Cerulean seas, castles at sunset. Sandy beach clubs, spritzes in hand. A hidden gem in the Mediterranean. Francesca's island is waiting for you.
Last September, we spent a week at Francesca's home in Leros with a small, select group of friends. We must have been the only Americans on this island.
To call it Euro summer is doing Leros a disservice. This place is like nowhere else. And this year we want to share it with you.
You book your flights, show up, and don't think about a single logistical detail for seven days. We plan the whole thing. One week with the best people, in the best place.
Are you in?
Leros sits in the Dodecanese, an island chain closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece. It's remote and hard to reach, with all the beauty of the Mediterranean and the exclusivity of a private island, but without the party culture of Mykonos or the crushing crowds and exorbitant prices of Santorini. Leros has an enchanting, storied history and we will be your guides to help you explore it.
Climb to the Castle of the Virgin Mary, a Byzantine fortress over a thousand years old, for a 360-degree sunset over the Aegean Sea, then savor a cocktail in a 17th-century windmill bar.
Step across the road and into the serene waters of Alinda Bay, the rumored bathing grounds of the Greek goddess Artemis, or swim in the color blue in the calm shallows of secret beach Krifos.
Lazy afternoons at the beach club, long dinners of fresh fish and local produce enjoyed under the stars.
Mussolini's forgotten Fascist utopia, WWII tunnels carved into a mountain, a shuttered asylum dubbed “Europe’s guilty secret.”
A day boat to Patmos and its clifftop monastery, or tiny islands where the only inhabitants are friendly goats.
Freddo espressos each morning, decadent multi-course meals at Mylos by the Sea.
A rhythm, not a schedule. Every activity, meal and transfer on the island is included — dip in, or laze on the beach. (We'll fine-tune the days as the group comes together.)
Land, settle into Alinda, gather at Villa Betty, then a welcome dinner in Pandeli and a nightcap at the windmill bar.
A slow morning on Alinda beach, then up to the Castle of the Virgin Mary for a breathtaking sunset.
The heart of the week: a long, candlelit family dinner at the villa — a private chef, everyone's feet under one table, the energy we live for.
Around the island to coves you can't reach by road — swim stops, cliff jumps, and the serene Krifos beach.
Across the water to the hilltop Monastery of St. John, whitewashed lanes, and lunch by the sea.
Watersports at Vromolithos, a Greek cooking or dancing class, the WWII bunkers — or nothing at all.
Shopping in Agia Marina and Pandeli, a wine tasting, last swims — then a farewell feast and Greek dancing.
Coffee by the water and goodbyes — or extend your stay and linger a few more days.
Nothing here is mandatory. The best days on Leros are often the ones you spend doing very little.
Everything is in Alinda — a green, pine-shaded bay on the north of the island — and nothing is more than a 15-minute stroll away. Villa Betty is our heart; you'll sleep in comfortable rooms just across the street and along the lane.
Villa Betty · the terraceFrancesca's family home and the soul of the trip — where we gather for family dinners, morning coffees, and the meet-up before every boat day.
Hotel Alinda · garden & beachA relaxed beachfront hotel directly across the street, with a garden, its own restaurant and bar, and the sand a few steps away.
Pleiades · traditional farmhouseA charming traditional farmhouse with a garden and terrace, a short walk away — for those who'd rather have a house feel.
As the group grows we'll add more hand-picked hotels and houses in the same pocket of Alinda — all walkable, all near the water, all near Villa Betty. Tell us your preference on the form below and we'll match you to the right spot.
It's all included and all optional. Work your way through the whole menu, or find a sun lounger and skip the lot.
The island's crown, best at golden hour over Alinda Bay.
Coves and swim spots only reachable by water.
The clifftop monastery and a long harbor lunch.
A walk to a serene beach — with a boat to carry us home.
Lessons and gear for first-timers and pros alike.
Out on the bay at your own pace.
Learn the dishes you'll be eating all week.
For the farewell night — no skill required.
A relaxed afternoon tour of local pours.
Tunnels carved into the rock at Lakki.
Mint-green Vespas and open roads (for confident riders).
Lime Bar, Vromolithos, and long dinners by the water.
Fish pulled in that morning, watermelon in the afternoon heat, and family dinners at Villa Betty that run until the candles burn down. Half the reason we keep coming back.
Off the harbor grill.
The afternoon table.
Whatever came in.
Sun-warm, daily.
At the windmill bar.
One long table.
From Pandeli's fish tavernas to the windmill kitchens above the bay — we know exactly where to take you.
Come home with 20 new best friends. Everyone invited is someone we want at the table. Find My location sharing required.
A small group, chosen one invitation at a time.
Warm, easy, a little chaotic — in the best way.
Private villa, a boat at the dock, dinners that never end — splurge energy, friendly prices.
Twenty-odd dots, one island
The only thing not included is getting to Leros. You book your own flights and ferries — and we'll walk you through exactly how. More on that below.
For couples or friends sharing a double — the best value, and honestly the most fun way to do it.
Your own room, your own space.
A deposit will be requested once the final group is locked in, before we book accommodation. Spots are limited.
Tell us your home airport and we'll personally map out the exact flights and ferries for you — and make it as easy as possible. Here are the main ways in:
Into Athens, then a short domestic hop to Leros (LRS) with Olympic Air or Sky Express. Book early — the small planes fill up.
Athens → Leros · ~50 minFly to Kos (KOS) or Rhodes (RHO), then hop on a quick ferry to Leros. Easy to add a few extra Dodecanese days to either end of the trip.
Kos → Leros · ~1.5–2.5 hrsFrom Athens (Piraeus) straight to Leros — book a cabin and wake up in the Aegean. A few sailings a week.
Piraeus → Leros · ~9–10 hrsNo payment yet — just leave your details so we can hold your place and send the next steps. We're keeping the group small (think 15–20), so the sooner we hear from you, the better.
We've got your details and we'll follow up shortly with next steps. If your email client opened, hit send to reach us directly.
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