Your Week on Aegina
Experiences & Itinerary
What Awaits You
Eight days of beauty, creativity & connection
Each day balances planned activities with flexibility. You'll visit ancient sites, discover authentic tavernas, create art in beautiful locations, and have plenty of time to simply enjoy being on a Greek island.
Art Workshops
Morning workshops led by award-winning artist Sue MacDougall at stunning locations — beaches, ancient ruins, village streets. All materials provided. All levels welcome.
Morning Yoga
Optional yoga sessions (8:30–9am) led by certified instructor Sandra Rouch in The Pearl Yurt — a beautiful, tranquil space for mindful practice. All levels welcome.
Authentic Dining
Daily breakfast at the retreat, plus a main meal with drinks at local tavernas — including hidden gems known only to locals. Fresh seafood, traditional recipes, local wine.
Cultural Explorations
Guided visits to the Temple of Aphaia, Kolona ruins, Byzantine churches, the Archaeological Museum, and the charming streets of Aegina town.
Art Workshops
Explore your creativity,
regardless of skill level
Never painted before? Perfect. The workshops are designed to be welcoming and relaxed, with no pressure or expectations. You'll learn about colour and composition, experiment with different approaches, and create something unique to take home.
For practicing artists, the workshops offer the opportunity to work in stunning Mediterranean locations whilst exploring colour relationships, balance, and composition with fresh eyes. Sue's approach encourages you to loosen up, trust your instincts, and see subjects from new perspectives.
All art materials are provided — from canvas boards to quality supplies — so you can focus entirely on the creative experience. Workshops are held at beautiful locations around the island: beachside, at ancient ruins, and through village streets.
All materials included
Nothing to bring
All levels welcome
Beginners to advanced
Small group
Max 8 guests
Expert guidance
Led by Sue
Take your artwork home with you.
Morning Yoga
Start each morning
with intention
Start your mornings with gentle yoga sessions (8:30–9:00am) led by certified instructor Sandra Rouch of Funky Twist of Yoga. These optional sessions take place in The Pearl Yurt — a beautiful, tranquil space designed for meditation and mindful practices.
The sessions are welcoming for everyone, regardless of fitness level or yoga experience. At the last retreat, everyone gave it a go and loved it — even those who'd never done yoga before. It's a relaxed, no-pressure way to start the day.
Each morning also includes a brief meditation session before the art workshops — a calm, grounding way to clear the mind and open the senses before creating.
Draft Itinerary · September 2027
Your 8 Days on Aegina
Each day is thoughtfully crafted. Details may be refined as the retreat approaches — any changes will only enhance your experience.
Day 1Arrival & Welcome
Day 1 — Arrival & Welcome
Athens → Aegina
"Your first glimpse of Aegina's turquoise waters and the warm welcome that sets the tone for the week."
Morning
Meet Sue at Piraeus Port Gate E8. Board the hydrofoil or ferry to Aegina (approx. 1 hour). Enjoy your first views of the Saronic Gulf as the island comes into view.
Afternoon
Settle into The Beachhouse Apartments. Welcome lunch together, introductions, and receive your personal 'Welcome to Aegina' pack — complete with island maps, local tips, and your activity overview for the week.
Evening
Sunset drinks at the beachside bar. A relaxed first evening to soak in the atmosphere, meet your fellow guests, and feel the island magic begin.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 2Colour & Creativity
Day 2 — Colour & Creativity
Art Workshop · Beach · Greek Lunch
"Discover how the Mediterranean light transforms colour — an experience that changes how you see the world."
Morning
Optional yoga 8:30–9:00am in The Pearl Yurt. Morning art workshop: exploring colour, the colour wheel, and the extraordinary quality of Greek light. Paint at the beach or in the garden.
Afternoon
Lunch at a nearby Greek restaurant. Free afternoon to explore Aegina at your own pace — swim, wander the harbour, or simply sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 3Ancient Wonders
Day 3 — Ancient Wonders
Kolona · Archaeological Museum · Harbour
"Aegina has been inhabited for over 6,000 years — painting here connects you to something ancient and profound."
Morning
Visit the Kolona Column archaeological site and the Archaeological Museum of Aegina. Sketch or paint the ancient artefacts and columns — history brought to life through your brush.
Afternoon
Explore Aegina town's charming backstreets, visit local shops, and enjoy a long, leisurely lunch at a harbour-front restaurant. Watch the fishing boats come and go.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 4Creative Deepening
Day 4 — Creative Deepening
Art Review · Free Time · Beach
"Mid-week reflection — watch your confidence and skill grow as your paintings come alive."
Morning
Optional yoga. Art workshop: review your work from the week so far, receive personal feedback from Sue, and continue developing your paintings with new techniques and fresh eyes.
Afternoon
Lunch at a local restaurant. Free afternoon at the beach or exploring the island — perhaps a scooter hire to discover hidden coves and villages.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 5Temple of Aphaia
Day 5 — Temple of Aphaia
Ancient Temple · Ag. Marina · Swimming
"Standing among 2,500-year-old columns with a paintbrush in hand — one of the most memorable moments of the retreat."
Morning
Visit the magnificent Temple of Aphaia — one of the best-preserved ancient temples in Greece, with sweeping views across the Saronic Gulf to Athens. Paint and sketch among the ancient ruins.
Afternoon
Lunch in the charming village of Ag. Marina. Swim at the beach in the afternoon sunshine, then return to the retreat for a relaxed evening.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 6Island Secrets
Day 6 — Island Secrets
Aegina Town · Tower of Markellos · Pistachio Trail
"Aegina produces some of the world's finest pistachios — a taste you'll never forget."
Morning
Explore Aegina town's rich historical sites, including the 17th-century Tower of Markellos. Discover the pistachio orchards Aegina is famous for — and taste the world's finest pistachio ice cream.
Afternoon
Lunch at a local restaurant. Free afternoon to continue exploring, browse the markets, or return to the beach for one last long swim.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 7Final Touches
Day 7 — Final Touches
Last Workshop · Farewell Dinner
"The friendships made on this retreat often last a lifetime — the farewell dinner is always full of laughter and warmth."
Morning
Optional yoga. Final art session: lay out your completed works, add finishing touches, and share your artistic journey with the group. A moment of quiet pride and celebration.
Afternoon
Last afternoon of free time — beach, exploration, or simply savouring the island. Perhaps one final swim, one last coffee at the harbour.
Evening
Farewell dinner and drinks at a local restaurant. Stories, laughter, and the bittersweet joy of a week well lived. Exchange details with your new friends.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
Day 8Departure
Day 8 — Departure
Aegina → Athens → Home
"You'll leave with more than paintings — you'll leave with a piece of Greece in your heart."
Morning
Breakfast at 10am. Pack your bags — and your paintings. Travel to Aegina Port together. Board the ferry to Piraeus. Depart with memories, friendships, and artwork to last a lifetime.
✦ Breakfast served daily 8–10am · Optional yoga 8:30–9am
September 2027
Ready to experience it
for yourself?
Two retreats available: 2–6 Sep (5-day) & 8–15 Sep (8-day). Limited to 8 guests per retreat.