Olivewood and Laurel Retreats

16/07/2021

This is fabulous.

13/11/2020

Very cool!

A miracle of nature or a sign of God’s power? The tiny church in Greece’s Peloponnese dating from the 11th century where 17 oak trees sprout from the roof and walls without any visual evidence of roots. Photo: vasilisntaflos/Instagram. Full story: https://bit.ly/2WkmeAS

14/06/2020

We'll get aboard this train. 😍

Today is the first-ever International !! 🙌🇬🇷💙
‘’Why June 14? Well, June seems like a great time to get into feta - it's the beginning of summer when feta is starting to adorn many a Greek salad and more.

Also, June 14, 2002, is when the European Commission announced that the feta name would be geographically protected and eventually get PDO status.’’
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Congratulations Diana for this essential and important initiative! Thank you to everyone for sharing your feta experience today and celebrating this unique and ancient cheese! 😉👌
This is the first of many!!
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Don’t forget to share your feta day
experience by tagging & . Check out also fetaday.com for great stories & recipes!
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#φέτα

29/04/2020

Greece's three main alcoholic drinks - ouzo, raki or tsipouro - should be enjoyed at a slow pace always accompanied by titbits of food and plenty of water.

25/06/2019

"Big multinational companies can buy out smaller enterprises, but they cannot buy the souls of the entrepreneurs behind them."

Entrepreneurship isn’t a just a career. It’s a never ending passion Big multinational companies can buy out smaller enterprises, but they cannot buy the souls of the entrepreneurs behind them.

25/06/2019

https://nationalpost.com/pmn/entertainment-pmn/climate-change-is-taking-its-toll-on-greek-monuments-say-scientists

ATHENS — Climate change is threatening ancient Greek monuments, among them the Acropolis, one of the most-visited archaeological sites in the world, scientists said.Air pollution and acid rai…

23/03/2018

Just sharing the latest news on Patrick Leigh Fermor's home in Kardamyli "One of Greece’s most beautiful homes — once owned by a British writer described as “a cross between Indiana Jones, James Bond and Graham Greene” — is set to become a center for scholars and intellectuals...." Expected to launch in 2020!

One of Greece's most beautiful houses was owned by a British writer once described as 'a cross between Indiana Jones, James Bond and Graham Greene'.

08/08/2017

Save the date! Our next retreat will take place September 10-24, 2018! Visit the website or contact us for details.

02/08/2017

Καλό μήνα! Happy first of August! Have a wonder-ful month! Retreat dates for 2018 coming soon!

27/05/2016

Greece: so much waiting to be discovered!

Archaeologists are certain that they have found the philosopher's tomb in his birthplace

12/05/2016

Something I'll be keeping an eye out for during our retreat this September: A new poetry anthology in English translation, Austerity Measures. I'm inspired by this comment from one of the poets about what gives her hope: "That we’ve managed so far to create a desirable life out of simplicity: love, friendship, knowledge, art. A bare life that is precarious, passionate, influential and rewarding."

A new group of poets is changing the arts landscape in Greece. Fearless, global and with an artistic fervour unseen since the dictatorship, they tell us their hopes, the culture that excites them – and the Greek myths they’d like to debunk

24/03/2016

Independence day celebrations have begun in Mani!

01/02/2016

"According to the International Organization for Migration, over 800,000 migrants and refugees arrived on Greece's shores in 2015."

Over 500,000 signatures gathered in support of giving prize to Greek islanders for their response to refugee crisis

26/01/2016

A great cure when you hit a wall in your writing. Does it work for you? (Our writers enjoy plenty of opportunities on our retreats for meditative walking in the herb-scented hills, through age-old olive groves, and along the sea.)

Since at least the time of Greek philosophers, many writers have discovered a deep, intuitive connection between walking, thinking, and writing.

05/01/2016

Is 2016 going to be the year for your writing retreat? Early bird deadline for best pricing is fast approaching. Get all the juicy details at www.olivewoodandlaurel.com

02/11/2015

Kαλό μήνα! Kalo mina! Wishing you a wonderful November!

26/10/2015

Awe-inspiring discovery in the Peloponnese:

A warrior’s tomb full of precious metals and jewels is expected to give insight into the rise of the Mycenaeans, from whom Greek culture developed.

