"The mystery of Crete runs deep. Whoever sets foot on this island senses a mysterious force coursing warmly and beneficently through their veins, sensing their soul beginning to grow.”
- Nikos Kazantzakis
An Island of Wonder
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First inhabited as early as 130,000 years ago, Crete still retains a special allure for humans - a place of divine beauty, wonderment and transformation.
Crete was home to one of Europe's earliest and most peaceful civilisations, the Minoans, who flourished upon the island from about 3000 to 1200 BCE.
As we have yet to decipher the script of the Minoans, Linear A, we must glean clues about them in the material culture they left behind: bold and colourful frescoes, statues, vessels, and palaces where men, women, animals, and goddesses danced in vibrant harmony. Here, the myths of the labyrinth, minotaur, and Atlantis were born.
The Minoans, it seems, did not worship in grand temples; they communed directly with the divine upon mountain peaks brushing the heavens, in torch-lit caves where the cycle of life is made eternal. Here, some of the earliest Greek gods can be glimpsed in primal form: Kore-Persephone, Zagreus-Dionysos, Ariadne, and so many others. Through them, we may pick up the threads of the ancient mysteries.
Grab your drum and tune your ear to the honeyed revelations of the holy bee!
In April 2026, you are invited to join us on a pilgrimage into the Mysteries of Crete.
4 April
After flying into Heraklion, we will pick you up from the airport and settle you into your room at our villa. We will get to know each other over dinner at a local taverna.
5 April
We will journey to the Minoan palace of Knossos bright and early to tour its breathtaking art, architecture, and landscape. Then we will survey the excavated finds at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, with time for lunch and shopping for replicas and vintage treasures. Back at our villa, we will enjoy a wine and mythology night beneath the stars, retelling the stories of Princess Ariadne, the labyrinth, and the minotaur.
6 April
After a spacious morning of rest at the villa, we will journey inland to Archanes for a pottery workshop with Myrto Politaki in her private studio, a magnificent replica of the Throne Room at Knossos. There we will create Minoan figurines and ritual items, infusing our art with Linear B symbols and sacred phrases. Afterward, we will pay our respects to the nearby Minoan "beehive" tombs of Phourni, including one which is suggested to belong to a priestess.
7 April
Next we drive east along the coast to explore the sprawling Minoan palace of Malia. After lunch, we will make our way back along the sea, descending deep into the sacred caves of Eileithyia, goddess of childbirth, and Britomartis, indigenous predecessor of the maiden huntress Artemis. Within these prehistoric spaces we will make offerings, sing, drum, and enter into a traditional mystery experience in communion with the devotees and priestesses who came before us.
8 April
The following morning we will move inland to hike the mighty Psiloritis mountains, whose peak (Mt Ida) is sacred to the Mountain Mother goddess Rhea. It was in Ida's caves where Rhea hid her son, the Divine Child Zeus, and he received nourishment from the Melissai (Holy Bees). Here, a cave mystery as old as time has unfolded each solar cycle, millennia after millennia. As we ascend Ida's slopes, we will speak of her timeless secrets, guarding them reverently and walking away forever transformed.
9 April
The following morning will be dedicated to rest and recovery from our pilgrimage to Mt Ida. We will unwind with the villa's steam shower and the gentle waves of the sea. Then, we will spend the afternoon at a traditional Cretan honey farm, learning about Minoan beekeeping, sacred bees, and the fermentation mysteries of Zagreus-Dionysos. Of course, the afternoon would not be complete without a tasting of delicious honey and olive oil!
10 April
On our final full day, we will journey back to Myrto's studio in Archanes to collect our finished ceramics. After enjoying the sights and sounds of the lively city of Heraklion, we will complete our pilgrimage by visiting a secret cave. There we will deposit votive offerings in thanks for all we've experienced and learned.
11 April
We will drive you back to the airport, bidding farewell to Crete and wrapping up our beautiful pilgrimage together!
Our accommodation is a private villa perched over the sea, secluded and spacious. You can watch the coastal sunset from the villa's en-suite terraces, infinity pool with jets, the wild beach just a short path down, or the living room with its wine cellar and tranquil ambiance. Participants may book a shared or private room; each room has a connecting full bathroom, sea-view, and terrace access. WiFi, air conditioning, large steam shower / hammam, and washing machines are included at the villa, along with coffee, water, and light breakfast each morning.
We will balance sightseeing and downtime with immersion in the rich Cretan culture, with plenty of time for shopping and traditional tavernas. Spring comes in full glory to the island in April, with mostly sunny days and mild weather (17-20° C / 62-68° F), while avoiding the rush of the late spring and summer tourism crowds.
marina, 2023 crete retreat attendee
"Soulful. My favorite session was the mystery of the labyrinth and the divination night. A truly amazing experience, with incredible people and in the most beautiful location. One of those moments I’ll always keep close to my heart. Forever grateful to have been part of it."
"If I could sum it up in one word, friendship. This experience gifted me with deep, nurturing friendships, a deep sense of acceptance for all that were present and the gifts we bring. I found the experience to be a culmination of alot of inner work and found clarity about who I am as a person/priestess. I would recommend this experience to others that are ready to dive deeply into the priestess path, or wanting to be apart of a deep sisterhood and community."
kirri, 2023 crete retreat attendee
- 7 night shared or private accommodation
- Airport pickup and drop-off (Heraklion)
- Ground transportation
- Admission and tours of sites and museums
- Private pottery workshop in Archanes
- Honey farm tour and tasting
- Daily light breakfast, coffee, tea, and water
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights to and from Heraklion
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal excursion or shopping
- Travel insurance
Apply here
$2000 USD | Twin Shared Room
(4 spaces remaining)
$3000-3200 USD | Private Room
(1 space remaining)
$800 non-refundable deposit required. Remainder of payment due by 31 December, 2025.
pilgrimage cost
- You are contracting us to book international travel accommodations and services on your behalf; please understand that these are not refundable from vendors on our end. For this reason, payments are generally non-refundable. If emergency circumstances arise after registration that prevent you from participating in the Pilgrimage (i.e. family death, extreme weather, national disaster, etc.), we will be happy to review the situation via email (retreats@mtnysa.com) to consider a partial refund. What constitutes an emergency circumstance is ultimately at the discretion of Mt Nysa; however, every reasonable and fair effort will be made to review your circumstances.
- For the above reasons, your deposit may not be refundable, even in cases of emergency and other approved refunds.
- In summary: if you withdraw from the Pilgrimage and wish to recoup your full payment, it is your responsibility to find someone to take your space.
- We are not liable for problems, delays, or cancellations arising with your flights or ground transportation, nor for any loss, injury or damage to your person or property. We highly encourage you to purchase your own travel insurance.
- Traveling to and around the Greek islands, which are remote and largely rural, can be challenging (though it is intensely rewarding)! We ask that you please be culturally sensitive, patient, and adaptable, and communicate any issues or concerns you have as soon as you can. We will always do our best to help you feel comfortable, safe, and empowered on your journey.
pilgrimage TERMS AND CONDITIONS
FAQ
Be on the lookout for the announcement of our second 2026 pilgrimage which will be open to all!
- 7 night shared or private accommodation
- Airport pickup and drop-off (Heraklion)
- Ground transportation
- Admission and tours of sites and museums
- Private pottery workshop in Archanes
- Honey farm tour and tasting
- Daily light breakfast, coffee, tea, and water
NOT INCLUDED:
- Flights to and from Heraklion
- Lunch and dinner
- Personal excursion or shopping
- Travel insurance
In the months leading up to the pilgrimage, we will host a call to connect and review questions, itinerary, and packing list.
