A sabbatical for the soul, a shortcut to simple pleasures with lots of eating
A six-night beach and culinary sabbatical in Greece centred around food, swimming, exploring and proper rest.
You’ll join me, your Mediterranean holiday taker and professional beach hunter, alongside a small group of pleasure seekers and for one week, you get to put your life down and hand it over to us. Perfect.
Everything is included and taken care of so you don’t have to think, plan or decide anything. You can disconnect from home, reconnect with the Mediterranean and properly enjoy where your feet are with no decisions but to just show up every morning at the breakfast table.
Everything is effectively delivered on a silver platter. Sometimes literally.
A true and deep holiday
We’ll go straight to the places I’ve loved: my favourite beaches, restaurants, villages, markets and local spots. These are tried-and-tested experiences gathered over years of travelling through Greece.
This isn’t a conventional local guided tour, its my personally curated sabbatical of simple pleasures. A way to experience this part of the Mediterranean through my eyes and taste buds.
The places I’ve loved
Your designated decision-maker
I’ve travelled internationally for 18 years with most of that time spent exploring Greece and the Mediterranean. Almost every Australian winter I return to Italy or Greece to find and experience new places.
Across Greece alone I’ve visited more than 26 islands and regions gathering the beaches, restaurants and local spots that have become the basis of my travel guides.
Alongside my travels I’ve run Plant Mama for 10 years and built my cooking practice and events business Pasta Mama, over the past six.
The sabbatical grew from my years of solo travel and brings my favourite things into one experience: exploring new places, connecting with community, rancho relaxing, swimming lots, eating extremely well and trying all the snacks.
This experience was created for people who want to travel this way without waiting for a pal or partner to come with them. Its ideal for someone craving connection without giving up their independence, with low-maintenance group activities balanced by plenty of space and time alone.
Our timings are flexible but a general day begins with a leisurely mid-morning breakfast before we mosey down to the beach. We might have lunch by the water, stay for another swim or head to a cooking workshop, wine tasting or creative experience.
Later there’s time to rest at the villa before aperitivo by the pool followed by a Pasta Mama feast or dinner at a village taverna. Then we wake up and do it all again. So difficult, I know.
A week of simple pleasures
Food is at the centre of the entire week. There will be abundant feasts made with seasonal vegetables, local produce, meat and seafood. Combining Pasta Mama favourites with food inspired by Mediterranean and European cooking.
The FOOD
There will be aperitivo by the pool with lemon margaritas and snacks, Pasta Mama feasts at the villa and an Italian pasta lunch by the sea. We’ll collect snacks, treaties and local delicacies along the way, then come together around the long table to eat and relax into the night.
We’ll experience Greek food in its best and simplest forms: roadside freddo cappuccinos, bakery stops for spanakopita, gyros on a sunbed, peaches from the village market and lunch at seaside tavernas. Breakfast will be sheep’s yogurt, melon and fresh juice or fried eggs over chips with feta and oregano.
The villa is set in the peaceful village hills of Crete, surrounded by olive trees, mountains and a million cicadas. Its classic Cretan stone architecture is paired with modern interiors, an incredible outdoor pool and kitchen that we’ll use throughout the week.
Our days might be casual but our home for the week is deliberately luxurious. Staying together in a private villa of this calibre gives us the opportunity to enjoy a house of this size and beauty as our own with long breakfasts, afternoon swims and dinners shared without ever having to rush or leave.
The villa was one of the parts our guests loved most this year, so we’ve made sure there is plenty of time to enjoy it properly. Its three separate wings offer generous spaces to come together and plenty of private places to escape for a moment alone. At sunset, we’ll head to the rooftop and watch the light disappear over the sea.
After an extremely successful first retreat in Crete where both the villa and the experience exceeded our expectations, we’re returning for two sabbaticals:
14–20 June 2027
5–11 July 2027
Your accommodation, meals, transport and planned experiences are included, along with all the little things that make the week feel effortless.
