Guest Authors: JD Barker, Clare Mackintosh, Jonas Saul, Liane Carmen, and Rania Stone!
Join us for our annual Reading Retreat, set for six enchanting nights on the stunning Greek island of Amorgos. We’ve planned an amazing, fun-filled week that will make you never want to leave. Come for the stories, stay for the memories!
Lock your spot in now for a small deposit of 199€
Check out the itinerary schedule for a full briefing of what's to come! We will be adding exciting excursions such as swimming in Kalotaritissa, snorkeling, a murder mystery event, and shopping in the historic village of Chora as the retreat date approaches. Stay updated through our Facebook group, Travel to Greece - Read, Write, and Holistic Adventures.
Note: Plan to arrive in Athens a few days before taking the ferry to the island of Amorgos. We have an Acropolis tour, and a tour of the National Museum arranged. We can stroll down the shopping streets of Athens and enjoy some Greek cuisine as a group over several days, then take the ferry together. (All excursions are optional)
JD Barker is the New York Times and international best-selling author of numerous novels, including DRACUL and THE FOURTH MONKEY. His latest, BEHIND A CLOSED DOOR, was released on May 13, 2024. He is currently collaborating with James Patterson. His books have been translated into two dozen languages, sold in more than 150 countries, and optioned for both film and television. Barker resides in coastal New Hampshire with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.
With over 2 million copies of her books sold worldwide, number one bestseller Clare Mackintosh is the multi-award-winning author of I Let You Go, which was a Sunday Times and New York Times bestseller and the fastest-selling title by a new crime writer in 2015. It also won the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year and France’s coveted Prix du Polar in 2016. Four of her thrillers have been selected for WHSmith's Richard & Judy Book Club, and her books have been translated into forty languages. Her new crime series, featuring Welsh detective DC Ffion Morgan, has been critically acclaimed, with both The Last Party and A Game of Lies hitting the Sunday Times top ten. Her books have spent more than sixty-five weeks in The Sunday Times bestseller lists. In 2024, she published a memoir, I Promise It Won't Always Hurt Like This.
Cancellation Policy:
We offer a 100% refund to all cancellations prior to April 15, 2025, two months before the retreat begins.
Waiver of Liability
By participating in this retreat, I agree to release Imagine Greece Retreats (IGR), the retreat faculty, staff, and the associated hotel from any liability for injuries that may occur during the retreat. I understand that this release includes financial responsibility for any injuries incurred, even if due to negligence.
I acknowledge the inherent risks associated with activities such as yoga, meditation, sightseeing, and hiking. I voluntarily assume these risks and understand that I can withdraw from any activity if I feel uncomfortable at any time.
By joining this retreat, I forfeit the right to bring any claims against IGR, its faculty, or staff related to my participation. I understand that I am responsible for following all safety precautions provided in writing and verbally, and I will seek clarification whenever necessary.
In return, I will benefit from the activities and experiences offered during the retreat.
Buses will be waiting to transport you to and from the hotel upon arrival and departure.
All six nights at Lakki Village Hotel are covered in the Reading Retreat fee.
The retreat fee offers you unfettered access to all the sessions with J.D. Barker and Clare Mackintosh, and the guest authors, as well as the book signing event, plus more!
Buffet breakfast is served every day from 8:00 - 10:30 with a wide variety of dishes and beverages: Coffee, tea, juices, jam, cheeses, olives, eggs, warm dishes, seasonal fruits, and more ...
Buffet style dinner - Greek and American dishes.
11th-century monastery Hozoviotissa is a wonder that must be seen.
The ancient village of Chora is a magnificent sight to see, with its historic windmills still adorning the hillside.
Greek music, Greek food, and a wonderful Greek good time takes place on Greek Night.
Attendees will be given a gift bag of fun and exciting things related to the retreat, as well as new books offered from authors worldwide.
We take you from the village of Tholaria across a mountain path to the neighboring village called Lagada for a picturesque walk.
There are several yoga shalas on site for any of the attendees to use.
Attendees must find their own way to and from Greece.
Blue 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.
The one thing your fee does not cover are beverages. All beverages can be charged to your room and settled up upon check-out.
