Discover the magic of words and colours - writers' trip to Crete 6.10.2025-13.10.2025
Creative writing and visual work trip to Crete in October
Do you miss the warmth and light of the south?
Do you want to get away from it all in a gentle and warm company?
Do you want to deal with the turning points in your life, find your inner resources and the joy of creativity, and draw new enthusiasm and hope from your dreams and aspirations?
If you answered yes, go to Crete with Sananhaltija and Matkapalet from 6.10.-13.10.
Take a look at the journey description below and embark on the most important journey of your life, where you can explore your inner self through creative and nurturing writing and playing with colour.
Discover the Magic of Words and Colours is a week-long respite in the charming little village of Kissamos on the north-west coast of Crete. On the course, you're on your own, with no strings attached. You get to let your creativity blossom - or just wake up - through rest, writing, reading, colour and conversation.
The course uses creative writing and literary and art therapy methods to help you explore your own life and emotions through writing and illustration. Discussion and sharing of feelings, thoughts, experiences and texts are also an important part of the experience - not forgetting the stunning scenery, local culture, ancient history and sensory experiences.
So this trip is not just about diving into words - it's also about diving into colour. Alongside the writing is an intuitive, low-threshold visual approach that requires no prior knowledge. You can play with colours, try painting and drawing without the pressure of performance - for your own pleasure and to support your own insights.
Over the days, you will build a personal travel diary: a unique work of art that combines text, images and colours - just the way you want it.
The course is a combination of group work and independent work.
Discover the magic of words and colours on a writer's journey
free yourself to write about the turning points in your life and describe your feelings and experiences
you can trust your hopes and dreams and find new resources within yourself
you also get to experiment with embodied and sensory methods that unlock creativity
try low-threshold visual work: painting, drawing and playing with colours without the pressure to perform
compile your own travel diary during the week: a unique collection of words, colours and your own insights
experience the thought-clarifying and energising power of writing and image-making
discover a new way of dealing with your emotions and learn how to process your life and memories through writing
discover new resources within yourself, develop your self-awareness and discover your own strengths
encourage you to try new things and get new ideas
enjoy the holiday you deserve in the idyllic, authentic Cretan village of Kissamos
get encouragement and peer support from other participants
you are genuinely free of obligations and can focus on just being, without interruption
you don't need previous experience in writing or visual work - just curiosity and an open mind.
What I said about the previous trips
I found Annamar's way of guiding the group to be gentle, space-giving,
calm, attentive to the needs of the group and encouraging. With her own
way of being and her choice of exercises she managed
to awaken dormant sources of creativity.
- Minna K.
It wasn't a one-off trip, but there's plenty to take away from it all for a long time.
- Tiina
In Paleohora, indeed, the mind took and the pen wrote, we were all free to go. I feel a great gratitude to life when I remember us ❤️.
- Leena
You can read more about what it's like to be a writer here.
Shall we get to know each other?
Education
Group work is three hours a day for five days, excluding one day off. Additional tasks are also available for those who wish. During the guided activities, it is also possible to take a short break to write short writing assignments in nature, on the beach or elsewhere in private.
Note: Participants will receive a more detailed, day-specific programme and pre-assignment closer to the trip.
Location
The destination is the idyllic, authentic Cretan seaside village of Kasteli-Kissamos, in the south-western corner of the island of Crete. The village faces the Gulf of Kissamos, flanked by the promontories of Rodopou to the east and Gramvousa to the west. The village is located about 42 km west of Chania.
Accommodation is at the well-appointed Mirtilos Hotel (***), centrally located in the city centre, close to the archaeological museum. The hotel has a large swimming pool and courtyard area, as well as a pool bar. See the hotel description on the hotel's website.
Price
from EUR 1 395 per double room.
The price includes direct Finnair flights, airport transfers and guided tours in Greece, accommodation in a shared double room, air-conditioning tax, buffet breakfasts, a welcome event, a rich welcome and farewell meal including house wine and water, a writing course (approx. 15 hours guided) and one evening meal together including a rich dinner, water and house wine. In addition, there will be a nice get-together and the possibility to participate in communal dinners with paid dinners in different taverns. A Finnish-speaking guide and instructors accompany the excursions and look after the group throughout the week.
For an extra charge, accommodation alone in a double room +185 euros. Please note that the number of single rooms is very limited.
The responsible tour operator is Matkapaletti. Read more about the trip on the Matkapaletti website.
If you want to get involved, click on the button below. You can ask about the content of the course by emailing annamari@sananhaltija.fi.
Hey you!
Welcome to a journey of discovery in your own life! I will help you discover the power of words, your own creativity and the courage to live your dreams.
Ten years ago, my own creativity was locked and my minutes were lost. Then I found myself, somewhat accidentally, in a creative writing workshop.
There, the instructor's simple and liberating writing exercises and listening presence worked wonders. Add to this the gracious and warm spirit of the group and my locks were unlocked. I felt like I was with my tribe, doing exactly what I was meant to do.
I discovered my own voice and the power of writing. But it was also the start of something much bigger.
As a result of that weekend, I studied first as a literary arts teacher at Snellman Summer University in Kuopio and then as a literary therapy teacher at a training organised by the Helsinki University Continuing Education Centre HY+ and the Finnish Literary Therapy Association. I am constantly developing myself and my skills, and I have just started a top-level course in the literary therapy training pathway, which trains literary therapists.
I've helped hundreds of people of all ages through live groups, workshops and online courses to unlock their creativity, strengthen their mental wellbeing, increase their self-awareness and find their strengths and their own way in life through creative and nurturing writing - without forgetting the joy of creativity and playfulness.
You too are warmly welcome on this journey to discover yourself and the words of your life.
Annamari
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