4th - 26th of April 2026

This month, we will be inviting author and local wildflower expert Elena Gogou to guide us on some botanical discoveries.
Your host and nature guide Leah Heming will take you to some beautiful secluded spots for creative inspiration where wild flowers and orchids grow in abundance.

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ORCHIDS & WILD FLOWERS

April is the time of year when the island looks its most luscious and colourful. The wildflowers bloom, the trees go into flower and the nightingale starts his beautiful song. April is also the month of the famous wild orchids of Thassos. Hike around the archaeological ruins and you will get a brief glimpse of the delicate orchids, usually in clusters, attracting the spring bees and insects with their stunning display of colour and shape.

HIGHLIGHTS

🌿 3 full days of discovery and learning with local flora expert Elena Gogou
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 Regular hikes
🌿 Art in the outdoors
🌿 Stay in a traditional Greek house in a local community
🌿 Quiet working space and setting
🌿 Tailor made creative residency to fit your needs
🌿 Unforgettable experience
🌿 Nature, nature and more nature

ORCHIDS & WILD FLOWERS ART RESIDENCY IS PERFECT FOR

🌸 creatives who want to learn more about wild flowers
🌸 creatives who want to see the beautiful wild orchids of Thassos
🌸 creatives who are looking for inspiration from plants
🌸 creatives who love the outdoors
🌸 botany enthusiasts and beginners
🌸 writers
🌸 artists
🌸 musicians
🌸 scientists / researchers
🌸 botanists
🌸 poets
🌸 PHD students
🌸 storytellers
🌸 photographers

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS

Water & Rock's ethos is that through art we can bring awareness and sensitivity to our natural world.
We are true believers that creative communication is the driving force for change.
Therefore if your work is inspired by nature and you are motivated to get stuck into to your project or develop your ideas, then we want to hear from you!

The residency is for you if...
 🌿 You are inspired by nature
🌿 You want to make change through your art
🌿 You have a project that needs nurturing & attention
🌿 You want to live in community
🌿 You want to immerse yourself in local culture
🌿 You want an adventure

AN AVERAGE WEEK AT THE ORCHIDS & WILD FLOWERS ART RESIDENCY

MONDAY:               ☀️AM: drive down to the local village market in Prinos where you will find beautiful fresh, seasonal vegetables from local small scale farmers.
                                                         Stock up for the week from the market, local fishmongers, butchers and supermarket, then finish the morning with a Greek coffee in the                                                                   café with the local community.
                                        🌜PM: Head back to house,  get creative or head out for a walk around the village or into the beautiful gorge full of springs and dipping pools

TUESDAY:               ☀️AM: Creative morning
                                       🌜 PM: Creative afternoon or //mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)

WEDNESDAY:       ☀️AM: Creative morning or// Excursion morning... choose from a selection excursions (hiking, plein air writing, archaeological visits, beach...)
                                         🌜PM: Creative afternoon or// Excursion afternoon... choose from a selection excursions (hiking, plein air writing, archaeological visits, beach...)

THURSDAY:            ☀️AM: Creative morning
                                        🌜PM: Creative afternoon or //mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)

FRIDAY:                     ☀️AM: Botany art day with Elena Gogou... tailored to the needs and desires of the group
                                         🌜PM: Botany art day with Elena Gogou... tailored to the needs and desires of the group

SATURDAY:             ☀️AM: Creative morning or// mountain trail run with your host Leah (optional)
                                         🌜PM: Creative afternoon //  Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in

SUNDAY:                  ☀️AM: Go on a breathtaking hike with the local hiking or environmental group.
                                         🌜PM: Reward yourself after a big hike with a traditional Sunday Long Lunch in a local taverna with friends and family.

YOUR HOST LEAH

Leah is an illustrator, art director & concept designer for TV and animation.
She is also a qualified nature guide who particularly loves ethnobotany. Additionally, Leah co-ran a successful art gallery for 10 years and once worked as a 'Jeep Safari tour guide' on the island taking people to beautiful mountains locations.

