Author and multimedia artist Thordis Niela Simonsen has guided tours and led artistic retreats in Greece since she fell in love with the country years ago while working as a documentary filmmaker. Now based in a sunlit village in the Peloponnese, Simonsen runs small, intimate groups of up to eight participants on carefully crafted Excursions & Sojourns across Greece. Her approach centers on creating genuine encounters through travel and the arts, and she designs 14-day journeys that cover Crete, the Cycladic Islands, the Peloponnese, Epirus and Thessaly. Each trip features customized itineraries, authentic local experiences and traditional meals, with departures primarily in May and October and the option to arrange tailored dates for private groups.
One program focused specifically on women writers is Astra Writing in Greece, an 11-day retreat that combines active exploration with quiet time for reflection and writing. Beginning in Athens, the itinerary includes an overnight stay in the fortified medieval town that inspired 20th-century poet Yannis Ritsos, six days in the coastal village of Elika, and guided visits to key cultural sites in Athens such as the Acropolis and the Benaki Museum. Throughout the retreat participants enjoy hiking and walking excursions, immersive cultural experiences, and daily opportunities to write in inspiring, peaceful surroundings.
Simonsen emphasizes small group size and slow, sensory travel—meals with local families, visits to traditional workshops, and conversations with artists and craftspeople—so participants can connect deeply with the landscape, history and contemporary life of each region. Her retreats are tailored to foster creativity, reflection and authentic contact with local communities, balancing structured activities with free time for personal exploration.
The programs suit travelers seeking immersive, creative journeys rather than conventional sightseeing. Each itinerary is built to combine scenic routes, cultural heritage and opportunities to practice art or writing, making room for both communal exchange and individual work. Travelers can expect a mix of coastal vistas, mountain villages, archaeological sites and island life, accompanied by comfortable, locally rooted accommodations and regionally inspired meals.
For women writers and other creatives, the Astra Writing in Greece retreat is designed to nourish the writing process with daily prompts, shared readings, group feedback sessions and quiet writing hours. The setting—historic towns, seaside villages and Athens’s cultural institutions—provides varied inspiration, while the small group size ensures focused attention and meaningful peer interaction. The overall aim is to return home refreshed, with new material, renewed perspective and a deeper connection to Greece’s landscapes and cultural rhythms.
Simonsen’s excursions and retreats combine careful logistical planning with a commitment to authenticity and respectful engagement. Whether participants come for focused creative work, cultural immersion or simply a slower way to explore Greece, the programs offer curated experiences that highlight the country’s diverse regions, traditions and contemporary arts scene. Customized dates and private group options are available for those who prefer alternative scheduling or a more personalized itinerary.