2010 CORE Aegean Retreat

The 2010 CORE Aegean Retreat will take place on the historical and magical island of Santorini, Greece , from the 6th through the 13th of June . George and Patricia Kousaleos, founders and directors of the CORE Institute, will again host international massage therapists in an educational, cultural, and social experience that will inspire, rejuvenate, and potentially transform those who attend.

The History
Santorini's history, including its ancient name of Thera, was the metropolis of the Minoan culture that dates back to 3,000 B.C. While Crete was the home of the Minoan Empire, Thera was the center of art, philosophy, and science. One of the oldest and most advanced cultures of the ancient world, their quick decline came when Thera exploded 3,600 years ago with one of the three largest volcanic eruptions during the past 10,000 years. The volcano submarined over 60% of the center of the island, leaving one of the most spectacular geographies in the world. Black and red volcanic beaches, 2 inner island volcanoes - one with a warm mud spring - hiking trails circling the inner cliff, and traditional architecture that makes Santorini the most photographed island of the Aegean, all converge to make every guest realize that Plato may have been correct when he named Santorini "the Atlantis" of Hellenic mythology.

The Schedule
Each day the retreat schedule will begin with early morning (8am to 9am) yoga classes, followed by an incredible buffet breakfast (9am to 10am), and then 3 hours of clinical education with George Kousaleos and selected teachers in the areas of structural, medical, and wellness therapies. Afternoons are free, where one can enjoy excursions to the leading sites of Santorini, swimming in the Aegean blue lagoons and beaches, or, following the traditional Greek culture, take a restorative nap. Each evening promises gorgeous sunsets, excellent island cuisine, and a choice of quiet hours under a sea of stars, or the enjoyment of live Grecian music and dance.

The Instructors
George Kousaleos
Bryan Buckley

The Place
Like other CORE Aegean Retreats , participants will live in the beautiful apartments of Andromeda Villas, in the cliff-hanging village of Imerovigli. Perched 1,000 feet above the caldera, or inner bay of Santorini, each apartment's veranda offers the most spectacular views of traditional architecture, ancient volcanoes, and magnificent sunsets over the Aegean Sea. Andromeda's wonderful restaurant will serve delicious breakfast buffets, fresh poolside lunches, and traditional Greek island dinners that include local seafood, Greek entrees, vegetarian specialties, and award-winning Santorini wines.

The Possibilities
The retreat will be limited to 30 participants. Double accomodations are available, each including kitchenettes, modern bathrooms, verandas, international satellite television, and air conditioning. Special living considerations will be reviewed and interviews will be utilized to organize roommates for single persons. Outside PoolBecause of the steep terrain of Santorini, and especially because of the architecture of Andromeda Villas (201 steps from the top entrance gate down multiple levels to the pool and restaurant area) your legs, lungs, and heart will undergo a powerful transformation. The ability to swim, walk, and climb with confidence will enhance the array of challenging physical pursuits that can be discovered.

Santorini is spellbinding. The dramatic combination of light, water, and terrain allows deep meditative experiences and enhances the creative impulse. Many visitors to Santorini utilize some form of media to document their impressions and thoughts. Photographers, painters, and sculptors visit Santorini from all over the world, and many artists have established their permanent studios in various villages of the island. Whether one brings artistic medium or journal/diary books, the need to document and express the Santorini experience will be obvious to many.

The Atmosphere
While George and Patty are devoted to creating a warm atmosphere of group participation, each person will decide how much time they need with other retreat members, or time on their own. Last year single adults, close friends, and couples attended, each seeking those special moments and experiences that proved personally enriching and enchanting. George and Patty will host a welcome dinner on Sunday the 3rd and a farewell party on the following Saturday evening. On one of the days of the retreat they will take the group to Akrotiri, the famous archeological site that reveals the wondrous architecture, engineering, and art of the Minoan Therans, as well as to other important sites on the island. The famous wall paintings of Akrotiri show the dynamic relationship that this culture had with nature, music, sport, romance, and family. These frescoes are available for viewing in a new, climate and light-controlled museum in Athens, and exact replicas are available for viewing in the international conference center in Fira, the capital of Santorini.

The Package
George and Patty have chosen the early part of June for the 2010 CORE Aegean Retreat for two reasons. First, the climate in late May and early June offers warm, but moderate daytime temperatures, with cool evenings and mornings. Second, this period of time is still considered as an early-to-mid tourist season, with fewer tourists and lower airline and accommodation rates.Payments for travel will be separate from the group package. Payment for the retreat package will be made to the CORE Institute.

The retreat package includes:

• 7 nights at the Andromeda Villas in Santorini
• Welcome dinner on June 6th and Farewell dinner & party on June 13th
• Buffet breakfast each morning
• Daily 1-hour yoga or exercise class
• Daily 3-hour clinical education class with George Kousaleos and other leading instructors (total of 15 NCBTMB Category "A" CEU's)
• One-day motor excursion to selected sites, including Mount Elias monastery, Akrotiri archaeological site, Perissa black sand beach for swimming and lunch, wine tasting at an award-winning winery, and sunset dinner in artistic Oia village.
• Half-day sea excursion on private, 2-masted schooner to the volcanic islands of the caldera, including hiking to the top of Nea Kameni (New Burnt) past its 3 craters, and then to Palio Kameni (Old Burnt) to swim into a warm water and mud lagoon for a healthy and restorative mud bath.

The Cost
Total cost of the retreat package per person is 1,800 Euros . A 500 US Dollar deposit is due on April 01, 2010. The final payment is due May 1st, 2010 and will be adjusted on June 1st, 2010 according to the value of the Dollar/Euro at that time.

For further questions please call George and Patty at the CORE Institute toll-free at (866) 830-0108, or email George at: geo@coreinstitute.com , or Patty at: pat@coreinstitute.com .