# Revision, Rewriting, and Re-Visioning Writing Retreat with Author Matt Bell in Greece

Trade daily distractions for a deeper relationship with your work-in-progress. On the Greek island of Zakynthos, surrounded by sun, sea air, and spacious skies, join author Matt Bell for a creative writing retreat built around revision, structure, and the long arc of a manuscript in motion.This retreat welcomes all genres and forms, including fiction, memoir, hybrid work, and narrative nonfiction. All levels are invited. You don’t need to be published, but you’ll get the most from this experience if you bring a draft or partial manuscript you’re ready to work on.Inspiration will come from Zante Town’s vine-covered facades and weathered stone and from a boat ride to Navagio Beach, where cliffs rise above a rusted shipwreck and bright water. As the retreat continues, you’ll build a stronger draft, refine your voice, and learn how to prepare your manuscript for submission. Later sessions will include guidance on queries, synopses, and the realities of publication.Stay in a peaceful Greek villa surrounded by island stillness and open skies. A local chef prepares meals each day with fresh ingredients. Evenings give you space to continue writing or enjoy time with fellow writers. You’ll end the week with fresh pages, a plan for what comes next, and a sharper sense of how to move your book forward.

## Details

- **Dates:** June 6 - 13, 2026
- **Location:** Planos, Zakynthos, Greece
- **Starting Price:** $4,250
- **Category:** [Writing](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/retreats/writing) · [Browse on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreats/writing)

## Overview

What's includedWriting sessions, individual tuition, and a programme with author Matt Bell7 nights of accommodation at an exclusive seaside villaExclusive use of the venue's living quarters and common areas, a shala studio, pool, jacuzzi, wooden gazebo, spa area, and beautiful terracesAll meals included: 7 breakfasts, 6 lunches, and 7 dinners carefully prepared by your private chefWater, coffee, tea, juices, and snacks available throughout the daySpecial welcome and farewell dinnerDelicious wine during dinner serviceSpacious sea-facing shala studioTrip to Zante Town (Zakynthos Island capital)Trip to the Shipwreck Beach (Navagio Beach)Greek dance show and band for the farewell dinnerPrivate transportation for all planned activitiesRound-trip transfers from/to Zakynthos Airport (ZTH) at preset timesFully-staffed venue, experienced UpTrek host available throughout the dayAll local tourist taxes and feesAccess to a private Facebook group with Matt Bell and the other retreat participants four months before the retreatNot includedAirfareTravel insuranceMaterials - a list of materials recommended by author Matt Bell will be provided five months before the retreatTips for staff - tipping is customary in GreeceExtra costs guests might incur on their own

