All Retreats

THE SHAPE OF THE LIGHT RETREAT

Photography, marble sculpting, cooking

September 29th – October 3rd 2025

NOTES:

This needs to be reviewed and adjusted to October this time and perhaps tweaked a little so it feels new/fresh :)

Sometimes a swim in the sea is the best way to meditate and de-stress, but what if you could also learn a new craft and engage with your artistic senses while overlooking Aegean sunsets with a glass of local wine? May is an extraordinary time of the year here in Greece. It is just the beginning of summer (well, really, the final days of spring), with sea waters beginning to warm and a sense of excitement as the island gets ready for the season.

This intimate workshop will engage your primordial senses and create meditative space through working with raw, unpolished material. You will simultaneously be able to document the whole process and the beautiful island of Andros through photography. Exploring the island will inspire you, whether on hikes through lush areas with breathtaking sea views, outings to beautiful villages, or simply sunbathing in the light of golden hour.No matter your level of expertise, this retreat is open to everyone and will provide a comprehensive and creative approach to your journey.

Tom is a professional sculptor and extensive connoisseur of natural stones. He will guide you through the process of marble sculpting. From mountain extraction to sculpting, students will learn about this ancient form of art and the various sculpting techniques and tools. Each participant will get to practice these techniques and create their very own marble object to take home.

Lucy will introduce you to storytelling through photography and the thoughtful curation of settings on the island to inspire and support your visual journey. She will share her photographic approach in a dynamic, versatile way by exploring the island and its locals and using various props and subjects.

***No experience is required for this retreat. All of our workshops are suitable for all levels.

YOUR HOSTS:

  • Tom von Kaenel -  is a Swiss-born sculptor and painter. Alongside his wife Priska, he is the founder of Kalodromo, a line of bespoke Naxian marble objects and sculptures. The Greek island of Naxos has been his home and greatest source of inspiration throughout his artistic journey. Each of his objects or sculptures is unique in form and character.

  • Lucy Laucht - is a travel, fashion, and lifestyle photographer devoted to working with natural light. Her images have been featured in major magazines, including Elle, Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden, and Vogue. Lucy's analog and digital work is imbued with a strong sense of story, and her transportive photographs capture the essence of every destination she visits. Each scene sheds light on the soul of a place and the people who live within it.

  • 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. Melisses 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: €
Shared with partner or friend: € 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: €
Shared with partner or friend: € 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 Coral Cottage

  • Master Bedroom (private room, shared common areas)

    Solo: €
    Shared with partner or friend: € 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: €
    Shared with a friend or another participant: € 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. 

    **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: €
    Shared with partner or friend: € per person

  • Room Two:

    Solo: €
    Shared with partner or friend: € 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: