Solo Travel Art Retreat: Learn Byzantine Icon Painting in Greece
Solo Travel Art Retreat: Learn Byzantine Icon Painting in Greece
Join other solo travelers for an immersive 6-Day Art & Cultural Retreat in the Rhodope Mountains where you’ll learn centuries-old icon painting techniques from a local master, share meals at village tavernas, and discover that traveling alone doesn’t mean experiencing Greece alone.
Arrive solo. Connect deeply. Create something that lasts.
Icon-painting Retreat Highlights
Learn from Savva Ververidi, expert in Greek Orthodox iconography
The daily icon painting workshops include exceptional Byzantine icon painting techniques, with influences from the Macedonian and Cretan icon-painting movements.
5-Day Art & Cultural Immersion in the Rhodope Mountains
5 Days / 6 Nights – All-Inclusive Daily icon painting workshops (6 hours) • Accommodation • All meals • Nature activities • Transport from Xanthi • Airport pickup on request • Learn from the locals - Traditional Bread Baking in a Wood-Fired Oven!
5 full days of hands-on icon painting instruction
Whether you're experienced, a beginner, or simply interested in learning Byzantine icon painting, this retreat is for you! Create at your own pace and take your unique work home with you.
All materials included – brushes, pigments, wooden panels
All materials included, but if you have a set of favorite pens and brushes, feel free to bring them! We equip you with everything necessary to explore the art of icon painting stress-free.
Village walking tour & visit churches with Savvas's icon painting & Leivaditis waterfall
The village walking tours are a must—we'll explore both Ano and Kato Karyofyto, visiting the two churches that Savvas, your local instructor, has decorated with icon paintings, living examples of the Byzantine art tradition. In Kato Karyofyto, we'll also see the stunning stone bridge above the river, with possible outdoor sketching and a picnic depending on weather. We walk at a gentle pace, with transportation options available for anyone with mobility concerns. Our exploration include the highlight of the biggest waterfall in the Balkans, Leivaditis, where we enjoy a waterfall walk and a picnic in this stunning location.
6-Day Art & Cultural Immersion in the Rhodope Mountains
MEET YOUR TEACHER
Your local instructor
Savvas Ververidis
Savvas’s journey into iconography began in the most authentic way possible: learning from his father, a renowned master iconographer. This intimate transmission of knowledge, from father to son, connected him directly to generations of Byzantine artists.
But Savvas didn’t stop there. He pursued formal training at the prestigious “Panagia Achiropoiitos” iconography school in Thessaloniki, mastering both the Macedonian and Cretan Schools of Byzantine painting—two distinct traditions that enrich his teaching with depth and versatility.
His education in Theology deepened his understanding of the spiritual dimension of iconography, while later studies in Special Education revealed his natural gift for teaching and his commitment to making this sacred art accessible to everyone.
Learning from a Master
At twenty-eight, Savvas established his own iconography studio, and for nearly two decades, he has been creating sacred art for churches throughout Greece. His complete decoration of two churches in his beloved Karyofyto—the Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos και το Chapel of Saint George—stands as testament to his mastery. These aren’t museum pieces; they’re living spaces of worship where his art continues to inspire prayer and contemplation.
your host
I’m Effie Papadopoulou, founder of Slow Travel Greece, and I’ll be your host throughout this retreat. While Savvas guides you through iconography, I’m here to take care of everything else—answering questions, coordinating logistics, and making sure you feel at home in Ano Karyofyto. I’m your contact point for whatever you need, so you can focus
completely on your creative journey.
Explore the real Greece
Discover Rural Greece and Thrace: A Retreat in the Rhodope Mountains
Your Creative Home: The Cultural Center of Ano Karyofyto mountain village
The Byzantine iconography retreat takes place in a stunning mountain village at 560m altitude, nestled on the forest paths leading to Leivaditis—the largest waterfall in the Balkans.
Your Retreat Space - One Location, Complete Peace. No rushing between venues, no distractions—just you, your art, the mountains, and a supportive community of fellow learners.
Flexibility for Your Comfort
Enjoy the village life in rural Greece
Taste Village Life, Breathe Oxygen, and Create
Getting Here
From Thessaloniki to Xanthi: 200 km (2 hours 15 minutes drive). You can check the route εδώ.
From Kavala: 54 km (45 minutes drive). You can check the route εδώ.
From Xanthi, we’ll pick you up for the scenic 39 km drive (45 minutes) to Ano Karyofyto. You can check the route εδώ!
How to Reach Xanthi
What’s Included: Your transfer from Xanthi to Karyofyto is part of the retreat package. We recommend arriving one day before the retreat begins, though we’re flexible if your flight connections require a later arrival.