About this trip
Nourish your creative spirit in the birthplace of the Muses!
Calling all storytellers! 🖋️✨ Unplug from the ordinary and plug into inspiration at our upcoming writing retreat. Immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature, surround yourself with fellow writers, and let the creative energy flow. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting your literary journey, join us for a week of words, wisdom, and wonderful connections. Let's turn the blank page into a canvas of endless possibilities! 🌿📖 #WritingRetreat #InkAndImagination #CreateWithPassion
Join an intimate circle of creative women for the adventure of a lifetime!
Stretch your creative muscles and dive deep into your writing with authors Kelly Dwyer and Tanya Shaffer.
We’ll spend our mornings creating and our afternoons exploring the island and basking in the warm Mediterranean sun.
We’ll stay at the stunning blue and white Hotel Lakki Village, just steps from the crystal waters of the Aegean Sea and a short stroll to the picturesque town of Aegiali.
About Your Writing Sessions
After a good night’s sleep and a delicious breakfast, we’ll begin our day with Off-Leash Writing with Tanya or Prompt Play with Kelly. These joyful, liberating practices are designed to awaken our senses and encourage a spirit of play and exploration. Inspired by the natural beauty of our surroundings and the rich mythology and history of the Greek archipelago, we’ll write fast and free, connecting with our authentic voices and coming home to ourselves on the page.
After a coffee and stretch break, we’ll delve into a different type of writing each day, including Travel Writing and Lyric Essay with Tanya, Flash Fiction and Novel Writing with Kelly, and Writing Tension with guest teacher and bestselling author Jonas Saul.
Each session will include both in-class writing and the chance to share your work in a supportive, stimulating environment.
About Amorgos
Amorgos is one of the most beautiful Greek islands in the heart of the Cyclades. Known for its dazzling blue water, white sand beaches, ancient picturesque villages and attractions, and delicious local food, it's an ideal spot for travelers seeking a tranquil, inspiring, and authentic Greek experience.
About Your Accommodations
Wake to the gentle sound of waves on one of Greece's most peaceful and stunning beaches. Our retreat center is situated directly on Aegiali Bay, steps from the soft sandy beach. Relax in the hotel’s lush gardens with shaded pergolas, or stroll into town for cafes, restaurants, taverns, and stores.
The Lakki Village Hotel (run by the founding couple’s five daughters and their children and grandchildren!) features an outdoor pool, wifi, and air-conditioned rooms. We’ll eat traditional Greek meals at the seaside in the hotel’s Agia Kali Restaurant, which uses locally sourced ingredients, including vegetables from the hotel’s own gardens. The hotel has beach towels, umbrellas, and snorkeling equipment available for your use. You can choose to book massages through the hotel at an additional cost or rent a car or motorbike for farther-ranging solo exploration.
THE RETREAT WEEK SUMMARY:
08:00 – 09:30--Buffet Breakfast.
Morning Writing Sessions With Tanya and Kelly
- MONDAY: Off-Leash Writing (Tanya), Fun with Flash Fiction (Kelly)
- TUESDAY: Prompt Play (Kelly), Travel Writing that Takes You There (Tanya)
- WEDNESDAY: Off-Leash Writing (Tanya), How to Start (or Transform) Your Novel (Kelly), Creating Tension (Jonas)
- THURSDAY: Prompt Play (Kelly), Exploring the Lyric Essay (Tanya)
- FRIDAY: Off-Leash Writing (Tanya), solo writing/reflection time, Social Media, and Writing as a Greek Author (Guest is Contemporary Greek author Rania Stone)
Afternoon & Evening Activities
· Swimming and relaxation by the beach and pool
· Yoga
· Excursion: A gentle hike along the mountainside between the ancient villages of Tholaria and Lagada, featuring spectacular panoramic views
· Excursion: A guided tour of the 11th-century Hozoviotissa Monastery and the medieval mountain village of Chora
· Event: A Greek cooking class with staff from the hotel’s Agia Kali Restaurant
· Event: Oceanside ecstatic dance
· Time for writing and reflection
· Conversation, camaraderie, and connection with a warm circle of kindred spirits!
