Spend 8 days and 7 nights in a paradise of calmness and natural beauty.
Visit the locations that inspired Ancient Greek Mythology and Literature.
Our Infinite Blue Writers Retreat (IBWR) takes place just outside of the small coastal town of Paleros Bay in the Ionian Sea. You’ll stay in most unique, environmentally friendly, private suites overlooking the infinite blue of the sea that inspired Homer.
Invest in your inner focus
and inspiration
This retreat gifts you the dedicated time, space, and guidance that your story and ideas deserve! Elisabeth and Elizabeth are both internationally published authors, who share between them four decades of writing experience in addition to being TEDx speakers and creative writing instructors. They create for you a uniquely special experience that is guaranteed to take your writing to the next level, whether you are a beginning writer or have several projects underway.
Overview
During our week together, we’ll begin mornings with optional meditation sessions before a delicious, healthy breakfast. Then, our writing sessions will include exercises, writing techniques, text analysis and peer reviews. We will also set a personalised writing goal for the day. We will also guide you in releasing writing blocks, organising your ideas, and find your motivation.
Whether you are not yet sure what you want to write, or you are working on a deeply personal memoir, a self-help project, a poetry collection or a novel your one-on-one mentoring and coaching session will assist you in finding your inner north star.
The afternoon is set aside for rest, writing, preparing your homework! Then, before dinner, you can take an inspiring walk, swim in the sea, lounge by the pool, book a massage, daydream or sign up for a one-on-one with Elisabeth Sharp-McKetta or Elizabeth H. Filippouli.
Included:
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All writing workshops and materials
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Personal 1:1 session with one of the instructors
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A private or shared bedroom with en suite or shared bathroom, or a shared villa with a full kitchen (subject to the package you will select) and all sorts of cozy writing space
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A transfer from Aktion or Athens airport at 1pm on the first day of the retreat and a return transfer to Aktion or Athens leaving at 9 am on the last day of the retreat
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Seven breakfasts, seven light lunches, and four dinners
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Guided daily meditation
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One wellness treatment per person.
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A guided tour in the Paleros countryside
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A self-guided shopping and sightseeing visit to the charming town of Preveza and Ancient Nicopolis or the beautiful island of Lefkada (dinner on your own these evenings)
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Access to spa (TBC)
Not Included:
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Airfare
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Travel insurance
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Transportation to/from the villas outside of the single shuttle service on May 20 (time TBC) and leaving the villas for the airports at 3pm on May 27. Paleros is approximately a 3.30-hour drive from Athens and a 30' drive from Aktion airport.
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Dinners the evenings we are in Preveza and Nicopolis or Lefkada. The towns offer countless charming and inexpensive dining options.
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Alcoholic beverages outside of the four dinners.
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Optional wellness treatments.
N.B.
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Fine print:
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A 25% nonrefundable deposit to hold your space.
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The rest of the retreat fees are due 60 days before the trip begins, so by March 20 2023.
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We encourage you to purchase travel insurance at the time of registration. Make sure the insurance covers the full cost of the retreat, medical care, as well as COVID-19-related occurrences so you can book with confidence no matter what the world brings. The full cancellation policy is available on the FAQ page.
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We’ve chosen locations with exemplary COVID hygiene.
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In addition, Greece may have requirements for those entering its borders.
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You can find the latest information here
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All retreat participants are required to sign a waiver to participate in the retreat.
Get ready for a fantastic week!
Getting Here
Simply arrive in Athens or at Preveza airport (Aktion). We’ll meet you at the airport and take care of the rest.
Paleros, a picturesque town located on the west coast of mainland Greece, is evocatively situated in a breathtaking backdrop of beautiful and serene vistas and the crystal clear waters of the Ionian Sea.
It was was a city of ancient Greece, situated in the southern part of the region of Epirus. The city, ruinous for centuries, is thought to have existed during the Mycenean period, since parts of the city walls appear to date back to 2000 B.C.
During antiquity it was part of Acarnania, according to the Theodorokoi, situated on the west coast, on the Ionian Sea, which is placed by Strabo between Leucas and Alyzia. In the first year of the Peloponnesian War (431 BCE) Paleros was in alliance with the Athenians; and when the latter people took the neighbouring town of Sollium, which was a Corinthian colony, they gave both it and its territory to the inhabitants of Palaerus.
At nearby Aktium, Mark Antony and Cleopatra were defeated in a sea battle by Octavius. According to tradition, the salt lake was the saviour of Cleopatra, who hid her ships there.
The citadel on the eastern part of the yard is separated by a partition and is considered to be the most ancient part of the wall, probably from the Mycenean period. The ruins are close to the present-day town of Paleros.
Olive trees, vineyards and pine trees extend down to the spectacular unspoiled sandy beaches.
Beachfront bars, restaurants, cafes and all kinds of facilities are within walking distance, offering high levels of service to both residents and visitors.
