The Journey of Forgiveness in Crete
Seven steps in a week, between the sea and the Almyros oasis
Request an introductory callEarly registration by January 31, 2027: see prices
There are those who carry with them a phrase they never spoke, a wrong that comes back to haunt them in the evening, a grudge that now weighs more heavily than the memory from which it sprang. Forgiveness rarely happens in a single afternoon. It takes time, a method, and a place that helps you slow down.
I suggest we walk it together for a week, one step a day, while staying at Magic Aurora, nestled between the sea and the Almyros Oasis, just a few minutes from Agios Nikolaos in eastern Crete.
Here, the time between one step and the next becomes a walk, a sunrise, a swim, a quiet evening.
On your own, or with people you know
Each week is reserved for a single booking. You can come alone, or with one or two people you know who have also chosen to take part in the program. You’ll share the apartment, and each of you works on yourself.
The only people in the apartment are those participating in the program, because Magic Aurora is also where some of the work takes place.
Before confirming, we’ll schedule a brief call, 20 minutes with each person, to get to know each other and understand where you’re coming from.
Seven steps, one a day
Each session lasts 60–75 minutes and combines two elements: awareness, to understand what’s happening inside you, and guided practice, focused on your personal journey. Some parts are shared with others, while others are individual sessions, just for you.
The sessions are held at Magic Aurora, where you’re staying. There’s no need to travel between sessions.
What Forgiveness Is Not. Why It’s Important. By forgiving, I free myself.
Understand which stage of forgiveness you’re in
The Four Stages of Forgiveness: Accusation, Responsibility, Gratitude, and Love. Recognize which stage you are going through and whether you have integrated it.
Turn Problems into Resources
Every problem contains the seed of growth. You learn to see beyond the “me and you” dichotomy, transforming the divide into opportunity.
Unleash the Power of Gratitude
Gratitude changes the way we view past experiences and opens up new paths.
Unlock blocked energy
The body remembers what the mind cannot express. Through a body map of forgiveness, recognize and release your blocks.
Rediscover the power to transform
Difficult experiences transformed into opportunities for growth through the My Life Design© forgiveness technique.
Integrate polarity
A broader, more holistic view of your story, using the Mirror Forgiveness© technique.
Unity
The One in the One© formula, to take home for important relationships, situations and encounters, or as a daily meditation.
The Solar Forgiveness© technique for archetypes, people, situations, and things.
A house in front of Almyros Beach
Magic Aurora is an apartment located right in front of Almyros Beach and its oasis. From the stairs of the house, a path leads to the sand in just one minute.
The veranda, measuring 35 square meters and overlooking the Gulf of Mirabello, is where you’ll spend most of your time, from breakfast to sunset. Some of the steps also take place here, at Magic Aurora.
There are two bedrooms, both with air conditioning. If there are two of you, each has their own room. If there are three of you, two of you will share the room, which has a double bed and a single loft bed.
More photos of the house, including the bedrooms, are available at magicaurora.com.
The Crete where I live, in four moments
This part of Crete is my home, and I know it on foot. I know at what time the mouth of the Almyros River is still calm, and from which point in Lato you can see the whole gulf.
I choose the places and the moments. Then I let them do their work.
The first silence
On the steps at the mouth of the Almyros River, as the light changes. It begins by looking outward, at the kingfisher, the still water. Then the gaze drifts inward, with DHYANA meditation. It ends with a herbal tea from Crete and a dash of mountain honey.
Walking Toward the Light
Slow steps across the Spinalonga Peninsula, early in the morning, all the way to the open sea.
A City of Stone, with a Notebook
Lato, a Doric city perched on the hills above the Gulf of Mirabello. We’ll head up there together early in the morning, when the site is almost empty, and I’ll take you to the spot where we can stop and look out over the gulf.
What Remains of the Light
A walk in the woods above Kroustas as the sun sets. A way to let the day fade away.
The walks are leisurely, and each one is optional.
Sara Valla
Certified Forgiveness Facilitator, International School of Forgiveness (ISF), MyLifeDesign method by Daniel Lumera, and certified DHYANA meditation teacher. I have been accompanying people on their travels since 1999, when I became a diving instructor: underwater and on the surface, in Egypt, Sudan, South Africa, Liguria and Sicily. Since 2016 I have led awareness paths for individuals and groups. I live in Crete, now in Almyros, on the Gulf of Mirabello, and as a travel curator I seek out and tell its lesser-known side on The Crete You Don’t Know, thecreteyoudontknow.com. For this week I have chosen the places and the times for you.
Eight days, seven nights
The first and last days are laid-back: you arrive, say hello, and leave without rushing.
