7 days/6 nights
Day 1 - arrival day - Welcome dinner
Day 7 - departure day - no program
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5 Days with Authors' Program + free time
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AIRPORT is ATHENS (and then a 2-hr ferry to Hydra)
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COSTS: scroll to end of page or hit links
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from Euro 2029 includes 4.5-star accommodation
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Discover this legendery home to artists and writers throughout the C.20th.
Become immersed in Hydra's past as an epicentre of 1960s bohemianism as the Australian award-winning authors of
Half The Perfect World introduce you to Charmian Clift, George Johnston and other creative giants of the time, including Leonard Cohen, Patrick Leigh Fermor and Sidney Nolan.
Through examination of the fiction, poetry, music, and art - often on location as we explore the island by boat, on foot, and even on donkey - we'll consider what brought this group to Hydra? What does their story reveal about the post-war world?
Looking at the Hydra expatriates through their writing, letters, diaries, and photographs, Genoni and Dalziell identify a deep restlessness within a rapidly changing time of emerging social movements and counter-cultures, shifting geo-political realities, incipient pop-cultures, new technologies of communication and entertainment, and altered understandings of what it meant to live as an expatriate artist.
As you immerse yourself in the rich offerings this week, we invite you, as a writer, as an artist, as an engaged traveller, to embody the feeling of being here, in this charged space, and allowing that experience to infuse your own relationship with writing - whether it be as a journal, poetry, haiku, essays or fiction - or whatever form your creativity takes.
Paul and Tanya offer you dedicated guidance and feedback on your own creative work this week.
Secure your place on this special week of seminars, excursions and personal writing and, staying in your own room in luxurious accommodation, centrally-located and chosen for ease of access, views, delicious breakfasts (and it has a lift).
We can't wait to share the magic of Hydra with you during these days of discussion and dining.
WHAT YOU'LL DO
This journey offers you the chance to both learn about and experience this unique island setting with seminars, writing workshops, excursions and of course free time to write, relax and explore.
Spending your week with writers, and the opportunity to write on an island with no traffic ,... feeling inspired?
This week of literary exploration on Hydra will see us focus our attention on a time and place unique in history: a waterless rock in the Saronic Gulf which became the epicentre of 1960s bohemianism, forging a legend defined by some of the Twentieth Century’s literary and artistic giants.
As we unravel how and why that transpired, you’ll meet those artists and writers, poets and lyricists, photographers and filmmakers whose works were inspired by, or were about, Hydra.
With our focus on Charmian Clift and George Johnston, we’ll visit ‘The Australian house’, as well as lesser-known parts of Hydra, and consider Clift’s place at the nexus of travelogue and memoir by stepping further afield, onto the mainland of Peloponnese, where the fascinatingly charismatic travel writer Patrick Leigh Fermor spent his post-war years.
Along with its iconic role in the history of the modern Greek nation, we’ll consider Hydra’s social life, then - and now, and what made it so unique as to have lodged in modern imagination as an ‘artists’ paradise’.
Your time on Hydra will remain all the more memorable and inspiring for hearing its stories through the words and images of those who knew it best as you experience its landscape.
Your writing, poetry, or imagery created in any medium is an important part of what this week is about.
Each day will feature a 'round table' opportunity to share your work, and Dr.Paul Genoni and Prof. Tanya Dalziell look forward to responding to your creative voice ... if you have any queries about this please contact us!
You’ll delight in the diverse culinary experiences, boat rides, panoramic walking paths and perhaps even a horse-riding trek to a mountain monastery, all best enjoyed in these limpid days of Autumn, when the temperature hovers around 24 C and the sea temperature remains at a summery 23 C..
Each day will look like this:
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Each morning you'll explore the island through literary seminars and on-location expeditions, reached by picturesque walks, water taxi or even donkey!
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If the weather is inclement we have a seminar space in our hotel, or we will reverse the morning and afternoon program to take advantage of the best conditions.
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We'll broadly focus on various aspects of one of these genre each day:
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Narrative
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Poetry
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Memoir
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Song
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Photography and Film
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Each seminar will include a guided prompt, inspired by the literature of, and about Hydra
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Break for Lunch - enjoy a taverna meal in our various destinations, or bring a picnic or bakery speciality - a Greek cheese pie is hard to pass up!