## Program

### Strengthen Your Manuscript - Writing Retreat
Leave distractions behind and spend a week in conversation with your work-in-progress on the island of Zakynthos. Join author Matt Bell for a generative and revision-focused writing retreat shaped by craft, clarity, and momentum. This retreat welcomes all genres, from fiction and memoir to narrative nonfiction, hybrid forms, and anything that lives in between. You do not need to be a published writer to join, and all levels of experience are welcome. Whether you’re returning to a long-dormant project or knee-deep in the third draft of something new, you’ll be in good company. While brand-new ideas are always welcome, bringing a rough draft or partial manuscript is strongly recommended so you have something real to work with across the week.Spend two days drawing material from the island itself. In Zante Town, walk among shuttered balconies and vine-covered walls, noting the textures and language of a place shaped by centuries of rebuilding. Write from the harbor or beneath the arcades, taking time to gather detail and voice. A boat will carry you along the coastline to Shipwreck Beach, where the cliffs rise around chalk blue water and the rusted hull of the MV Panagiotis rests on white sand. Take this time to gather imagery and questions, and return with a new material shaped by the scale and texture of the island.Throughout the retreat, you’ll work closely with Matt to explore a layered approach to revision, one that encourages curiosity and intention. Learn how to revisit your draft with sharper focus, how to identify scenes worth keeping, and how to build new ones that deepen narrative movement. Strengthen your understanding of structure by looking at plot across a book-length project, and use your time here to clarify what your story is doing and how it might grow. Study how to prepare your manuscript for submission, how to write a synopsis and query that reflect your project’s voice, and how to navigate the publishing process from initial pitch to final edits. Close the retreat with new writing in hand, a fuller understanding of your own work, and a forward-looking plan for revision.During your workshops with Matt, you’ll cover:Building a stronger connection with your manuscriptPlanning a focused and effective revisionUsing specific strategies to work through major changesStrengthening your understanding of narrative structure and how plot functions across scenesLearning how to prepare your writing for submissionUnderstanding the path from draft to publication and what to expect after acceptance...and much more!Your venue, a stunning Greek villa perched high above the sea, offers the perfect setting to reconnect with your creativity. Connect with fellow writers in inviting shared spaces, and relax by a serene infinity pool. Delight in chef-prepared Greek cuisine and local wines, form lifelong friendships, and taste the wealth of Greek hospitality. As you slow down and immerse yourself in the sights, sounds, and flavors of Zakynthos, you’ll find your voice strengthened and your perspective renewed.Please note: The retreat venue is located on terraced grounds, with access to the studio, common areas, and accommodations requiring the use of stairways. The beach can be reached by descending a steep stairway of approximately 50 meters (164 feet). Additionally, the trips involve moderate walking, so this retreat may not be ideal for those with limited mobility.

### Day 1: Arrival
Arrive at Zakynthos Airport for your 3:30 PM transfer to a breathtaking seafront venue overlooking the Mediterranean. Settle into your elegant room and take a moment to recharge before joining a guided tour of the grounds. Discover the inviting pool, the shala studio, and thoughtfully designed communal areas. In the evening, savor a delightful three-course welcome dinner in the lively company of your fellow writers. Enjoy a glass of wine with Matt and the group and plan out the week ahead.

### Day 2: Classes at the venue
Wake to the smell of fresh coffee and a nourishing breakfast, with time to gather your thoughts before easing into the day. Join Matt for a relaxed conversation about your goals and the scenes you might work on, whether drawn from the villa’s atmosphere or your own evolving narrative.The morning session includes introductions and an interactive craft talk on how to assess a work-in-progress or something recently finished. You’ll begin planning revisions and rewrites with a set of practical tools. Matt will share frameworks and tactics for building on the strongest parts of your work and spotting areas that may need further development. The focus remains encouraging and clear-eyed, celebrating what’s already on the page and mapping out where to go next.After a refreshing lunch break, turn your focus to writing better scenes by exploring action and choice. Whether you're working on novels, memoirs, short fiction, or narrative nonfiction, scenes carry the story forward. In this craft talk, Matt will show how to anchor each scene in meaningful decisions and clear movement, creating change that resonates emotionally, morally, and intellectually. Explore ways to write dialogue that reveals character and drives momentum without losing the thread of voice or tension.As the sun begins to set, you can cool off in the pool or keep writing at your own pace. In the evening, everyone gathers for dinner and conversation while the light fades over the Zakynthos countryside.

### Day 3: Trip to Zante Town
The morning unfolds with sun on the terrace and a table set for breakfast. As you sip your coffee, you’ll prepare for the day’s trip into Zante Town, a place where centuries of layered history meet the everyday rhythm of island life.Built along a natural harbor and once ruled by the Venetians, the town has long been a center of art, religion, and island life. Earthquakes in the 20th century reshaped its skyline, but echoes of its past remain in the bell towers, neoclassical facades, and cobbled streets. As you wander through shaded alleys, notice the balconies bright with bougainvillea, hillside views, and gardens tucked between old stone walls. You are invited to enjoy this experience; should inspiration strike, note whatever marks you, be it a face, a sound, or a bit of overheard conversation.You’ll return to the venue for a nourishing lunch and a short break before diving back into your work.In the afternoon, settle in for a craft talk on outlining and planning for revision. Matt will introduce a range of outlining approaches for both fiction and nonfiction, suitable at any stage of your project. You’ll look at real examples, then learn how to use your outline as a practical tool for shaping revisions with intention and clarity.As evening approaches, spend time however you need. You might swim, write, or rest before gathering again for dinner while the sky softens over the Zakynthos hills.