21/10/2015

As a recovering perfectionist I know how much you can miss while you're waiting for 'ready'. Sometimes dreams ask us to have the courage to leap...

For many things, this is true. It's why I often practice my "start before you're ready" mantra and it hasn't steered me wrong yet. Enjoy this Hugh Laurie quote via Intellectual Takeout.

20/10/2015

My first guest post in a long, long time tackles making time for the more business-y side of writing:

How to build your platform AND write your book – don't let yourself get in the way... http://www.yourwriterplatform.com/build-my-platform-and-time-to-write/

08/09/2015

Just letting you know I have a couple of openings for new clients in my Unlocked Writer coaching program this month.

If your creative life is more resistance than writing and you’re ready for change, contact me and we’ll start with a free 'Writer’s Block Breakthrough Session' to see if coaching is right for you.

"Suzanne is a genuine coach/mentor in a world full of half-hearted helpers." S. Janet

Writing has always been a part of your life. The act of writing probably fuels your heart and spirit—and sanity—more than you’ve ever let anyone know. And if you’re not writing as often as...

06/08/2015

They're heeeere! The dates for next year’s writers’ retreats in Kardamyli, Greece! Yep, we're offering two next year!

1. Breathing Space
September 5 -19, 2016

2. Alumni Retreat
(for returning retreaters)
September 20 - October 4, 2016

Registration opens next month. Early bird rates will apply. Mark your calendars! Or if you’d like to get updates and registration info delivered straight to your inbox, click to head over to the website and sign up to join our VIP list:

Our writers' retreats in Greece are restful and inspiring 'time outs' for creative spirits who need a break from the demands of hectic lives. Join us in Greece's unspoiled Mani peninsula to relax, recharge, and remember what it's like to just be.

01/07/2015

Kalo mina! And happy Canada Day!!

01/06/2015

Finalizing the dates for the 2016 retreats; stay tuned for more!

12/05/2015

What a treat! A one-minute video of Kardamyli, my other home. For those who have been, and those preparing for our next retreat, and all you beautiful dreamers who join us vicariously:

Kardamili Greece - Kardamyli Peloponnese Kardamili ( Greece - Kardamyli Peloponnese ) is a seaside traditional village, located in Mani, 35 km from Kalamata and 250 km from Athens. It is an important tourist resort with many hotel facilities and many visitors every year. There are also traditional t…

06/05/2015

Hey writers, is your creative life these days more resistance than writing? I’ve opened a couple of spots in my calendar in May to offer free Writer’s Block Breakthrough Sessions to stalled, stuck or otherwise interrupted writers. I’ll get on the phone with you for an hour to help you figure out exactly what’s getting in your way, what you can do to break through it, and what steps you can take next to get back on track and get writing again.

To check availability, send me a note and I’ll be in touch. Use the contact form on my website here:

Contact me Ready to rock this writing thing? I'd love to hear from you! Fill out the form below and I'll do my very best to get back to you within 24 hours.

05/05/2015

The text is in Greek, but the photos transcend language. Lela’s in Kardamyli. One of the many wonderful tavernas we gather at during our retreats for camaraderie, a glass of wine, and an evening meal.

Πολίτη του διαδικτύου καλώς όρισες. Βρίσκεσαι σε βήμα διαλόγου, διεκδίκησης, σαρκασμού και αμφισβήτησης της κάθε λογής εξουσίας. Επειδή τίποτα δε χαρίζεται και όλα κατακτώνται, σε προτρέπω να διεκδικείς αυτά που σου αναλογούν και να μην απεμπολάς τα δικαιώματά σου. ΕΠΙΤΡΕΠΕΤΑΙ Ελεύθερα και με οιονδή…

01/05/2015

καλό μήνα! Kalo mina! Welcome beautiful May. Have a wonderful month!

29/04/2015

Exactly!

A few words from Joshua Wolf Shenk!

20/02/2015

Snow in Athens yesterday! Unusual, and about the third time this winter. Thanks, Simos, for the pic!

03/02/2015

Yes.

Para ser creativo es preciso tener coraje. No pidas opiniones, simplemente HAZLO.