What if you could spend a week painting, exploring and dreaming beside the Aegean Sea?
Imagine waking up to the sound of the sea, painting beneath the Greek sun, exploring ancient landscapes, and ending your days with laughter, delicious Greek food and sunsets over the water.
For this retreat, we’ll travel to the beautiful middle peninsula of Halkidiki in northern Greece, where turquoise waters meet pine-covered landscapes and the echoes of ancient Greece are everywhere. Just a short journey from Thessaloniki, this beautiful corner of Greece feels a world away from everyday life.
Inspired by the gods, goddesses, symbols and stories of this extraordinary land, we’ll explore Greece through art and watercolor — creating paintings that are not simply illustrations of mythology, but personal interpretations of the magic and energy these ancient stories still hold.
This retreat is for artists, dreamers and anyone drawn to the beauty of Greece. No previous experience is necessary — just bring your curiosity, your sketchbook and a little bit of your own magic. There will also be space to breathe, soften and reconnect — allowing the sea, the ancient landscape and our shared creative journey to nourish something deeper within.
An intimate seaside retreat, exclusively ours
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For the duration of the retreat, the hotel and its beautiful seaside grounds will be exclusively reserved for us, giving us a rare opportunity to enjoy this spectacular setting in privacy. (The restaurant will remain open to the public.)
Our days will unfold between creativity, discovery and simply being. We’ll paint beside the sea, wander through ancient landscapes, explore the myths and symbols of Greece, and slow down through guided meditations and oracle readings that invite us to quiet the mind and connect more deeply with the land and ourselves.
There will be plenty of adventure and exploration, balanced with time to swim, rest, linger over delicious Greek cuisine at one of Sithonia’s most highly regarded restaurants, watch the sunset and share laughter with a wonderful group of women.
Nothing needs to be rushed — this is your invitation to leave everyday life behind for a while, to breathe deeply, reconnect with yourself and immerse yourself in the beauty, inspiration and ancient magic of Greece.
My retreat with Katrina was so much more than an opportunity to paint. Katrina is wonderfully creative, soft-spoken, extremely kind and generous, watchful without ever being intrusive, and incredibly encouraging. Everything was meticulously planned, from the choice of a beautiful, scenic and wonderfully relaxing venue to the cultural and natural excursions, with thoughtful surprises and unexpected gifts along the way. Meditation and resonant experiences offered gentle opportunities for self-reflection, while the caring, fun companionship made the whole experience feel both nurturing and joyful. I came because I wanted to break away from realism and begin using my imagination more freely, and Katrina is exactly the right person to help nurture that desire- – Wendy K.
September 21st – 28th, 2027
Limited spots available
Private room with en-suite bathroom — choice of Seafront or Seaview rooms
Price: EURO 5,700
€700 non-refundable deposit secures your spot (Balance due March 21st, 2027)
Accompanying Spouses/partners not participating in art classes are welcome to join if sharing the same room Additional per partner Euro 2,500
What We’ll Explore Together
Paint the Spirit of Greece
- Create beautiful watercolor pieces inspired by the sea, landscapes, myths and ancient stories of Greece, allowing the colours and atmosphere of the land to guide our paintings.
Bring Mythology to life
- Draw inspiration from the gods and goddesses of Greece, exploring their stories, qualities and symbols and weaving them into our own creative interpretations.
Finding Freedom in Watercolor
- Explore color, learn to be bold with your palette, and let go of the fear of making mistakes. Through playful exercises and experimentation, we’ll learn to trust the watercolor process and discover how freeing it can be when we stop trying to control every brushstroke.
Gather Inspiration from the Land
- Wander through ancient sites and the coastline with our sketchbooks, collecting colors, textures, shapes and little details to bring back into our art.
Quiet the Mind & Open to Creativity
- Through guided meditations and creative practices, we’ll step away from the busy mind, connect with the energy of the land and gently let go of the fear of not being “good enough” — making space for intuition and play.
Create from the Heart
- Most importantly, we’ll give ourselves permission to experiment, follow our intuition and create without worrying about perfection — discovering where our own imagination takes us.