### Day 4: Classes at the venue
Start the morning with a hearty breakfast and a clear head, then gather your notebook and whatever else you need for a full day of writing.Ease into the day by building on everything you’ve learned so far. With guidance from Matt, outline your own work using the method that suits you best. There will be time to share your approach and reflect on what you’ve taken from the process, all in preparation for what’s ahead. You’ll also shape your outline into a focused logline or synopsis that captures the essence of your project in a few sharp lines.After a light lunch and herbal tea, settle in for a craft talk on narrative structure and plot shapes. Matt will explore storytelling patterns drawn from novels, film, and theater, with a focus on how different structures support emotional movement and momentum. You’ll see how these approaches can work in your own writing and use them to rethink or refine what’s already on the page.Spend the rest of the afternoon however it suits you. You might stay with your writing, take a break by the pool, or simply sit with your thoughts. Later, meet your fellow writers for dinner and relaxed conversation, paired with a glass of wine.

### Day 5: Boat trip to Navagio Beach
Settle in on the terrace with a refreshing breakfast and a warm cup of coffee as sea air rolls in and morning light reaches across the water.Board a boat at Porto Vromi and travel along the coast of Zakynthos. The calm sea will reveal pale stone beneath the surface. Pass sea-carved caves and steep cliffs where wild coastal plants cling to the rocks and take in the island’s natural rhythm. Near Navagio Beach, the boat will pause so you can see the MV Panagiotis and its rusted hull resting in a white cove surrounded by blue water and open sky.Return by boat to Porto Vromi and head back to the venue for lunch. Afterward, settle in for a structure exercise. Using ideas from the previous craft talk, you’ll take an existing structure and apply it to your own work. With Matt’s guidance, you’ll strengthen your outline or synopsis by analyzing what’s already on the page and making a plan for what a future draft might need. By the end of the session, you’ll have new ideas for scenes and new writing, as well as a clearer sense of how to boost the impact of what’s already working.Later in the day, follow your own rhythm. In the evening, enjoy a three-course dinner, a delicious glass of wine, and lively conversation with the group.

### Day 6: Classes at the venue
Have breakfast and coffee on the terrace as sea air wakes your senses. Walk with Matt to the day’s writing space and settle in for a focused morning session.In the morning, focus on practical tactics for better rewrites. Drawing from the strategies found in Matt’s craft book "Refuse to Be Done: How to Write and Rewrite a Novel in Three Drafts," he will present a practical, layered approach to revision that breaks the often daunting process of rewriting into smaller, more manageable actions. You’ll discuss the various kinds of revision that are useful at different stages of the process, as well as answer one of the most daunting questions a writer faces: How do I know when I'm done?After lunch, return for a stretch of writing with a session on generative rewriting exercises. In this session, Matt will offer a "lightning round" of generative revision tactics that you’ll apply to a chapter or short story in sequence, working in layers to transform and enliven part of your larger project. In addition to improving the chapter in question, you’ll also be building good habits and discovering effective tactics that you can use throughout your manuscript after you return home.As the afternoon winds down, take the time you need. Keep writing, walk through the garden, or rest before the evening. Then, join the group for a three-course dinner with wine and relaxed conversation.

