Step onto the island of Poros and let life slow down. This retreat is your chance to experience the Mediterranean diet and lifestyle exactly where it was meant to be lived—by the sea, in a welcoming Greek village, surrounded by good food, good conversation, and the kind of everyday beauty that resets your whole system. Over the course of the week, you’ll cook, explore, taste, wander, and settle into the rhythm of island life with a small, heartfelt community. This is Greece at its most human, its most nourishing, and its most real.

🌿 What You’ll Experience

Mediterranean Cooking & Seasonal Ingredients
You’ll cook with the freshest seasonal ingredients Greece has to offer—wild herbs, vibrant produce from local farms, fresh cheeses, legumes, olive oil, and seafood from nearby waters. Under the warm, joyful guidance of Chef Jeremy, Katerina, and Dora, you’ll turn these ingredients into traditional dishes that carry the soul of the Mediterranean diet: simple, deeply flavorful, and rooted in centuries of wisdom.

Movement, Excursions & Cultural Immersion
Throughout the week, you’ll experience the picturesque island of Poros—its charming village lanes, seaside paths, and welcoming local community. We’ll explore the coastline, wander into town, visit local producers, enjoy a Greek dancing lesson, and take a stunning day trip to Hydra—an island known for its stone alleys, artistic spirit, and car-free tranquility.

Life on a Greek Island
Your home for the week is the Odyssey Hotel in the Askeli Beach area—perfectly placed for you to live like a local on a picturesque Greek island. You’ll wake to the sound of the sea, wander down to the beach, stroll into the village for a coffee or an evening gelato, and settle into the easy rhythm of island life. It’s a setting that invites you to slow down, savor the culture, and experience Poros the way it’s meant to be lived.

🌿 Why Join This Retreat?

Because this is where the Mediterranean lifestyle comes alive—slow, communal meals… humble but powerful ingredients… movement that feels natural, not forced… and a genuine connection to the land, the sea, and the people who call this place home.

Whether you’re entering a season of change, seeking a reset, or wanting to deepen your understanding of the Mediterranean diet, this week gives you the space to breathe, reconnect, and let the islands hold you.

Meet Your Guides

Chef Jeremy Rock Smith- Chef, Author

Former Executive Chef of Kripalu Yoga Center, retreat leader, and whole-foods educator with over two decades of experience guiding people toward health through delicious, seasonal cuisine. Jeremy brings warmth, wisdom, and an infectious love for food and connection. Learn more about Jeremy

Katerina Sakelliou- Chef, Author, Wellness Educator

Katerina from Poros, Greece, grew up learning to cook in her family's restaurant, Spiros, following generations of culinary tradition. Since the mid-2000s, she has been teaching Greek cooking workshops at her bistro on Poros Island welcoming guests from around the world. Katerina's approach to cooking reflects her deep respect for family traditions, the environment, and the connection between food and culture. Her passion is rooted in a lifelong commitment to sharing the love of Greek cuisine.

Dora Sakelliou- Chef , Educator, Hospitality Professional

Dora is the warm, welcoming heart of the Odyssey Hotel. A trained chef like her mother, she brings both culinary skill and natural Greek hospitality to every guest interaction. After years working in hospitality in Holland, Berlin, and London, she returned home to Poros to help run her family’s beloved hotel. With her blend of international experience, culinary talent, and island-rooted warmth, Dora makes guests feel instantly at home and helps bring the true rhythm of Poros to life.

Nestled above the turquoise waters of Askeli Beach on Poros Island, the Odyssey Hotel is a small, family-run seaside retreat that feels more like staying with friends than at a hotel. The property offers bright, comfortable rooms designed for simplicity, ease, and those long exhale moments Greece is famous for. You’ll find sweeping sea views, private balconies for morning coffee, cozy common spaces, and a shaded outdoor dining area—plus the kind of quiet that lets you actually hear yourself think. It’s the perfect home base for slowing down, eating well, and sinking into the rhythms of Mediterranean life.

How do I get to the Odyssey Hotel?
Most guests fly into Athens International Airport (ATH). From there, it’s a smooth and scenic trip to the island of Poros—typically a taxi or shuttle to the port, followed by a one-hour ferry ride. Once you arrive on Poros, the Odyssey Hotel is just a short water-taxi ride away to the Askeli Beach area. After registration, we’ll send step-by-step travel instructions, recommended airport transfer and port options, and tips for an easy arrival. We’ll guide you every step of the way.

Can dietary needs or allergies be accommodated?
Yes. The Mediterranean diet is naturally flexible and plant-forward, and we do our best to accommodate most dietary needs and allergies. We can easily accommodate gluten allergies, vegan, vegetarian, and other common dietary preferences. After registration, you’ll receive a form to share any restrictions or sensitivities so we can plan accordingly. If you have more complex needs, please reach out before booking—we’re happy to talk it through and make sure you feel supported and safe throughout the retreat.

Can I come alone?
Absolutely. Many participants travel solo, and the retreat community forms quickly. The experience is warm, welcoming, and deeply connective—you’ll feel at home right away.

Is there free time?
Yes. Each day includes space to rest, read, swim, journal, wander into town, or enjoy the coastline. You can be as active or as relaxed as you’d like—nothing is mandatory.

What if I have more questions?
Once you’re registered, you’ll receive detailed information covering everything you need—packing lists, how to prepare, recommended hotels in Athens if you’d like to arrive early, travel tips, and answers to common questions. And of course, if anything else comes up, you can reach out anytime. We’re here to help you every step of the way.

Cancellation by Participant:

• Full refund of deposit if requested in writing within 30 days of purchase.

