Immersive 5-Day
Greek Language Retreat
Special Easter
Zaros – Crete
From the 2nd to the 7th of April 2026 5-Day
Experience a Unique Greek Easter Preparation Language Retreat!
Join us for an unforgettable journey into the heart of Greek Orthodox/Cretan Easter, guided by our host Velina. You’ll spend the week just before Easter, immersing yourself in the time when all the preparations take place—baking, decorating, and learning the traditions that make this holiday so special.
This is more than a language retreat! You will discover local celebrations, family recipes, and essential vocabulary to celebrate Easter the Greek way. You will enjoy a Cretan wine tasting at a local winery, a leisurely hike to the mythological Throne of Minos and Moroni Cave, and hands-on time at a unique eco-friendly farm.
Whether you want to deepen your Greek skills, connect with native speakers, or simply immerse yourself in authentic Cretan culture, this retreat promises a thrilling, engaging, and truly memorable experience. Celebrate, learn, and laugh—Greek style!
The Retreat Program
Focus on conversation and practice!
Our Greek Language Retreat focuses on conversation whether you are a beginner or already speak some Greek. Your teachers will assist you with grammar and vocabulary throughout. During the lessons the group will be split so that beginers can go through essential Greek bases and more advanced can practice conversation supported by a teacher’s guidance.
Every activities become a pretext to practice and expand your vobabulary.Â
We are moving the classroom outdoor! You will learn through hands-on activities at the eco-farm, through cooking and baking lessons, guided tours in amazing landmarks and physical activities for your wellness, or even tasting wine!
Every morning, we will explore the vocabulary of the day so that each time you experience words in their context, they will be easier to understand and integrate.
At Philomilo, we truly believe that the more your experience a language while enjoying yourself, the more what you learn will stick with you. Studies have proven that what was learned through pleasure and fun would be better remembered. So, we created this amazing experiencial greek language retreat designed to help you grow your language skills while enjoying the culture and adventures.
Why would you want to come to Zaros on Easter?
To learn all you need and want to know about Greek Easter preparations and traditions.
Why This Greek Language Retreat Is So Special?
Small, intimate group – feel supported and connected
Total language immersion – use Greek from day one
Stunning, crowd-free location – far from mass-tourists locations
Cultural deep dives – food, wine, music, traditions
Optional adventures – from olive groves to ancient ruins
Taught with love – I’ve poured my heart and soul into every detail
This retreat isn’t just about learning Greek—it’s about feeling Greece: the warmth of its people, the poetry in its language, the richness of its land.
As we mentioned, our Greek Language Retreat focuses on conversation and practice.
Your Greek hosts and guides will tell you about eco-responsible olive oil production and traditional ethical farming and teach you how to bake Cretan bread.Â
The activities will be in Greek (of course, your teacher will assist you to ensure you understand everything).
You will experience scenic walks through breathtaking scenery and landscape. Finally, you will enjoy the sea, good laughter, and delicious food.
Whether this is your first retreat or your fourth, I can’t wait to share this magical corner of Crete with you.
Let me sum up what you could experience:
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Learn
With your favourite teacher, guest speaker and locals.
Practice
Speak with other participants, speakers and locals.
Experience
Learn traditional and healthy Cretan recipes.
Taste
Taste the delicious Cretan cuisine, organic olive oil and local wine.
Discover
Enjoy walks in stunning places and visit landmarks.
Relax
Embrace the Greek rhythm and relax.
Discover
Enjoy walks in stunning places and visit landmarks.
Relax
Embrace the Greek rhythm and relax.
Book Your Spot Now & Select Your Accomodation!
We are using two location to host you, both part of the same compound.
The number of rooms are limited so don’t wait any further to book yours!
Solo Adventurer
(make new friends & practice)
Single Room with queen-size bed, all activities, teachers and meals included.
Keramos Hotel: € 1’336.-
Kamihis Farm House: € 1’512.-
Duo Explorers
(for couples or friends)
Double Room with one or two queen-size bed, all activities, teachers and meals included.
Keramos Hotel: € 1’882.-
(941.25 per person)
Kamihis Farm House: € 2’311.-
(1’55.70 per person)
Discover the accomodation options
THE FARM HOUSE ROOMS • A unique experience to live at the ancient farm rhythm.
Essential Facilities: Kamihis Farm House Experience in Zaros offers a sun terrace and a garden. Guests can relax in the outdoor seating area or enjoy the picnic area. The property includes a shared kitchen and private bathrooms.
Comfortable Accommodations: Rooms feature balconies with lake, garden, or mountain views. Amenities include bathrobes, tea and coffee makers, and free toiletries.
Ecology: Solar panels supply electricity in the house; therefore, you will have a socket to charge your mobile or computer and a bedside lamp. Candlelight remains the primary light source at night, offering a quiet and time-travelling experience in an ancient stone house. Each room has a private toilet. Caring for nature is also about using water wisely, so the accommodation still uses the economical and ecological ways of our Cretan ancestors.
KERAMOS • A charming family hotel
Comfortable Accommodations: Keramos in Heraklion offers family rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, and garden or mountain views. Each room includes a balcony, a work desk, and free WiFi.
