Food and Words
Creative writing, cooking, and art de la table
October 13th – 17th 2026
Food is never just food. It is a memory, a moment recaptured in a mouthful. It is friendship, it is love, it is celebration.
We have many means of expression, but two of the most lasting and the most poignant are through language and through food. This retreat will explore both of these themes and the inherent link between them.
Set against the beautiful backdrop of Andros in early autumn, we will use nature and its abundance as our primary inspiration and try to encapsulate its beauty both in words and culinary creations. The beginning of Autumn provides the perfect bridge between early morning swims in the sparkling Aegean sea and a warming cup of herbal tea, paired with fresh, homemade bread, butter, and wild thyme honey.
This season and its mellow fruitfulness provide fertile ground for the creation of both deliciously memorable dishes and meaningful creative writing born of our own memories, whether they are food-related or not. Lemons, pumpkins, and persimmons pop up around the landscape, and in Letitia’s hands they will become the most wholesome meals, shared over a glass of natural wine. This retreat is a chance to get inspired and explore your own inner creativity through the intersection between food and words.
Jay will guide us through uncovering our creativity on paper, allowing small, unpretentious writing sessions throughout the day to tickle our imagination. As with all our retreats, this combination of words and food provides a feast for the senses, and ultimately serves as a springboard for your own creative impulses, allowing you the time and space to dream, to absorb inspiration from your surroundings and to meet like-minded people.
You’ll also have time to chat and learn from Letitia about her cooking and the process behind the creation of a cookbook, as well as the dishes she makes.
As ever, this retreat will culminate in a perfect, beautifully curated supper inspired by Andros’ bounty. Allegra will share her seemingly inimitable talent of creating a perfect Table setting, inspired by both the Andros landscape and your newly acquired skills.
***No experience is required for this retreat. All of our workshops are suitable for all levels.
Meet the Hosts
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Is a poet, educator, and psychotherapist based in Brooklyn. He is the author of Love the Stranger (YesYes Books, 2015) and The Umbrian Sonnets (PANK Books, 2020). A former Wallace Stegner Fellow at Stanford University, his poems have been featured in the Guggenheim Museum, The Slowdown, and Poem-a-Day and have been published in Best American Poetry, Poetry Magazine, and elsewhere. He has taught at Columbia University and Sarah Lawrence College and is the director of the Brooklyn Poets Mentorship Program.
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Is a food writer, illustrator and chef. Born and raised in Devon, she gained a degree and Masters in English Literature before pursuing her other passion and training as a chef. She worked in some of London’s top restaurants, including Spring, Moritoand The Dock Kitchen. In 2017, she moved from East London to Sardinia and began writing about food, as well as painting and illustrating. Her first book, Bitter Honey: Recipes and Stories from the Island of Sardinia, was highly commended by the Guild of Food Writers and the New York Times. Her second and third books, La Vita è Dolce, Wild Figs and Fennel, are also highly reputable in the food world. Currently, she’s busy building her own Agriturismo in Sardinia and finishing her latest book. She has written for/contributed to/been featured in CN Traveller, The Times, The Telegraph and The NYT.
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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).
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: €3.750
Shared with partner or friend: €3.150 per person -
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The Coral Cottage
Master Bedroom (private room, shared common areas) BOOKED
Solo: €3.600
Shared with partner or friend: €2.900 per person -
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The Coral Cottage
Bunk bed (private room, shared common areas) BOOKED
Solo: €2.900
Shared with a friend or another participant: €2.450 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: €3.750
Shared with partner or friend: €3.150 per person -
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Oyster Rooms
Room One (Independent room with shared bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.250
Shared with partner or friend: €2.700 per person -
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Oyster Rooms
Room Two (independent room with shared bathroom) BOOKED
Solo: €3.250
Shared with partner or friend: €2.700 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 :)
