AL FRESCO RETREAT
October 5th - 9th 2026
Painting, natural dyeing, art de la table
“I don’t paint dreams or nightmares; I paint my own reality.” — Frida Kahlo
From the beginning, we dreamt of Mèlisses as a place where creative minds could gather, find inspiration and carry it back into the world. Through food, foraging, styling, photography and handmade crafts, we seek to preserve the beauty of Andros—this time through fabric, paint and canvas.
What sets this retreat apart is its beautifully circular approach to creativity. Ingredients gathered from the land become still-life compositions, meals in the kitchen and natural dyes—deepening our connection to nourishment, colour and place. Each element flows into the next, celebrating nature’s cycles while nurturing your creativity.
Join us as Andros provides endless inspiration: a Greek paradise in which to paint, draw and discover the craft of natural dyeing.
Kathryn Davey will share the art of extracting colour from local plants and hand-dyeing natural fabrics sustainably. Blakely Little will guide you through setting a scene, using your tools and understanding composition, colour and the creative process.
You’ll leave enriched by the beauty of Andros, carrying home your own artworks and naturally dyed pieces—a lasting trace of all you gathered, created and learned along the way.
***No experience is required. All workshops are suitable for every level.***
Meet the Hosts
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Self-taught designer and natural dyer based in Dublin, Ireland. During this retreat, she will teach you how to work with sustainably sourced, natural dyes. Kathryn discovered the beauty of working with natural dyes while raising her daughters in San Francisco many years ago, and since then, she has shared her extensive knowledge with passionate people from all over the world. She is committed to building a brand based on sustainable production, and her environmentally conscious approach, combined with her gentle charisma, make her one of Mèlisses’ favourite hosts.
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is an artist, illustrator and full-time creative from Charleston, South Carolina. You can connect Blakely’s artwork with her very personal expression of joy and beauty. She will be guiding us through various techniques and activities to spark inspiration as well as teaching new and unexpected approaches to painting and drawing to help us better articulate ourselves through art.
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Mèlisses’ founder and art director. Her knowledge of hospitality and gastronomy, combined with her photography and visual art skills, strikes the perfect balance on Andros. Born and raised in Abruzzo, Italy, Allegra opened Mèlisses at 24, creating a space for like-minded people to slow down, and seek visual inspiration. Featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Condé Nast Traveller, and more, her second home became more than a simple hospitality venue but rather a cherished and sought-after creative retreat for travellers, creatives, epicures, and many more worldwide. Every year, with her team, she hosts curated gatherings focused on discovering the island's wonders, each time with a different perspective and with fresh eyes.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Accommodation and use of all Mèlisses facilities. A boutique home, which comprises a main house, two saltwater pools, four beautiful accommodations, a seasonal vegetable garden with homegrown ingredients and wild herbs, a mini animal farm for our goats and chickens, and private access to the sea. Mèlisses captures old-world Mediterranean charm and offers a way of life that is authentic, inspirational and convivial.
All meals during the retreat, including sea view aperitivos, candle-lit dinners, lunches, breakfasts, and much more
Daily hands-on practices and sessions with your hosts
All materials and tools, and a welcome gift
All outings and excursions to get to know and document the island and its most secluded corners;
Check-in and check-out transfer from Gavrio port to Mèlisses and back
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare and/or transportation to and from the island.
Travel insurance (highly recommended).
Take a tour of Mèlisses
ROOMS & PRICING
Choose the room that feels most like yours—whether travelling solo or sharing with someone dear. Prices are per person and include transportation on the island, meals and activities during the retreat. Rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served basis.
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The Sea Urchin Suite
(Private room, ensuite bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.885
Shared with partner or friend: €3.400 per person -
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The Coral Cottage
Master Bedroom (private room, shared common areas) BOOKED
Solo: €3.750
Shared with partner or friend: €3.100 per person -
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The Coral Cottage
Bunk bed (private room, shared common areas) BOOKED
Solo: €2.950
Shared with a friend or another participant: €2.575 per person*Please note: Bunk Beds can be reserved individually (Top and Bottom). If you choose to book a single bunk bed, you will be responsible for paying the Solo price if no one else books the other bed.
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The Red Mullet Suite
(Private room, ensuite bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.885
Shared with partner or friend: €3.400 per person -
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Oyster Rooms
Room One (Independent room with shared bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.365
Shared with partner or friend: €2.835 per person -
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Oyster Rooms
Room Twe (independent room with shared bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.365
Shared with partner or friend: €2.835 per person
Practical Information, Payment, and Cancellation Policy
For more information, visit our full Q&A page here.
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From Athens or Mykonos
Andros can be accessed by ferry from Rafina (mainland Athens) or Mykonos.
Please take a look here to arrange a transfer between Athens/Mykonos Airport and the port – we recommend booking a private car in advance to avoid waiting in the long taxi queues!
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There are usually around four different ferries per day.
Typical off-season ferries from Rafina to Andros run at 7:30 AM, 7:50 AM, and 4:00 PM, though the schedule may vary.
You can consult updated timetables and book your tickets online here.
Ferry tickets may not be available far in advance, so to be safe, plan your flights to allow 3-4 hours between standard arrival and ferry departure.
Arriving 20 minutes before ferry departure is usually sufficient.
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You won’t need to rent a car for your trip; we'll handle transportation unless you decide to extend your stay beyond the retreat.
You also have the option of using taxis.
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Our policy is non-refundable due to the nature of this retreat. If you must cancel, we can accept a replacement.
*The retreat will be cancelled if we do not reach the minimum number of participants. If so, we will give you at least two months' notice before the scheduled start date, and we will refund your retreat deposit in full. Refunds will be made via international bank wire transfer only, and we can’t refund any travel arrangements you've made.
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To reserve your place, email us with your preferred room. Once availability is confirmed, we’ll send you a payment link for the €500 deposit. The remaining balance is due by bank transfer six months before the retreat.
As a reminder, your booking is non refundable
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Absoloutely.
We believe that this is a wonderful opportunity to meet like-minded people.
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The house can accommodate up to 12 guests; however, we typically host between 7-9.
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Each day usually includes one or two classes connected to the retreat, lasting about two hours, along with a small encounter with island life—a walk, a village visit, a swim, or a picnic. There are always a few hours left to rest, wander or simply be, before gathering around the table for seasonal meals.
Nothing is obligatory: you may skip a class for extra rest or, if inspiration takes over, linger a little longer with your hosts.
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We can help organise your few extra days with us. We can arrange transfers, visits to the Neoclassical capital of Chora, organic farms, beautiful beaches and some of our favourite taverns.
You can decide whether to rent a car or use taxis to get around, with complete independence.
JOIN US A DAY EARLIER
We recommend arriving a day early—both to allow for possible ferry delays and to ease gently into the retreat. Settle in, rest after your journey and enjoy a slow morning before we begin.
Prices start from €250 per person, depending on the room, and include breakfast. Check-in is from 3 pm, and check-out is by 11 am. Earlier arrivals and later departures may be arranged for an additional fee—please enquire :)
