Greetings from Greece!
This post is designed to answer all the questions that are usually asked by those booking a place at the Greek Island Summer School for the first time. Any other questions, no matter how small, please do get in touch any time.
Where is The Greek Island Summer School held?
The Summer School is based in Nidri, a small resort on the Ionian island of Lefkada (or Lefkas), on the west coast of Greece. I’ve lived here for 27 years now and all the classes are run from my own home, in a covered area in the garden.
How long are the courses and when do they take place?
All courses comprise of four study days, spread across a week. You have two full free days (Saturday and Tuesday) for holiday time. There are three courses to choose from in May/June and then another three in September, either with me or a visiting tutor. There are no courses in July and August simply because it’s far too hot and too expensive because of high season prices.
How long does it take to get to Lefkada and what is the destination airport/transfer time?
Flights in are on Wednesdays, return flights the following Wednesday, as midweek flights are considerably cheaper than the weekends. The airport Preveza (PVK) is on the mainland but the transfer time is only 45 minutes as the island of Lefkada is joined to the mainland by a short causeway, so there are no ferries involved.
There are direct flights from Gatwick, Heathrow, Stansted, Birmingham and Manchester. Average flight time is 2 hours 45 mins.
Preveza is a very small airport. You literally walk across the tarmac from the plane straight into baggage collection and then out into the arrivals area for your taxi pickup. There are no long corridors, stairs or escalators to navigate. All taxis are pre-booked by me and the cost is 60 Euros each way – per taxi, not per person. You’ll usually share your taxi and therefore the cost with at least one other person, often more, depending on how many people come in on the same flight.
How much are the flights?
Prices are hugely variable depending on the airline and the particular week but are generally very affordable if you book early. As a rough guide you can expect around £150 – 250 return but possibly much less if you’re able to book as soon as the flights are released, which usually happens around the previous October.
What are the accommodation options and costs?
As I’ve lived here for 27 years and this is the 21st season of courses I have a lot of contacts, so most students book flight only and I book the rooms. These range from 50 – 80 Euros a night depending on the time of year and the location/quality.
There’s a choice of self catering studios or rooms in small family run hotels. All rooms are either on or very close to the seafront, with ensuite shower rooms and own balcony.
There are a very limited number of rooms with direct sea views and the same for ground floor rooms so it’s vital to book early if either is a requirement.
All rooms are single person occupancy. Sharing is most definitely not advised as, historically, this has always been a disaster! When you’re studying as well as holidaying you need your space and your uninterrupted sleep.
It’s also crucial not to book any rooms independently before consulting with me. Photos and info on places like booking.com can be extremely deceptive. For instance, this year we’ve had rooms that turned out to be slap bang next to a noisy hotel and others that were even in the wrong village! Fortunately I was able to deal with these clangers in advance, but that’s why they were cheap.
Alternatively you can book a package, flight and room combined, details on request.
How much are the courses?
For the fourth year running there is no increase in the course fees. All courses are £345. This includes all course materials and the taxi service to and from my house on the four study days.
How many places are available and how do I book?
These courses are designed as an intimate and exclusive experience so there are just 10 places available on each week. The most important thing for now is to put your name down on the list if you want a place on any particular week. You can either pencil in or you can guarantee your place by paying a deposit £50.00. This can be paid into a UK account, it is non returnable but transferable.
The best way to keep track of availability is to sign up for my weekly blog which you’ll receive every Monday morning. It’s free, it’s the astrology for the week ahead and includes updates on the number of places available and flight info.
You can either send an email address to me to be added to the mailing list or anyone can sign up from the website. Here’s the link for the sign up box –
Once your name is on my course lists I’ll be in touch directly with everyone as soon as travel options become available. At the moment (July 2022) it’s way too early to book flights, there is no flight info available from Jet2 and even Easy Jet haven’t announced their schedule past early April as yet.
What happens in the evenings?
All study days finish at 3pm so that you have plenty of beach or siesta time, and there is then a group meal organised for every evening. These are optional but you never have to be alone unless you wish to be.
Evening meals come to around 15 – 25 Euros a head, including drinks, depending on your menu choices.
On the four study days we order in from a local taverna for lunch, which comes to around 7 – 10 Euros a head depending on your choice.
What is the schedule of courses for 2023?
MAY/JUNE COURSES
- WEDNESDAY 17 MAY – Unlocking the Secrets of Medieval Astrology
- with Chris Mitchell
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/medieval-astrology-secrets-course/
- WEDNESDAY 24 MAY – The Astrology of Families
- with Elisabeth Brooke
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/astrology-of-families-24-may-2023/
- Horary Astrology that was originally advertised for this week will run at a future date
(Half Term – Monday 29 May to 2 June)
- WEDNESDAY 7 JUNE – Tarot & Astrology
- with Joanna
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/tarot-and-astrology/
SORRY, ALREADY FULL, BUT SEE 13 SEPT BELOW
SEPTEMBER COURSES
- WEDNESDAY 30 AUGUST – The Astrology of Relationships
- with Joanna
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/astrology-relationships-course/
- WEDNESDAY 6 SEPT – How to Make Predictions
- With Sally Kirkman
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/astrology-predictions/
- WEDNESDAY 13 SEPT – Cards on the Table (Intermediate Tarot)
- with Joanna OR may be changed to another Tarot/Astrology combo, depending on demand
- Read more here – https://joannawatters.com/course/cards-on-table/
