SPOOL OF GOLDEN THREAD RETREAT
Hand weaving, cooking, exploring
September 22nd – 25th 2024
Late summer days on Andros are a magical thing. Though the air is warm and the days are long, a blanket of stillness settles as the island slows in preparation for end-of-year hibernation. During this time of year, we begin to crave comfort. Days are spent basking in the soft, hazy light, and nights are filled with cosy fires and warming plates of home-cooked food.
Join us to experience this magic during our hand-weaving workshop led by Maria Sigma, an expert in weaving and design. Maria will teach you the basics of frame weaving based on long-established traditional techniques and will lead you through creating your beautiful hand-woven textiles.
Together, we will learn the art of weaving and explore beautiful, unspoilt spaces around Andros with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea. We will soak up the final rays of Andros sun while Allegra prepares a menu with the island’s finest organic produce and gather around the table for hand-weaving classes and sharing delicious meals.
Here is some more practical information about the retreat:
WHERE:
Mèlisses, Andros, Greece.
WHEN:
September 22nd – 25th 2024
Check-in: From 11 AM (we will be serving all participants brunch and plan on having a few afternoon activities)
Check-out: By 11 AM (if you would like, you can extend your stay after the retreat – see below in the pricing section for more information)
YOUR HOSTS:
Maria Sigma - is an award-winning textile designer/weaver specialising in 'zero waste' ethical hand-woven textiles for interiors. She studied at Chelsea College of Art & Design, and since she graduated in 2014, she has developed her weaving practice in London. She is the author of ‘Weaving: the Art of Sustainable Textile Creation’ and teaches a Weaving From Waste Workshop. Her work uses exceptional natural materials to celebrate a timeless high aesthetic via 'zero waste' design and a slow-making ethic, combining a contemporary approach to traditional weaving techniques and focusing on raw natural materials and texture.
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 souls to slow down, embrace the Mediterranean lifestyle, 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:
Four days and three nights accommodation at Mèlisses;
All meals during the workshop, including all dinners, lunches, breakfasts, aperitivos/snacks, drinks and refreshments
A hands-on cooking class utilising the in-season bounty that Andros has to offer (pomegranates, grapes and pumpkins are at their best);
Three frame weaving classes hosted by Maria;
All activities and excursions, including visits to the town of Andros and hike to a secret cove on the Island;
Full use of Mèlisses’ facilities;
All transfers on the island to and from the house.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED:
Airfare and/or transportation to and from the island. Travel insurance (highly recommended).
ACCOMMODATION:
Mèlisses is a home away from home for the curious mind on the wild isle of Andros. Here, we aim to honour and embrace the local land. Located near the beautiful bay of Paleopoli where, underwater, you can still see ruins of the old city, it was once the main port of Andros. Your wake-up is with wide views of the extraordinary uninhabited island of Ghiaros, which is considered legendary and protected for its marine wildlife.
Isolated and remote, Mèlisses strongly embraces and celebrates the mindset and flair of the Mediterranean: slow living, taking in the seasons and bringing together a community of like-minded souls. This allows for a peaceful pace in each of our four accommodations. Inside, smart interior design is crafted with a mixture of Hellenic antique furniture and a hint of Italian extravagance, a careful blending of founder Allegra’s heritage in Abruzzo and her new home in Greece. Our outdoor spaces are designed for conviviality and breathtaking sea views, best experienced with one of our breakfast feasts – our favourite, local tsoureki bread french toast and figs from the tree. Not to forget our secret hidden swim spot, the perfect place to dive into bright blue waters and cool down on hot stones and the Aegean breeze.
This is Mèlisses.
HOW TO REACH US:
For this specific retreat, we encourage our participants to book the following ferry boat from Rafina port to Andros on the 22nd of September.
Superferry boat 7.50 am Rafina / Andros (1h 55 duration). Reserve here.
Please consult our Mèlisses guidelines and FAQs here for all details and extra information. We will be sure to share further information about your stay prior to your arrival including our curated guide to Athens. Do also take note you will not need to rent a car for your trip, we will take care of the transportation for you.
PRICING & ROOMS:
We have six unique rooms available for our guests. Whether you travel 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 workshop.
Prices below are per person and include accommodation, workshop, meals and activities. Reservations are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Equally, if you would like to extend your stay beyond the retreat, you can add on a night after the 25th of September.
The Sea Urchin suite (private room, ensuite bathroom)
Solo: €2.250
Shared with partner or friend: €1.900 per person
You can extend your stay (for the night of the 25th) 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: €2.250
Shared with partner or friend: €1.900 per person
You can extend your stay (for the night of the 25th) 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: €2.000
Shared with partner or friend: €1.700 per person
You can extend your stay (for the night of the 25th) 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: €1.650
Shared with a friend or another participant: €1.400 per personYou can extend your stay (for the night of the 25th) 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: €1.850
Shared with partner or friend: €1.550 per personRoom Two:
Solo: €1.850
Shared with partner or friend: €1.550 per personYou can extend your stay (for the night of the 25th) 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.
The itinerary is a guide, and we reserve the right to make changes in case of bad weather or unforeseen circumstances for which we may need to alter the order of our outings or replace them with something equally wonderful.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS:
You must agree to our Terms and Conditions to attend this retreat.