Six nights accommodation at the luxury villa
Airport transfers and all transport throughout the retreat
Sunbed hire
Wine tasting
Culinary workshop
Creative workshop
Outdoor movie night
All meals including villa breakfasts, meals at local tavernas, Pasta Mama feasts, snacks, treats and all the little bits in between
Visits to our favourite beaches, villages and local spots
PMami Starter Pack
PMami Book Library
Fully hosted PMami experience
The bedrooms are arranged across three separate wings, with a mixture of private rooms, en suites, balconies and shared options. Rooms are individually designed and priced according to their size, type and amenities. Every room price includes the full six-night PMami Sabbatical and everything listed above.
Double rooms are for two people travelling together who are happy to share a bed. Twin-share rooms have two single beds and can be booked by solo guests who are happy to share with another guest.
Master Suite + Private Ensuite | €7,000 per person |
Our largest rooms with a private ensuite. SOLD OUT
Queen Room + Private Ensuite | €6,500 per person
Your own private room and ensuite. 1 LEFT
Private Room + Shared Bathroom | €6,000 per person | 1 LEFT
Your own private bedroom with a shared bathroom.
Shared Room + Private Ensuite | €4,200 per person
A shared room with a private ensuite.
Everything is included
Master Suite + Private Ensuite | €7,000 per person | SOLD OUT
Our largest rooms with a private ensuite.
Queen Room + Private Ensuite | €6,500 per person
Your own private room and ensuite.
Private Room + Shared Bathroom | €6,000 per person
Your own private bedroom with a shared bathroom. 1 LEFT
Shared Room + Private Ensuite | €4,200 per person
A shared room with a private ensuite.
An €800 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. The remaining balance can be paid in full, split into two payments or spread across multiple instalments with a payment schedule arranged at the time of booking.
How to Book
To express interest please fill in the form below.
We’ll send through the retreat details, itinerary, available rooms and next steps. If you have further queries please email pastaclub@plantmama.com.au
FAQs
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This retreat is for anyone wanting a high-quality, beautifully organised holiday without the stress of planning. It’s perfect for solo travellers, first-timers to Greece, people who love good food and anyone who wants a mix of connection and alone time. It suits those with busy lives who are craving rest, sunshine, simple pleasures and no decisions. If you’ve ever wanted to step into the slow, salty, easy holidays PMami shares - this is for you.
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We thoughtfully curate each group to ensure compatible energy and travel styles. Our aim is that you leave feeling rejuvenated, supported and filled up in all the right ways - and we know the group vibe & energy will have the biggest impact on this.
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Absolutely - many guests will be solo travellers. You’ll have a private room (unless booking a double occupancy room) and plenty of opportunities to connect with others, as well as lots of space for alone time.
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Yes. Comprehensive travel and medical insurance is required for the entire duration of your trip, including flights and transit days.
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Plenty of alone time with a good mix of group activities. This is a retreat, not a forced-fun itinerary. You’re welcome to opt out of any activity, take quiet time, read by the pool, wander the village or retreat to your room whenever you wish.
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This retreat isn’t designed for people who want a tightly packed schedule, late nights or constant stimulation. Its not about rushing, ticking boxes, or doing as much as possible. Its for people who value rest, good food, and being guided well and who are happy to let the week unfold at a slower, more intentional pace.
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Flights to and from Greece
Travel insurance
Personal purchases outside of group meals and scheduled activities
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A thoughtful mix of PM cooking, local tavernas, beach picnics, seasonal produce, garden harvests and shared homemade meals. Expect simple, delicious, real food with lots of variety.
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Yes - within reason. Please disclose any dietary needs before booking so we can confirm accommodations.
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Most things are included. You may prefer additional cash for: shopping & extra drinks
The retreat itself is designed to minimise extra spending so we cover everything so you can focus on making the least amount of decisions.
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Group transfers to and from the villa (arrival & departure) are included.
During the week, we’ll have cars available for planned activities, plus an additional car for early swims or small off-schedule runs.
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Yes - most activities are gentle and adaptable. There may be stairs, uneven terrain and beach entries so moderate mobility is recommended.
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An €800 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place. The remaining balance can be paid in full, split into two payments or spread across multiple instalments, with a payment schedule arranged at the time of booking.
Melbourne & Sydney
A slow, sensory weekend of creativity, writing, nature and delicious eating, with a touch of the woo-woo, designed to reconnect you to yourself and your ideas.We’re taking a small group to a beautiful country home just outside Melbourne and Sydney. Register your interest below to join the waitlist for dates and details!