Insiders Tours Annual Write-In Retreat

With creativity and craft at the heart of our daily itineraries,
Insiders Tours Inc is excited to announce
the 2026 Write-In Retreat
on the magnificent and beautiful Greek island of Santorini!

This week-long retreat is for aspiring and published authors of all genres.
October 4-10 2026
Santorini, Greece

2026 Santorini Write-In Retreat

Empower your career and experience Santorini. Learn from an industry pro, savor the fellowship of other writers, and prepare for publication and career growth on a little slice of heaven on earth.

Take advantage of this amazing opportunity to find your muse and recharge your writing on the Greek Isles. Write your book by the sea, while experiencing rich culture, delicious cuisine, uncanny energy, and endless history on the beautiful volcanic island of Santorini. Dedicate time to your craft while being immersed in the unique and vibrant culture. Focus on your writing. Replenish the well. Experience the wonder of Santorini.

Along with the invaluable fellowship of writers, retreat attendees will have their first pages critiqued by a writing instructor and may request a personal recommendation on a curated short list of agents to pitch with the best fit of a productive working relationship.

Sorry, no starving-artist-roughing-it this week. We are spoiling your muse! The two writing residences, specifically chosen to maximize inspiration (and the views), are outstanding resorts. Both are perched atop of the largest inhabited caldera in the world. Enjoy the magnificent view of the Aegean Sea and the slumbering volcanoes peaking through the blue waters, rimmed by incredible cliffs and picturesque white houses.

Writer-attendees will receive: daily classes on the craft and business of publishing; personalized critique groups to workshop their writing; downtime (optional) for creativity and writing; a critique of their first pages and query letter from the writing staff. Following a morning focus on writing, attendees get daily excursion to experience the energy of the island. (All excursions included in attendance price.)

Two night Athens ADD-ON is available for attendees. Lodging, 2 meals per day, Acropolis and museum exploration, Foothills of the Acropolis Walking Tour, and all transfers included. Please request information when registering and we will coordinate airport transfers and flights to Athens, and then enjoy your time experiencing the highlights with a tour leader and guide. From $1,350 per person double occupancy-includes flight from Santorini to Athens.

Booking deposit is refundable, minus a 5% processing fee for 30 days.
Final payment due 75 days prior to first day of the retreat.
Or choose no-interest monthly payment plan to be complete 30 days before the commencement of the retreat.
Flexible cancellation policy: Cancel for any reason up to 45 days prior to retreat, 50% refund, 30 days prior to the retreat, 25% refund. Less than 30 days prior to retreat not eligible for refund. This doesn’t include the initial deposit which is only refundable in the first 30 days.
Please note: once outside of cancelation terms, your registration is transferable with written notification up to 14 days prior to retreat.
Insiders Tours strongly recommends travel protection/insurance for unforeseen circumstances.
Price may increase closer to Write-In and is dependent upon international currency fluctuations.
Step back in time and live the long history. Savor the delicious culture and cuisine. Find the perfect ‘Instagrammable’ pic for your next post.
Enjoy the fellowship & refill the well of inspiration.

The inclusive cost of the retreat program (classroom, workshops, critiques, lodging, meals, and excursions) varies dependent on your choice of accommodation. A limited number of Diamond Level bedrooms with ensuite baths in luxury critique villas, in the 5 star spa resort where the main classroom is located, start from $4,985 per person. The Gold Level choice, is in the neighboring comfortable resort with double or single occupancy rooms, and starts at $3,985 per person.

Meet your 2026 Master of Classes and Workshops–CHUCK SAMBUCHINO: author, editor, and professional writing instructor!

Chuck is a former longtime editor at Writer’s Digest. For almost two decades, he has been an instructor on getting published, finding an agent, writing better, and promoting books. He has been featured by the New York Times, USA Today, Forbes.com, Reader’s Digest, The Hollywood Reporter, Wired, and many other media outlets.

He has written more than 25 books — nonfiction, reference, and children’s books — including a best-seller whose film rights were optioned by Sony. Currently, he helms Writing Day Workshops, and helps coordinate writers conferences all over the US and online.His writing guides include the GUIDE TO LITERARY AGENTS as well as CREATE YOUR WRITING PLATFORM and several others. Learn more about him at ChuckSambuchino.com.

2026 CLASSES & WORKSHOPS center on critical information on how to navigate and succeed as a writer in today’s rapidly evolving publishing world.

Instructional classes focus on a variety of topics, such as: how the publishing industry is changing-from AI to hybrid publishers; how to find an agent and write a query letter; social media and book promotion; how to write like the pros by sharpening your craft and self-editing; and more. The 2026 retreat features something for everyone–beginner to published.

All retreat classes and workshops are open to Q&A sessions for attendees. It’s a perfect opportunity to get your specific, personal questions answered directly by an industry professional. Faculty and staff are available throughout the retreat to answer questions and guide your path.

Every day on the island has time set aside for writing as well as small group critique sessions where writers have the option to share their work with the group and get feedback from other attendees or faculty members. No classes or sessions are mandatory. You are welcome to come and learn as you please, but also relax as you please. A full schedule will be provided before your arrival on the island. Lastly, but in no way to be minimized, the opportunity of finding inspiration in this beautiful and historic locale is hugely compounded by the fellowship of other writers. This fellowship is PRICELESS.

LODGING OPTIONS

One of the most inspiring locations to hold a creative retreat is perched atop the beautiful Santorini Caldera, with amazing views of the volcanoes dotting the deep blue Aegean water. We have secured two sister resorts on a favorite part of the island. While there are a variety of accommodations to choose from, the main classroom is at a luxury spa resort offering a limited number of critique villa rooms. Each villa consists of two or three bedrooms with ensuite baths, a sitting room, and a private pool. These are the Diamond Level accommodations. The neighboring property is a comfortable resort with double and single occupancy rooms, each with a balcony or terrace, and a resort pool. These are the Gold Level accommodations and the property is a short five minute walk to the classroom.