PAINTING IN CRETE

Join me this Spring for an incredible painting retreat on the idyllic Greek island of Crete.

May 4th - 11th, 2026 - CONFIRMED 

AVAILABLE ACCOMMODATION AT THIS TIME:

1 PRIVATE ROOM WITH SHARED BATHROOM WITH ONE GUEST.

1 ROOM AND LOFT WITH ENSUITE for 2 or 3 guests sharing.

8 days, 7 nights and 6 days of painting + 2 excursions, yoga class and cooking class.

Pack your bags, paints and brushes and spend your days chillin’, swimming, creating, eating and unwinding. The month of May in Crete is warm, breezy and an idyllic time before the crowds and high season.

I hope you come with me to paint and explore Crete together!

There is a maximum of 10 spots available. See choice of rooms below.

THE VENUE:

We will be staying at the luxurious 100 year old stone Villa Patriko and more contemporary Villa Balos. Two unique properties which are next to each other in the tiny village of Kaliviani Kissamou. Elements of Cretan life remain there to this day, with traditional coffee shops and tavernas. (population 60)

Take a dip in the pool or visit the beautiful and famed Falasarna beach with the endless sand, the exotic Elafonisi and the breathtaking lagoon of Balos. 

The menu will be plant forward catering to vegan, vegetarian and pescatarian diets. 

Breakfast and lunch will be at the villa. Dinner will be at Gramboussa Restaurant every night. A traditional farm to table Cretan experience with fresh produce and olive oil harvested from their garden. 

We also have movie nights planned for some after dinner relaxation before bedtime.

PAINTING:

We’ll be doing watercolour, gouache, acryla gouache, collage and pen and ink. Exploring florals, landscape, cakes, fruit, still life and abstract in a variety of styles, techniques and mediums. I’ll be doing a much loved hands-on approach with detailed one-on-one instruction. A fabulous group collaborative painting on the last day with a theme to be decided. Bonding with like minded souls and making lasting friends. All levels of painting are welcome!

Painting will take place at the villa morning and afternoons. We will also be painting in the gardens of the Gramboussa Restaurant as well the Botanical gardens.

TRIPS AND WORKSHOPS:

We have a morning trip organized to visit the beautiful Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete. We will explore and paint here and then delight in an included traditional lunch at the Restaurant. Typical Greek and Cretan resident traditional cuisine will be served with ingredients coming from their vegetable garden as well as herbs and fruit coming from the park.

Additionally a 11/2 hour yoga class is planned, cooking class learning how to prepare the local Zucchini flower dish plus a drive to visit the beautiful Balos lagoon. 

INCLUDED:

• 7 nights accommodation, 8 days and 6 days of painting instruction.
• Round trip transport to and from Chania Airport to be co-ordinated for a timed pickup for all guests. 
  
• All meals including 8 breakfasts, 7 lunches and 8 dinners.
• Wine and Raki complimentary with dinner. 
• Daily coffee, tea and snacks (you must try the delicious home made herbal teas by the owner!)
• All trips including the Botanical Gardens, yoga, the Balos lagoon and beach and cooking class.

NOT INCLUDED:

• Airfare to and from Crete.
• Art materials. 
• Insurance - you will need travel, medical and cancellation insurance.
• Pickup from airport and/or drop off if you are arriving earlier, leaving later than the scheduled transport and check in times of the start and finish of the retreat.

DEPOSITS, REFUNDS AND CANCELLATIONS:

A deposit of half is required after registration and signup. Details will be sent out to you after your registration form is submitted. A refund for your deposit can only be issued within 1 month of signing up, if you have a change of plans. Second and final payment is due 15th March, 2026. All funds after that are non refundable due to planning and logistics. If I have to cancel, due to sickness, family emergency or force majeure, I reserve the right to defer the retreat to such time as and when it is preferable. If the Villa organizer has to cancel for any reason as above, we reserve the right to defer the retreat to such time as and when it is preferable.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

For this retreat to be guaranteed, we need to have a minimum of 6 signed guests.
The venue has single and double rooms as well as the separate Villa Balos with 3 private rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

There is enough room for 10 participating guests. An information packet will be sent out soon after signup. The packet will also include a suggested materials list, a full itinerary (subject to change) as well as more information on visiting Crete, the venue and a packing list.

In this packet, you will need to fill out a form with your details, including any dietary restrictions and travel insurance. Travel plans will be sent directly to the venue organizer who will be arranging your transfers and dietary needs.

The retreat starts and ends exactly on the dates specified -

Check in - May 4th, 4:00 pm     

Check out - May 11th, 11:00 am

Extra days prior and after are your own responsibly. If you would like to stay at the Villa before and after, you will need to discuss this with the venue organizer. If this is to be the case, you will be responsible for your own transfers to and from the villa and payment for your extra time spent. 

NOTE: A schedule of flights from Athens will be provided and a suggested time will be allocated) If this is not possible due to your itinerary, you will be responsible for your own one way taxi transfer.

INSURANCE:

You will need travel (flight cancellation), medical (in case of an emergency or you get sick and need to see a doctor or go to the hospital) and any other insurance you have, and you will need to provide me with this information.

COVID:

All recommended immunizations are advised, as well as a covid 19 rapid test of proof of being covid free before commencement of the retreat. If you arrive and you're sick, you will need to quarantine in your room. We cannot afford to have anyone else sick or myself. If you get sick during the trip, please let everybody know as soon as you can, so we can keep everybody as healthy as possible. It is advised to bring some testing kits with you.

TAXES:

All relevant taxes are included in the cost.

TIPPING:

All tipping is included but you’re welcome to share the love, especially on our excursion, local lunches and for the person who services your room.

WAITLIST:

If this retreat is sold out and you would like to be added to the waitlist, please email me at: carolynjennygavin@gmail.com OR any questions or concerns you may have.

Also If you would like to bring a non participating partner, please contact me for pricing.

THANK YOU AND HOPE TO SEE YOU IN CRETE, Carolyn 

PRIVATE ROOM - $5600.00 USD (SOLD OUT)

PRIVATE ROOM with shared bathroom - $5200.00 USD (1 LEFT)

LOFT with private room and loft with 2 beds. Sharing at $5200.00 USD each. 

A deposit is due upon confirmation of your booking and the balance is due March 15th 2026.