Discover an Immersive Greek Language Retreat in the Wild Beauty of Xerocambos, Crete!

Join us in this remote and striking corner of Crete for a week where language learning blends naturally with landscape, culture, and everyday life. With your Greek teacher as your companion, you’ll practice and grow through conversations, shared meals, and encounters that bring the language off the page and into the world around you.

Xerocambos offers a setting unlike any other: rugged mountains falling into deep blue sea, long stretches of quiet beach, and villages where tradition is still lived, not displayed. You’ll taste honest Cretan cooking, hear stories carried through generations, and walk paths where the rhythm of the island is felt in every step.

This is more than a language retreat. It is a chance to slow down, to connect, and to experience Greek as it lives today — in the landscape, in the people, and in yourself.

Learn, explore, and reconnect — the Cretan way.

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. 

We are moving the classroom outdoor! You will learn through visits of historical sites, tasting and discovering Xerocambos and its surrounding beauty.

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.

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 the local historical sites, traditions and take you in the most scenic places and turquoise waters.

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:

Duo Explorers
(for couples or friends)

Double Room with one queen-size bed

Asteras Apartments

€ 2’415.- (1’207,50 per person)

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 Molos

FAQ

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 Scholar Guest Lecturer: Gianna Arakadaki

Born and raised in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, she is now based in Thessaloniki. She studied Classical Philology with a focus on Linguistics at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and expanded her academic training through the Erasmus program at Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona. Since 2001, she has taught both Ancient and Modern Greek.

She is an active member of the association “To Paramikró: Creative + Learning Workshop,” where she helps design and lead language-centered activities, from creative theatre writing for teenagers to playful word-based workshops. She has also contributed to several volunteer groups in Thessaloniki over the years. Since 2024, she has joined Philomilo’s Language Retreats as a Guest Lecturer.

Your Greek Dance Tutor & Guest Lecturer: Katina Dunkerly-Thompson

Katina is a Greek American who has been dancing traditional Greek folk dances for over 35 years.  As a Greek American she has had a unique opportunity to learn the dances from every region of Greece as well as competing in international competitions, placing first in dance and costuming.

She believes that dance connects us to our ancestors, as they danced the same steps we dance today. With each step we dance along with those who danced before us. This is her Κέφι, her passion. As an instructor she enjoys sharing her knowledge and experience with others to keep the dances alive so we can keep our ancestors' footsteps going. 

Your Host: Margarita Giakoumakis

Margarita enjoys constantly growing both professionally and personally. She studied Business Administration at the Mediterranean University of Crete and specialized in Workplace Emotional Intelligence. Her interest in aesthetics led her to explore interior design and 3D design. For the past ten years, she has worked with her mother in their family tourism business Asteras Studios in Xerokampos, Sitia on Crete, a place that evolves along with them. Each season brings new opportunities to create meaningful experiences for our guests, while winter is our time to plan the next one with enthusiasm.