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 group of friends. Euro summer at its finest. Her island is like nowhere we've ever been. And this year we want to share it with you.
You book your flights, show up and we plan the whole thing. One week with the best people, in the best place.
Plus, it's Labor Day week. So four days off work is all it takes to trade your desk for a Greek island and a crew of new lifelong friends.
Are you in?
Leros sits in the Dodecanese, closer to Turkey than to mainland Greece — the beauty of the Mediterranean and the exclusivity of a private island, without the crowds of Mykonos or Santorini.
Climb to the Castle of the Virgin Mary, a Byzantine fortress over a thousand years old, for a 360-degree sunset over the sea, then enjoy 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 inside the color blue" in the calm shallows of secret beach Krifos.
Sink into a lounger for slow afternoons at the beach club, then gather for long taverna dinners of fresh-caught fish and local produce, lingering under the stars.
Wander through Mussolini's forgotten Fascist utopia, descend into WWII tunnels carved deep into the mountains, and uncover the haunting tale of a shuttered asylum once called “Europe’s guilty secret.”
Board a day boat to Patmos and its clifftop monastery where Saint John the Apostle wrote the Book of Revelation, or drift out to tiny, near-deserted islets where the only locals are a few friendly goats.
Wake to a freddo espresso on the beach each morning, and surrender your evenings to decadent, multi-course meals at Villa Betty and a gastronomic feast at famed Michelin-star restaurant Mylos by the Sea.
A rhythm, not a schedule. Every activity, meal and transfer on the island is included. 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 Savana bar.
A slow morning in Alinda beach, an afternoon lounge at Panagies beach club then up to the Castle of the Virgin Mary for a breathtaking sunset and cocktails at The Windmill Bar.
A day of island exploration by foot, car and scooter culminates in a long, candle-lit Family Dinner at Francesca's Villa Betty.
A private boat will take us to coves you can't reach by road — swim stops, cliff jumps, and the serene Krifos beach. A Michelin-starred meal at Mylos By The Sea to end your night.
We'll travel across the water to the hilltop Monastery of Saint John the Apostle and the Cave of the Apocalpyse.
Watersports at Vromolithos, a Greek cooking or dancing class, the WWII bunkers — or nothing at all. Sunset over Lime Bar beach club followed by a glorious dinner at Serza.
Shopping in Agia Marina and Pandeli, a wine tasting, last swims at Alinda Bay then a farewell BBQ at Villa Betty and Greek dancing next door.
Freddo cappucinos 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.
Everyone is stayng in Alinda — a green, pine-shaded bay on the north of the island — and no one is more than a 15-minute walk away. Francesca's home, 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. Cured swordfish bacon and smoked tuna loin at Michelin-starred restaurant Mylos By The Sea.
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 10 new friends. Everyone invited is someone we want at the table. Find My location sharing required. 😉
Quality people, personally invited by 3 of us.
Warm, welcoming, a little chaotic — in the best way.
Private villa, a boat at the dock, dinners that never end — splurge energy, friendly prices.
Fifteen-odd dots, one island
Honest version: we've never run a trip like this before — it's an experiment, and we'd love for you to be part of it. So we've kept it simple. We organize and pay for everything up front, so you never reach for your credit card on the island. You settle up with us at cost — exactly what the week costs to put on — plus a flat 20% for the two of us planning and running every last detail. Nothing hidden, nothing padded beyond that.
Nothing's due yet. Once the group is set, we'll ask for a deposit before booking accommodation — and we'll show you the real, itemized numbers before you commit to anything. Fair and open, start to finish. Spots are limited.
Our honest floor for a shared room — the best value, and the most fun way to do it. Your own private room runs a little more.
Two things: whether you share a room or want your own, and how many activities we plan for the group (and how far we roam). The estimate will firm up as guests confirm — always at cost, plus that same flat 20%.
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.
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 hrsFrancesca and Kyle run an experience-design agency helping brands create unforgettable moments for their customers. We've never done something like this together, for our friends or for anyone. This is the first, and it's for the people we love. It's for you to live like we live.
It's also an experiment. Francesca's island has been in her family for generations. Once you visit you'll understand why there's nowhere else like it. It's not a place you'd find on your own, it's inaccessible, it's difficult to reach. It's utterly devoid of tourists (which is part of why we love it!) but this makes it intimidating to plan a trip around. So instead we do all the planning. You just show up.
Last year, four of us. This year, ten. Someday — fifty, a hundred. A yearly gathering of friends, maybe even a festival, in a beautiful corner of the world only a lucky few have discovered.
Leros is our blank canvas, and this trip is an experiment in what we can make it become. Join us this year and shape what comes next. That's our dream.
No payment yet — just leave your details so we can hold your place and send the next steps. We're keeping the group small (think 10–15), so the sooner we hear from you, the better.
We've got your details and we'll follow up soon with next steps. See you in Leros!
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