Our Retreat Story
Retreat in Crete is a week-long journey for the senses and the spirit, set in the olive-covered hills of Western Crete. Designed for curious travelers who crave depth over speed, this intimate retreat (6–12 guests) thoughtfully blends hands-on experiences with local artisans, chefs, and scholars, with immersive visits to hidden villages, ancient ruins, and family-run wineries. Rather than rigid itineraries, we embrace spontaneous discoveries and allow time for the unexpected moments that make travel transformative. Guests stay in a traditional stone villa and explore Crete through its food, myths, music, and enduring hospitality. Led by Vasilis and Holly—a Greek-American couple with deep ties to the island—this retreat balances professional curation with organic flow, creating space for serendipity alongside meaningful experiences. It's an invitation to slow down, taste and listen deeply, and connect with the land, its stories, and the people who carry them. Whether you're drawn by history, cuisine, or a desire for authentic travel, you'll leave with more than memories: you'll leave feeling rooted.
Holly Hueston
Holly brings warmth, curiosity, and a talent for hospitality to the retreat experience. With a background in nonprofit financial management and a lifelong love of travel, art, history, food, and learning, she helps create a welcoming environment where guests feel both inspired and at home. A passionate watercolor artist, Holly has spent many years painting the landscapes and light of Greece, capturing the essence of the country she has come to know so intimately. Over the years, she and Vasilis have traveled through Crete not as tourists, but as slow explorers—connecting with everyday life, people, and stories. This retreat is her invitation to others to experience the island the way they do: with wonder, care, and joy.
Vasilis Geronymakis
Born in Crete and raised among the island's history and traditions, Vasilis comes from a family of hotel owners and spent more than 15 years in Greece's hospitality industry before moving to the U.S. as an adult, where he built a successful career as a real estate broker. With an MBA in marketing and a deep love for culture, philosophy, and storytelling, he brings both strategic thinking and soulful insight to every journey he designs. His extensive background in Greek hospitality, combined with years of returning to Crete with Holly to explore its villages, kitchens, vineyards, and quiet corners, gives him an authentic insider's perspective. This retreat is his way of sharing the Crete he knows—honest, layered, and alive.