Tanya Shaffer Biography:
Tanya Shaffer is an award-winning playwright and author of the travel memoir Somebody’s Heart is Burning: A Woman Wanderer in Africa. Her plays have been produced off-Broadway and by major regional theatres, and she has toured over forty cities in the U.S. and Canada. Her stories and essays have appeared in Salon and numerous anthologies. She publishes the Substack Tanya Shaffer’s Off-Leash Chronicles, in which she writes on topics ranging from creativity to parenting to travel to spirituality.
Tanya has worked with hundreds of writers for the past seven years through her Off-Leash Writing Workshops, Memoir & Fiction Workshops, and private coaching and editing. She can’t wait to join forces with Kelly and Imagine Greece Retreats to create an unforgettable week on the island of Amorgos! tanyashaffer.com
Kelly Dwyer Biography:
Kelly Dwyer is the author of three novels, most recently Ghost Mother, published by Union Square & Co. in 2024, and numerous plays produced nationally and internationally. A native Californian, Kelly was educated at Oberlin College (where she met Tanya!) and the Iowa Writers' Workshop and now divides her time between Wisconsin and Los Angeles.
She has taught at the University of Iowa Summer Writing Festival and the University of Wisconsin system for many years. She also works as a developmental editor who loves to help her students and clients achieve success.
As a young adult, Kelly enjoyed visiting Greece, where she spent time in Athens and on the islands and traced the Peloponnesian War in a rental car. She is excited to return for the Rejuvenate & Create Transformational Women's Writing Retreat after many years!
Cancelation Policy
Waiver of Liability
1. Comprehensive Liability Waiver
o Participants assume all risks associated with the retreat (e.g., accidents, illnesses, injuries).
o By agreeing to attend this retreat and e-signing when leaving their deposit, participants waive and release all claims against Tanya and Kelly for any loss, damage, or personal injury that may occur.
o Indemnification clause: participants are responsible for legal costs or damages arising from their own actions.
2. Force Majeure Clause
o Participants excuse Tanya and Kelly from liability if unforeseen events beyond their control (e.g., natural disasters, strikes, pandemics) necessitate changing or canceling the retreat.
o In this case, participants will receive a refund of retreat fees paid if the event is canceled, but Tanya, Kelly, and IGR are not liable for other costs (e.g., flights, travel arrangements).
3. Third-Party Vendor Disclaimer
o Tanya and Kelly are not liable for actions or omissions of the hotel, transportation providers, tour operators, or other service suppliers.
o If a participant has any issue (e.g., room problems, excursion mishaps), they must pursue a resolution with the relevant vendor rather than with Tanya and Kelly.
4. Limitation of Financial Liability
o Participants will not hold Tanya and Kelly personally responsible for any shortfall, unexpected cost, or vendor failure.
o If the retreat does not go forward or a participant cancels outside the allowed timeframe, Tanya and Kelly are not required to provide compensation beyond what the written policy states.
What’s included
- Transport to/from hotelA bus or hotel van will be waiting to transport you to and from the hotel upon arrival and departure.
- AccommodationsAll six nights at Lakki Village Hotel are covered in the Writing Retreat fee.
- Access to all SessionsThe retreat fee gives you unfettered access to all the sessions with Tanya and Kelly, plus one-on-ones, and more!
- Greek Buffet BreakfastBuffet breakfast is served every day from 8:00 - 9:30 with a wide variety of dishes and beverages: Coffee, tea, juices, jam, cheeses, olives, eggs, warm dishes, seasonal fruits, and more ...
- DinnerGreek and American dishes.
- Village Tour: ChoraThe ancient village of Chora is a magnificent sight to see, with its historic windmills still adorning the hillside.
- Visit the MonasteryThe 11th-century monastery Hozoviotissa is a wonder that must be seen.
- Village HikeWe take you from the village of Tholaria across a mountain path to the neighboring village called Lagada for a picturesque walk.