### Day 7: Classes at the venue
Enjoy a nourishing breakfast, then sit down with Matt and the group for an easy conversation. Reflect on your process, notice what shifted, and revisit the moments on Zakynthos that shaped your work.Spend the morning in a publishing talk that moves from idea to agent to pub day. On this final day, Matt will offer an overview of publishing a book from start to finish, including specific tips on finding agents, writing query letters, and otherwise approaching publishers. You’ll also discuss what happens after a book is accepted, including the editorial process, promotion and publicity, book royalties, and much else.After a relaxed lunch, gather for a closing ceremony that marks the end of the retreat. Share your plans for the future and speak openly about how you’ll carry the work home. Take in what the week has stirred loose, and give voice to what comes next. There will be time for feedback, encouragement, and a clear-eyed look toward what you hope to build beyond this place.In the evening, come together for a farewell dinner. Greek music will drift through the air while wine is poured and conversation gathers at the table. Raise a glass, pass a dish, and step into the rhythm of the night as it carries the week to its final page.

### Day 8: Departure
Enjoy breakfast with your group and get ready for your transfer to Zakynthos Airport (ZTH). Check-out is at 10:00 AM, and you'll arrive at the airport at around 10:30 AM.

## Instructors

- [Matt Bell](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/instructors/matt-bell) — Author and Creative Writing Professor

## Accommodation

### Stunning Greek Estate
Your venue for the writing retreat with author Matt Bell is a seaside estate overlooking the shores of Zakynthos and the vast Mediterranean Sea. Just a 10-minute walk away, the calm Bouka Beach beckons, accessible via a stairway that winds down the hillside.This boutique venue offers a stately six-bedroom villa alongside a six-bedroom stone tower. All rooms feature ensuite bathrooms, shared or single, exclusively booked for you and your group.Every room is a cocoon of comfort, equipped with air conditioning, Wi-Fi, a TV, and a handy fridge, all complemented by chic boho décor. Large glass doors frame captivating views, whether of the venue terraces, the gleaming infinity pool, or the boundless sea. Please note that there are no window screens in the rooms.During your leisure time, you can revel in the stunning infinity pool or unwind in the soothing embrace of a jacuzzi. Adding to the charm is a wooden gazebo, perfectly positioned for basking in the Grecian sun.Your writing workshops will take place in the shala studio, dramatically poised with the sea as its backdrop. While it is walled on three sides, the studio's face opens generously to the sea, with chairs and tables available for you and your fellow writers. Other workshop spaces include the spacious terraces right next to the infinity pool.Please note that the venue is not suitable for participants with limited mobility as it is positioned over terraced grounds. To traverse its spaces, you would need to go across some small stairways, and all rooms are accessed via stairs. The steps to the beach are steep and descend about 50 m (164 feet); the beach is a 10-minute walk away from the venue.

### Shared standard ensuite room
You will share this room and its ensuite bathroom with one other same-gender participant. Tucked away in the stone towers, this twin ensuite room on the first floor marries traditional Zakynthian charm with boho flair. Spanning a spacious 25m², the room is accessible by descending a stairway from the main terrace. The room features two twin beds and a modern ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower, shared between the two guests staying together in this room. The room also benefits from access to a shared patio in the towers, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views.

### Shared superior ensuite room
You will share this room and its ensuite bathroom with one other same-gender participant. The shared superior ensuite room is located in the main villa. Covering a generous 35m² on the first floor, it's known as the villa's quietest room, featuring two comfortable twin beds and an ensuite shower bathroom. Stepping out, a private patio leads to the venue's terrace and garden.

### Shared penthouse
You will share one penthouse and its ensuite bathroom with another same-gender retreat participant. Perched atop the main villa on the second floor, the shared penthouses boast twin beds and an ensuite shower bathroom, ensuring comfort and privacy. Private balconies extend from each penthouse, offering panoramic views of the sea and terraces.

### Single standard ensuite room
Four single standard rooms in the stone towers are available for single occupancy. The single ensuite rooms are located on the second and third floors of the towers and contain double beds. Sitting at a cozy 16m², the rooms are accessible via stairs. They feature private ensuite bathrooms within the room with a shower enclosure. Each room benefits from access to a small private terrace, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views.

