmills and beautiful artisan’s boutiques. You’ll get to meet interesting local people with creative lives here on the island, and learn about local herbs, healing foods, traditional cooking, myth and lore.

On some afternoons we'll gather for a restorative yoga, or a yoga workshop to deepen practice.

You will have a deep and personal experience of this mythic land where the Homeric gods once walked the earth – and still do.

This is your retreat.

Feel free to participate as much or as little as you wish in all of the offerings. You can be as active or as restful as you want.

    1. Our island is off the beaten track. You will travel by boat to arrive in the old-world Greek style, in excellent, comfortable, modern high-speed ships!)
      Don’t expect anyone to have heard of where you’re going!

    2. These are stunning, authentic islands still alive with tradition and pristine nature, unreached by mass-tourism. There is everything in terms of simple comforts and nature’s beauty; delicious meals, and exquisite peace. It’s a place for living life simply.

    3. We’re not tour guides or travel agents, my retreats are not sightseeing tours. Along with curated yoga instruction, I share with you my favorite places both secret and more known, my local friends and connections nurtured over a decade, offering you the best of the island’s abundant gifts, with a genuine Greek welcome from the heart.

    4. Come as you are, ready to enjoy, let go, have fun, and above all –be yourself.

Yoga

All levels of yoga experience* are welcome, and will be honored and provided for.

Yoga forms the essential heart and connecting hub of our retreat. Classes will be accessible and (playfully) challenging for most levels, although they are not ideally suited to complete beginners*. The program will progress and build on itself over the course of our time together, but of course you may choose to attend classes according to your body’s needs.

Our peaceful seaside setting is an idyllic place for enjoying yoga practice. On this healing island we will unroll our mats on a beautiful, open-air deck set among olive and lemon trees with views of the Aegean sea..
*If you plan to participate in the yoga program, the time to begin preparing is now, especially if you are a new beginner. A minimum 3 months of regular yoga practice at your level, is highly recommended to help you personally get the most from your retreat.

What to expect

Daily Morning sessions will be about 90 minutes, and will be tailored to the group. Generally they are dynamic, to invigorate, strengthen and energize with clear alignment instruction to meet you where you are.
Cultivate focus, breath, awareness, presence and posture. The emphasis will be on moving with awareness and ease rather than performing poses.
Expect the potency of traditional yoga infused with evolutions from biomechanics and functional movement that’s accessible and playfully challenging for most levels.

Late-afternoon sessions will be restorative and relaxing, and are offered to help you deepen your practice and balance the nervous system. You’ll learn simple, take-home practices that can reduce stress, to integrate into your life back home, including meditation.

Learn more about Julia’s yoga training and certifications.

Our nourishing meals: Homemade, garden-fresh and local

food philosophy

Throughout the retreat we will enjoy fresh, healthy Greek cooking based on locally-grown vegetables and fruits, freshly-caught fish, natural meats, prepared in creative local-style Greek cuisine. Amorgos is a foodie’s heaven!
You will have the chance to assist/observe or join in to cook with our wonderful, Greek-mamma cook, Poly. Some evenings she makes the feast using traditional wood oven at our house!
We will enjoy all brunches, some lunches and dinners by Poly on our panoramic veranda at home; and other times we will eat out together at favorite local tavernas around the island.

Wine, beer, still and sparkling water are included with lunches and dinners at our villa.

Specific dietary needs can be accommodated.

Our Traditional villa’s terrace and beach

 

What’s Included

 

• 10 nights beautiful accommodations on two islands. Six nights in Amorgos at Petradi Villa plus four nights in Iraklia, at beautiful Meltemi Retreat.

  • All bountiful meals for the retreat: fresh and local, both by our in-house cook Polyxeni, including beer, wine, sparkling and still water; and out in favorite village tavernas around the island. (Except for 2 lunches out are on your own.)

  • Daily yoga with Julia ( 1 - 2x/day. There will be a rest day off from yoga during the week.)

  • All yoga-props provided: Quality mats, blocks, blankets, straps. There will be a rest day off from yoga during the week.

