FULL Discover the magic of words - writers' trip to Crete 9.6.2025-16.6.2025
This photo is from last summer's author's trip to Paleohora.
Discover the magic of words - a journey of creative and nurturing writing in Crete - TÄYNNÄ
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, join Sananhaltija and Matkapalet on a trip to Crete from 9.6.-16.6.
Take a look at the journey description below and embark on the most important journey of your life, where you will get to explore your inner self through creative and nurturing writing.
The Discover the Magic of Words course is a week-long respite in the charming little village of Paleohora on the south 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 and discussion.
The course uses creative writing and literary therapy methods to help you explore your own life and emotions through writing. 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.
The course is a combination of group work and independent work.
Discover the magic of words on a writer's journey
free yourself to write about the turning points in your life
you can trust your hopes and dreams and find new resources within yourself
you also get to try out body-based and sensory methods
experience the thought-clarifying and energising power of writing
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 beach village of Paleohora
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 writing experience.
About the previous trip
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.
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 Paleohora, an idyllic, authentic Cretan seaside village at the western end of the island of Crete, on the south coast of the Libyan Sea. The village has a population of just 1 675. Paleohora has the ruins of a 13th century Venetian fortress, a charming village centre with tavernas and two beaches on either side of the peninsula. It is about 70 km from Chania. From Hania airport it is about 90 km / 1 h 40 min drive to Paleohora.
Accommodation is either in Villa Candia or Villa Marise. You can find out more about them here.
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, buffet breakfast, welcome ceremony, a sumptuous welcome and farewell dinner including house wine and water, a writing course (approx. 15 hours guided), one day trip to a nearby village, one evening out together including a sumptuous dinner, water and house wine. In addition, there will be a nice get-together and the possibility to participate in joint 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 +190 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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