The goodworld Experience
Part restorative retreat, part cultural journey, part old-fashioned conversation salon, GoodWorld Journeys gathers creative people and celebrated Guest Artists together in beautiful places. Our alchemy is holding sacred and creative space for writers and musicians, readers and listeners to share soulful food for thought, stirring music, culinary delights, and craft-oriented wisdom.
What Is A Salon?
A GoodWorld Journey Salon is an intentional eight to ten day gathering where people come together for deep, engaging wisdom sharing and discussions on curated topics in inspiring landscapes.
With a balance of thoughtfully curated programming and spacious free time, our Salons offer a chance to step away from everyday life, encounter new thoughts and perspectives, and connect deeply with place and one another. Accomplished Guest Artists co-lead our salons, providing craft-focused “master-class” sessions and joining participants in intimate conversations, readings, performances, and Q&As.
While a GoodWorld Journeys Salon shares elements of a creative retreat, cultural journey, and traditional literary or artistic salon—it isn’t an intensive workshop or artist residency. Participants should not expect one-on-one coaching, manuscript critiques, or personal feedback from Guest Artists. Participants can expect to gain enduring and practical insights about artistic craft and living a creative life in a well-curated community that endures long after the program ends.
What to Expect
Morning & Evening Sessions
Each Salon day is anchored by two core gatherings. Three-hour morning sessions blend craft-focused talks, small-group exercises, and creative exploration with our Guest Artists. Two-hour evening conversations feature life journey interviews, readings, music, and participant questions.
Opening & Closing Dinners
Salons begin and end around the table. Over celebratory meals paired with live music, you’ll connect with fellow participants and guest artists. Menus highlight fresh, seasonal ingredients, with thoughtful attention to dietary preferences.
Local Excursions/Activities
Beyond the Salon sessions, each destination offers rich opportunities to explore. You might join a cooking class or gallery walk in San Miguel, or board a small boat in Patmos for lunch & a swim at a nearby isle—experiences that immerse you in the rhythms of local life.
Salon Commons
Spacious Time
A Remarkable & Enduring Community
Our team invests time and energy to curate a cohort that brings a wealth of knowledge and diversity of experience to be shared. While people may initially come for the Guest Artists, they soon realize they’re part of a special circle of remarkable humans. As part of our alumni network, you’ll stay linked to a thoughtful group of creative peers, with space for continued dialogue, support, and collaboration.
The Rhythm of a salon
A GoodWorld Salon unfolds at an intentional pace. Some days invite deep engagement and conversation; others leave generous room to wander, rest, explore, write, create and follow your curiosity. Throughout the journey, moments of gathering and spaciousness build on one another.
Time to land, acclimate, and begin discovering your surroundings.
Morning sessions centered around ideas, craft, conversation, and creative exploration.
Open afternoons to swim, nap, write, read, wander, linger over lunch, or spend time with new friends.
A freer day to experience the destination at your own pace, sometimes paired with an optional or guided local experience.
A shared excursion that brings us more deeply into the landscape, culture, and character of the place.
Festive meals, music, dancing, open mics, participant gatherings, and the spontaneous moments that become part of the story.
Sample Salon Schedule
Sample Patmos Schedule
Day 1
Free day to rest & explore Patmos
Opening Welcome Reception & Dinner: 6:30-9:30pm
Day 2
Morning Salon: 10:00am-2:00pm
Evening Salon: 6:00-8:00pm
Day 3
Morning Salon: 10:00am-1:00pm
Evening Salon: 6:00-8:00pm
Day 4
Optional Guided Cultural Tour of the Monastery, Chora & Cave of the Apocalypse: 8:00am-10:15am
Day 5
Morning Salon: 10:00am-1:00pm
Music & Dance Party: 8:15pm-10:30
Day 6
Morning Salon: 10:00am-1:00pm
Evening Salon: 6:00-8:00pm
Day 7
Optional Boat Excursion to Nearby Isles: 10:00am-7:00pm
Day 8
Morning Salon: 10:00am-1:00pm
Evening Salon: 6:00-8:00pm
Day 9
Free Morning
Evening Salon: 6:00-8:00pm
Day 10
Morning Salon: 10:00am-1:00pm
Closing Farewell Reception & Dinner: 7:30-10:30pm
*Note: A sample San Miguel Salon schedule will be added when our next San Miguel Salon is announced.
Is a GoodWorld Journey Salon Right for You?
A GoodWorld Journey Salon might be for you if...
- You value thoughtful conversation and new perspectives.
- You love meeting people whose lives and experiences may be very different from your own.
- You’re looking to build a lifelong community of friendships with other people inspired by creativity, culture, and connection.
- You’re drawn to creative inspiration without attachment to a particular outcome.
- You appreciate having both thoughtfully planned experiences and unscheduled time.
- Travel, place, food, culture, and community are as important to you as the formal Salon programming.
- You enjoy engaging deeply with artists’ work without expecting individual access or mentorship.
A GoodWorld Journey Salon may not be the right fit if...
Your primary goal is intensive instruction or professional development.
You’re seeking a writing or music residency with extensive independent work time and facilities.
You’re looking for manuscript critique or guaranteed feedback on your work.
You expect significant one-on-one access to Guest Artists.
You prefer a trip where all or most of your days are scheduled for you.
FAQs
What criteria are used for selecting Salon applicants to participate?
We aim to bring together a vibrant and inclusive mix of participants for each Salon. This includes diversity across nationality, age, gender, race, lived experience, professional background, and creative interests.
We welcome both accomplished and emerging voices—writers, storytellers, songwriters, cultural creatives—as well as passionate readers, music lovers, curious travelers, and changemakers. You do not need to identify as an artist or writer to participate.
Each Salon is enriched by the presence of thoughtful, engaged individuals who value meaningful conversation, shared inspiration, and intentional retreat time.
Do you offer scholarships?
Yes, we offer a limited number of partial scholarships for each Salon, awarded based on both need and merit. Scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $4,000 and apply only to the Salon program fee. They do not cover international travel to or from Greece or Mexico.
When completing your Salon application, you’ll be asked if your attendance is dependent upon scholarship assistance. If eligible, you may receive a separate scholarship application form via email after the initial review of your materials.
How many participants typically attend each Salon?
Salons typically include 40-60 participants, with a maximum cap of 60.
We’ve found this size enables the ideal balance: intimate enough to foster meaningful connection and community, yet large enough to offer a rich shared experience.
How does the application process work?
We receive more applications than we have available spots for each Salon. To help us get to know you, we ask that you answer a few questions thoughtfully and thoroughly.
Once you submit your application, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and will be notified of your acceptance decision within 10–30 days. Some applicants may be placed on a waitlist.
If you’re accepted, you’ll be required to make a deposit within 10 days to secure your spot, followed by a final payment.
Upcoming Journeys
Living An Examined Life
Join a creative pilgrimage into music, memoir, & myth with Neko Case, Ani DiFranco, Anaïs Mitchell, and Ann Powers.
- Patmos, Greece
The Stories We Tell
Explore the power of words and storytelling with Silas House, Barbara Kingsolver, Ada Limón, and Safiya Sinclair.
- Patmos, Greece
The Journey is Your Story
Dive into the craft of memoir, personal storytelling, and poetry with Fatimah Asghar, Ashley C. Ford, and Maggie Smith.
- San Miguel de Allende, Mexico
New Salons on the Horizon
We’re announcing our summer 2027 Salons this fall. Join our mailing list to be the first to discover what’s ahead—and to know when registration opens in October.