Explorative, contained, safe, meaningful with Penelope who is a very skilled facilitator and helped us all to reach new depths of meaning and understanding.

What a unique experience! I would have never imagined that journey (from inner to outer world), in a safe space and free zone so that each one explores own life at own pace and will, while using colours, frees expression in such a powerful and meaningful way.

A 5 stars experience! Wonderful connective, supportive, joyful, and aligned. I am so grateful to Penelope (and to everyone in the group) who was host of the process alongside me. I will keep this time together and this memory forever. Thank you for catering specifically for my dietary needs.

This is my second time in this retreat and I cherished every moment of being in a beautiful estate, creating freely and meeting people who felt like family after just 4 days.

A retreat filled up with insights, new ways of seeing and understanding, gaining clarity and finding meaning. Accommodation was in a serene estate and Penelope was a truly trustful, joyful and experienced facilitator.

My second time at the Atelier Bien Être, and once again, some lovely new connections. Thank you, Penelope, for your gentle, thoughtful, and caring guidance. I can't wait for the next workshop!

Un moment pour soi, avec soi. Je n'aurais jamais imaginer que de faire un "simple collage" en raconte autant sur ce que je traverse, ce que j'ai besoin d'exprimer, et le bien-être que cela apporte une fois qu'on réalise que tout à un sens. Merci à @artfulretreats chez @gallerystudiobb

Thank you for such an interesting and liberating course, I think it was the first time I really let myself go with the flow as far as the creative process, I will try to replicate that moving forward with new art projects. I really felt a great sense of achievement to have been able to express my journey on paper, I will keep my artwork to remind me of the ongoing journey.

My time in Crete has for me been life changing. From the very first contact until now, the still on going growth that I keep within me and build everyday. Penelope's Cretan hospitality, honest and easy going nature together with compassion, understanding and an open and curious mind made my welcome and stay, gentle, comforting, secure and supportive and I felt love. I really feel I have made 6 new friends (including Tara) and I love what each of you give me. Most of all confidence and support in any creative venture I choose to embrace, including life itself. I know that if you give someone belief in themselves, they have no limits and dreams can come true. I feel I have grown wings and am ready to fly. The best thing is that each one of you is true from the heart. I have thought I should have done this years ago but then the timing wouldn’t have been right. I did it at the perfect time alongside the perfect people.

What an amazing six days! Coming all the way from Australia to take part in this Art retreat was a gift I gave to me and it truly surpassed all my expectations! I very much enjoyed the yoga sessions, that gave us a gentle start to the day, followed by a delicious breakfast and art in the studio or outside in the beautiful gardens. Penelope has a natural talent to make us all feel connected and to give us the opportunity to open up and talk about happy or sad events in our lives. We supported and were supported in a safe and peaceful environment! Overall, it was an inspiring and fulfilling experience I will be taking back home to Australia and develop further in my creative journey. Thank you so much! Elisabeth

It was a fun way to reflect and check in with ourselves and each other. We probably saw more authentic responses to the questions because of the creativity to get there. Makes you appreciate that in our team we have a bunch of high performers who are really hard on themselves.

Dear Penelope and Romny, Thank you so much for a great workshop, this was the perfect answer for a virtual team-build with team members in multiple locations. Even though we were not physically together you created a “together space” which allowed the team to connect on a deeper level and to understand each other in a more personal way. I look forward to working with you again. Hilary

Really enjoyed to enter this creative safe space with the team and get to know other people in a way which is not possible in our day to day environment

"The combination between art and yoga is fantastic! The freedom to express, to speak about everything, emotions...".

Thank you very much for your Saturday course. For me it was a really interesting experience. Astonishing for me that I felt supported by the group and confident to express feelings in such a short time

I have to say I feel truly blessed to have come to your wonderful retreat, thank you so much for making it happen and being aware of every single detail that counts. I cannot tell you how much this retreat has helped me I really feel the change. I feel the reset that has happened and it is all due to your amazing work.

The best thing this retreat did for us was to teach us how to look, be open and question. When those doors have been open the world has a new filter and a much more meaningful lens. Often times the information was right there if only we look to seek it.

This was a very special six days, the retreat surpassed all my expectations. I came with an open mind and left with an open heart. Here is what I particularly enjoyed. The way in which Penelope held the group over the six days (I know that’s not easy!!) Her energy and humour and the way she worked with every member of our group in a way that was absolutely right for them. The pacing of the exercises and the way in which the intensity built up during the week. The way in which the yoga under the olive tree every morning was integrated into the work we were doing on any particular day. The variety of art materials, which terrified me on day 1 having never done “art” before and then excited me on every subsequent day! The sound bath. Eating at local tavernas. The beautiful accommodation and estate.

Penelope put so much strategic and careful thought/care into planning this retreat. Despite my personal physical challenges, the daily schedule – anchored by Tara’s yoga/meditation sessions, George’s lovingly prepared meals, and ending with a late night meal (esp with a walk to/from the village) – seemed to create the perfect environment/schedule for connection between the group as well as trust in the wisdom of the process. The exercises and the order and timing of same gave us a safe way to do the personal work each of us aspired to do. It was presented in such a way that we could comfortably begin to open up and peel away each of the layers within and continue to move deeper and deeper throughout the week to a point of significant and often surprising personal insights/revelations. Of course the brilliant and sensitive way in which we were encouraged, gently nudged and ultimately protected was the absolute vital link to doing our work. Without it, none of the magic would have happened.

What a joy to visit the Bleverde estate for an art therapy retreat with such a beautiful group of people. Our host and therapist, Penelope created such a safe place for us to play, have fun and reflect on so much as individuals and as a group. In sharing our art as well as our life experiences we were able to explore deep old wounds we all carried and helped our inner demons to fly a little freer. Tara guided us each morning and I saw how yoga may help my own recovery from some chronic health problems. visiting the local ceramist was a privilege. The food prepared by Eleni was packed with lot of nutrition and love. The loukoumades were quite the hit! I needed more time at the retreat. More time to paint, reflect, share and digest all that materialised.