Exceptional Facilities: Guests enjoy a rooftop swimming pool, sun terrace, and traditional restaurant serving Greek cuisine with vegetarian options. Additional amenities include a lounge, coffee shop, and free on-site parking.
This retreat is FOR YOU IF
You want to focus on practising conversation.
You have basic notions of Greek.
You want to learn more about Greek culture.
You want to learn while being relaxed.
You are fit (without having to be sporty).
You’d love to discover rural Crete.
FAQ
What is the Greek Level Required?
All levels are accepted.
The group will be split by level during the lessons.
What is the Cancellation policy?
Cancellation by participant:
- Full refund 60 days prior to the retreat (minus transaction fees).
- 50% refund up to 30 days prior to the retreat (minus transaction fees).
- No refund for cancellation less than 30 days before the retreat.
Transfer option: You may transfer your place to another person (with our approval) without extra fee, if you notify us at least 14 days before the retreat.
Organiser-cancellation / force majeure:
If we must cancel or reschedule the retreat (weather, inadequate enrollment, emergencies), we will offer either re-scheduled dates or a full refund OR a credit for another retreat.
All refund requests must be submitted via email to our contact address; refunds (if applicable) will be processed within 30 calendar days.
Meet the people you will meet during the retreat.
Our team comprises like-minded warm Creteans who love sharing their culture, beauty and crafts.
Your Teacher: Poppie Raphaelaki
Your Greek Language Teacher and organiser of this retreat is a dynamic Cretan women keen to make you discover the wonders of the region. She believes that the best way to learn Greek is through experiencing its culture and create wonderful memories.
Your hosts: Michalis Papadovasilakis & Velina Kordonouri-Papadovasilakis
Your hosts are the most lovely people! They will share with passion and joy with you, teaching you traditional recipes, making you dance and discover their land and animals. Their mojo is love and care for nature, and to enjoy its abundance.
Your fitness coach: Evi Raphaelaki
Born in sunny Agios Nikolaos, where the sea is blue, the food is amazing, and apparently… future fitness coaches grow naturally, Evi went to Thessaloniki to study at The School of Sports, at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a specialty on Track & Field. Four years, countless fresh juices and smoothies, and many squats later, she graduated with honors and did a Master’s in Exercise for Prevention and Rehabilitation, because helping people move better is kind of her thing.
Since 2018, she lives and breathes sports: personal training, track-and-field coaching, and later Pilates & Clinical Pilates, because balance matters — literally. In 2025, after working in two gyms in Thessaloniki and collecting enough workout playlists to last a lifetime, she returned home to Agios Nikolaos to coach in a track-and-field academy and work one-on-one with people who want to run faster, feel stronger, or simply fall back in love with their own bodies.
Testimonials
Let’s read what our students and guests have to say about their experience!
I took part in the first session of classes and discovery of Crete organised by my Greek teacher, Poppie Raphaelaki.
We were a small group of women of different nationalities, hosted in the beautiful house adjoining Michalis' farm in the heart of nature. The house was truly stunning, with authentic Cretan décor, charming rooms, a pool, and peaceful spots to recharge.
Poppie introduced us to Cretan life: traditional restaurants in small villages, mountain excursions to discover plants, and visits to a nearby lake or a magnificent gorge. At Michalis and his wife Velina’s farm, we made bread, cheese, and meals and explored every aspect of the farm. There were many laughs, emotions, and sharing moments throughout the stay.
In the morning, breakfast was more than generous, and the meals were an opportunity to learn about Cretan cuisine.
Poppie is very caring and adapts to each participant; she has a real gift for organisation, ensuring a balance between activities and rest, and knows how to create a great atmosphere.
Unfortunately, I couldn’t join the other sessions, but I will definitely return.
Another great trip for me. Staying on an eco-friendly farm in central Crete during the week running up to Easter, we took part in many Greek traditions, from cooking to visiting a local monastery on Palm Sunday.
We went on a nature walk where one of our hosts, Michalis, showed us how to live off what the land offers, as well as explaining the history of the area. We also toured around Velina & Michalis’s farm, cooking our own Easter breads and biscuits, watching the cheese being made and petting the animals on the farm, finally ending off the morning with the most amazing lunch prepared by Velina and her staff.
Our guest lecturer, Katerina, was brilliant at lesson time, choosing innovative ways in which to teach us the language. At other times, she would make sure she tested our Greek over lunch or dinner!
If you have a little knowledge of Greek to begin with then you would gain more from the Greek language side of the Retreat. If you simply want to immerse yourself in Greek life and culture, then this is another wonderful trip to go on.
The retreat's setting was stunning. It is in the south-eastern corner of Crete, a remote and beautiful area (and geologically very interesting!).
The Retreat was very laid-back. You can partake in as much or as little as you wish. The excursions are great fun. We tasted olive oil, visited ancient sites and abandoned villages, walked the Zakros Gorge, ate very well, and, of course, had daily Greek lessons aimed at all abilities. Gianna, our guest lecturer, was enthusiastic and a very knowledgeable teacher.
If the weather is kind, you can relax on the nearby beach, swim, or read up on your Greek!
The one thing I would say is that this is not only a total immersion Greek language course, it is a cultural experience just as much. And, if you are coming solely to learn Greek, rather than take in the whole itinerary, it would be better for you if you had a very basic knowledge to start with, as that would help with the mixed ability lessons.