art retreats under
the sun of Crete
Myrsini Alexandridi
13 - 17 May 2026
Beya Rebai
23 - 28 September 2026
FULLY BOOKED
Carolyn Gavin
4 -11 May 2026
FULLY BOOKED
THE EXPERIENCE
Dear Island invites you into a holistic experience where art, nature, and imagination intertwine. Set against the wild beauty of Crete, this retreat embraces the island’s rhythm — its hospitality, its flavors, its slower pace — to awaken creativity both personal and shared.
Mornings begin in the garden, with breakfasts and lunches freshly prepared from Cretan delicacies, fragrant with olive oil and herbs. Between creative sessions, you might drift into the pool’s cool water or wander down to the quiet, untouched beach nearby.
As the sun begins to set, we’ll gather for dinners at Gramvousa, the village’s beloved farm-to-table restaurant, savoring dishes made from the land that surrounds us. And perhaps, after, we’ll raise a glass to the sea and the colors of the evening sky.
This is a space to connect — with kindred spirits, with nature, and with your own creative flow — in an atmosphere of ease, inspiration, and shared discovery.
THE VENUE
Dear island art retreats are held in the picturesque village of Kaliviani, located in the northwest part of Crete, just 44 km from Chania city and about an hour’s drive from Chania airport. Surrounded by olive groves, the village offers a few small shops, traditional tavernas, and restaurants, and is only a 20-minute walk from the nearest beach.
The masterclasses take place in a charming 100-year-old stone villa featuring five bedrooms and stunning views of both the mountains and the sea. The ground floor preserves its original arches and fireplace, as well as the stone chimney on the façade. A large table on the spacious veranda will serve as our main working area, while the lush garden—with its expansive swimming pool—is open for everyone to enjoy throughout the day.
Just below the main villa lies the cave studio where the guest teachers will be hosted. This unique space, first inhabited around 1850 and later was used to store agricultural products such as olive oil, wheat, and wine. During World War II, it even served as a refuge for many local residents.
To link the past with the present, a new building was constructed in 2019 just across the street. Designed to accommodate three guests, it shares the same breathtaking mountain and sea views and stands as a contemporary continuation of the villa’s enduring story.
Who are these retreats for?
For designers, artists, visual creators or just
curious spirits eager to experiment, play, unlearn and connect with their wildest and most symbolic imaginary. We welcome beginners as well as professionals alike.