Desired Essays: September Andros Writing Retreat

Led by Anastasia Pappa
Editor and Publisher of Desired Landscapes

Desired Essays invites writers, creatives, and travelers into the editorial spirit of Desired Landscapes – a space for personal, experimental, sharp, and concise writing. 
You’ll learn how to craft text with the same attention to form, angle, and tone that defined the magazine. While our focus remains on the city, we’ll use the landscape of Andros to sharpen our observation and experiment with ways of writing about place – at the intersection of the poetic and the critical – to develop your own voice and projects.

 

The schedule
This September (24–27), Desired Essays leaves our screens and lands on Andros – a Cycladic Greek island, known for its rich maritime history, natural springs, and neoclassical Chora. 

Whether you are a regular participant or joining us for the first time, this four-day retreat is open to anyone looking to take their writing further, whether you're working on an essay, a book chapter, a newsletter, or something entirely your own. We’ll share the same tools and methods, while leaving you free to write at your own pace and format.

Imagine early swims and quiet writing sessions surrounded by lush greenery before the day begins. After a breakfast buffet, our morning class will spark your writing flow, followed by uninterrupted time to focus on your work. Around lunchtime, the editor of Desired Landscapes, Anastasia Pappa, will offer 1:1 editing sessions to accelerate your process, before we head out on a group field trip through Andros's architectural landscapes to gather new perspectives for the evening outdoor writing session. Back at the villa, we'll watch the sunset, perhaps jot down a few final notes, enjoy dinner by our private chef, before ending the day under a sky full of stars, letting everything settle until morning.

The schedule is designed to leave space for swimming, reflection, conversation, and rest – because writing benefits from a refreshed mind. You'll leave with new work, practical writing and editorial tools, and a deeper understanding of your voice.

The Villas
September is the perfect window to experience Andros without its usual winds, marking the final swimming weeks of the season. For four days, the secluded Petres will become our home and creative studio. Surrounded by a quiet green valley of olive and platanus trees, with endless views of the Aegean and under a sky full of stars, we will slow down to sharpen our writing. 

Petres – meaning stones in Greek – is an estate designed, cared for, and hosted by the Stamatelatos sisters, whose collective story appeared in Desired Landscapes Issue 07 about Hamburg's waterfront.

Conceived by Tatiany and her father, both architects, the estate celebrates the raw, material reality of the Cyclades. Built entirely from the rocks and stones excavated from the ground it stands on, the architecture honors local natural resources while maintaining a profound respect for the surrounding landscape and the Cycladic architectural traditions.

The estate features three independent villas split across three levels of the private valley, ideal for offering solitary corners for deep, quiet writing, alternating with shared, open areas for intimate group conversations under the Aegean sky. 

Villas & Full Retreat Pricing

The estate is composed of three distinct villas – Avra, Petra, and Riza – each featuring two private, independent rooms, and a private pool that opens onto a shared, expansive sea-view balcony.

While each villa carries its own distinct layout, they all feature a communal living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and dedicated desk surfaces for writing. Whether you are traveling solo or wishing to share a space with a partner or friend, please review the configurations below. Rooms are allocated on a strict first-come, first-served basis.

Prices are per person and include the complete workshop curriculum, accommodation, all meals, museum entries, and field excursions.

• The Master Suites (En-Suite Bathroom)
  Available in all three villas (Avra, Petra, and Riza). A spacious, light-filled private bedroom featuring its own dedicated en-suite bathroom and direct access to the villa's shared panoramic veranda.
  • Solo Occupancy: €940 [ONLY ONE LEFT!]
  • Shared (with a partner or friend): €715 per person

• The Veranda Rooms (Separate Private Bathroom)
  Available in all three villas (Avra, Petra, and Riza). An independent, quiet private bedroom with its own designated separate bathroom located just across the hall within the villa. Offers direct access to the outdoor living spaces.
  • Solo Occupancy: €849
  • Shared (with a partner or friend): €669 per person

 

What is Included 

• The Workshop & Mentorship: Intensive daily group writing sessions, structured assignments, and dedicated daily 1:1 editorial consultations with Anastasia to review, critique, and sharpen your texts.

• The Living Space: Four days and three nights at Petres, with full access to the estate's private grounds and creative corners.

• The Gatherings: Daily breakfast buffet and group dinners at the residence by a private chef. Fresh fruits and snacks will be available in your rooms.

• The Writing Kit: A curated collection of writing tools, assignment briefs, and a custom Desired Landscapes notebook to sustain your creative momentum long after the retreat.

• Curated Field Trips:
  – An intimate introduction to the Greek islands, through a rare collection of print tourist guides from the 40s to the 60s.
  – A visit to the village of Menites to experience the island’s water springs, followed by an outdoor writing session.
  – A private tour of a Museum.
  – An excursion to the Chora of Andros, known for its neoclassical architecture, followed by a photo safari and an outdoor writing session.

• On-Island Transportation: All organized group transfers for our excursions during the retreat.

 

What is Not Included

• Flights and travel to and from Andros.

• Travel insurance (required and strongly recommended).

• Transportation to and from Andros island (ferry tickets).

• Transfers between Andros port and Petres upon arrival/departure. (The estate is a 20min taxi ride).

 

Getting to Andros
Andros is a straightforward, one-hour ferry ride from the port of Rafina (Athens). Rafina is accessible via KTEL (1 hour from Nomismatokopio metro station), Airport Bus (30–40 min), or taxi. Book your 14:20 ferry ticket. If you’re flying to Greece, you may prefer to fly directly to Mykonos and take a 1,5–2,5hour ferry from there.

Arrival & Departure

• Check-in: Please plan to arrive on the island by mid-afternoon. We will begin gathering around 4:00 pm, with our first session at 7:00 pm, allowing time for an afternoon swim.

• Check-out: By 12:00 PM.

• Prior to arrival, you will receive a detailed itinerary along with my signature Pocket Map of Athens to help you navigate your transit.

Getting Around
You do not need to rent a car. Our schedule is beautifully full, and all group transportation for our excursions is fully taken care of.

 

Booking & Cancellation Policy

Payment: To secure your spot, the first instalment is due upon registration and can be paid via Shopify. The second instalment is due by 23 August and can be paid either via bank transfer or through Shopify.

Invoices: To receive an invoice for your expenses, please leave a note with your company's info. Otherwise, I will issue a receipt, and I won't be able to change that later on.

Cancellations: Due to the intimate size and logistical nature of this retreat, all payments are strictly non-refundable. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, you may transfer your spot to another writer. I may be able to help with that. Meanwhile, I require all participants to hold valid travel insurance to cover unexpected cancellations.

Minimum Attendance: In the rare event that the retreat does not meet its minimum occupancy, the workshop will be canceled. You will be notified at least one month in advance, and your deposit/payment will be refunded 100% via international bank wire. Please note I cannot refund any independently booked travel arrangements (flights/trains).

Extending Your Stay
If you would like to spend additional days on the island before or after the retreat, I would be happy to provide information about availability at Petres.
If you would like to combine this trip with Athens or Tinos, I curated a Desired list of accommodations to enjoy your stay.

Questions and requests at hello[@]desired-landscapes.com