  • Transfers from/to the port in Amorgos to the retreat location, and to depart for Iraklia

  • Boat fare to Iraklia

  • Beach club amenities: umbrellas, sun-beds, café-bar on our beautiful, secluded beach.

  • Excursions: Guided hikes, traditional villages, monasteries, swims at hidden beaches, great artisan’s shops and boutiques in villages, including all transportation.

  • Special healing Sound Bath with a wonderful local practitioner.

  • Pre-departure priming and guidance in the 'art of pilgrimage'. Soulful travel and making your journey personally meaningful.

  • Guidance for travel arrangements and preparations.

What’s Extra

  • Air tickets, boat travel to Amorgos and returning from Iraklia.

  • Tip for our house staff

  • Alcohol and soft-drinks at meals out

  • Additional activities not listed

Extra Options

  • Healing bodywork can be booked on site, by skilled local therapists.


 

Our digs on Amorgos

Accommodations and Pricing

The prices shown below are per person and are for the full, 10-night, two-island retreat.

We’ll be staying in a traditional, summer villa-estate, full of history, fully staffed, and set beachside among its olive, lemon and vegetable gardens.
Perched on a huge rock with gorgeous views across the sparkling sea and neighboring islets, the property includes its own beach club with shade, umbrellas and sun-beds, and an open-air yoga deck in the olive grove overlooking the sea.

Generations of a local island family have lived here and now great-granddaughter Elli welcomes us. You will be immersed in Greek life for a uniquely local experience of this special island, one that resembles Elli’s childhood memories. In her words, “We wish that you may feel the simplicity, pureness and solitude of Amorgos, that we believe constitute the island’s greatest beauty and traditions.”
All rooms have sea views, most have private bath (two villa-rooms share a bath). Simply but comfortably furnished in traditional Cycladic style. Spacious terraces for sea and stargazing, and exquisite peace. The property staff includes Polyxeni our Greek-mamma cook, and daily housekeeping.
The hospitality is warm and genuine.

NOTE: On Iraklia there are two room types (Standard and Superior), you will get the same in both locations Click to read more about our Iraklia digs.

The Main Villa has preserved its genuine character, and features stunning views from its spacious terraces shaded by a beautiful pine tree. There are ample common areas for everyone to gather, lounge, and relax. Furnishings are simple, typically Greek, and comfortable. Terraces for all to share wrap around the seafront sides of the house for relaxing and dining in sun or shade. Steps lead directly onto the beach.

Main-house rooms:

Simply furnished in traditional Cycladic island style. The three Villa rooms are located upstairs in the main house, with beautiful sea views, air-conditioning, free WiFi, hair dryer. Access to the fully-equipped Kitchen, Living Room with flat screen TV, Laundry, and spacious Verandas with incredible sea views. Daily cleaning.

Penelope Room (standard) OCCUPIED: Upstairs room with sea view and shared bath (two rooms share one bath between them). One king or two twin beds.
Sharing – $3650
Single use – $4150

Selene Room (standard)OCCUPIED: Upstairs room with sea view and shared bath (two rooms share one bath between them). Set up either as one king or two twin beds.
Sharing – $3650
Single use – $4150

Athena Room (superior) OCCUPIED: Upstairs room with sea view, private balcony, and ensuite private bath. One extra-wide queen bed. (cannot be split into twins.)
Sharing – $3950
Single use - $4350


The Studios are in a restored traditional farmhouse right next to the main house, set in the garden directly in front of the sea. Each has a private bath, and terrace or balcony with beautiful sea view.
Each has one king or two twin beds, private ensuite bathroom; a small fridge; plus terrace or balcony. There is also free wi-fi in the room, TV, air-con, hair dryer, and safe. Daily cleaning.