- morningArrival and check-in
- afternoonWelcome, take your time
- morningThe First Silence, at dawn in Almyros · Opening and Step 1
- afternoonFree
- morningStep 2
- afternoonStep 3, in the late afternoon
- morningWalking Toward the Light, Spinalonga
- afternoonStep 4
- morningA City of Stone, with a Notebook, Lato
- afternoonStep 5
- morningStep 6
- eveningWhat Remains of the Light, Kroustas
- morningStep 7, Part 1
- afternoonStep 7, Part 2 · Closing
- morningBreakfast together
- thenDeparture
While one person is with me for an individual session, the others have time to themselves: to write, swim, sleep, or simply relax. If you come alone, the sessions are longer and the schedule is tailored to you.
If your flight has different departure times, the calendar will adjust accordingly.
Prices per person
€800 for one person · €620 per person for two or three people
for the full program and activities, instead of €890 and €690.
Alone
For two people, per person
For three people, per person
The program includes
- the opening meeting
- All 7 steps, with personalized support throughout the week
- the four experiences in the area
- the admission ticket to Lato
- the materials
- Breakfast on the last day
Accommodation at Magic Aurora is available at a special rate for participants in the program: €115 per night, lower than what you will find on the booking platforms for the same dates. In addition, there is the Climate Crisis Resilience Fee set by the government: €8 per night for the apartment, not per person. In the price cards, accommodation and fee are added together and rounded. The special rate is split among those sharing the apartment.
Not included: flights, airport transfers, meals.
Meals. The apartment has a fully equipped kitchen, and anyone who prefers to cook is free to do so. In April, around Almyros, taverns and restaurants reopen one week after another: a few days before your arrival, I’ll send you a list of the ones that are open, including the places I’d go to and those that offer home delivery.
Deposit: €300 for a single traveler, €200 per person for groups of two or three. Once the deposit is paid, your week is confirmed, and you can book your flight right away. The balance for the program and accommodation is due 30 days before arrival.
If you need to cancel: Up to 60 days in advance, your deposit will be refunded or transferred to another week. Between 60 and 30 days in advance, the deposit will be retained. Less than 30 days in advance, the balance is due. That’s why I recommend travel insurance that also covers cancellation: it protects you if you have to cancel after paying the deposit or the balance.
If one person in the group drops out, the apartment remains fully booked, and the cost is split among those who are coming.
Available weeks
From Saturday to Saturday. Only one reservation is accepted per week.
The Trip to Almyros
The most convenient airport is Heraklion, about an hour’s drive from Almyros. In April, there are direct flights on Saturdays from Bologna and Milan-Bergamo.
- Bologna, Ryanair: arrival in Heraklion at 12:45 p.m., departure at 1:10 p.m.
- Milan-Bergamo, Ryanair: arrival in Heraklion at 2:00 p.m., departure at 2:25 p.m.
Estimated schedules for April 2027: Please check them when you book. In October 2026, round-trip flights cost between €120 and €200, without checked baggage.
With these flights, you’ll arrive in Almyros in the mid-afternoon and depart after breakfast on the last day. If you’re departing from another city, write to me: let’s check the schedules together.
From the airport to Almyros
- Car rental for the week: 250–300 € total, including insurance. Split between two or three people, this is often the most convenient option. It gives you freedom on your free afternoons. If you’d like, I can put you in touch with a reliable local rental company I work with.
- Shuttle or taxi: 80–100 € one way, for the entire group. Must be booked in advance.
- KTEL bus: 8–9 € per person. Departs from the airport. About 90 minutes; buses leave roughly every hour.
Prices and schedules are approximate, based on spring 2026: I’ll update them when the 2027 figures are released.
Before you write to me
Is it necessary to have already worked on forgiveness?
No. The course guides you no matter where you’re starting from, and you’ll learn the techniques step by step.
I’ve just experienced a loss or a breakup. Is this right for me?
This program was created for moments like these, too. If the event happened very recently, please write to me first, and we’ll talk it over together.
What happens if I get very emotional?
It’s normal; it’s part of the process. The space is safe, and having such a small group helps.
Is it a substitute for psychological counseling?
No. It’s a journey of experience, awareness, and personal transformation. If you’re currently undergoing psychological or medical treatment, continue with it: this week’s program can complement it, without replacing it.
Can I bring someone who isn’t taking the course?
No. The house is also part of the program: the work of the week happens at Magic Aurora, and what comes up needs a protected space, where no one listens without being part of it.There’s also a simpler reason: when a loved one who isn’t on the journey is nearby, it’s natural to take care of them and adapt to their schedule, even without meaning to.
Can I bring a friend who has never worked on forgiveness?
Yes, if she chooses to go through the program. Neither of you needs to have any prior experience. Individual sessions stay private: whatever comes up in yours isn’t shared with the other person, unless you choose to.
Do I need to be in good shape for the hikes?
These are leisurely walks, suitable for those who walk regularly. Participation in each outing is optional.
Write to me
If you feel the time is right, write to me. Let’s talk it over calmly before making any decisions.