I just returned from a most magical week with Katrina and an amazing group of ladies. Katrina is an expert planner of these retreats incorporation art sessions as well as exploring the local beauty to incorporate into our paintings and experiences. While here we went sailing, went to the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen, wandered among ancient ruins, experienced sound healing, had a late night adventure at a local town looking for gelato and grew in my understanding of watercolor skills. New friendships are made and these retreats always leave you eager for the next one. Katrina is a genuine treasure”. – Gray K.
September 21st – 28th, 2027
Limited spots available
Private room with en-suite bathroom — choice of Seafront or Seaview rooms
Price: EURO 5,700
€700 non-refundable deposit secures your spot (Balance due March 21st, 2027)
Accompanying Spouses/partners not participating in art classes are welcome to join if sharing the same room Additional per partner Euro 2,500
Our Home by the Sea
Rahona Beach Hotel
For our time together, we’ll be staying at Rahona Beach, a beautiful family-run retreat with the hotel and its seaside grounds exclusively reserved for our group. Set among five acres of pine and olive trees, right on the sea and just a short distance from the little town of Neos Marmaras, it will be our peaceful home for the week. The restaurant remains open to the public.
The spacious rooms are designed for comfort and tranquillity, with spectacular views stretching across the Toroneos Gulf.
And what could be more inspiring than painting with the sparkling blue of the Aegean stretching out before us? We’ll have an incredible setting for our creative time, surrounded by nature with the sea as our ever-changing backdrop.
When we’re not painting, we’ll gather on Rahona’s beautiful terrace overlooking the Toroneos Gulf. Beneath the shade of the pine trees, we’ll enjoy traditional Greek dishes prepared with fresh, local ingredients, cooked with love and shared together as we take in the beauty of the sea.
And as the sun begins to set over the water, we’ll watch the sky change colour before the stars begin to appear above us.
A little piece of Greece to call home for our time together.
A Little Note About Rahona Beach
Part of Rahona’s charm is its beautiful hillside setting right above the sea, which gives us those incredible views and secluded atmosphere.
Because of this, there are sloping paths around the property and a steeper path down to the rocky shoreline. Guests should be comfortable walking on slopes, uneven surfaces and rocky terrain, and able to manage the paths independently.
Comfortable, supportive footwear is recommended, and Rahona may not be suitable for guests with significant mobility difficulties
I’ve just returned from Katrina’s retreat. It was such a wonderful, well-crafted experience with a great group of ladies. We sailed, relaxed and swam on stunning beaches, meditated, saw Neolithic sights, ate amazing food, and created beautiful watercolours. Katrina is a great creative guide and teacher, always full of inspiration and a calm demeanour. We had lots of laughs, discussions and hugs. So well planned and such a great variety of experiences with an attention to detail without being over-whelmed. Definitely will be returning to another of Katrina’s retreats. – Treava P.
EXCURSIONS INCLUDED
Ancient Stagira — Walking in the Footsteps of Aristotle
For our full-day adventure, we’ll travel north on a private excursion to Ancient Stagira, the birthplace of the great philosopher Aristotle.
Set among pine-covered hills overlooking the sparkling Aegean, this ancient city feels like a place where history and nature have been left to grow together. We’ll wander through the ruins, follow the old pathways and take in the incredible views across the sea, imagining what life might have been like here thousands of years ago.
There is something rather special about walking through the very place where Aristotle was born — a man whose ideas shaped the way we understand the world and who later became the teacher of Alexander the Great.
After exploring Stagira, we’ll head down to the little seaside village of Olympiada for a delicious Greek lunch and some time to wander, browse the local shops and soak up the beautiful coastal atmosphere.
A day to slow down, explore, breathe in the sea air and let a little piece of ancient Greece spark our own imagination and creativity..
This Excursion Includes
- Round-trip transportation from Rahona Beach to the Ancient city of Stagira site and nearby town.
- Guided exploration of the site (if available)
- Time to explore the ancient ruins, paint the breathtaking landscape in our sketchbooks
- An afternoon visit to the nearby village of Olympiada
- Group reservation at a local Greek restaurant for lunch (lunch is not included)
- Free time to explore and shop in the local shops and boutiques of Olympiada
- Breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea
- A day filled with history, inspiration, beauty and a little Greek adventure!
A little note about this adventure: This is going to be a full day, and we’ll be on our feet quite a bit. Expect plenty of walking while exploring, steps uneven ancient pathways and some hills. You’ll need to be comfortable walking for extended periods and keeping up with the group as we explore. (If long walks or uneven terrain are difficult for you, this particular excursion may not be the best fit.) Comfortable walking shoes are a must!
