Inside the Most Transformative Wellness Retreat in Greece

"I'm a strong believer in psychotherapy, but the concept of professional coaching never appealed to me. The one time I tried it, I was unnerved by a trust exercise and gave up almost immediately. Then, a couple of years ago, I became CEO of a nonprofit investigating war crimes in Ukraine. Having spent most of my career as a writer, working alone, I found leading a team to be exhilarating, but I needed a new skill set."

"Hagia Sophia in Istanbul was a key inspiration; elements of that building are reflected in Euphoria's domes and arches, as well as its palette of gold, blue, red, and yellow. Most of the retreat's 45 rooms are set in the main building, but I stayed in one of six suites located in the 1830s Leoncini Mansion, which has marble floors and is decorated with Turkish rugs and traditional wooden furniture. My balcony overlooked a sweeping green valley."

A newly appointed CEO of a nonprofit investigating war crimes sought leadership skills after a career as a solitary writer and enrolled in a leadership program at Euphoria in Mystras, Greece. The retreat's name derives from a Greek root meaning "to carry well." The property, opened in 2018 and designed by Natalia Efraimoglou, features Byzantine-inspired domes, arches and a palette recalling Hagia Sophia. The estate includes 45 rooms and six suites in the 1830s Leoncini Mansion with marble floors, Turkish rugs and a balcony overlooking a green valley. The program is curated individually and blends ancient Greek and Chinese therapies.

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