7 Days: 04.10. -
Spend a week in practice with international meditation teacher Alexis Santos, guided by the teachings of Burmese meditation master Sayadaw U Tejaniya.
Many people arrive at meditation believing they must control the mind, remove distraction, or reach a special state of calm. Yet practice driven by effort can easily become another form of stress.
This October, join Alexis Santos at Peli Kastri for a week of meditation rooted in the teachings of Sayadaw U Tejaniya. Surrounded by the quiet landscapes of Southern Pelion, where ancient olive groves meet the turquoise Aegean Sea, this retreat offers space to develop mindfulness in a natural, sustainable way.
The title, When Awareness Becomes Natural, taken from Sayadaw U Tejaniya’s most recent book, reflects the possibility of making awareness part of everyday life rather than something reserved only for formal meditation.
Instead of forcing the mind into a particular condition, we will explore practice through Right View and Right Attitude—qualities that support a relaxed continuity of awareness in all activities. If the mind is busy, can we know it is busy? If tension is present, can we recognize tension? Through steady, interested awareness, we gradually come to understand experience more deeply.
The retreat program includes sitting and walking meditation, time for self-directed practice, Dharma talks, group meetings, and Q&A sessions. Participants will be encouraged to find their own rhythm, discovering how awareness can remain present in any activity.
Whether you are deepening an established practice or beginning to explore a more integrated approach to mindfulness, this retreat offers an opportunity to cultivate a way of being aware that can continue long after the retreat ends.
A bit about Alexis:
Alexis Santos brings a fresh perspective to the modern mindfulness field, reshaping how we relate to our own minds. His teaching moves beyond rigid or militaristic ideas of meditation, offering something intuitive, practical, and well suited to the complexity of contemporary life.
Alexis's path combines Western academic achievement with deep Eastern contemplative training:
The Method: Relax and Be Aware
Alexis teaches in a natural, uncrafted, and highly practical way. Having moved from Harvard graduate and medical student to ordained Buddhist monk in the Theravada tradition, he understands the modern intellectual mind.
His approach cuts through esoteric dogma and opens into an experiential, wisdom-based mindfulness practice.
Peli Kastri Guesthouse: Stay directly on the retreat grounds.
The Guesthouse is located about 100 meters from the beach and borders the olive grove at the rear. Outside, there are many places to rest, read, unwind, or even enjoy a grapefruit picked straight from the tree, depending on the season.
The renovated house offers 8 double rooms, most with balconies, and two rooms can be upgraded to accommodate 3 guests with an extra bed. Each room has a direct or indirect sea view, plus a kettle and mini fridge.
With Greek cotton, handmade details, and carefully chosen furnishings overlooking the bay, the rooms are designed as a peaceful retreat for rest and relaxation. On the ground floor, guests have access to a lounge area and a spacious private terrace with Greek accents, ideal for breakfast or an evening pause. Part of the Guesthouse also includes a beach section with beachbeds and loungers.
Accommodation: For Alexis' retreat, we offer 3 categories, all inclusive of full board:
| Tier | Accommodation Type | Rate (per person/8 nights) | Optional Sponsorship Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Private Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse) | €1,480 | €1,600 |
| Shared | Double Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse) | €1,104 | €1,200 |
| Community | Shared apartments with 2-5 beds at neighbouring houses that are approx. 2mins and 7mins from the venue at Peli Kastri Guesthouse & Retreat. | €984 | — |
*The sponsorship option allows participants to contribute toward a scholarship fund for those with fewer resources.
To keep the retreat accessible while supporting the Dāna model, we offer three tiers, all inclusive of full board:
| Tier | Accommodation Type | Rate (per person/8 nights 04.10 – 12. 10.) | Optional Sponsorship Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Solo | Private Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)** | €1,480 | €1,600 |
| Shared | Double Room (Peli Kastri Guesthouse)** | €1,104 | €1,200 |
| Community | Shared apartments with 2-5 beds at neighbouring houses that are approx. 2mins and 7mins from the venue at Peli Kastri Guesthouse & Retreat.*** | €984 | — |
*The sponsorship option allows participants to contribute toward a scholarship fund for those with fewer resources.
** Peli Kastri Guesthouse is a small Guesthouse with 8 rooms in total. We follow a first come, first serve policy.
***If you stay at a community house, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served at the taverna at Peli Kastri Guesthouse & Retreat.
Start: The retreat begins on the evening of October 4th with an introduction, and participants are asked to arrive at Peli Kastri by 6:00 PM at the latest.
End: The final session with Alexis is expected to take place on October 11th at 10:30 AM.
Capacity Limit: To preserve an intimate and high-quality practice container, this retreat is limited to 40 participants.
Course language: English (German or Greek translations available upon request)
Requests can be made via the enquiry button.
If you have any further questions about the retreat and method, please get in touch and your questions will be forwarded to Alexis.
