“As you set out for Ithaka, hope the voyage is a long one, full of adventure, full of discovery…” – Constantine Cavafy

Welcome! Introducing my NEW retreat – a culmination of many years in Greece, to one of the most idyllic and mythically beautiful Greek islands for a sumptuous journey into nature, culture, practice, and presence.

Escape with me for a sumptuous seven-night retreat on the stunning Greek island of Ithaka, the legendary home of Odysseus, for a luxuriant week of yoga combined with sun, fun, hikes in pine forests, boat adventures and peace. Explore the beauty, mythic history, and local culture. Revel in deep practice twice a day, great food and relaxation at one of the Mediterranean’s most elegant and idyllic boutique hideaways. Overlooking the warm, crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea, pristine beaches with sublime swimming are a couple of minutes walk down our shady path. You’ll have them pretty much to yourself to choose from.

Equal parts yoga, play, and deep rejuvenation, you can opt to do as much or as little as you wish.
With beautiful views over the sea and neighboring Kefalonia, our elegant retreat sanctuary is set in a place of outstanding natural beauty, specifically for serenity, enjoyment, relaxation, and practice: the ingredients of rejuvenation that will sustain you long after your time on retreat.

Get ready to experience the epitome of Greek summer far from the crowds, in a place of peace outside of time. There are few things as spellbinding as high-summer on the mythical island of Odysseus, and the unmatched feeling of freedom and simplicity that pervades the soul here.

Fill your inner well with yoga and meditation, myth, nature, and community, philosophical discourse to realign the inner narratives and treat your senses to the luxurious, beautiful surrounds, feasts of creatively-prepared organic food, plenty of movement, and the culture of this sparkling little island.

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

Ithaka is one of the smallest islands of the Ionian archipelago, and it radiates with Grecian authenticity. Its sparkling shores play host to a long Homeric and mythical history whose many mysteries are sensed amongst its animated panoramas and secretive coves.

Our retreat overlooks the sea and the coastline of neighboring Kefalonia from an elevated wilderness of olive trees and exposed rocks that provide the elements around which it is built, allowing its natural beauty to speak for itself. An emphasis on indoor-outdoor living ensures full use of the land and its treasures.

The island is green and covered with scented pine forests. Her friendly, welcoming people love music, their ancient heritage, and good food. Every beach has crystal-clear water of a different shade – some turquoise, some emerald, some electric blue. Ithaki, as she is known in Greek, is kept a quiet secret by those who know and love her. The island preserves an almost sacred calm, outside the bounds of time.

The Venue

Our stunning boutique retreat overlooks the sapphire-blue Ionian Sea, immersed in nature, natural yet elegant, artful, luxurious and peaceful. The rooms each have their own identity, each with beautiful sea view and ensuite.  It is owner Ingrid’s labor of love with every detail meticulously considered.  From the crisp and elegant minimalism of the main Venetian-style building to its carefully curated interiors, every object is handpicked with a globetrotter’s flair. There is a four-minute stroll on a shady path through the pines and wild olive trees to our nearly- private beach of crystal waters. Three more beaches lie within a few minutes walk.

Morning sessions are dynamic, creative and strengthening for the whole body, with clear alignment guidance to meet you where you are. Our practice will include asana, pranayama, meditation, yogic discourse, and mantra practices.
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.
By emphasizing breath and skillful action, building-up through a range of appropriate options, students, from the less experienced to the more advanced, will discover how to work peacefully and effectively at the level appropriate to them.

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.

There are several Yoga Shala practice spaces on this retreat which we will rotate depending on day and time to get the best views and experiences.

The outdoor shala has beautiful sea views, it’s a shaded platform surrounded by wild oak trees and rocks, overlooking the sea. Practicing beneath a canopy of dappled shade, you'll be surrounded by nature, hearing the waves and listening to the sound of the birds and cicadas. There is also a beautiful, temple-like indoor shala with natural light and cooling.

All yoga props are provided for your use including mats, blocks, bricks, thin blocks for knees, belts and blankets.

Our Days on Retreat

Feel the benefits of consistent daily practice to heal and integrate body and mind. Moments of pure presence in the rhythm of Greek island life. Swim in the warm, crystal-clear waters, or lounge by the pool, feast on delicious fresh meals under the trees and the stars. Join guided hikes to discover the island’s pristine nature, and rich mythic history, including Homer’s Walk, to learn about the historical palace of Odysseus and Penelope, and the connections with Ithaka.

Hang-out with good company, or delight in solitude in one our retreat’s many hidden nooks perfect for reflection, reading and relaxation, or treat yourself to a massage.
Besides the gorgeous white beaches in front of our retreat, there are a couple more beaches right nearby with kayaks, SUPs and other water-sports available. Bikes, e-bikes and scooters are also available.
We’ll take at least one boating adventure on our retreat’s private speedboat to explore the most stunning hidden beaches and coves to swim in, each with a different color of crystalline water. Little islands to be explored and seaside villages for shopping and lunch. 