### Single superior ensuite room
One single superior ensuite room in the stone towers is available for single occupancy. This room located on the first floor marries traditional Zakynthian charm with boho flair. Spanning a spacious 25m², the room is accessible by descending a stairway from the main terrace. The room features a private ensuite bathroom with a walk-in shower.The room also benefits from access to a shared patio in the towers, treating you to breathtaking Mediterranean sunrise views. The space exudes warmth and character, adorned with thoughtfully chosen wooden furniture and wicker decorations that perfectly complement its bohemian style.

### Single ensuite room - shared villa with private pool
Two single ensuite rooms are available for single occupancy. These single ensuite rooms are located in a shared, separate villa with a private pool. Found outside of the main villa, they offer privacy and tranquility. The shared villa features two single bedrooms (located on the second floor of the villa, stairway access), occupied by one participant each. Both single rooms are equipped with a comfortable double bed and an ensuite bathroom, complete with a spacious walk-in shower. The shared living spaces on the first floor— a well-equipped kitchen and a cozy living room—offer areas to connect, converse, or simply unwind.Conveniently, the single ensuite rooms in the villa are the nearest accommodations to the shala studio. Outside, a private terrace presents spectacular views of the pool, the studio, and the picturesque bay beyond. But the pièce de résistance is the exclusive private pool, inviting guests to take a refreshing dip under the Greek sunshine.

### Single deluxe suite
One single deluxe suite is available for single occupancy. Located on the first floor of the main villa, this spacious suite stretches across a generous 40m², making it the venue's crown jewel. The deluxe suite features a grand double bed and an elegant ensuite bathroom, equipped with a modern shower. Yet, it's the breathtaking views that truly captivate; double glass doors beckon you outwards, revealing a mesmerizing tableau of the pristine pool, the inviting terrace, and the azure sea endlessly stretching beyond.

## Food

Experience the wealth of Ionian cuisine with tantalizing dishes prepared by a private chef. The venue earned its foodie destination moniker thanks to its family recipes passed down through generations and fresh ingredients sourced from local markets or grown on-site. Of course, your chef's passion for the traditions of Zakynthos is the driving force behind every feast.Start your mornings with a nutritious breakfast spread consisting of freshly baked pastries and bread, yogurt, organic honey, jams, butter, cereal, and local fruit. Coffee, tea, milk, and fresh juices will be served with breakfast.For lunch, refuel with a light salad, or opt for the traditional baked feta, various platters (with aubergine, tzatziki, and chickpea dips, saganaki, and grilled halloumi, all served with Pitta bread), pasta, and seafood courses.Dinner is an elaborate three-course affair, starting with an appetizer such as Zante Bruschettas, followed by herbal oven lamb, rabbit stew with cheese, agalas stuffed chicken, moussaka with aubergines, stuffed tomatoes with herbs, ragout and pasta, grilled octopus, sea bream, or prawns. Top it off with a sweet treat and pair it with a crisp white. You'll enjoy unlimited wine during dinner service.Dinner on the last evening of the retreat will be an extraordinary event, as you'll complement your delicious meals with a traditional Greek dance and music show.All meals are included. Between meals, you will have access to a snack bar with water, tea, juices, coffee, and homemade snacks.Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. We may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot cater to dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or accommodate last-minute requests made on the spot.