Leah has been living on the island of Thassos for 5 years and is passionate about the island's nature. She is a hiker and a trail runner, so she will be happy to take you out on long hikes into the mountains and talk endlessly about ecology.

Leah will be living next door to you, cooking with you in the evenings, working alongside you in the studio and taking you out on excursions.  

Leah's Instagram
www.leah-heming.com

ELENA GOGOU
YOUR WILDFLOWER TEACHER

Elena is an author, artist, singer and plant essence healer.

I first met Elena on a stone age course with Lynx Vilden in the Rhodopi mountains of Greece. Elena was our guide and wildflower teacher.
Her knowledge of the healing powers and uses of the local flora is astounding. Elena will guide us into the forest, the mountains, the gorges, share the healing secrets of plants with us, tell us fabulous stories and myths, and if we are lucky, sing us some traditional Greek songs.

Elena is an amazing woman and dear friend, she is a well connected person who knows anyone who is anyone in the environmental movements of Greece. She loves her heritage and the landscape in which she lives.

Elena's Instagram
Elena's blog

APRIL
WEATHER

As April progresses, the weather gets warmer and warmer. Towards the beginning we might need a few more evening fires but by the end of April we can expect to start having evening meals outside with a jumper.
The weather can still be variable, usually some rain showers and some hot sunny days (and occasionally some light snow in the earlier part of the month).
Bring mid/light season and waterproof hiking clothes, good hiking shoes and warm layers for the evenings.
The sea water is still cold but on a warm day, swimming is a must!

WHAT TO EXPECT

🌿 Weekly shopping at the local market & village
🌿 Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
🌿 Excursions around the island  (hiking, archaeology, beach, plein air...)
🌿 Desk in your room
🌿 Communal desk space
🌿 Many outdoor terraces with stunning views
🌿 A quiet place to concentrate
🌿 Community & other creatives to share ideas with
🌿 Peace and quiet
🌿 A local guide (Leah your host)
🌿 Delicious Greek delicacies
🌿 The island all to yourself!

🌿 Immersion into the local community
🌿 Friendly cats
🌿 Communal evening cooking
🌿 Magical gorge with fresh water springs and swim spots
 🌿Cosy evenings around the fire
🌿 Stunning spring light & budding flowers
🌿 Yoga mats and blocks
🌿 Fully equipped shared kitchen
🌿 Private bedroom
 🌿 Shared bathroom
🌿 Excellent wi-fi

FEES FOR THE 2026 ORCHIDS & WILDFLOWERS ART RESIDENCY

RATES FOR 22 nights
€ 1650 per person *
(+ €700 for double occupancy)

3 ROOMS

🌿 Metamorphosis room: On the ground floor, next to the bathroom & the studio. With its original stone work, this double room is very cosy, like sleeping in cocoon!
🌿 Fern spirit room: Upstairs room with a view, original features and a small wood burner, this room can be made up as a single or double room.
🌿 Krana room: Upstairs, a smaller but double room with fantastic views and a lovely feeling with its original wattle and daub walls.

* 50% deposit required - see full Terms & Conditions here

WHAT IS INCLUDED

✚ 3 full botany days with Elena Gogou & Leah Heming
✚ Weekly group creative brainstorm & check in
✚ End of residency group presentation & drinks
✚ Regular optional trail runs or hikes
✚ Sunday morning hike
✚ Accommodation
✚ Pick up / drop off at the port upon arrival / leaving
✚ regularly cleaned bedsheets + towels
✚ Basic food condiments (salt, olive oil, etc)
✚ Fire wood

WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED

⊖ Extra excursions (optional) *
⊖ Personal laundry (€3 per load)
⊖ Travel insurance
⊖ Travel to and from the residency (except from the ferry port)
⊖ Entrance fees to the museum
⊖ Personal groceries and taverna outings
⊖ art materials

* Click here for list and pricing of extra optional excursions
Any more questions... visit our Frequently Asked Questions page or drop us an email!

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