Gothic Noir:
Atmospheric Fiction In The Mountains

14th June – 20th June 2026 | Domnista, Greece 
With Sunday Times Bestseller C.J. Cooke
Reserve your place
Reserve your place

Find the Story in the Shadows.

Others are written in the mountains.

C.J. Cooke (The Lighthouse Witches, The Book of Witching) is the master of 'uplit horror'—stories that are as emotional as they are chilling. She weaves folklore, history, and the supernatural into unputdownable fiction. If you prefer a misty mountain peak to a crowded beach, and a ghost story to a rom-com, this is your week.

Your Sanctuary

Yliessa Guesthouse 

We chose Domnista because it’s a world away from the tourist trail.
Wrapped in the pine forests of the Pindos mountains, it is a place of mist, myth, and silence. 

You will be staying in a luxury stone-and-wood chalet perched 1,000 metres above sea level. It evokes the cosy isolation of a gothic novel (without the ghosts).

  • The Rooms: Spacious, warm, and private. Every window frames a view of the forest or the valley below.

  • The Vibe: Authentic mountain hospitality. Think log fires (if the evenings are cool), deep armchairs, and a complete absence of fuss.

  • The Luxury: We strip away the admin of life. You don't cook, you don't clean, you don't plan. You just read. Talk. Dream.

The Experience

View Full Itinerary
View Full Itinerary

The Vibe

  • Carolyn, Up Close: This isn't a lecture series. It’s a conversation. Hear firsthand how she researches her dual-timeline mysteries and builds such terrifying tension.

  • The 'Blind Date' Book Swap: Bring a wrapped copy of a book that haunted you. Watch people battle over it.

  • Find Your Tribe: Finally, a room full of people who don't think it's weird to love dark stories. Come and geek out with your new best friends.

  • Deep Focus: We protect your reading time. Find a nook, grab a coffee, and disappear into a book.

The Good Life

  • Authentic Dining: We take you to local tavernas for long, hearty dinners featuring slow-cooked stews and local pies (wine included, naturally).

  • Total Disconnection: No alarms. No 'to-do' lists.
    Just the sound of the wind in the trees.

The Culture (Optional)

  • Visit the historic Monastery of Prousos.

  • Walk the dramatic Panta Vrehi Gorge.

  • Explore the Museum of National Resistance.

Meet The Icon

C.J. Cooke

Meet The Master of Atmosphere C.J. Cooke The Queen of 'Uplit Horror'. Books include: 'The Lighthouse Witches', 'The Ghost Woods' & 'The Book of Witching'. 

Carolyn doesn't just write books; she builds worlds. From the coast of Scotland to the Arctic circle, her stories are drenched in atmosphere. She’s sharp, insightful, and deeply knowledgeable about the craft of suspense. If you want to learn how to keep a reader looking over their shoulder, there is no better guide.

Secure Your Spot

Solo Occupancy
£1500

Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Final payment due 30 days before your retreat.

Pay by card at checkout, or use Klarna to spread the cost interest-free.

Full terms and conditions

Gothic Noir - Solo Occupancy Gothic Noir - Solo Occupancy Gothic Noir - Solo Occupancy
Gothic Noir - Solo Occupancy
from £150.00

Gothic Noir

14th June – 20th June 2026 | Domnista, Greece

Shared Occupancy
£2400 (£1200 pp)

Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Final payment due 30 days before your retreat.

Pay by card at checkout, or use Klarna to spread the cost interest-free.

