“I don’t paint dreams or nightmares; I paint my own reality.” - Frida Kahlo.
From the beginning, we dreamt of using Mèlisses as a space to bring creative minds together to become inspired and then share their newfound inspiration with the world. While working with food, foraging, styling, photography, and handmade crafts, we aim to preserve the beauty surrounding us on Andros. This time through new mediums: fabrics, painting and canvas.
What sets this retreat apart is its beautifully circular approach to creativity. Every element of the experience is interwoven: ingredients sourced from the land are used as compositional vignettes, brought to life as meals in the kitchen, then repurposed for natural dyeing, the ingredients inspiring our connection to land, nourishment, colour and creativity. This holistic process celebrates the cycles and beauty of nature while nurturing your creativity.
Join us for this wonderful gathering, during which Andros will provide endless inspiration for painting or drawing a Greek paradise and a stunning setting for learning about and practising the craft of working with natural dyes
Kathryn Davey will share the wisdom of working with plant-extracted dyes forged from the surrounding area and about hand-dyeing natural fabrics in a sustainable way. Blakely Little will delve into all the elements required by a work of art. From setting a scene, using tools properly and understanding creative processes to the fundamentals of composition and colour palette, enhancing your creativity lesson after lesson.
You'll walk away from this retreat feeling enriched and inspired by the stunning beauty of Andros. There’s something wholesome and cyclical with every element of this retreat – from sourcing ingredients from the land, preparing meals in the kitchen with what we have foraged, using the scraps for natural dying, all along painting what we see as we go. Then, of course, you will be able take a set of bespoke artworks and naturally dyed items home.
***No experience is required for this retreat. All of our workshops are suitable for all levels..
YOUR HOSTS:
Kathryn Davey - is a 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.
Blakely Little - 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.
Allegra Pomilio - 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).
PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Please consult our Mèlisses guidelines and FAQs HERE for all details and extra information
We will share further information about your stay before arrival, including our curated tour guide to Athens and other useful details
Please note that you will not need to rent a car for your trip; we will take care of the transportation for you unless you decide to extend your stay beyond the retreat
HOW TO REACH US:
A two-hour ferry ride from Athens (Rafina) or Mykonos harbours
Book your private transfer from Athens or Mykonos airports to the port HERE
Check-in: Book your 7.50 am ferry ticket Rafina - Andros HERE (we will serve brunch soon after you’ve settled in).
Please keep in mind that you may be unable to book your ferry tickets long in advance (especially during low season period)
Check out: By noon
PRICING & ROOMS:
We have six unique rooms available for our guests. Whether you are travelling solo or wish to share accommodation with friends or partners, please review the rooms ahead of time, as you will be required to select your desired room when reserving a spot in the retreat.
Prices below are per person and include accommodation, workshop, meals and activities. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
You can extend your stay at Mèlisses beyond the retreat for an additional night or more.
The Sea Urchin suite (private room, ensuite bathroom)
Solo: €3.700
Shared with partner or friend: €3.250 per person
You can extend your stay for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
The Red Mullet suite (private room, ensuite bathroom)
Solo: €3.700
Shared with partner or friend: €3.250 per person
You can extend your stay for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
Master Bedroom (private room, shared common areas)
Solo: €3.550
Shared with partner or friend: €2.995 per person
You can extend your stay for an additional €350 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
Bunk bed** (private room, shared common areas)
Solo: €2.800
Shared with a friend or another participant: €2.450 per personYou can extend your stay for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
**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. If you have any questions about this, please contact us at info@melissesandros.com
The Oyster rooms (two independent rooms with one shared bathroom)
Room One:
Solo: €3.200
Shared with partner or friend: €2.700 per personRoom Two:
Solo: €3.200
Shared with partner or friend: €2.700 per person
You can extend your stay for an additional €250 per night. The cost is to be considered per person. We also work as a regular B&B.
*If you would like to extend your trip beyond the retreat, 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. We do need to specify that this is an extra fee as part of your extended stay and not part of the retreat. We only include breakfast as categorised by our B&B offering.
CANCELLATION POLICY AND PAYMENT:
To participate, full payment will be required upon registration, paid through a bank wire transfer.
Please know that there will be NO REFUNDS due to the nature of this retreat. If you must cancel, we can accept someone to take your place. You must have your travel insurance to participate. Please contact us for any additional information.
*The retreat will be cancelled if we do not reach the minimum number of participants. If this is the case, you will be given at least two months' notice before the scheduled start day of the workshop, and your retreat deposit will be refunded 100%. Refunds will be through international bank wire transfers only, and we won’t be able to refund any travel arrangements made.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to attend this retreat.