## Getting There

Located in the quiet beachside village of Planos, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, your retreat venue stands proud atop a rocky hill overlooking the Mediterranean Sea. The amazing views from this sunny haven provide a small taste of what Zakynthos has to offer: crystal-clear waters, lush vegetation, pristine beaches, and the tranquil Greek village below. The capital of the island (Zante) and Zakynthos International Airport are only 30 minutes away by car, and the mysterious Navagio Beach with its history of shipwrecks and smugglers is one hour away.Please arrive at Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH).We strongly recommend planning more time for long-distance international travel because of the current disruptions in flight schedules. It is best to arrive in Greece a day before the retreat starts to prevent any inconveniences caused by flight delays, rest after the long travel, and adjust to the new time zone.How to get from Zakynthos International Airport to the retreat venue:Private airport transfers at prearranged times to and from Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) are included. If you cannot find good connecting flights from your departure airport to Zakynthos, we recommend you fly to Athens and fly domestically to Zakynthos (local round trips starting from US$150, subject to change, approximately 1h journey time). The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately 30 minutes. Check-in at the retreat venue starts at 4:00 PM on June 6, 2026. Check-out is after breakfast on June 13, 2026, by 10:00 AM.Arrival Transfer:June 6, 2026 - 3:30 PM (leaving from Zakynthos International Airport, arriving at the retreat venue a little after 4:00 PM)Departure Transfer:June 6, 2026 - 10:00 AM (leaving from the retreat venue, arriving at Zakynthos International Airport around 10:30 AM)If your travel arrangements don't work with our pre-set transfer times, please consider the following options:- Spend extra days in Zakynthos before and/or after the retreat and catch the pre-arranged shuttles from/to Zakynthos International Airport. - Grab a taxi to the retreat venue (address: 63 Thesi Bouka, Gaidaros Tragaki, Tragaki 291 00, Greece, 40 euros - approximately US$45 per way. Please note that taxi fares may vary).

## Reviews

Guest reviews from past retreats at this venue:"Well it was lovely in all aspects! David’s gourmet food was a dining extravaganza! The quaint villa & the nearby town were enormously refreshing. The love & care put into the service was above reproach! I would highly suggest this venue to anyone interested in seeing Greece!""The hosts really made my trip special by their loving and kind hearts! They made me feel like family as well as all their staff! The estate was breathtaking and I hope to visit again soon! It was magical and I truly appreciate everything done for us while there, their openness and especially the hugs! I miss them and the warm generosity and kindness. It's true that I felt more at ease, comfortable and hugged being a stranger welcomed there, than I actually do coming back home...!!! That is saying a lot about the character and hearts of Karen and David! It reflected in everything and everyone whom works there. That is why it works so well, as David says, that's Living, doing what you love! Thank you to all for the fond memories ;)""The venue is beautiful. Waking up to see the sunrise was a perfect way to start the day. Food was authentic and delicious. We had some hot days in the studio, but apparently, this was a heat wave, but otherwise, it worked well. Staff was genuinely sweet and accommodating, and hard working. It was interesting to experience the Greek way of life. Our hosts cared about every detail. I enjoyed it so much that I will return next year and bring my daughter. UpTrek, thank you for finding this gem!""Beautiful location! There was a lovely mix of art classes at the retreat, and excursions to paint or take reference photos! Our hosts were warm, kind, and very talented in cooking and treating guest! Thank you for an experience of a lifetime!"