Amethystos Studio (superior)OCCUPIED with private bath, large sea-view terrace. Set up as one king or two twin beds.
Sharing – $3950

Virillos Studio (superior)OCCUPIED with private bath, sea-view balcony. Set up as one king or two twin beds.
Sharing – $3950

Deluxe Panoramic View Studios

These spacious, deluxe studios are newly-built in traditional Cycladic style, and are located a little higher up the stone steps in the olive grove, on the same property. Spacious, with breathtaking views. Large terrace, premium ensuite bathroom; free wi-fi in the room, TV, air-con, hair dryer, nespresso, kitchenette and safe. Daily cleaning.

LAST-MINUTE SPECIAL: Sharing: $4150
Single use: $4150

Click to Read all about our Time on Iraklia Island

Room types will be allocated according to your Amorgos selection. Two levels, Classic or Superior.

 

Travel to Greece

Getting There and Away

    • The retreat starts June 11 on Amorgos Island.

    • The retreat ends on June 21 on Iraklia Island. 

    • I will assist you with booking all your boat travel. Don’t worry, it’s an enjoyable, easy and fun way to travel. Typically, everyone takes the same boat together, to and from.

    • Please plan to arrive in Athens no later than Thursday, June 10 in order to catch the morning Highspeed ferry to Amorgos on June 11. If you have time, it’s even better to come earlier to enjoy the fantastic city of Athens!

    • For your return flight, schedule it for June 22 or later. Plan to spend the night of June 21 in Athens to facilitate flying out next day.

    • I highly recommend you plan at least a couple of days in Athens on either end of the retreat because Athens is a fascinating and fun city.

    • I am happy to assist you with your travel plans!
      There are a couple of simple options for getting to Amorgos. I will assist you with the best option to suit your travel desires. Amorgos is reached by boat only, either from Piraeus (the port of Athens), or from another island. It is simple and comfortable to travel on the Greek ships.

      Options: You can –
      1. Fly to Athens.  (OR, if you wish to visit another island beforehand, you can fly to Mykonos, Naxos, or Santorini instead.)
      2. From Athens port (Piraeus) : on Thursday, June 11: Blue Star Naxos departs at 6:45 am for Katapola, Amorgos. This is a very comfortable, stable, and spacious ship, favorite of the local islanders. This is the only ship on the new 2026 schedule. We will take care of booking you in the comfortable Business Class lounge, with access to the outdoor decks for enjoying the sea, sun, fresh-air and salt-spray whenever you wish. Inform me if you wish to have a private cabin with bath, for total rest.
      Or,  if you’d like to visit another island first, you can fly to Mykonos, Santorini, or Naxos and take a ferry from there to Amorgos on Thursday, June 11.
      Note: Transfer from your port of arrival in Amorgos (there are two ports, Aegiali or Katapola) to the hotel will be provided free of charge.

      • IMPORTANT: Please check-in with me before making any boat arrangements yourself as we will book this as a group.

  • TRAVEL INSURANCE

    I strongly recommend you purchase travel insurance to protect your health and wellbeing as well as your retreat investment, from unforeseen circumstances before or during your retreat.

    Read more HERE about travel insurance and why to get it.

    Purchase travel insurance at the time you book your retreat. Some companies (not all) require you to purchase within 14 days of booking. The sooner you get it, the sooner you are covered.

    Squaremouth is a reputable platform on which you can easily compare policies and providers, and choose coverage that suits your needs.
    Note: we are not affiliated with the platform or any company.

    I will provide you with abundant pre-departure inspiration, information, and practical things to help you with each step of your trip.

HOW TO REGISTER

After reading the full retreat website please click the BOOK button below.

Click PURCHASE

Complete the registration form which appears.

Send your retreat fee separately, see below.

Thank you traveler! Welcome to the adventure!

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Confessions of a Grecophile

 

  • My over 30-years of annual Greece travel first started with love-at-first-sight when I was six years old.  My family spent a couple of entire summers traveling in Greece in our Volkswagen van.

    The feeling of freedom and passionate way of life on the sunny shores imprinted my soul with Greek colors, and I’ve been a Grecophile ever since. 

    I’ve since traveled to Greece every year for over 30 years, including exploring the Greek islands for months, including by mountain bike, and while attending the Aegean Center Fine Arts School on Paros as a painter. I have held several exhibitions of my work in galleries on Naxos and Paros, including a solo show at the Venetian Museum in Naxos.