Full terms and conditions

Gothic Noir - Shared Occupancy Gothic Noir - Shared Occupancy Gothic Noir - Shared Occupancy
Gothic Noir - Shared Occupancy
from £240.00

Gothic Noir

14th June – 20th June 2026 | Domnista, Greece

A cozy living room with wooden log walls and ceiling, featuring a chandelier, two armchairs with red cushions, a sofa with patterned fabric, a wooden coffee table with decorative items, and a bar area with wine bottles and glasses.
A cozy bedroom with rustic wood log walls and ceiling, a bed with a pink and green floral quilt, red pillows, and green cushions. There is a small wooden nightstand with a lamp, a window with a decorative red and pink striped curtain, and a chandelie
Interior of a cozy log cabin restaurant with wooden walls and ceiling, decorated with hanging ribbons and flowers, white tables with lace tablecloths, potted plants, and a mix of chairs. Includes a chandelier and a TV in the background.
A cozy bedroom with two single beds, neatly made with white linens and beige bedspreads. Towels are rolled and placed at the foot of each bed. There is a wooden nightstand between the beds. A large window with sheer curtains is in the background, sho
A cozy bedroom in a log cabin with wooden walls, a chandelier, a bed with white and beige linens, and a nightstand with a lamp.
A cozy bedroom with two twin beds in a log cabin, featuring wooden walls and ceilings, a chandelier, blue pillows, floral curtains, and folded towels on each bed.
A cozy bedroom with log cabin walls, a single bed with a gray quilt, pillows, and towels, a window with wooden blinds, and a chandelier with five lights.
A cozy log cabin bedroom with a bed decorated with a floral bedspread and striped pillows. There is a window with floral curtains, a small nightstand with a lamp, and wooden log walls and ceiling. Towels are folded on the bed.
A rustic log cabin bedroom with a large bed, green pillows, a bedside table with a lamp, red and yellow striped window coverings, a chandelier, and hardwood floors.

Details

    • A pre-retreat online meeting for all participants - last-minute questions welcome

    • A goody bag full of traditional greek products

    • 6 nights at Yliessa Guesthouse

    • Daily homemade breakfast

    • Group meals with wine and soft drinks

    • All literary workshops, excursions and events

    • Airport/Ferry transfers on Naxos

    • Visas, flights and ferry tickets (we can help you plan this).

    • Travel insurance (essential).

    • Extra drinks outside of scheduled meals.

  • You fly to Athens Airport (ATH). We’ll handle it from there. Our private bus will pick you up on Sunday 14th June and take you on a beautiful drive into the mountains, stopping at a seaside taverna along the way. We drop you back at Athens on Saturday 20th June.

Aerial view of a house surrounded by trees, with a swimming pool, a garden with plants, and parked cars visible near the house.
A large wooden house with a tiled roof, built on a stone foundation, situated in a green, forested area. There are trees and a swimming pool with umbrellas in the background.
An aerial view of a house with a tiled roof, surrounded by trees, with a driveway leading up to it. There is a swimming pool and a hot tub in the backyard, along with a small patio area.
Panoramic view of green forested mountains under a clear blue sky, with a few buildings and a winding road visible in the lower part of the image.
Aerial view of a house surrounded by trees, with a swimming pool, garden, and a small parking area with a white vehicle.
An aerial view of a house with a tiled roof, a swimming pool, a hot tub, surrounded by lush green trees and a garden.
A calm lake with a mirror-like surface reflecting the sky and clouds, surrounded by green grass and trees with a partly cloudy sky overhead.
A scenic view of a forested mountain landscape with tall evergreen trees under a clear blue sky, and distant mountains in the background.
A scenic mountain landscape with a wooden cabin, outdoor pool, poolside lounge chairs, and patio furniture, surrounded by lush greenery and forested hills in the background.
A scenic outdoor pool area at dusk with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a hot tub, surrounded by a forested mountainous landscape and rustic wooden cabins.
A large wooden house on a hillside surrounded by dense green trees.
A cozy two-story log cabin with warm interior lighting and outdoor string lights, surrounded by a landscaped yard with a pool and trees.

The Mountains Are Waiting 

Spaces for this retreat are strictly limited to ensure an intimate atmosphere.

If you’re ready to trade the noise of the world for the silence of the pines and a week of unforgettable stories, reserve your spot today. 

Book your place now
Book your place now

Arrive curious. Leave inspired.