Private Escape on the Aegean — Half-Day Boat Excursion
One afternoon, we’ll leave the land behind and take to the beautiful blue waters of the Aegean for a four-hour boat trip along the coastline of Halkidiki.
We’ll cruise past beautiful coastal landscapes and hidden bays, with stops along the way to swim in the crystal-clear waters, soak up the sunshine and simply enjoy being out on the sea.
There will be plenty of time to relax on the boat, take in the scenery and enjoy a few carefree hours surrounded by nothing but blue sky, sparkling water and the beautiful Greek coastline.
A few hours of sunshine, swimming and sea magic.
This Excursion Includes
- Four-hour boat trip along the beautiful Halkidiki coastline
- Round-trip taxi transportation from Rahona Beach to the marina
- Scenic cruise past hidden coves and beautiful bays
- Stops for swimming in the crystal-clear waters
- Time to relax and enjoy the sunshine on board
- Breathtaking views of the Greek coastline
- A few blissful hours of swimming, sunshine and sea magic
September 21st – 28th, 2027
Limited spots available
Private room with en-suite bathroom — choice of Seafront or Seaview rooms
Price: EURO 5,700
€700 non-refundable deposit secures your spot (Balance due March 21st, 2027)
Accompanying Spouses/partners not participating in art classes are welcome to join if sharing the same room Additional per partner Euro 2,500
INCLUDED IN YOUR RETREAT
- 7 nights accommodation at Rahona Beach
- Group airport transfers from Thessaloniki Airport to Rahona Beach on arrival, and back to the airport on departure day
- All meals at Rahona Beach during the retreat – Vegetarian options are available. Special dietary requirements may incur an additional cost.
- Local Greek wine at dinner
- Bottled water with meals
- All art projects and instruction with Katrina
- Sketching on site at the full-day excursion
- Guided group meditations & energy readings on selected days
- Transportation for excursions – (Lunch in Olympiada is not included.)
- Half-day boat excursion, including round-trip transportation to and from the marina
TIMELINESS AND DEPARTURE SCHEDULE FOR EXCURSIONS
All third-party transportation arranged for scheduled excursions will depart at the designated times in order to keep the day running smoothly and avoid additional waiting fees. Participants are asked to be at the designated meeting point at least fifteen (15) minutes before the scheduled departure time. As transportation cannot be delayed for individual participants, those who are not present at the meeting point by the designated time may miss the scheduled transportation. In this case, the Organizer cannot be held responsible for any missed transportation or additional costs incurred as a result.
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Airfare and other travel costs to and from Greece
- Travel insurance — required for participation
- Passport fees and visas, where applicable
- Additional nights of accommodation outside the 7-night retreat
- Additional beverages, including cocktails, soft drinks and other drinks ordered separately
- Bottled water outside of included meals
- Lunch in Olympiada on the full excursion day
- Breakfast and lunch on the day of arrival
- Lunch and dinner on the day of departure
- Any medical expenses or services incurred during your stay
- Art supplies: Participants should bring their own basic watercolor supplies, including paints, a couple of brushes and a watercolor sketchbook or suitable watercolor paper. A full supply list will be sent before the retreat. I’ll also bring some extra, but limited materials for us to use along the way, but please make sure you have your own essentials with you.
Meet your retreat leader: Katrina Koltes
Artist, Illustrator, Fairy Whisperer, & jeweler
Katrina Koltes spent years traveling the world as a disaster relief volunteer, leading rehabilitation programs to aid those in need.
Now based in Italy, she dedicates herself to a full-time art practice, where she hosts transformative workshops, retreats, and oracle readings that inspire healing and invite exploration of mystical, magical realms.
She recently illustrated the Enchanted Realms Oracle deck with Karen Kay & Hay House UK, and won the international talent show The Outstanding Artist 3, filmed in Greece.
Her mission is to uplift women who have faced trauma or loss, guiding them toward deep healing, self-discovery, and a rekindling of their creative spirit.
Through her art and jewelry, Katrina channels spirit realms, helping others reconnect with their inner strength, authentic voice, and unique magic.
These dates don’t work for you? Check out my other retreat for 2027 in the South of France
