About The Retreat

Samothrace Improv Retreat is an international Improvisation Intensive Summer Camp. It is organised and run by House of Improv every August at the Island of Samothrace, in North Greece. Samothrace Retreat is being held for 3 years, and we are currenlty planning our 4th for 2021. S.I.R. is an amazing experience, taking place at a extraordinary island.

People join us for two main reasons. First for the unique improvisation training program that we offer, and also for having an amazing vacation at a paradise like scenery.

Why Train with us?

S.I.R. is not a festival. Our goal is to provide intensive, long hour workshops, on specific traits and skills, varying for different levels of practioners. There is no variety of classes and subjects to teach. Each practioner of intermediate or advanced level gets a chance to train for a sum of 24 hours on two main skillsets from two instructors. Beginners, get a chance to train on more basic stuff but for consecutive long hour workshops also. The result of this retreat, impovisational wise is to give the chance to our students to make a leaping progress during this week. And we usually achieve this, since most of our students say "I am a different imrpoviser after this experience". Besides the main courses, the retreat also presents two shows, one in the middle of the retreat, and one in closing. In these performances, students get to try out on stage, what they are learning. Also, all practiotioners that join the retreat, perform in the shows (if they want to). This year we also added some more extra smaler worskshops and one open Jam night.

Why Samothrace?

Located on north Greece, and actually being the northest island of Greece, Samothrace is an island stuck in time. It is not a destination easily approached, and with Greece having a enormous variety of other tourist destinations, it does not flood with people each summer. But this is a good thing. The island itself has amazing nature. Thick forests, highest mountain in Aegean sea, running streams with icy gold water creating pools and waterfalls, clean deep rocky beaches, great food and a mysterious unique aura.

Dont expect to find luxury or highly organised tourism facilities here. But the view of a clean sky full of stars in a quiet cool night after a full day of improv and other activities will be stuck in your memory forever. Also during the retreat, besides improvising you will get a chance to go on hikes, swim in the stream pools or in the sea, visit archaelogical sites, attend parties and concerts and more.

More info about Samothrace can be found at the following links.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samothrace

https://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/samothraki/

http://www.visitgreece.gr/en/greek_islands/samothrace

TRAVELLING AND ACCOMODATION

Accomodation: 
All reservations and arrangements for your accomodation are NOT arranged by the retreat. We can only offer you related information.
There are three choices for accomodation.
1) Natural Living Camping - 30mins by bus/20min by car from the port of Kamariotisa. Situated near Therma, is free of charge and offers limited comforts. Its walking distance from Room A (where some classes and both shows take place) and is the departure point for the bus for Rooms B and C. Most retreat members choose this location for their stay.
2) Varades Municipality Camping - 35mins by bus/25min by car from the port of Kamariotisa.
Offers more comforts and charges your staying. Situated near Therma, its a a bit far but still a walking distance from Room A (where some classes and both shows take place) and 10 mins walking from the departure point for the bus for Room 2.
more info here: https://samothraki.gr/municipal-camping/
3) Rooms and hotels. There is small number of rental rooms and small hotels in Samothrace. If you choose to rent we suggest you do it at least one month ahead. We strongly suggest you rent somewhere that is at walking distance from Therma so you can join all activities. In case you decide to bring your car, you can of course rent anywhere you want but please take under consideration that you have to be on time for your courses and car transportation from mainland to the island is kind of expensive

Transportation
All reservations and arrangements for your transportation are NOT arranged by the retreat. We can only offer you related information.
To Samothrace
Samothrace Island is only accesible from the port of Alexandroupolis. It is a 2 hours trip. There are usually two trips per day in Augoust, but with the coronovirus measures the ship is only allowed half the passengers. Please buy your tickets ahead. All members of the retreat MUST be present on the island on Monday morning.
Ferry Route Shedule will be available in this link: https://www.zanteferries.gr/dromologia-neo/
You can purchase tickets online in this link: https://www.aktoploika.gr/north-aegean/index_samothraki.htm
For more information you can contact Alexandroupolis Port Police at: 25513-56200 , 25513-56216

How to Get to Alexandroupolis

From Athens:
1) By aeroplane (4 flights per day) - 1 hour flight
2) By train to Thessaloniki and then by 1) train to Alexandroupolis (7 hours trip) or 2) by Bus to Alexandroupoli (4 hours trip)
3) By Bus from Kiffisos (8 hours trip)
4) By car to Thessaloniki - Kavala - Xanthi - Komotini - Alexandroypoli (via National and Egnatia high speed road)

From Thessaloniki 
1) By train (6 hours)
2) By Bus (4 hours)
3) By Car (via Egnatia road 300km)

Transportation On the Island
The retreat mainly takes place in Therma Village. Therma Village is close to the camping sites (15mins walk).
Room A (Classes and both Shows) is located in old school of Therma.
Room B is located in Kamariotisa port. There will be a small bus only for retreat members - doing the trip Camping - Kamariotisa - Chora and back, before and after each class. It will have a small fee. The bus will depart 30mins before each class. Anyone missing the bus will have to find a way to get to Kamariotisa on his/her own.
Room C is located at Chora. There will be a small bus only for retreat members - doing the trip Camping - Kamariotisa - Chora and back, before and after each class. It will have a small fee. The bus will depart 30mins before each class. Anyone missing the bus will have to find a way to get to Kamariotisa or Chora on his/her own.

At your arrival to the island, in order to reach Therma Village/Camping site from the port there is a municipality bus available rougly every 45mins.

If you want to make your own excursions, and visit remote beaches you will need a car. Car transportation from mainland to the island costs about 120€. We suggest you create groups of 4/5 people and arrange to transport a car if you want, and share the expenses.