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13 - 21 September, 2025
9 days/8 nights
Day 1- arrival day - Welcome dinner
Day 9 - departure day - no program
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6 Days with Art Program + free time
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optional full-day tour to mainland UNESCO sites or relax
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AIRPORT IS ATHENS
Discover this legendery home to artists and writers throughout the C.20th
For many artists a stay on Hydra, the enchanting, some say magical, Aegean island, was a significant part of how their art was created.
We’re choosing to be there, for that reason… the richness of the artistic legacy… and for the chance that such exceptional surroundings will be your muse, too.
On Hydra, writers, painters, songsters, musicians and dreamers of all types, found a place that inspired them. From its shores, looking out to the Aegean or inward to their artistic dreams, poetry, novels, avant-garde texts, masterpieces in paint and word, emerged. Be there, with us, and find your own threads of inspiration.
The Background
Our second season Art retreats on Hydra.
Anna lived on Hydra for two wonderful years, and during some of that time worked as an arts instructor.
Esté and Anna have been presenting Art Retreats in Sri Lanka (2022), Bali (2022,'23, '24) and Morocco (2024, '25), and now we are thrilled be able to bring two lifetimes of experience to this fabulous week on Hydra - at a beautiful time of the year.
It's the end of summer, the locals are relaxed, you've arrived onto one of Greece's most picturesque islands - one with no vehicular traffic - only donkeys, water taxis and meandering footpaths - and you have ahead of you a week of making art with Esté MacLeod.
With the water still deliciously comfortable for swimming, cool evenings exploring the many charming seaside tavernas, and spacios accommodation in a quietly central part of the port which you can reach without climbing all those steps for which hydra is (in)famous, you'll need to be quick to secure your place on this special week with only 12 places available - staying in your very own room in accommodation hand-picked by Anna and chosen for ease of access, views, delicious breakfasts and a pretty courtyard and terrace for making art >>
We can't wait to share the magic of Hydra with you!
Many thanks for a magnificent experience!
Glenda W. Melbourne Australia,
Florabunda with Este MacLeod 2022
This 9-day/8-night retreat offers you a delicious week to focus on making art with the guidance and inspiration of internationally renowned artist Esté MacLeod.
With 30-hours of tuition (5 hrs art time per day for 6 days, in various settings) sharing Esté's techniques and processes for images inspired by your surroundings you will be mainly using a variety of enhanced print techniques, which can be layered into deceptively complex imagery and designs.
You will take home a collection of works on quality paper, providing not only souvenirs of a memorable late summer holiday on this unique island, but as a compendium of techniques which you'll be able to elaborate on in your own studio work.
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Use artist-quality GOLDEN materials - Esté is a Golden Artist educator; we will be using the same materials and products she uses in her professional practice. (You just need to bring a sketchbook).
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Welcome and farewell dinners at iconic tavernas
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Enjoy a taverna lunch at a swimming location
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Boating is included on our exploring days to bays on Hydra and the mainland of Ermioni
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Your accommodation and breakfast for 8 nights
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Boat trip to Ermioni on Peloponnese for a day of painting off the rocks besides pristine clear waters, perfect for jumping into refresh before lunch.
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A OPTIONAL FULL DAY TOUR (with all boat and coach transport included), as well as entrances to 2 UNESCO World heritage sites is possible for a cost of Euro 140 if there is a minimum of 8 persons. Price will vary with other number
WHO WILL THIS RETREAT SUIT?
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Coming to this course with an open mind and a preparedness to get the most out of the detailed instruction, even as a complete beginner, you'll find your way into making surprisingly sophisticated artworks.
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If you have some prior art-making experience at any level, then this retreat will add to your repertoire of print processes and techniques that can evolve from them.
A relaxing week where all you need do is turn up each day after breakfast (and perhaps an early-morning dip? ... the water is still very inviting at the end of summer).
Esté and I warmly invite you to join our group in 2025 for this exceptional art experience by the sea on the legendary Greek island of Hydra.
MEET ESTE MACLEOD
Esté MacLeod is an acclaimed British artist and designer whose way of teaching will show you ways to turn the things you notice into expressive, sophisticated artworks on paper using new dynamic painting and mixed media techniques.
Her way of teaching will spark your imagination, get you in a creative flow and show ways to broaden your art practice as anyone who's experienced Este's popular on-line courses will know.
Read More...
Esté is a free-spirited artist with a background in textile design. She has been teaching on-line art courses since 2015, focusing on processes and concepts to make individuals' creativity blossom. These courses have gained an incredible following, as Este combines carefully-selected materials and techniques and shows different methods to be used for continued exploration.
"When I teach, I keep guidelines tight and simplify processes, the knowledge gained enables the flourishing of new ideas when applied to individual art practices."
Este is a professional artist and designer. In addition to her paintings sold in galleries in the UK and internationally, her work is used in a variety of products ranging from wallpapers and textiles, homeware, ceramics, puzzles, stationary and book illustrations.
Born in South Africa, Esté has been living in the UK since 1999.
Her educational background includes: HND Textile Design, Fine Art Printmaking, BA Hons Ceramics and Glass, MA in Contemporary Jewellery Design.
