3rd Annual
Harmonium & Kirtan Retreat On Spetses Island, Greece
with Seth Lieberman and friends
June 26th - July 1st, 2026
Description
Join us this summer on the charming island of Spetses, Greece for an incredible opportunity to study harmonium and kirtan in a stunning environment. Don’t miss this chance to dance, sing, study, and gather in spiritual community with us for 6 days and 5 nights in this stunning private location on a small, car-free Greek Island in the Aegean Sea. This educational and experiential retreat will provide you an immersion into a study of music, the practice of kirtan, and Bhakti Yoga along with a community of fellow harmonium and kirtan lovers.
Who this is for
This retreat is for those with some harmonium experience interested in deepening their connection to their instrument, their voice, kirtan, music and bhakti yoga. The retreat is rooted in Bhakti Yoga philosophy, specifically Krishna bhakti and Gaudiya Vaishnava traditions, and may reference texts like the Bhagavad Gita. No experience with this philosophy is required - just an open mind and open heart.
What You’ll Learn
Harmonium and kartal playing techniques and application to kirtan
New, beautiful chant music and melodies you can use for chanting with others
How to lead kirtan, in a supportive group environment
Foundations of music theory, emphasizing deepening musical understanding and appreciations
A training manual, with chant notation, and practice audio recordings will be provided
Prerequisites
The retreat is designed for participants who already have basic working familiarity with the harmonium.
This includes:
A basic understanding of how to play the harmonium
Ability to recognize the western note names on the keyboard
Able to play a few simple chants on the harmonium
If you are newer to harmonium, completion of the Intro to Harmonium course is recommended prior to start of retreat.
Past retreat highlights!
What’s included
Healthy vegetarian meals
Stay at an incredible, private villa for 6 days & 5 nights
Daily Harmonium, Kartal and Kirtan classes
Meditative morning and ecstatic evening kirtans
Daily Yoga asana classes and philosophy
What’s not included
Transportation (airfare, ferries, etc.) to and from the Villa
Instruments - harmoniums and kartals - you must provide your own
Any extra purchases you wish to make while on the island
retreat life
Our goal is to create an environment where everyone feels safe, welcome and can cultivate sattva, a sanskrit term referring to the mode of goodness.
Therefore, the consumption of alcohol and other intoxicants are not permitted on this retreat.
We will be getting high on kirtan, natural beauty, and good company!
About Spetses island
Spetses is a small, quiet, picturesque island nestled in the sparkling waters of the Saronic Gulf, only 2 1/2 hours from Athens, Greece. Its distinctive architecture and maritime legacy, surrounding the pristine beaches bathed in azure waters, and it’s car-free cobblestone streets, (bikes, scooters and horse carriages are the main form of transportation!) offer a traditional, calm and elegant atmosphere.
Where you’ll stay (the villa)
Our Villa is situated on the Spetses mountain offering a panoramic view of Spetses Island and the Saronic Sea. It is located in a quiet and serene location, but at the same time only a 15’ walk from the city center and the closest beach. It offers many large outdoor spaces and patios, ideal for lazy afternoon siestas and reading. It also has a large infinity pool overlooking Spetses Island and the Saronic Gulf, as well as a small olive grove, botanical gardens and one of the largest and well preserved threshing floors in Greece.
Weather & Comfort
Late June in Greece is typically warm and sunny. Daytime temperatures can be hot, especially in the afternoons, while evenings are generally warm and pleasant.
Accommodations are naturally ventilated, with fans or air conditioning depending on room type. We recommend packing light, breathable clothing and considering personal comfort preferences when selecting your accommodation.
Your Accomodations
DOUBLE ROOM WITH GARDEN VIEW
En suite bathroom / Air Conditioning
A cozy, shared room overlooking our peaceful garden, with distant views of the town and sea, offering a calm and grounded atmosphere.
DOUBLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Ensuite bathroom / Air Conditioning / Private Balcony
A spacious, shared room overlooking overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
TRIPLE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW (*WOMEN ONLY*)
Ensuite bathroom / Air Conditioning / Private Balcony
A large, shared room overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Saronic Sea.
SINGLE PRIVATE ROOM (NO AC)
Ensuite bathroom / Fan / Garden-view window
A small, private single room with a window to the garden.
PRIVATE ROOM WITH GARDEN VIEW
En suite bathroom / Air Conditioning
A cozy, private room overlooking our peaceful garden, with distant views of the town and sea, offering a calm and grounded atmosphere.
