Empiria Group launches PHOS, a new experiential platform in the Cyclades

A philosophy rooted in light

“PHOS reflects something we have always believed at Empiria Group: that the places we choose, and the way we experience them, have the power to change how we feel,” says Kalia Konstantinidou, Group Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Empiria Group. “In Greece, light has shaped civilization for thousands of years. It has influenced daily life, inspired philosophers and artists, informed architecture, and truly has created a culture centered on gathering, conversation, and life lived outdoors. PHOS is our way of translating that into a contemporary platform where culture, place, and well-being come together.”

Why Parīlio

Located just outside Naoussa, Parīlio has, since opening in 2019, become one of Empiria Group’s signature properties. Inspired by the landscape of Paros, the hotel, with its 46 suites and villas, draws on the island’s distinctive architectural language through natural materials, sculptural forms, and understated interiors that feel both contemporary and unmistakably Cycladic. Named after parelion, the rare optical phenomenon associated with light, the hotel reflects the exceptional quality of Cycladic light that shapes every aspect of the guest experience. Together with its relaxed atmosphere and close connection to the culture, social life, and rhythms of the island, Parīlio provides the natural setting for the inaugural chapter of PHOS.

Chapter One: Parīlio, Paros, October 2–4, 2026

Through a program built on the pillars of Light, Presence, and Connections, the inaugural three-day retreat brings together movement, cultural immersion, creative expression, gastronomy, and shared rituals through experiences designed to awaken the senses and foster a deeper connection to place. Participants will take part in sound healing, morning breathwork, and gratitude circles, as well as discussions with Greek cultural voices such as Evangelos Michelis and Themis Pavlis on the influence of Ancient Greece on creativity, ethics, architecture, and design. The retreat will also weave in interactive activities, including textile and craft workshops with Alexandra Diona, sound healing sessions with Nikolas Unalome, and dance movement sessions with Themis Pavlis, inspired by Cycladic craftsmanship. Community dinners continue the Greek tradition of gathering around the table for storytelling and conversation.

Who it’s for

For culturally curious, design-aware global travelers and entrepreneurs seeking more than traditional wellness retreats, PHOS offers immersive, place-rooted experiences delivered through the lens of Empiria Group’s hospitality philosophy and sense of understated luxury.

Rates and how to extend the experience

Rates for PHOS Chapter One start at €1,400 per person (double occupancy; €2,500 single occupancy), inclusive of two-night accommodation at Parīlio, daily breakfast and dinner, and full access to the retreat program. Guests can also extend the experience with a five-night package pairing PHOS with the Soulful Love Retreat (September 29 – October 2), a pre-retreat focused on mindfulness, movement, and intention-setting.