Creative Living Retreats by Anna Kwiecinska
With a background as an art historian and art gallery owner, my collaboration with artists continues to be a fascinating career which evolved into specialist art retreats designed to combine seriously good art tuition with authentic cultural experiences.
Over the last 13 years, hundreds of people have experienced the depth of wellbeing that being creative can foster.
Creative Living Retreats are a source of focus for creative inspiration, with our intuitive teachers guiding you to Live Creatively.
Over a decade, many retreatants have returned for our thoughtfully curated weeks of supported creativity, and I genuinely look forward to welcoming you to experience the depth of wellbeing that Creative Living Retreats have become known for, More info
Loved the whole thing. Food was amazing and plenty of variety. Staff amazing ... I just thought you did the retreat so well. I felt totally satisfied with the way you made it all happen and made us all feel very special. You really were the glue. Very professional.
The exhibition was just so beautifully put together.
Lyn Mowday, Busselton, Australia, 2019
How does the retreat work?
With our varied evening programs, each day is a little different, but the working part of our program will happen mainly in the lovely spacious bougainvillea-trellised courtyard of our hotel where you'll also be able to order drinks.
Some mornings we may walk or take a water taxi to a location for on-the-spot inspiration,, a swim and lunch, returning later to work on the art.
In all the retreat comprises 30 hours of taught time with Este MacLeod.
What does your Retreat include?
see all the inclusions >
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Accommodation with Breakfast for 8 nights
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30 Hours of Art Tuition with Este Macleod over 6 days
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All Art Materials : these are the same professional materials that Esté any level uses in her professional work.
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Bring your brushes or pre-purchase from Este for delivery at the retreat.
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You should bring a sketch pad - more details in pre-retreat information
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Accommodation for 8 nights on Hydra at the Ippokampos Hotel - SEE ACCOMMODATION
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Breakfasts 8
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Taverna Lunch 1
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Welcome Dinner at Port Hydra
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Farewell Dinner
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Boat Trip for painting day on ERMIONI (depending on the weather, i.e., seas)
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Sunset Cruise before Farewell Dinner
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YOUR FREE DAY May be used to opt into a Full Day tour (includes boat travel, coach and all entrances) to the mainland of Peleponnese to visit 2 UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITES: The classical amphitheatre of Epidauros, the site of ancient Mycenae and modern Greece's first capital city, Napflio. Costs will be advised and dependent on number of participants - approx. Euro 140.
You made Florabunda a multisensory success. The program was beyond special.
I thank you Esté for your professionalism, your generosity in sharing all of your secrets and of course, your amazing talent.
Thank you Anna for convening this fabulous experience.
Your style, grace and attention to detail made everyone feel important. Sharing your home for those days of art and food and armchair yoga will be a special memory for me to hold.
You have gathered an amazing staff around you ... thank you again.
I loved Florabunda.
Gloria C. Queensland, Australia.
Florabunda with Este MacLeod in Bali 2022
What's not included
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airfare
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travel insurance
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personal expenses
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return taxi after arrival at Piraeus port on retrun
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return boat from Hydra to Piraues as you may wish to stay on Hydra longer (this can be organised by Anna for you)
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5 dinners
GETTING THERE
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You fly into ATHENS AIRPORT : ATH - Eleftherious Venizelos
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The retreat FINISHES after breakfast on DAY 8 and the check-out time from your 4.5* hotel. - HOTEL IPPOKAMPOS >>
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YOUR RETREAT STARTS on DAY 1 WITH PRE-DINNER WELCOME DRINKS at OUR HOTEL IN HYDRA on the evening of the 13th SEPTEMBR 2025. We will all proceed to dinner together in the port.
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Your RETREAT ENDS after breakfast on DAY 9 and the check-out time from your hotel on the 21st SEPTEMBER.
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GETTING FROM ATHEN TO HYDRA
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the port of Piraeus is 30 minutes from Athens airport and central Athens by taxi.
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You can purchase your boat tickets online (you will need your passport - Anna will send you a list of ferries for that day)
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Anna can also purchase your ticket/s for you (cost applicable- about Euro 38-44)
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The retreat FINISHES after breakfast on DAY 8 and the check-out time from your hotel.
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Extra nights may be available at the retreat hotel - enquire with Anna - please mention this on your booking form.
COST Room with own Terrace Room with Terrace access Room with Mountain view
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SINGLE OCCUPANCY Euro 4259 Euro 4179 Euro 4099
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TWIN/DBLE OCCUPANCY - 1 art participant Euro 4259 (for 2) Euro 4179 (for 2) Euro 4099 (for 2)
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DOUBLE OCCUPANCY - 2 art participants Euro 3659 (each) Euro 3619 (each) Euro 3579 (each)
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SUITE ROOM with private terrace (1 only) Euro 4459 (for 2 with one art participant. For 2 art Participants Euro 3725 each)
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Rooms with own direct terrace are on 2nd floor; terrace-access rooms on 1st floor (as is suite).
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There is no elevator in this hotel as it is a historical building. Terraces face towards the sea. Rooms allocated strictly on first-come basis.
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Non-participating partners are welcome to join in our group activities - fee applies