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Afternoons are free for exploring, swimming, relaxing and writing or responding to the 'guided prompt' in whichever way you enjoy
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Meet for a sunset drink and a 'round table' to share our creative responses
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Dinner is for you to enjoy in any way you like.
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And individual coaching by experts Prof. Tanya Dalziell and Dr. Paul Genoni is available for those who would like to take advantage of this unique opportunity
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Evenings will feature gallery visits, film showings and traditonal live Greek music
Get a Head Start
Download our reading shortlist now, We'll send you Part 2 - there are more than 40 titles - when you enrol
Submit your name & email to download the file.
I was glad we had chosen to live in the sun.
To live in the sun is reassuring. Here are no deceptions but the bare truth of things. I think that no beauty has ever been as true for me as the beauty of rocks and sea and the beauty of mountains that rush up between the blue and the blue, skirted only with the austere white terraces of houses simplified to the purest geometry of planes and angles.
CHARMIAN CLIFT Peel Me a Lotus 1959
The Background
The retreat is curated by Anna Kwiecinska, who lived on Hydra for two wonderful years, and re-visits frequently, more recently in 2024 to hold art and writing retreats. The photographs on this site are hers. Here's the backstory:
"I lived on Hydra for 2 years half my life ago, and it left a Hydra-shaped hole in my heart ever since. Unassuageable longing ...
When my Mum gifted me Paul and Tanya's book seven years ago my reaction to reading it was so visceral; so much of what one experiences today emanates from that pivotal moment in Aegean and literary history. Half the Perfect World is magnificently researched, and full of anecdotal detail. I constantly refer to their book when I'm on Hydra.
I fantasised about writers getting together on Hydra and, in particular, these writers - and then I discovered that they were in my home city of Perth ... what are the chances?
Summoning the courage to call Paul a year ago, we met, and he loved the idea. Tanya joined in quickly, and we've spent the last 12 months planning this retreat.
My second season of Retreats on Hydra is designed to emphasise your enjoyment of the many beautiful locations of Hydra as an integral part of each day's activities, by inviting you to accompany the authors on walks and talks, in addition to occasional seminars indoors."
Tanya, Paul and Anna look forward to joining you at a table on the Agora in the centre of Hydra Town.
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WHAT'S THE WEATHER LIKE?
The temperature hovers around 19 Celcius, with warm days up to 24 or 25. it's mainly dry, a bit breezy, occasionally a wind might whip up, but people who really know and love this area of Greece know that this is the best time of the year to enjoy its charms without crowds, The water is still warm and it's lovely for swimming, (even into November).
It's a particularly good time of the year for trekking, and making the walks (on foot or by donkey) to the monasteries with their spectacular panoramas. And because its towards the end of "The Season' you're able to enjoy the excellent value offered to us by our hotel partner!
You have organised everything so beautifully, Anna!
Huge thanks for every day you pulled together for us
Gina S. Hydra retreat 2024
Writing by the Sea in Hydra - the Curator
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists and writers continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
Over the last 14 years, hundreds of people over dozens of retreats have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster. Our Writing and Painting Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively well beyond the retreat experience.
I would like to thank you for creating a most wonderful experience. From the sign up for the promise of a wonderful art journey, I have to say I was not disappointed at any stage of that journey with you.
Organizationally I appreciated the readings lists sent months before our start date giving a vibrant history of the island and its many celebrities, my favourite among them being A Theatre For Dreamers by Polly Samson.
Jill McKeon - Queensland, Australia. (2024 Retreat on Hydra)
>> Click here to read Jill's full commentary <<
I believe our 30 hours of art tuition ran to much more than stated as an additional tutoring at Phaedra was sometimes offered after the usual teaching block, to say nothing of the helpful discussions with you, the tutor and other members of the group at morning tea and lunch into evening meal. In all, many, many, hours of learning, sharing and having all round access to our tutor and to you as retreat leader.
I found that nothing was too much trouble for you. People wanting to change times or arrangements were always managed by you, with your usual aplomb.