Accommodation & Pricing

Our boutique retreat offers stunning luxury accommodation, with each room having its own identity and style. There are only 8 rooms so spaces are limited. All bedrooms can be either single or double occupancy. All rooms in the Main House are ensuite, with air-conditioning and gorgeous views across the Ionian sea towards Kefalonia. There is also a beautiful, secluded cave house that is built into the rock, with a double bed and also a twin bed in a separate alcove, an ensuite bathroom, and a large private outdoor space for relaxation. Or choose one of the two large luxury yurts with beautiful sea views, set between wild olives, rock outcrops, and winding paths. The yurts are light and airy inside, with ensuite bathrooms, comfortable beds with Coco-Mat mattresses, mosquito nets, and private outdoor sitting areas.

The Cave Suite

Amazing luxury Cave house with sea views, built into the rock, with a double bed and also a twin bed in a separate alcove. Ensuite bathroom, Coco-mat mattress, large private outdoor space. One of the most beautiful rooms.

Single: $4350
Sharing: $3450 per person

Main House Rooms

All bedrooms can be either single or double occupancy. All are en-suite and air-conditioned, coco-mat mattresses, wood paneled ceilings and views across the Ionian sea towards Kefalonia. Each bedroom has a unique identity.

Old Library

Luxury Room with balcony with ocean views, double bed, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning, and a large private terrace. 

Single: $4350
Sharing: $3450 per person

India (occupied)

Luxury Room with balcony with ocean views, two single beds or one king, ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning and private terrace. A very light and spacious room with windows and French doors providing an endless breeze.

Single: $4350
Shared: $3450 per person

Raas

Recommend for singles or couples as this room is made up with a double bed only. With ocean views and ensuite bathroom, air-conditioning. Raas is on the ground floor, secluded on the left side of the house. Shutter doors onto a polished white verandah with never ending views of the Ionian sea and Kefalonia.  

Single: $3850
Sharing: $3050 per person

Mango

Mango is a double or twin-bedded room on the ground floor, with sea views, ensuite bathroom and air-conditioning. Shuttered doors lead onto the verandah and an Indian Charpoy sun bed. Views of the Ionian sea and the hills of Kefalonia.

Single: $3850
Sharing: $3050 per person

White Room

The White Room is a double or twin-bedded ensuite room with sea views, on the ground floor between Mango and New York. Ensuite bathroom and air-conditioning.  Shuttered doors lead onto the verandah and an Indian Charpoy sun bed with large hand embroidered Rajasthani cushion. Views of the Ionian sea and the hills of Kefalonia.

Single: $3850
Sharing: $3050 per person

New York

New York is a double or twin bedded ensuite room with sea view, on the ground floor at the far end of the bedroom corridor. Ensuite bathroom and air-conditioning. Named after the New York loft style furniture, a simple combination of teak and metal.
Shuttered doors lead onto the verandah, with an Indian Charpoy sun bed. Views of the Ionian sea and the hills of Kefalonia. Tucked away, round the corner, you’ll find an over-sized hammock and hand woven cushions.

Single: $3850
Sharing: $3050 per person

Luxury Yurts

The two luxury Mongolian yurts are light and airy inside, with comfortable double or twin beds equipped with mosquito nets, coco-mat mattresses, stand up fan and en-suite bathrooms. Pathways and steps provide access to the yurt platforms, each with its own outdoor seating area, positioned high among rocks and trees with beautiful sea views.

Metta Yurt

Two single beds or one double bed with coco-mat mattresses, light, spacious and comfortably furnished. Fan and ensuite bathroom, with a lovely private outdoor sitting area with sea views. 

Single: $3850
Sharing: $2950 per person

Yurt One

Two single beds or one double bed with coco-mat mattresses, light , spacious and comfortably furnished. Ensuite bathroom and fan, with a lovely private outdoor sitting area with sea views.

Single: $3850
Sharing: $2950 per person

Food Philosophy

The food at our retreat is fresh, sumptuous and bountiful, chef-prepared by the creative local team, and made up of local produce, and fresh-catch. All vegetables are organic and sourced from the best of what Ithaka and neighboring Kefalonia have to offer. Plentiful, creative menus cooked by our retreat’s team of chefs blend traditional Greek cuisine with a contemporary style. Your vitality will be well nourished and your senses delighted!

We’ll enjoy a daily light breakfast snack for those who like something before class, a bountiful brunch, light lunch, tea break, and dinner.

(Allergies and food intolerances can be accommodated, just let us know in advance.)

Traveling, Arriving and Departing

Book air tickets to EFL airport, Kefalonia (EFL) in Greece, which is the neighboring island to Ithaka.
Kefalonia has non-stop flights in summer from many European cities including London, Paris, Madrid, Amsterdam, Munich, and of course from Athens.

• Private, round-trip group transfer from Kefalonia airport to our venue is included in the retreat price, provided your flight arrives and departs within the specified times (will be provided to you as soon as schedules are available).