    I studied Greek philosophy and mythology in university, and speak and passable Greek language– which I continue to study. Greek is a challenging but beautiful language, and I aspire to someday read the Greek Nobel poets, Odysseas Elytis, and Seferis, in the original.

    I’m delighted to share this extraordinary, mythic place with you!

 

Testimonials

 

What travelers are saying

“I have to say, this was the best trip I have ever been on, and the best-guided trip. I’m so happy that I could dive in and immerse myself into Greece with your presence and guidance. Truly memories I will cherish forever.”

–Kitty Thoresen, CA

“My first retreat with Julia was the most freeing experience of my life UNTIL the second. Amorgos! This trip was a life changer. I have no idea how Julia wraps yoga, serenity, adventure, spirituality, awe-inspiring sight-seeing and self-awakening into a week—but damn she does it well.“

-Chris-Ann Szep, MD

“I cannot begin to tell you how fabulous this trip/pilgrimage has been. Being with a fantastic group of people in such a gorgeous setting. I did not even imagine this trip would be all of the things and I can't even list them – spectacular, fun, therapeutic, freeing, beautiful, fulfilling... I am free! It has been a pleasure learning from you.”

-Eileen Zielinksi, PA

“The whole experience was so rich on so many levels, I can't begin to describe in words. This experience reconnected me with the sense of depth that I often lack in my everyday life at home – real connection, creativity, the deeper well from which I draw to nourish my life. Most people know Mykonos and Santorini as Greece, but this is wholly something else – especially with Julia’s inward guidance through the whole process and experience. I appreciated so much the level of depth that she brings – evident from the beginning with the whole preparation. How Julia prepares us to make travel like a pilgrimage. And I like it that we can go shopping, too and add that to the pleasures!

-Karen Bertrand, CA

“I have been on many of Julia's retreats, some of them multiple times. The Greece retreat was like a drink of light for my soul, not to mention the amazing sea. Come along for the adventure! Julia's attention to every detail and to the quality of your experience will be impressive. Her passion for what she loves and the willingness and ability to share this with grace, delight and a bright spirit is truly inspiring and will create that truly unique experience. And I always know 
I'll be hanging out with really cool fellow travelers.”

-Juliann Trout, CA

This was my third time on Julia’s Greek Summer Retreat, and I choose her retreats over and over because of the deep connection to the place: the natural environment, culture; people, & food, physical activity (yoga, cycling, hiking, swimming); your deep knowledge of art, history, philosophy; your warmth and vitality; excellent organization and overall excellence of the retreat! It is unique, special, authentic offerings; deep connection to the people and places we visit. I always come away feeling grounded and deeply nourished on all levels - physical, spiritual and emotional. 

-Karen B., Palo Alto, CA

“I feel restored, replenished, renewed. Each day, I could feel one or two more layers letting down. I feel refreshed.”

-Amy Garceau, IL

“I’d had my eye on Julia’s Greek Odyssey trip for years as I knew it would be spectacular given the magical location of Amorgos and knowing from experience thatJulia creates retreats that truly nourish the body, mind and soul.  I landed in Greece with high expectations and this trip far exceeded my wildest dreams of what I thought was possible!  
Meeting new people and forging new relationships is a given on trips like this but the piece that was unexpected was the ease in transitioning into retreat mode and letting go of work, family and all of the busyness at home.  
I attribute this to Julia’s unique leadership style with providing tools for us to be ‘present’ while on our trip and truly take a retreat by helping us detach by leading us through daily yoga / meditation practice, plus the beautiful hikes, swims, amazing food – all of it can put one in a state of spontaneous bliss! I’ve barely left the retreat and I know for sure that I will be coming back on this special trip.”

Amy Brown, DC

 

“If you deconstruct Greece, you will in the end see an olive tree, a grapevine, and a boat remain. That is, with as much, you reconstruct her.”— Odysseas Elytis

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