From first email to the flight home

Whether you've been on an offsite before, or this is your first time, you will find how we do it on this page - and it's really quite simple. Have a look at how a retreat gets planned, who does what and when, and what happens if plans change.

In total we probably ask for a few hours of your time, spread across several months. Initial call to discuss the basics, online form with your details and preferences, and one call a month before you arrive. Of course if you feel more comfortable with more touchpoints, we'll always be available.

Who does what

It usually takes about six months from first email to arrival, although if you operate on a tight timeline, we can work within shorter periods. Most of the work lands in two short bursts. The proposal at the start, and the detailed planning a month before your arrival. The table below highlights how the process generally works.

What you doWhat we do
First conversation Tell us the team size, rough dates, and what the week is for. Tell you honestly whether Chios is fit for your purpose and what kind of experience to expect on those dates.
A proposal with options Read them, then tell us what to change. Nothing in them is fixed. Two or three options within 5-10 working days, each with a property, an outline agenda and an indicative per-person price. They are a starting point, not fixed packages. Mix and match between proposals, add something that is on neither, and we rebuild it around that.
Holding the dates while you decide Tell us what to swap in or out, and get it signed off internally. Rework it as many times as it takes, re-pricing as the shape changes. The property and the dates stay held for 14 days.
Confirmation Approve the final itinerary and price, proceed with the deposit. Send final version of the proposal, fixed for the dates you have settled on. Then we lock the property, the chef, the drivers and the guides, etc.
Detailed planning One form and one call to confirm names, flights, dietary requirements, tell us anything we should know. Every piece of logistics, and a detailed agenda built for you.
The week on the island Turn up. Run it, make sure everything goes smoothly and adjust as the week goes if required.
Afterwards Tell us how it went. A short written wrap-up, any photographs, or other material we might have for you.

Dates, terms and cancellation

All of this goes in the proposal in writing. It is here so you can get a feeling of how we operate.

 Terms
How far ahead to bookThe earlier the better, but four to six months is comfortable. If planning a retreat for low season (November to March), we might be able to do it on even much shorter notice.
Deposit30% of the total cost, paid at the time of booking. Deposit is non-refundable.
BalanceDue 6 weeks before arrival.
Payment methodBank transfer, invoiced in euros.
CancellationFull refund (minus deposit) more than 90 days from arrival, 90 days to 30 days 50% of total, no refund inside 30 days
Changing numbersFinal headcount at the balance date, increases subject to availability in chosen property.
Moving the datesOne free move up to 90 days before arrival, subject to availability.

Start with the conversation

No obligation, and we will tell you early if we are not the right fit.

Plan a retreat