Registration, Cancellation, and Travel Responsibility
Minimum Attendance Requirement: The retreat depends on reaching a sustainable minimum number of participants. If the required minimum occupancy is not met by August 15th, 2026, the retreat may be cancelled or postponed. In that case, Peli Kastri will notify all registered participants immediately.
Limitation of Travel Liability: Peli Kastri and its organizing partners, including U&W GmbH, serve only as the event hosts and accommodation venue. They are not liable for personal travel expenses incurred in preparation for or as a result of a cancelled or rescheduled retreat, including airline tickets, train or ferry fares, car rentals, or independent hotel bookings.
Mandatory Travel Insurance Recommendation: Because unexpected events can affect travel plans, participants are strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel cancellation and interruption insurance at the time of booking, covering organizer cancellation, medical emergencies, and travel delays.
Every effort is made to keep travel to this remote corner of Pelion mindful and as stress-free as possible.
1 – Choose Your Arrival Window
October 3 or October 4
The official retreat program begins on the evening of October 4th. However, you are welcome to arrive on October 3rd to settle in early and decompress. Extra-night accommodation can be arranged and billed separately upon request.
2 – Select Your Transport Mode
Group Bus or Independent Travel
Arrival via Thessaloniki Airport (SKG):
The SKG Group Bus departs from Thessaloniki Airport on October 4th at 14:30 and arrives at Kastri Beach around 19:00.
The cost is €40–60 per person each way, depending on the number of guests. The bus operates only if at least 6 people use it. Return is planned for the 12th at 07:00 from Peli Kastri in order to reach flights at noon from SKG.
Independent Travel: Renting a car at the airport is highly recommended so you can enjoy the coastal scenery at your own pace; cars are also relatively inexpensive at this time of year. Carpool coordination is available for those willing to share a rental.
Arrival via Skiathos (JSI):
If you arrive via Skiathos airport, please let us know. The trip from Skiathos airport to Peli Kastri is short, approximately 45 minutes if the waves and weather are favorable. Shuttle and transfer arrangements can be supported upon request.
Arrival via Volos (VOL):
Private shuttles from Volos can be coordinated on request. Rental cars are available at the airport or in the city, and the drive takes about 1 hour.
Arrival via Athens (ATH):
Although Athens is not far away, there is no shortcut to Peli Kastri; travel must go via Volos.
Your best options are a connecting flight to Skiathos or a rental car. The drive takes around 5+ hours.
Designed for a peaceful stay, this guesthouse offers eight double rooms with a calm, comfortable atmosphere and thoughtful essentials for a relaxing escape. Most rooms include a private balcony, creating an inviting spot to enjoy the fresh air and take in the surroundings. Two of the rooms can also be upgraded to host a third guest with an extra bed, making them a flexible option for small groups or families.
Every room features either a direct or indirect sea view, adding a soothing coastal touch to the experience. Guests will also find a kettle and a mini fridge in each room, offering a little extra convenience throughout the stay. With its simple comfort, sea views, and practical amenities, this accommodation is well suited for travelers looking to unwind in a quiet, welcoming setting.
Designed for a comfortable and restful stay, this double room offers a calm setting with thoughtful details throughout. Some rooms feature a balcony and sea view, creating a bright and refreshing atmosphere to enjoy during your time away. A kettle and mini fridge are also available in selected rooms, adding a practical touch for relaxed mornings and easy in-room convenience.
Soft Greek cotton textiles and handmade details bring warmth and character to the space, reflecting a simple yet inviting style. The room is well suited for guests looking for a peaceful retreat with a balance of comfort and understated charm. Whether you are unwinding after a day of wellness activities or simply enjoying quiet time indoors, this room provides a pleasant base for a restorative stay.
Stay on the retreat grounds and enjoy a setting that feels both restful and intimate. The guesthouse sits about 100 meters from the beach and opens directly onto the olive grove at the back. In the lower part of the grove, beside the house, you can find shade for reading, unwinding, or simply relaxing beneath the olive trees in a centuries-old, beautifully romantic garden. Depending on the season, you may even pick a grapefruit straight from the tree.
The lovingly renovated old house offers 8 double rooms, some with balconies. Two of the rooms can also be arranged for 3 guests with an extra bed. Every room has either a direct or indirect sea view, along with a kettle and a mini fridge. Thoughtfully furnished with Greek cotton, handmade details, and carefully selected pieces, the rooms are designed as a peaceful retreat where well-being and relaxation come naturally.
On the ground floor, guests have access to a lounge area and a spacious private terrace with elegant Greek touches. It creates a special atmosphere and is ideal for breakfast in the morning or a quiet evening of relaxation.
Alexis Santos brings a fresh perspective to the modern mindfulness world, offering a style of teaching that reshapes how we relate to the mind. Rather than relying on rigid or overly formal meditation models, he presents an approach that is intuitive, practical, and well suited to the complexities of contemporary life. After graduating from Harvard University in 1995, he spent several...
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Sun, Oct 4 – Sun, Oct 11