• 119–90 days before start date: Deposit is non-refundable; 75% refund of all additional payments made.

• 89–60 days before start date: Deposit is non-refundable; 50% refund of all additional payments made.

• 59 days or less before start date: No refund.

Credit Card, Platform & Administrative Fees

All payments processed by credit card are subject to non-refundable third-party processing fees, platform fees, and a €50 administrative processing fee. In the event of any cancellation and refund, credit card processing fees, WeTravel platform fees, and the €50 administrative processing fee will be deducted from the refunded amount, regardless of the cancellation window. These fees are charged at the time of booking and cannot be recovered by the Organizer.

Missed Payments:

If any scheduled installment payment is missed, the Organizer reserves the right to cancel the booking. Any payments already made will be refunded according to the timeline above. Cancellation by Organizer If the Organizer cancels the retreat for reasons not related to force majeure, a full refund will be issued, including the deposit, within 30 days of notice.

Force Majeure:

The Organizer reserves the right to cancel, postpone, or modify the Retreat due to causes beyond their reasonable control, including but not limited to natural disasters, acts of God, government restrictions, strikes, pandemics, or other circumstances making the Retreat impractical or unsafe. In such cases, refunds will be handled in accordance with the cancellation policy above, and participants are strongly encouraged to carry travel insurance.

After making your way from Athens to Poros your adventure begins with a warm & tasty welcome from Jeremy, Katerina & the Odyssey family. 

After getting settled in your rooms you will get a first taste of the culinary skills you’ll be developing over the week at the bistro, Odyssey’s Corner where we will share our first authentic Greek meal together while getting to know each other and discuss the activities for the week.

Kick off the day with a traditional and amazing Greek breakfast, followed by a walking historical exploration of Poros led by a local expert. You’ll wander through its alleys, visit the local markets, and enjoy a light lunch at a local taverna. 

After lunch you’re free to explore Poros town on your own before returning to the Odyssey for the first cooking class led by Jeremy & Katerina in the indoor/outdoor kitchen where we will prepare our evening meal together. The day ends with local wine, dinner, laughter and the celebration of the group’s culinary creations.

Embark with Jeremy and a local guide on an excursion to the tranquil, car-free port on the island of Hydra, known for its rich history and artistic vibe. 

After arriving by ferry in this picturesque port we’ll take a short historical walking tour of Hydra whose beauty and tranquility inspired musician Leonard Cohen to call Hydra his home and became the living set for many Hollywood films.

From there you'll have free time to take lunch on your own while exploring the beautiful stairs and alleyways that contribute to the health and longevity of its inhabitants while exploring the many shops of Hydra before we catch our return ferry back to Poros.

After freshening up when we return, a buffet dinner awaits at the Odyssey bistro where we close out the day by socializing and sharing the day's experiences with each other.

After breakfast, join a local beekeeper and honey producer to learn the importance of honey in the Greek culture for both culinary and medicinal uses.

From there spend some time on your own at Askeliki Beach or in the Odyssey Library or cook along side Jeremy and assist in the preparation of a Mediterranean lunch for the group.

After lunch, enjoy some free time for a siesta and return for a local wine & cheese tasting followed by our second cooking session with Jeremy & Katerina where we will focus on Seafood Cookery.

Of course, there will be a multitude of veggie offerings to complement our fish dish as the cuisine here is 85% vegetarian!

After breakfast, we'll take a water taxi to Galatas and embark on a deep dive into the heart of Greek gastronomy with a full day visit to Odyssey's farm, home to lemon, pomegranate, and olive groves. 

Here, we'll explore the significant role these elements play in Greek cuisine and harvest some fruits and veggies to be used later in our afternoon cooking class.

After touring the farm we’ll learn about the history, health benefits and significance of olive oil in Greek history, culture and gastronomy followed by an olive tasting with freshly baked sourdough breads.

We’ll then enjoy a traditional Greek lunch served in the beautiful outdoor dining area on the farm.

After lunch you may enjoy some downtime in the sun by the sea overlooking Poros or take part in an olive oil soap-making demonstration, the choice is yours. 

Late afternoon we’ll have our third cooking class in the beautiful outdoor kitchen where we will make homemade phyllo, fresh pitas and a traditional lamb dish. The day culminates in a communal dinner under the stars a fitting celebration for the deep ties between Greek culture, its land, and its gastronomy.

Today we embark on an enriching journey with two unforgettable experiences. We’ll venture to the Sanctuary of Asclepius at Epidaurus the birthplace of modern medicine and explore the Sanctuary of Asclepius and explore the connection between diet and health in Ancient Greece on a guide tour.

From there we will visit the picturesque city of Nafplio, the former capitol of Greece where Venetian architecture and historic sites offer a glimpse into Greece's rich past.

After a group lunch upon arrival at a local taverna, you’re free to wander the streets and explore the local shops of this picturesque city in the Peloponnese.

We’ll finish the day with a buffet dinner at the Odyssey.

After breakfast, you may take an optional guided hike into the hills of Poros to visit the Ancient Sanctuary of Poseidon or just chill - the choice is yours!

The evening brings the Odyssey culinary experience to a climax with the last and most special cooking class of the visit.

Together, we’ll prepare a dinner that encapsulates the essence of Greek hospitality and cuisine and learn how to make an Odyssey signature cocktail.

This final experience, with a few surprises, will wrap up our week as we celebrate the joy of cooking and eating together in a truly Greek way!

After breakfast, we'll close out our week and bid farewell to one another, marking the end of a week filled with culinary discovery, laughter, and unforgettable memories.