For years, I had been following the writing retreats at Limnisa in Greece from afar. They are led by Mariël and her son Sam, in a place where the sea always seems close by and time moves a little more slowly. In February, I finally decided to take the plunge and booked two weeks, from May 23 to June 7, 2026.
I had previously attended writing retreats with Esther Jacobs in Mallorca and Puglia, so I was curious to see how Limnisa would distinguish itself. To be honest, my first week took some getting used to. That wasn’t because of Limnisa, but mainly because of me. New people, a new rhythm, and the challenge of truly slowing down and becoming still.
For those who are curious, this is roughly what a stay at Limnisa looks like.
Foodies
At Limnisa, three meals a day are included. The vegetarian dishes are prepared with great care and love by the French chef Sophie. Don’t expect elaborate fine dining, but rather fresh, flavorful meals that leave you feeling satisfied and happy. As a dedicated meat lover myself, I occasionally enjoyed a meal at one of the local tavernas in between.
Three evenings a week, the group of guests goes out together for dinner at a local taverna. These meals are not included, but they are a wonderful opportunity to socialize. Throughout the day, coffee, tea, and water are always available. And at four o’clock, there is a moment that surprisingly many people look forward to: cake time.
Yoga & more
Several mornings a week, the day begins with yoga at 8:30 a.m. During my stay, the sessions were led by Holly, a remarkable woman with roots in both Goa and Wales. She has developed her own unique style of yoga, combining it with her experience in surfing and her talent for giving outstanding massages. I’m even exploring the possibility of bringing her to the Netherlands this summer. To be continued.
Mariël also offers Reiki, reflexology, and individual writing coaching for those who would like additional support or guidance.
Writing
The mornings are entirely dedicated to writing. Until 1:15 p.m., silence is observed. No conversations, no distractions—just you, your thoughts, and your manuscript.
Throughout the property, you’ll find plenty of pleasant places to work: in the garden, on a terrace, or overlooking the sea. There is intentionally no Wi-Fi in the house itself. If you need internet access, you can use it at Apaggio, a taverna just a short walk away.
In between writing sessions, you can take a refreshing swim in the sea. It’s a good idea to bring water shoes, as the beach consists mainly of pebbles and rocks.
Atty en Mariël
Literary Evening
Occasionally, a literary evening is organized where guests can read excerpts from their work. Nothing is mandatory, and everything is optional. It is precisely this relaxed approach that often creates an atmosphere in which people feel comfortable sharing their stories.
Excursions
Those who would like to explore more of the surrounding area can join one of the excursions. These take place when there is sufficient interest. The available options can be found on the Limnisa website.
Guests
One of the things I really enjoyed was the mix of nationalities. During my stay, I met people from Canada, the United States, England, Switzerland, South Africa, Ireland, Flanders, and the Netherlands.
Most guests are women, and remarkably many people return year after year. That probably says more about the place than any brochure ever could.
Because guests arrive and depart at different times throughout the month, the composition of the group is constantly changing. English is usually the common language.
Accommodation
At the writers’ villa—a place I quickly nicknamed “the paradise retreat”—there are several rooms with shared bathroom facilities. There is even an outdoor shower, which turns out to be surprisingly enjoyable after a swim in the sea.
Most guests, however, stay in apartments or studios in the nearby village. My apartment was about a 25-minute walk from the villa. A beautiful walk, though sometimes quite a challenge under the Greek sun. I was therefore often grateful for a ride.
If I were to return, I would probably rent an electric bike. They are not available in the village itself, but they can be rented in Methana.
My apartment was spacious, had a large terrace, and came with Wi-Fi—a pleasant combination of peace, comfort, and a private space to retreat to whenever I wanted.
My Overall Impression
Limnisa is neither a luxury wellness resort nor a strict writing boot camp. Above all, it is a place where writing takes center stage, surrounded by the sea, silence, good food, and like-minded people.
If you are longing for peace, mental space, and the time to finally work on that manuscript, there is a good chance you will feel at home here.
Having visited Greece many times in my younger years, I was delighted to discover that the Greek people and
Highlights 🙂
- The Greek sewage system is still very much old-school, so toilet paper and similar items go into the pedal bin rather than the toilet.
- Getting a lift from a Greek farmer or gardener on an agricultural vehicle. Check out the video!
- The view from Limnisa is priceless: sea and mountains everywhere. As Jo beautifully put it: “Blue, blue, blue—but no blues.”
- In Methana (about a 15-minute drive away), you can withdraw cash from an ATM. Cash is still king here, although card payments are generally accepted as well.
- My books are available in the Limnisa library.
- Mariël enjoys house-swapping and exchanging places to live. Feel free to email her if that idea appeals to you.