October Design Trip Workshop

October Design Week Itinerary

🗓️ Village Vision Week: Designing for a Life Lived Outdoors – Sparta

October 9–13, 2025 · Laconia, Menelaion Hotel, & the future home of Taygetes Cohousing Village

A co-creative, hands-on experience for those ready to imagine—and help shape—what community life in Greece can truly be.

Thursday, October 9 – Arrival & Welcome
✨ Arrive in Sparta and check in to our base at the Menelaion Hotel.

🌀 5:30 PM · “What is Cohousing?”
A thoughtful intro for the "Interested Visitor" participants on what makes this way of living so different from regular real estate, Greek villages, or retreat centers.

🍷 7:30 PM · Welcome Dinner (open to all, self-paid)
Connect with future neighbors and kindred spirits. We’ll share stories, vision, and what’s ahead—informally and over good food.

🌙 9:30 PM · After-dinner drinks with the core team (Explorer Members only). No agenda, just relaxed connection and conversation.

Friday, October 10 – The Land, the Dream & the Why
☀️ Morning:
- 8:30 AM: Meet in the hotel lobby
- 8:45–10:30 AM: Mini Tour (Cohousing Curious) with Pare—walk the land, feel the dream
- 11:30–1:30 PM: In-depth Member Tour (Explorers) with Pare, Stavros & professionals—see where it all comes to life

🍅 Lunch & Siesta (1:30–4:30 PM): Group lunch in Xirokambi (self-paid), rest, swim, or stroll

🌳 5:00–7:30 PM: Workshop 1 – Vision, Values & Plateia Design (Explorer Members only)
Step into the soul of the village. Begin shaping what we’ll stand for—and how that gets reflected in the commons at the heart of the village.

Saturday, October 11 – Gardens, Gathering & Growing Together
💬 9:30–10:30 AM: Live “What is Cohousing?” session (open to all)
An honest, hopeful conversation about what it really takes to build community.

🌿 10:30–1:00 PM: Workshop 2 – Permaculture & Plateia Design
Join us as we shape the spaces where life happens—gardens, walkways, play zones, and spots for quiet connection.
(Full participation for Explorers; observation welcome for Curious guests.)

🍽️ Lunch & Free Time: Share a meal or take time to reflect

❓ 2:30–4:00 PM: Optional Q&A for Curious guests—what’s next if you’re drawn to join

🌆 Evening: Free time to enjoy Sparta or head to the mountains

Sunday, October 12 – Kitchens, Commons & Celebration
🔥 9:30–12:30 PM: Workshop 3 – Cooking, Eating & Outdoor Living Spaces (Explorer Members only)
Design the spaces where we’ll break bread, cook together, and gather for celebration—with space for kids to play and grownups to linger.

🫒 1:00–2:30 PM: Group lunch in Xirokambi (all welcome)
One last meal together before parting ways—or continuing to Crete

🎉 7:30 PM: Closing Dinner (Explorer Members & professionals only)
Raise a glass to what we’ve begun.

Monday, October 13 – Optional Extras
☀️ Morning: Open time on the land or 1:1 sessions with Pare (Explorers only)

🏰 Optional afternoon add-on: Excursion to magical Monemvasia (open to all, extra cost)

📌 What to Know
All meals and drinks are self-paid

Workshops are for Explorer Members only (curious guests are welcome to join tours and selected sessions)

Important Participation Note:

This Village Week is designed primarily for Explorer Members—people who have committed to learning, engaging, and helping shape the future of this community.

If you’re attending as a guest or interested visitor, you’re warmly invited to join our land tours, introductory sessions, and social gatherings. You’ll get a feel for the land, the people, and the values we’re building around.

Out of respect for those who have invested time and care in this process, we ask that Explorer Members are given space to lead and co-create during workshops.

If you’re considering joining as an Explorer, we’d love to talk before the trip so you can fully participate.