If you want a spacious and beautiful home with international decor, two warm and amazingly accommodating hosts, inspiration for writing, and co-curated local experiences, I highly recommend Writer’s Retreats—Greece!
I stayed at La Casa Grande, a beautiful two-story, two-bedroom, two-bathroom home in the small village of St. John. Courtesy of Nikos and Georgia, I was able to enjoy coffee and snacks in charming Aliveri, beautiful sites and delicious dinner at the water front, a visit to the archaeological sites and museum in Eretria, and relaxing time at the beach. At the same time, I was given the freedom to construct my schedule, and thus read hundreds of pages and wrote sometimes over 2000 words a day. The home is in a quiet area, so I had time and space to read, rest, think, and write. I was able to analyze my archival material, heavily revise a book chapter, and write two brand new essays.
And compliments to the chef! Georgia kept the fridge stocked with snacks and breakfast foods and brought delicious and filling Greek dishes with local-style touch. When I say everything was delicious, I mean EVERYTHING!
Beyond the space, Georgia and Nikos were so warm and friendly. For a week, I was invited into their world—introduced to local folks and family. You can tell they have a passion for people and for what they do. In addition, they were available at any time, and their proximity to the home was a major perk.
Again, I highly recommend staying in one of their retreat spaces. In fact, I hope to return next summer for my next writing project!
Robert Robinson, USA- July 2024
It was a joy to spend two weeks in this wild, but serene and ancient place, walking on shepherds’ paths and seeing goats, sheep, frogs, and gorgeous crows in the olive groves. The locals are very friendly if you know a few Greek words, which I found really fun. The water of the Evian Gulf is transparent, and there’s a lovely beach nearby with mountains in the distance. The house is spacious and old, but beautifully renovated.
Nikos and Georgia clearly care about food (a delicious Greek dish was delivered daily!) and about writers. They are true travelers with open minds and hearts who know the value of their own place and traditions. I felt well taken care of, but had plenty of space and time for writing. I’m working on a book of poems, and my time at La Casa Grande was very productive.
Hilary Sideris, USA – May 2023
My family and I (10 people) spent a full day here doing a cooking class. Everything was perfect. We all felt right at home, we learned so much (ate so much), and made friends in the process 🙂 I can’t wait to return!
What a fabulous day cooking with this lovely couple! A day of immersion into Greek life through food preparation and stories. Thank you both for a delightful time and accommodating our special requests.
Preston Family, USA – January 2023
An incredibly peaceful place to sit down and write. Nikos and Georgia are both incredibly helpful and knowledgeable about the area, and the food is just amazing.
Nathaniel Ashley, UK – December 2022
Unable to decide whether to book La Bodeguita or La Casa Grande, I spent a week in each. Both are peaceful and conducive to focused work. In such beautiful, calm spots, I accomplished more than expected and felt lucky every minute! Each residence has advantages, so I can’t recommend one over the other. La Bodeguita in Dafni is more remote, with the sea at the end of the lane, an outdoor shower, and an enjoyable walk into the hills where a taverna is located. La Casa Grande, in the small village of Agios Iaonnis on a hillside, is larger with constant internet.
I appreciated the enthusiasm Nikos and Georgia have for their retreats. They’re helpful organizers, friendly and accommodating to guests’ needs and wishes. Mine included swims at the beach by the nearest town, Aliveri, and its Saturday Farmer’s Market, an excursion to the Aegean side of the island, and various special treats. Georgia’s excellent meals add to the delight of being in Greece, and the residences were well stocked with delicious fruit and snacks.
Best of all, however, is the stimulating atmosphere: lovely places to work. I hope to return soon. I had such a wonderful time! Unforgettable. My stay with you exceeded my expectations!
Jinny Webber, USA – September 2022
My stay at La Casa Grande in Agios Ioannis was fantastic! The house is beautifully remodelled on the inside while keeping its original flavour on the outside. Nikos and Georgia diligently took care of my needs, so I could focus on writing. Immersing myself in the peaceful, relaxing rustic environment was a valuable experience for me.
I enjoyed hiking along farm roads and seeing sheep, goats, chickens, cats, and dogs. Sometimes, I could also see sheep across the street while working on the balcony. The healthy, locally sourced, homemade Mediterranean meal that was delivered once a day was always delicious and very high quality, and there was always an abundance of food in the house for snacking on. I was there in December, and plenty of wood was available to keep the cozy fireplace going. The luxurious bar soaps, laundry detergent, and softener are all homemade and organic.
If you want a nice place where you can focus on your writing, then I highly recommend this retreat!
Urania J. Fung, USA – December 2019
La Casa Grande is a wonderful Retreat and so conducive to creative endeavours. It is located next to the small hillside village of Agios Ioannis and within 15 minutes of the iconic seaside town of Aliveri, full of tavernas, cafes and supermarkets. But the key to this retreat is La Casa Grande itself.
The stone-built house with its patios and awnings is peaceful and has many nooks and crannies to work in. Yet, this lovingly refurbished house has all modern conveniences with a first class kitchen with a fast, secure and reliable broadband connection. There are numerous walks and strolls around the village some easy and others challenging.
Nikos manages the facility conscious of the needs of artists and writers and is readily available to assist and guide. The excellent logistics of the Retreat with ‘meet and greet’ at Athens Airport and the transfer at the end of the Retreat relieve the guest of worries or concerns. Nikos’s attention to detail and his practical approach is refreshing.
Above all else, La Casa Grande is a great place to work in and reflect. It’s very walls are lyrical and homely. After an all too brief sojourn, I can assuredly recommend La Casa Grande.
Once again Nikos and Georgia and families thank you for a wonderful visit an “I will be back”.
Frank Reidy, Ireland – October 2019
I highly recommend the Artist Residency La Bodeguita in Dafni, Greece. I spent ten days there and got a lot of writing done. Can’t wait to be back to enjoy the uninterrupted time, the not-at-all touristy beach, the home-made meals, and last but not least the hospitality and friendship of my hosts.
Agnes Marton, Luxemburg – September 2019