Desired Essays: October Aegina Writing Retreat

Led by Anastasia Pappa
founder of Desired Landscapes

Desired Essays invites emerging, practicing, or published writers 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.  

Dates: 15–18 October, 2026
This October, Desired Essays leaves our screens and lands on Aegina – a small Greek island, an ode to simplicity, light, and art. Write with us, surrounded by lush greenery, deep blue waters, and the modernist legacy of Greece’s iconic Generation of the '30s.

Imagine quiet mornings of writing surrounded by lush greenery and sunset sea views, balanced with group outdoor writing sessions, 1:1 editing with me, and field trips to unique architectural landscapes.

The Intention
October in Greece is quiet, warm, and marks the final swimming weeks of the year. For four days, we will make the historic Nikolaou Residence our home and creative studio.

Our writing focus remains on the city – how we observe, navigate, and record urban landscapes. Surrounded by lush greenery, deep blue waters, and the modernist legacy of Greece’s iconic Generation of the '30s, we will slow down to sharpen our writing

Whether you are a regular participant of Desired Essays or joining us for the first time, you will leave with new pieces of writing, fresh perspectives, and a deeper understanding of how to transform personal observations into compelling stories.

This is a retreat about writing more intentionally: learning how to notice, how to reflect, and how to turn experiences into essays that stay with the reader.

A little extra: Chance to get published: If your text will be selected to be part of the Desired Essays publication, more rounds of feedback will follow to perfect it for print.

The Location & Mood
Nikolaou Residence is the former home and studio of painter Nikos Nikolaou and his wife Angela. In the 1960s, this estate became a legendary sanctuary for intellectuals and artists.

We will write from the very stone benches where the Aegina ‘gang’ – including Nikolaou, Moralis, Kapralos, and the Nobel laureate Elytis – gathered every afternoon to watch the sunset. This retreat is an invitation to step into their world, engaging with the same light and geometry that shaped Greek modernism.

The estate has been meticulously restored into six exquisite guesthouses. Every room still preserves the original artworks, furniture, and personal objects of the artist, maintaining an atmosphere of quiet, lived-in creativity.

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 the historic Nikolaou Residence, with full access to the estate's private grounds and creative corners.
• The Gatherings: Daily breakfast buffet at the residence and group dinners at local taverns, highlighting seasonal island flavors. 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 island’s creative geography led by a local artist and author.
  – A private tour of the Nikolaou Museum, culminating in a sunset writing session on the historic stone benches.
  – An exclusive excursion to the nearby Rodaki House, one of the world’s most significant examples of vernacular architecture and human scale, followed by a writing session in its garden.
  – An immersive culinary walk to discover the landscape and history behind Aegina’s world-famous pistachios.
• On-Island Transportation: All organized group transfers for our excursions during the retreat.

What is Not Included

• Flights and travel to and from Aegina.
• Travel insurance (required and strongly recommended).
• Transportation to and from Aegina island (ferry tickets).
• Transfers between Aegina port and Nikolaou Residence upon arrival/departure. (The estate is an easy, scenic 20-minute walk from the port, or a short taxi ride).

Getting to Aegina
Aegina is a straightforward, one-hour ferry ride from the port of Piraeus (Athens). Piraeus is easily accessible via the blue or green metro lines directly from Athens city center (a 30-minute ride from Syntagma Square) or Athens Airport.
You may book your ferry ticket in advance, but keep in mind that tickets for October do not sell out easily.

Arrival & Departure

• Check-in: Please plan to arrive on the island by mid-afternoon. We will begin gathering around 3:00 pm, with our first session at 4:00 pm.
• If you arrive earlier, I highly recommend taking advantage of the season's last warm swims before we begin.
• 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. Aegina is compact, our schedule is beautifully full, and all group transportation for our excursions is fully taken care of.

Rooms & Pricing 
We have exactly six unique suites available. Each room carries its own architectural character and layout. Whether you are traveling solo or wishing to share a room with a partner or friend, please review the configurations below.
Prices are per person and include the complete workshop curriculum, four days of luxury accommodation, two meals, museum entry fees, and private field excursions.

• Fistiki (The Private Studio Suite)
  The property’s ultimate secluded retreat, offering elevated, sweeping views over the pistachio groves and the Aegean sea. Features a private entrance, a queen-size bed, a private bathroom, and a fully equipped kitchenette.
  • Solo Occupancy: €855
  • Shared (with a partner or friend): €644 per person
• Luisa & Rhodi (The Connected Garden Suites)
  Spacious, 42-square-meter suites unfolding across two beautifully curated, interconnected rooms (separated by an open architectural layout rather than a door). Each suite features a main bedroom with a queen-size bed, a separate light-filled sitting area with a convertible double sofa bed, a kitchenette, a desk, and a private terrace facing the garden oasis.
  • Double Occupancy (Fits 2): €633 per person
  Note: Priority of bed selection (Queen vs. Double Sofa Bed) is given to the earliest booking.
• Levanta & Elia (The Courtyard Studios)
  Elegant, 30-square-meter ground-floor hideaways characterized by a soft, calming color palette and bespoke details. Each studio offers a main sleeping area with a queen-size bed, a comfortable sitting area with a convertible sofa bed, a compact kitchenette, and a private courtyard patio perfect for morning reading.
  • Double Occupancy (Fits 2): €555 per person
  Note: Priority of bed selection (Queen vs. Double Sofa Bed) is given to the earliest booking.
• Daphne (The Grand Upper Suite)
  The most expansive residence at over 50 square meters, located on the upper level of the main building with dramatic, panoramic sea views. Divided into two entirely distinct rooms by a central bathroom and kitchenette, it features a grand terrace with a shaded pergola. Ideal for small groups or friends traveling together.
  • Triple Occupancy (Fits 3):
  • Master Room (1 Queen Bed): €590 for solo occupancy
  • Secondary Room (2 Single Beds): €549 per person

>> These are Early Bird prices, valid till Friday 26th <<

Booking & Cancellation Policy
Payment: To secure your spot, a first installment or full payment is required upon registration via bank wire transfer.
Invoices: To receive the official 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 Nikolaou Residence.
If you would like to combine this trip with Athens, I curated a Desired list of accommodations to enjoy your stay.

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