Afternoon excursions were offered to the smaller coves and bays where people could swim, sketch and enjoy a meal at a local taverna. A day trip to Ermioni was one highlight of our time. What I call “the teachable moment” was an unscheduled session painting a palm tree using interesting techniques, led by our tutor as we arrived at our destination restaurant. We had a beautiful position overlooking the sea complete with a delicious lunch and a tutoring session during the afternoon.
Our tutor offered even more time after the retreat ended in the form of a 2 hour zoom session and notes on all the techniques we had practiced.
Lifelong learning is sharing of experiences and, as such, we often don’t realize just how much we have gained from others in the retreat asking questions, looking at work of others and continuing this learning in the pleasant informal activities that you provided.
The retreat certainly was everything that I had hoped for, fulfilling my expectations.
I can personally attest to this, my third wonderful retreat, especially after having a fall at the end of my time on Hydra necessitating a stay in the unique and charming Hydra hospital (not a feature of the retreat). Anna you were so thoughtful sending me Hilda with necessary clothing and support. She looked after me with the strictest supervision until I got the ferry back to the mainland. I think of you and Hilda warmly and gratefully.
I am ready to see where my next journey with Creative Retreats takes me.
Jill McKeon - Queensland, Australia. (2024 Retreat on Hydra)
Where does the retreat take place ?
For this retreat you'll stay at a 4.5 star, centrally located hotel for 6 very comfortable nights. Not only is the hotel just a few steps from the port front, on flat ground, in the Votsi area, at the head of the square filled with lemon trees, but it is only one of 2 hotels on the island with a lift (it's only 3-storeys).
It features a magnificent drawing room, a spacious breakfast salon, and a seminar area for our occasional indoor presentations.
What's the weather like?
October, for those in-the-know, is ideal ... the local people finally have the port to themselves, the frenetic quality and heat of summer has abated. It's perfect for walking, and enjoying days by the seaside without being too hot.
The temperature rises sharply in June, with average temperatures around 29.5 degrees C, through August averaging 32, until September with an average of 28, until October arrives with its balmy days around 24 degrees C.,. its perfect for swimming - the temperature of the water remains at 23 degrees which is the same as it is in June.
What does your Retreat include?
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You'll be met at the Hydra ferry terminal and transferred to your hotel
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Accommodation with Breakfast for 6 nights at 4.5 star hotel, own room with ensuite
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Welcome Dinner
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Farewell Dinner
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Daily seminars - on location - with Tanya Dalziell and Paul Genoni over 5 days
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Group Writing Workshops and discussions with facilitators
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Personal writing mentoring (should you choose to write on this retreat) from the facilitators
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2 water taxis trips
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National Museum visit
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Visit to the home and studio of Hydra's famous C.20th artist Panayotis Tetsis
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Reading list curated by the presenters
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Updates and on-going support for your travel arrangements from retreat curaor and organiser Anna
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gift bag with art/ writing goodies
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and many surprises ....
What's Not Included
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airfares
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ferry to and from Hydra from Piraeus (Athens)
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porterage between ferry and your hotel on Hydra (can be arranged, cost applies)
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your personal insurance
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all alcoholic and soft beverages
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any entrance tickets to places not described in the itinerary supplied on this site
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all personal expenses laundry, telephone etc.
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any boat taxis extra to those described in the itinerary (ie two one-way trips)
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any extra activities such as horse riding,
Charmian Clift and George Johnston at the ferry terminal on Hydra
GETTING THERE
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You fly into ATHENS AIRPORT : ATH - Eleftherious Venizelos
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YOUR RETREAT STARTS on DAY 1 (17 October) when we meet for our welcome drink prior to port tour followed by Welcome Dinner
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GETTING FROM ATHENS TO HYDRA
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The port of Piraeus is 30 minutes from Athens airport and central Athens by taxi.
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You can purchase your boat tickets AHEAD OF TIME online for about Euro 38-44 - several boat companies operate this route, so check here for the sailing time that best suits you:
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The RETREAT FINISHES after breakfast on DAY 6 (23 October)
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Extra nights may be available at the retreat hotel - enquire with Anna - please mention this on your booking form.
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GETTING FROM ATHENS TO HYDRA - be sure to NOT BOOK the last available boat if you are planning to fly out of Athens that night (just in case the sailing is delayed or cancelled ... rare but possible).
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