PRIVATE ROOM WITH SEA VIEW
Ensuite bathroom / Air Conditioning / Private Balcony
A spacious room overlooking overlooking our garden, Spetses island and the Sea.
TENTING (BRING YOUR OWN)
Shared Half Bath / Outdoor Shower
Participants provide their own tent; pillows, linens, and a blanket are provided.
Sample Schedule*
*subject to change
Friday, June 26 - Arrival after 12pm
Welcome
Satsang & Kirtan
Dinner
Saturday, June 27- Tuesday, June 30
6:30am Meditation and Asana
7:45am Satsang & Kirtan
8:00am Breakfast
9:00am Harmonium Class
12:00pm Lunch / Free time
5:00pm Kartals Class/Practice Time
6:30pm Satsang & Kirtan
8:00pm Dinner
Wednesday, July 1 - Suggested departure between 11am-3pm
Meditation and Asana
Satsang & Kirtan
Breakfast
Closing Circle
*Please note that the first retreat day starts at 6:00pm while the last retreat day concludes at 11am
Instruments
Students must provide their own harmoniums. We have a very limited harmoniums to loan during the retreat, and will be provided on a first come first serve basis. If you wish to purchase an instrument, please contact Jenn for a list of recommended harmonium vendors or if you have any other questions.
You must also bring your own kartals. Please contact Jenn if you are interested in purchasing a set for the training.
Please note: You should not check your harmonium on your airplane unless you have a sturdy case,. We strongly recommend overhead storage instead, to protect your instrument.
Retreat Pricing
All prices include accommodations, meals, and the full retreat program
Save $150 by April 15th with code GREECE150
Tenting (Bring your Own)
Limited availability
Earlybird - $1,110 US
Regular - $1,260 US
You must provide your own tent and sleeping pad. We can provide bedding for you. You will have access to an outdoor shower and shared indoor half bathroom.
Triple Room with Sea View (Women Only)
Limited availability
Earybird - $1,399 US
Regular - $1,549 US
Double Room with Garden View
Very limited availability
Earlybird - $1,399 US
Regular - $1,549 US
Double Room with Sea View
Limited availability
Earlybird - $1,475 US
Regular - $1,625 US
Single Private Room (No A/C)
Very limited availability
Earlybird - $1,487 US
Regular - $1,637 US
Private Room with Garden view
Very limited availability
Earlybird - $2,499 US
Regular - $2,649 US
Private Room with Sea view
Very limited availability
Earlybird - $2,499 US
Regular - $2,649 US
Registration closes: June 1st, 2025
Please note: Transportation from Athens airport to the villa is not included in the retreat fee (see below).
Travel note: If you are traveling internationally, we recommend booking flights after May 1, or booking a fully refundable ticket.
Cancellation and Refund Policy
Should you need to cancel for any reason, if you cancel by May 1st, you will receive a full refund, minus $300.
If you cancel between May 1st - May 15th, you will receive a 50% refund.
No refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 15th.
getting from athens to The Villa (spetses, Greece)
Athens Airport → Piraeus Port
Via train: approx $10 US one-way
Via taxi: approx $70 US one-way
Piraeus Port → Spetses Island
Via ferry: approx $110 US round-trip. Book your tickets here.
Ferry tickets can often be booked closer to arrival, though specific ferries may fill up closer to the date
Spetses Port → Villa
Short, uphill walk
or
Taxi for approx. €10 EU
Arrival Notes
Please plan to arrive in Sptses after 12:-00pm on arrival day
Additional arrival reminders and logistics will be shared closer to the retreat
Questions?
If you have any questions about the retreat, you’re welcome to reach out to us.
Seth Lieberman
Seth Lieberman is a musician and yoga teacher residing in the Hudson Valley of New York. A lifelong music maker, he studied music composition, theory, clarinet, and piano at the University of Maryland, where he received BA in Music. During his 10 years of time living in New York City, he completed 3 different yoga teacher trainings. Seth has joined his two passions of music and yoga through playing and teaching the harmonium, leading kirtan, and creating original music related to mantra and yoga. He has been actively teaching harmonium both online and in-person for the past 8 years and has helped bring the joy of mantra and music to many students throughout the United States, Europe, India, Australia, Japan, and all over the world. He is excited to host his Harmonium and Kirtan retreat in Greece again this July!
Guest Artists & Facilitators (TBA)
We’ll be joined by wonderful guest musicians & facilitators during the retreat. Details coming soon.