Paper Doll Militia Aerial Retreats
Crete, Greece
Week 1: May 12 – 19, 2024 – Silks & Lyra
Week 2: May 22 – 29, 2024 – Silks & Sling – Sold Out
How can you spot an aerialist? The size of our lats, our activewear, and our idea of a “relaxing vacation.
Join our Paper Doll aerial family of high-octane aerialists who don’t like to sit still either. Travel to Greece for a week of aerial escapades, creative play, epic adventure, and healthy food galore… all in the serene and gorgeous surroundings of Chania, Crete. Train with Paper Doll Militia’s Sarah Bebe Holmes and Rain Anya, who will be offering daily workshops in aerial skills, technique, choreography, and their unique creative approach. Our meals feature a fusion of traditional Cretan cuisine and contemporary fare, all prepared by a local chef. The excursions are epic and not to be missed. Fill yourself up with swimming, sunning, snorkeling, hiking, and experiencing all the beauty that Crete has to offer. Rejuvenate your soul with the sea and the sun while meeting like minded aerialists from around the world.
Aerial Level
These retreats are geared toward intermediate or advanced aerialists. The classes will be taught in a unified group, with 2 instructors present, so that we can accommodate the range of levels and ability within the group. However, due to this structure, we are unable to accept beginner aerialists to these retreats.
If you’re a beginner looking for a chance to train with us, we highly recommend our Panama Aerial + Sail Retreat, where our small group structure works perfectly to accommodate beginners.
Prerequisites
Minimum 2 years of consistent training on at least one of the featured apparatus is required. Students should have a strong understanding of the foundations, and a desire to understand sequencing and the nuances of skills in a deeper way. A solid and consistent invert from the air is required, bent leg / bent arm inverts are absolutely fine!
If you are unsure of your level you can always send us a video or a link to you on social media for us to check out. We will be happy to review and let you know if we think you are at a good level to join this retreat.
Sample schedule:
Those who know us know we love to pack it in. At our retreats you will have over 25 hours of instruction time with Rain Anya and Sarah Bebe Holmes, co-artistic directors of the company. All of our workshops are optional, so we leave it up to you to find the perfect balance of training hard and relaxing by the pool.
There are variations in the schedule to accommodate our excursions and outings throughout the week
Insurance
We strongly encourage you to purchase travel insurance that covers the full cost of the retreat fee, as well as unexpected cancellation, trip delay, losses and other risks. Check with your health care provider to see if you are covered for international travel. For more information on travel insurance click here.
Cost
We have several pricing options to help fit your budget. There are limited spaces for each of these options. They are first come, first serve.
Get your Early Bird Discount if you sign up by Feb 1st, 2024.
Week 2 is SOLD OUT – The room options listed below are available for Week 1
| Room | Early Bird | Full Price |
|---|---|---|
| Double Room (on a memory foam sofa bed) | $ 1,900 | $ 2,100 |
| Triple Room (3 single beds) | $ 1,900 | $ 2,100 |
| Double Room (2 single beds) | $ 2,000 | $2,200 |
| Private King with Shared Bathroom | $ 2,200 | $2,400 |
* Rooms that are currently sold out for both weeks have been deleted from this list.
** Prices are listed in US Dollars. To pay in a different currency, the amount will be determined by the equivalent value of your currency on the date of payment.
Payment Methods
Payment options specific to your currency will be provided to you upon registration. We accept a range of various payment methods including, bank transfer, checks, and Wise. We can accommodate most major currencies from around the world.
Return Retreaters!
If you have come to one of our retreats you are in the family. Take an additional $200 off your total price this year. If you are signing up for both weeks, lucky you, you get to use this discount for the second week.
Price Includes
All meals, classes, transportation to and from aerial studio and all group excursions, excursions, drinks on cocktail night
Additional Costs
Massage, Alcohol (other than on cocktail night), shopping / gifts, transportation for extra activities. We also highly recommend that you purchase an individual travel insurance policy.
Significant Other Pricing (not attending the workshops)
Cost: $600; We have a limited amount of slots for significant others at the Villas. Retreater must book a private room to add a significant other.
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Additional Information
Excursions
The Monastery Hike
Find inspiration and fresh perspective through gazing over the sea cliffs and hiking on the winding paths which pass by ancient ruins and untouched landscape. This epic hike ends with a refreshing swim in the Aegean Sea.
OR
Falassarna Beach
Falassarna is famous for its turquoise waters, the wild natural beauty and the beautiful exotic scenery.
Mealtimes
Each villa is stocked with yummy and healthy goodies for a do it yourself breakfast. Get up when you want and help yourself to a variety of tea, coffee, juice, cereal, yogurt, eggs from the chickens that live at the villas, breads and nut butters, for a variety of dietary needs.
On our excursion days we explore some of the local cuisine when we take everyone out for lunch and dinner on the town. We’ve hand selected top-notch cafes and restaurants in Chania, beachfront and in the heart of the old harbour, which makes for an unforgettable Cretan dining experience.
Eating Local
All of our food is locally sourced from the Island of Crete and prepared by a local chef. He considers all dietary needs and allergies and provides a well balanced diet to rejuvenate, cleanse and keep your body nourished. We also have a vegetable garden and chickens at the Villas so you can gather your own eggs and veggies for some extra breakfast flourish.
International Travel
Crete is a very safe island and there is no visa required, you DO NEED to have at least six months left before your passport expires.
Crete Here I come!
You have a choice of two airports in coming to the beautiful island of Crete. Chania Airport – 30 minute drive from accommodation Heraklion Airport – 2.5 hour bus journey across Crete, we will pick you up at bus depot which is 15 minutes from the accommodation. The bus costs €15.50 each way and leaves every 30 minutes.
Both airports are easy to travel into and out of if the connections work out easily enough fly into Chania we suggest going there. However, some European cities fly direct to Heraklion, so the added bus journey may actually work out to be easier. If you have questions about what the best option is we are happy to answer questions.
Please aim to arrive / depart to / from airport or bus station between 8am-8pm on the official Arrival day / Departure day. If you arrive outwith these times you will need to arrange your own transportation to / from the accommodation.
Reservation
How to reserve your spot
Mark your calendars! Registration for this epic adventure will open September 11, 2023
Payment in full is due to confirm your place. We accept payment forms from all over the world. We will keep in close communication with you once you have registered to answer any more questions, provide you with a full packing list and let you know of any essentials you should know or bring.
Registering for BOTH retreat weeks
Take advantage of the 4 days off to really take in the beauty of the island. The 4 days (3 nights) between the retreats, consist of departure day from week 1, 2 days off, then arrival day for week 2. You can choose to take these days to go off and adventure around Crete or beyond. Or you can book your room for the break days and stay to chill at the villas and have short day trips around Chania, of which there are many. Accommodation on break days are booked out on a first serve basis, so if you want to stay with us on break days please let us know as soon as possible. Prices vary depending on your room type. Food is not provided on the break days. Our return retreaters discount ($200 off) will apply to your tuition on the second week.
Cancellation Policy
Please take a moment to review the cancellation policies for this retreat.