The Olive Grove Retreat, May 13-20/27, 2025
A Sacred & Joyful Journey on Lesvos, Greece
Nestled within the ancient, beautiful embrace of Lesvos’s famous olive groves, The Olive Grove Retreat offers a sanctuary for those seeking rejuvenation and creative flow for the brain-body-spirit. From the deep roots of Mediterranean history to the deep roots beneath you as you play and rest, heal and create in the Olive Grove, experience for yourself this magical place that graces millenia of myths and stories.
Together we’ll explore the grove and the Greek land-sea-and skyscapes that have been formative and transformative for me as an artist, a healer, and a down-to-earth human who loves walking this land, swimming this sea, reading and writing poetry. Countless other have also loved this dazzling island. The creative inspiration on Lesvos is REAL, believe me. The great lyric poet Sappho was born in Eresos seven centuries before Christ—not far from where we will meet in the Grove. Aristotle himself visited and loved Eresos!
Imagine embracing the freedom that has always been yours, deep down, in a place of ease and growth (the oregano will be blossoming—we’ll be collecting it for drying and taking home). You’ll be accompanied by a few like-minded humans . . . and thirty beautiful olive trees near the village of Eresos on the Aegean Sea. You’ll stay in a lovely small hotel right on the water in Skala Eresos.
I’ve designed The Olive Grove Retreat to nurture the creative brain-body-spirit—the whole being. It’s an experience of deep connection—to self and other, to the earth, to transformative play.
Each of our days will begin with a walk, short or long, as you desire.
Follow the little road, fields and gardens on either side. The apricot trees are full of fruit in May, little orange lanterns glowing in the daylight. On either side, the olive trees are in bloom with tiny white flowers.
When you walk up into the grove, where will you be?
Which tree is yours?
Each one is the tree of life.
What might this invitation hold and unfold for you? Come and join me on the island of Lesvos to find out.
Group is limited to seven participants. We have 2 spaces left.
What to Expect
Pleasure, fun, learning, inspiration.
Your Own Olive Tree for the duration of the Retreat—your own spot in the Grove to commune, rest, write, draw, meditate, do nothing.
Holistic Wellness, Brain-Body-Spirit: In daily master-classes, learn a variety of flexible and innovative practices such as self-hypnosis; OEI brain-calming tool (excellent for triggers & compulsive behaviours) mindfulness and creative play.
Peace and Dream-Time beneath the timeless olive branches, by the sea, on the country tracks.
Nourishing Cuisine: Savor gourmet meals crafted by Yeremiah, a young chef trained in Berlin—and down the road on the farm where he grew up. He’ll be using organic, locally-sourced ingredients inspired by the Mediterranean diet.
Cultural Enrichment: Participate in short trips (and one day-long one) in the countryside near Eresos. Architect and photographer Robert Chang (see some of his photos below) will also offer photography walks.
Healing Rituals: Experience ancient healing rituals using the olive grove as our sacred site.
A day-long trip to Sigri, the Petrified “Forest” and the Panayeia Cave Church
The Olive Grove Retreat Includes
A rich unique experience of Greece: land, sea and body-based, living olive grove-inspired. (Lots of olive oil to eat, too—cultivated by us from the very Grove you’ll be playing in . . .) Experiential learning and seminars take place daily from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm (This includes a coffee/tea break and our communal lunch hour).
Transfers to and from Mytilene airport (the Odysseus Elytis Airport). Eresos is 1.5 hours away from the airport. We’ll pick you up and deliver you back when you leave.
Logistical support with your travel questions and plans.
Necessary, itinerary-related transportation by car or van to various places around Eresos, including Skala Eresos (the lower village by the sea) as well as the upper village, the Olive Grove, the ‘far’ end of the beach, and our day trip to Sigri and nearby sites.
For the first week of the Retreat, all meals are provided. Delicious breakfast will be served at your accommodation in the seaside village of Skala Eresos (or available in your countryside retreat home, if you have booked the Olive Grove House). A (mostly) vegetarian farm-to-table lunch (with local cheeses and homemade dips) will be served daily in the Olive Grove. Healthy snacks, beverages, and local pastries will be provided during all Grove activities.
For the first week, all dinners also included, and will be served in the best local tavernas in Skala Eresos. Included in the Retreat Costs, excluding orders of alcohol or high-cost fish.
For the Ten Day and Two Week options, daily breakfast at the hotel and 3 simple lunches in the Grove are provided; dinner is not provided.
NOTE: Your air-travel costs internationally and nationally, as well as your travel and health insurance are NOT covered by the amounts below. All participants must have health insurance for this trip.
Ten Day & Week Two Retreat Experiences
These longer retreats provide a less intensive, less structured learning experience after the first week, offered at a significantly lower cost.
Daily breakfasts are provided, three simple, non-catered Olive Grove lunches are provided.
Two organized visits to the grove are structured, with master-classes or practices requested by participants; other time in the grove is optional and ‘free’ (9:30 to 2:30 pm) for creative and spiritual practice. This extra time is an integration / bliss week, in which participants live more deeply into the experiences of the first week. I and a helper (or two) will be on site the entire time, and we will also pick you up for time in the Grove and drop you back at your hotel daily. Some spontaneous outings may be arranged, otherwise your downtime is your own to enjoy in your own way.
For the Ten Day and Two Weeks: dinners are not provided; participants who opt to stay for the second week arrange for their own evening meals. There are many tavernas and restaurants, in both the upper and lower village. By the second week of dining together, you’ll know which ones are your favourite or be ready to explore other places
Early Bird Price is available until March 10, 2025
$5288 CAN / 3590 EURO
For two weeks, add $2200 CAN.
For ten days, add $1200.
Regular Price, until end of April, 2025
$5488 CAN / 3790 EURO
Let’s make the glorious myth . . . . real!
What do you want? Send me a quick note & I’ll write back to you with more info, set up a quick Discovery Call, or add your name to our waitlist. How May? We have 2-3 spots left.
And I’m building a little gathering of people for an October Retreat just now . . .