## Frequently Asked Questions

Is the retreat available to all levels? The retreat with author Matt Bell is open to all levels of writing experience, though having a written draft is encouraged.When is the retreat available?The retreat with author Matt Bell in Planos, Zakynthos, Greece takes place between June 6 - 13, 2026.Are there any check-in and check-out hours?Please make your travel arrangements to arrive after 4:00 PM on June 6, 2026. Check-out is at 10:00 AM on the last day, June 13, 2026, after breakfast.Is Wi-Fi available?Yes.I am vegetarian/vegan. Can I book this retreat?Please inform us of any dietary requirements at least one month in advance. We may not be able to accommodate severe, life-threatening allergies. Additionally, we cannot cater to dietary needs announced less than a month before the retreat, switch diets during the retreat, or accommodate last-minute requests made on the spot.How do I get to the retreat venue?Please arrive at Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH). We recommend allowing more time for international travel and arriving in Greece a day before the retreat starts so that you may adapt to the new time zone ahead of the retreat. Please hold off booking flights until the retreat becomes guaranteed. Private airport transfers at prearranged times to and from Zakynthos International Airport (ZTH) are included. If you cannot find good connecting flights from your departure airport to Zakynthos, we recommend you fly to Athens and fly locally to Zakynthos (local round trips starting from US$150, subject to change, approximately 1h journey time). The transfer journey to the retreat venue takes approximately 30 minutes. For more details, please see the Location tab.What should I pack? Please pack appropriate clothing, sunscreen, a swimsuit, insect repellent, a cardigan for chilly evenings, comfortable shoes, a sun hat and sunglasses, personal care items, and any personal medication you might need.Can I do laundry while on the retreat?Laundry facilities are available at the retreat venue, and you are welcome to use them for free during your stay.What supplies do I need for the workshops?A detailed list of materials recommended by author Matt Bell will be provided after booking, five months before the retreat begins.What’s the weather like in Zakynthos in June?The weather in June in Zakynthos is usually sunny and pleasant. You can expect average highs of 27°C / 81°F during the day that drop to around 16°C / 61°F at night. In recent years, however, temperatures have varied unpredictably. It is a good idea to check the weather yourself before your departure to the retreat and to pack accordingly.How many people are to be expected at the retreat?Maximum 16 participants.Do I need a visa?Guests traveling from the US, Canada, EU, UK, and/or Schengen member states may enter Greece for tourist purposes without a visa. Please contact us for further guidance.Are there any age restrictions?The retreat is open to anyone aged over 18.What language is used during the retreat and other activities?The retreat is available in English.Can a non-participating guest join me?We do not accommodate non-participants at our retreats. This policy is in place to ensure the immersive nature of our retreats remains intact for all participants.Is the retreat available to guests with limited mobility?Unfortunately, the retreat venue is not well suited to host people with limited mobility. Accommodation spaces and most of the main facilities are only accessible via stairs. Furthermore, there will be plenty of walking during the day trips.What happens if I need to cancel?Once the retreat is guaranteed, all payments are final and nonrefundable. Bookings are nonrefundable under any circumstances. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. After your payment is processed, you may purchase insurance through the following link: Purchase insurance. Please review our cancellation policy.Do I need travel insurance?Yes. Since all bookings are nonrefundable, travel insurance is mandatory for all UpTrek travelers. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements. We strongly advise that your chosen policy provides cover against lost or delayed baggage, loss of personal belongings, trip cancellation, trip interruption, accidents, illness, injury, medical expenses, death, and emergency repatriation.For your convenience, UpTrek is affiliated with Allianz Travel and is a Registered Travel Retailer under AGA license. Click here to purchase your insurance plan.Please note that UpTrek is not qualified or authorized to answer questions about coverage, benefits, exclusions, or conditions of any Allianz Travel Insurance plan. If you have questions about your plan, please contact Allianz Global Assistance directly at CustomerService@AllianzAssistance.com or by phone at 1-800-284-8300. Be sure to provide the reference code F215276 so Allianz knows you are purchasing protection for an UpTrek trip.We strongly recommend reviewing the terms and conditions of any insurance policy you purchase to fully understand the coverage, benefits, and claims process. We will gladly provide the essential documentation to support refund claims with the insurance provider.Do I have to pay a deposit?No. Once the number of guest reservations reaches the minimum number required for the retreat to become guaranteed, UpTrek charges the guests the cost of the retreat. Guests who reserved will be notified 48 hours in advance that their payment method on file is about to be charged.Will I receive a full refund if the retreat is not guaranteed?UpTrek does not charge the payment method we collect until the retreat becomes guaranteed. Once the retreat is guaranteed, there will be no reimbursement. Participants are required to purchase travel, medical, and cancellation insurance for protection against any circumstances that might require cancellation or change of travel arrangements.Will I receive a full refund if the guaranteed retreat is canceled by the instructor or by UpTrek?If the retreat is canceled due to force majeure events or circumstances out of UpTrek's and/or the instructor's control, UpTrek will let you know as soon as possible, refund the total cost of the retreat, and help you find another option for your vacation.

## Book This Retreat

👉 **[Reserve your spot on uptrek.com](https://uptrek.com/retreat/revision-rewriting-revisioning-writing-retreat-author-matt-bell-greece#book)** — no deposit required.

See [cancellation policy](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/cancellation-policy) and [travel insurance requirements](https://uptrek.com/ai/content/insurance).

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**Last updated:** 2026-05-04