As noted above, all alcohol (even during buffets) can be charged to your room and settled up later.
Please investigate what travel insurance works best for you, if needed.
There may be a small fee of a few euros when checking out to cover the hotel tax fee the Greek government imposes upon hotels.
These are optional tours. Fly in early enough to join us!
Pre-Retreat Athens Adventure
June 21st
Morning
Mid-Morning
Afternoon
Evening
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
June 22nd
Morning
10:00 a.m.
Afternoon
Evening
Upon your arrival in Amorgos, a hotel van (or bus) will be waiting to transfer us all to the Lakki Village Hotel, where we will check in, rest, swim, or read.
19:00: Gather in the restaurant by the sea for a welcome drink and to mingle - get to know one another as we discuss books!
20:00: Buffet Dinner
22:00: Gather at the pool bar for late-night drinks before retiring for the night.
08:00: Breakfast is served
10:00: After breakfast, we all gather to enjoy the Readers Retreat opening ceremonies. JD Barker, Clare Mackintosh, and the other guest authors will be available to mingle among the guests. All authors will be available to answer questions, so bring your questions! And remember to bring your books, as they'll be signing them, too!
Then we break for the afternoon to enjoy the Greek weather, swim, and read. This is a calm day of rest and reading.
19:00: Gather in the restaurant for pre-dinner drinks
20:00: Buffet dinner will be served
22:00: Pool bar chats will commence
Excursion: Morning Village Hike from 10:00 to 13:00.
Starts in the historic village called Tholaria. We will hike for approximately 2 hours to the largest village in the Aegiali region of Amorgos called Lagada and then descend to the small village by the sea called Ormos for lunch.
Afternoon: rest and read and swim
19:00: Meet at the hotel restaurant for pre-dinner drinks and mingling.
20:00 - Buffet dinner
22:00 - Gather by the pool bar for post-dinner beverages. Soft music will play as we mingle into the evening.
08:00: Breakfast is served
09:30: The bus arrives to take us to the 11th-century monastery, Hozoviotissa, a living testament to Greece's rich cultural heritage. This architectural marvel, built by hand over 1,000 years ago, once housed nearly 100 monks (currently, only two monks reside there). Nestled into the rock wall of a mountain, this is a must-see for all history enthusiasts.
After this, the bus will transport us to the “Navagio” shipwreck, another fascinating piece of history. Once we've explored these historical sites, we will pause for an hour at Kalotaritissa Beach, a serene spot to enjoy a meal by the turquoise waters of the protected bay.
19:00: Pre-dinner drinks at the hotel restaurant by the sea
20:00: Buffet Dinner at the hotel
22:00: Pool bar chats and drinks begin
08:00: Breakfast is served
After Breakfast: This is a day to enjoy the pool and the beach. Or lounge around the pool and read all day. How about a walk through town for souvenir shopping, a light lunch of Greek salad, and a bit of suntanning on the sandy beach?
Seize the opportunity to connect with fellow book lovers, discover what’s on their reading list, and enrich your own collection of books or ebooks.
You’re on a reading vacation–relax and enjoy it!
19:00: Pre-dinner gathering to mingle and sip a tasty beverage
20:00: Dinner is served
22:00: Pool bar gathering for a nightcap
08:00: Breakfast is served
10:00: Excursion day: For the last full day on the island, we're taking a select group to the historic village of Chora for a shopping/lunch day. We hope you'll join us!
19:00: Pre-dinner gathering at the restaurant
20:00: Dinner is served
21:30: We will do some Greek dancing during our farewell party/dinner in the evening.
Then, our guest authors will take a moment to chat about reading and writing and bid us all a safe journey home.
22:30: Final drinks at the pool bar as we all bid each other a safe journey home.
Transportation to the port will be provided to get you on the ferry, taking everyone back to Athens (or wherever you're going next). Once on the boat, you can continue to other European cities, keep touring, or stay in Athens longer.
If you’re leaving for home immediately, please consider that the boat ride back to Athens is approximately eight hours. Be sure to give yourself an extra day before flying out to ensure you arrive on time for your flight.