The transfer is an approximately 2-hour total journey via taxi and private boat.

• If you’d like to arrive early, you can fly into the beautiful island of Kefalonia to stay before (or after) the retreat and meet us at the airport or in Fiskardo to join the group transfer. Some recommended hotels if you want to arrive early. Near Kefalonia airport White Rocks. Or in Fiskardo Emelisse Nature Resort or North Point Hotel.

• Travel outside group transfer is at your own expense. We will assist you in arranging it.

• Retreat begins Saturday, June 27. Day of arrival the retreat is open after 3 pm for check-in.
• Retreat ends Saturday, July 4. Retreat is to be departed by 9:00. Breakfast will be available from 7:00.
• One group transfer departing is included in price and is the reverse transport of our arrival.

What’s Included:

• Daily Yoga classes with Julia (Full practice every morning, plus afternoon sessions on most days)

• Group round-trip taxi and private speed-boat transfers from/to Kefalonia airport (if you arrive/depart within specified times)

• Accommodation for 7 nights

• All meals: Breakfast/brunch, lunch, tea-time and dinner. Gourmet, organic, chef-prepared.

• Variety of hot and cold drinks, filtered water, fruit and snacks, house-made cake, biscuits, inc. gluten-free options

• Guided private hikes including Homer’s Odyssey Walk

• Beach and Pool towels

• Use of all Yoga equipment: mats, blocks, straps, bolsters and blankets

• Infused olive soap, Basil, Lavender, Sage

• Calendula face balm (produced on Ithaka)

• Internet high speed throughout property

• All taxes

not included in the price:

• Travel to Kefalonia airport

• Transport outside the group travel transfers to and from airport and venue. If you want to travel at a different time, we can arrange it for you.

• Optional activities - boat trips, massage, bikes, water sports. (For our private Boat outings: fuel cost is shared among guests for excursions with our venue’s private speedboat)

• Alcohol (there is a corkage charge for bottles brought in)

• Soft drinks

• Travel insurance

  
  

Boating and Swimming

Incredible beaches and swimming in warm, calm, crystal-clear water from pristine, nearly-private beaches just a 4-minute stroll on a shady path in front of our retreat. Three more beaches lie within a few minutes walk, with umbrellas, kayaks and other water sports available there.

Our retreat maintains a large Speed Boat to which we have access for day trips. Maximum capacity is 9 guests to a boat. The petrol is split between guests to take the boat out. There are many magnificent, secluded beaches only accessible by boat, little islands to be explored and seaside villages for shopping and lunch. 

Body Treatments

The beautiful outdoor Massage Area at our retreat property is very private and quiet, with views over the blue sea. It’s ideal for all treatments, and the therapists are excellent. A bathroom is within the space. Prices are on average 100-150 euros cash for 60-90 mins for a variety of different treatments. Booking list is available on arrival. 

The Odyssey and Ithaka: Theme and Symbolism

The Odyssey, written almost 3,000 years ago, in which Homer poetically recounts the epic homeward journey of Odysseus, comes to its culmination in Ithaka. It is one of the most powerful and fascinating tales ever written, and has timeless relevance to our modern lives.

Heroically overcoming endless challenges, obstacles, and illusions, Odysseus comes home to Penelope, home to his kingdom of Ithaka, which is a powerful allegory in which nostos – homecoming – is central. This is the soul’s innate yearning for its spiritual origin, the ultimate resolution of our heart’s deepest longing for integration and wholeness. In the Odyssey, Ithaka symbolizes more than a physical place. It represents the soul’s true home: a state of being fully-alive, the place where the “I” can truly be itself, whole and complete, in its rightful kingdom.

On retreat we see this symbolism as a timeless map of coming home to the self. This mythical little island offers an idyllic and meaningful setting to host our own journey to our truest home. Taking time away from habitual demands and distractions, deepening the practices of yoga and meditation to reclaim our attention and loosen the hold of the stresses that pull us away from ourselves, we take steps on the path of return to our innate freedom, health, connection, union. 

To Book Retreat

A Deposit holds your spot
Please send $900 USD Deposit or full payment to reserve your place. Preferred payment method is by Venmo, Zelle, or Wise.
Please complete your registration form here online, then send your payment externally via your preferred app or Wise Transfer..
Be sure to indicate your room choice for the retreat!

The balance will then be due by May 15, 2026.

PLEASE NOTE: Balance payments and full payments made by credit card via Paypal or via my website will be assessed a 4% added charge to help cover the fees.

Non US guests, please send your payment via Wise transfer. Contact me for bank details.

By registering you agree to the cancellation policy and release waiver

Travel insurance is highly recommended. It is best to purchase your insurance at time of booking your retreat to ensure peace of mind.

Thank you! Looking forward to another joyful yoga adventure with you!

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 T., 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 S., 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 Z., 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 B., 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 T., 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 G., 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 that Julia 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 B., DC

For any questions, planning assistance, or just to talk about the trip – don’t hesitate to contact me!