No. All international flights to Greece and ground transport to the village of Kastraki must be covered by each participant.

However, the retreat does include all meals, accommodation, entries into monasteries, workshops, guided walks, a pen, a notebook and a great time.

You do not have to do anything, you're an adult! :)

The intention of the retreat is for a digital detox - replacing mindless scrolling (and being constantly contactable) with mindful writing and connection to people, place and poetry.

However, we are also very practical: we understand that people have families and loved ones and that sometimes there is a real need for important communications.

We suggest keeping smart phones packed away as much as possible.

If you don't want to bring a phone at all, we will also have one available at all times for emergencies or should participants need to make family calls (even internationally).

Each individual will set and keep their own boundaries, and we expect each individual to respect the choices of the rest of the group.

In terms of wanting to take photos at these incredible locations, we suggest bringing an 'old school' film camera, staying an extra day for photography, or taking your smart phone up to the mountains in your own free time to take all the selfies your heart desires, if that is what you want to do.

No judgement, no problem.

That is absolutely fine. In fact it can work in your favour. Having a beginner's mindset can mean that the individual is more open to learn and more willing to try.

I have facilitated hundreds of workshops to beginners and professionals alike and I know how to walk the line in order to keep writers of all levels both engaged and enjoying the process.

If you are a beginner, you are absolutely welcome and encouraged to apply for this retreat.

This is great! I love it.

On my poetry retreats I have hosted rappers, playwrights, teachers of English, journal-keepers, and yes - plenty of poets.

The principles are the same and the workshops are able to meet each writer at the level of their own practice.

This is part of the reason why I keep the number of participants low - at a maximum of 18. So that I can adjust each workshop to suit the needs of everyone in the group.

By all means, come and finish that play, get the first draft of a book done and dusted, write that story you've been dying to get down on paper.

This retreat is perfect for getting focussed and shifting the writers' block you've been dealing with for years, no matter what style of writing you're working with.

It'll work no matter which style of writing you’re interested in, trust me.

I prefer that each participant is present for every session and excursion during the retreat so as not to interrupt the flow of connections, writing and sharing of the other members. Please don't apply if you see this as a 'side mission' and you know you won't be able to be 100% present for the entire retreat.

In Greece, the traditional way of eating is to order Meze - a variety of local delicacies served on share plates that end up completely covering the table and that everyone will get the chance to take from.

The majority of each meal will be vegetarian with some meat options.

All dietary requirements are able to be accounted for easily in this way as it is never just one dish that might not work for everyone.

Great question! After running multiple retreats over many years I have learned that some people come with very different intentions, and that these differences can make the retreat a little less enjoyable for the rest of the group.

It is important to me that all of the people who come on the retreat are more or less on the same page, so that the whole experience is uplifting for everyone involved, including myself.

It is not some daunting examination of your character - really! It more has to do with group dynamics than anything else.

If you're interested just fill out our Expression of Interest form.

Absolutely. Travel insurance is a pre-requisite for every participant. You will not be allowed on the retreat without it.

This is to ensure that everybody gets access to the proper care that they need and deserve no matter where in the world they are arriving from, in the unlikely case that medical care is required.

Anyone with decent knees and reasonable health will be able to come and enjoy this retreat and the daily hikes.

Realistically though, it is important to take into account that the walks are about 1 to 2 hrs long and up hill each day and we walk every day for 5 days straight. We walk both up the the monasteries, and back down to the accommodation every day.

If you very rarely do bush walks or hikes, it might be a good idea to try doing a two hour up hill walk near you and see how it feels before applying. If you are stopping to rest every 5 minutes or so, it might not be for you (at least not yet).

If you are stopping to rest every 30 minutes or so for a drink and a rest, this is more like the pace we keep during the retreat.

A reminder - walking will be our only mode of transport. There are no other options.

The best way is a 4-5hr bus or train ride from Athens to Kalambaka.

The Bus departs from Athens at 10am and arrives at 3:15pm everyday.

From Kalambaka you could walk or catch a quick taxi ride for 5 minutes to the village of Kastraki.

There you will arrive at the foothills of Meteora.

The retreat hosts a maximum of 18 participants, including you.

This is to make absolutely sure the retreat never feels like a 'tourist' experience, but is catered to the needs of the people who come from around the world each time.

It's ok. I understand. It is more about setting your own personal boundaries and sticking to them as best you can rather than going cold turkey and then having a difficult time.

And if it is not for you, that's ok too.

To be honest though, if you know you’re just going to be scrolling all day, you probably shouldn’t come.

The major issue with your phone usage is not how it affects you, but how it will affect the rest of the group.

Some people are flying from across the planet to enjoy a full digital detox and not even see a screen at all for the entire retreat, so we ask that even if you aren’t observing a strict digital detox yourself, that you do not use your devices in front of other poets who are - to respect their intentions for the retreat.

Fill out the Expression of Interest form below and once approved, your place in the retreat will be held for one week.

A 50% deposit must be payed within a week from EOI approval, and then a remaining 50% payment must be paid 1 month prior to the start of the retreat.

Cancellation Policy:

Deposits are non-refundable and if you have paid 100% up front only 25% of total cost is refundable if you cancel more than a month before the retreat.

No refunds available if a cancellation occurs within the month before the retreat.