- Retreat MaterialsAttendees will be given a gift bag of fun and exciting things related to the retreat.
What’s not included
- Flights to/from GreeceAttendees must find their own way to and from Greece.
- Ferry TicketsBlue Star Ferries offers tickets online. Please plan ahead and get your tickets to Amorgos before the retreat begins, and for when the retreat is over.
- Refreshments/BeveragesThe one thing your fee does not cover are beverages. All beverages can be charged to your room and settled up upon check-out.
- Alcoholic BeveragesAs noted above, all alcoholic beverages can be charged to your room and settled up later.
- LunchesThe hotel supplies us with buffet breakfast and dinner. Lunch can be ordered at the restaurant, or in town.
- Travel InsurancePlease investigate what travel insurance works best for you, if needed. Participants are to obtain medical and travel insurance. Tanya and Kelly will not cover medical costs or reimburse travel Ins.
- Hotel Tax FeeThere may be a small fee of a few euros when checking out to cover the hotel tax fee the Greek government imposes upon hotels.
Available Packages
Most of the apartment-style rooms can accommodate two to four people. They have a bedroom and a second seating/sleeping room with a kitchenette overlooking the sea, the garden, or the swimming pool. Each apartment has a unique design.
Note: The rate for these rooms is lower based on double occupancy or more.
Available Add-Ons
Tanya (creative nonfiction) or Kelly (fiction) will happily read your writing in advance to discuss during the retreat! This optional and additional service includes:
Tanya (creative nonfiction) or Kelly (fiction) reading up to 5,000 words of your writing or manuscript and writing extensive comments and notes on your submission. Your reader/editor, Tanya or Kelly, will then meet with you during the retreat for a private 30-minute conference to discuss your writing, publication, etc.Please submit your writing and payment of $250 by September 5, 2025.
Itinerary
These are optional tours. Fly in early enough to join us!
Pre-Retreat Athens Adventure
Oct. 3rd
Morning
- Start the day with a group breakfast in Monastiraki, savoring traditional Greek dishes while taking in the lively atmosphere of this historic neighborhood.
- Stroll along Ermou Street, Athens' vibrant shopping hub, and enjoy some leisurely browsing before making our way to the iconic Parliament Building.
Mid-Morning
- Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Parliament Building—an unforgettable display of precision and tradition.
- Take a relaxing walk through the lush National Gardens, where you can enjoy a refreshing beverage, admire the greenery, and spend a peaceful moment in nature.
Afternoon
- Visit the Kallimarmaro Stadium, the world’s only stadium made entirely of white marble, and feel the history of the first modern Olympic Games.
- Explore the grandeur of the Temple of Zeus, one of the most significant monuments of ancient Athens.
- Stroll through the picturesque Zappeion Gardens and admire the elegant architecture of the Zappeion Hall.
- We will end our tour in front of the Parliament Building, completing our circular route. From here, you can walk back along Ermou Street for more shopping or simply relax.
Evening
- Wrap up the day with a group dinner at a fantastic Monastiraki restaurant, where we’ll indulge in delicious Greek cuisine and share stories from the day.
The duration is approximately 4–5 hours, perfect for immersing yourself in the heart of Athens before our retreat begins.
Athens Adventure: The Day Before We Sail
Oct. 4th
Morning
- Begin with a group breakfast in Monastiraki, soaking in the morning charm of the city.
10:00 a.m.
- Embark on a guided tour of the Acropolis Museum, where history comes alive with its incredible artifacts and stories from ancient Athens.
Afternoon
- Noon: Experience the grandeur of the Acropolis and Parthenon on a guided tour. Dive deep into the rich history and architecture of this iconic site.
- 3:00 p.m.: Enjoy free time to relax, explore, or shop in nearby Plaka or Monastiraki at your own pace.
Evening
- 7:00 p.m.: Optional pre-dinner drinks at a chic location (details provided closer to the day).
- 8:00 p.m.: Gather for a delightful dinner at Hermion, a beloved restaurant known for its authentic Greek cuisine and warm atmosphere.
