CRETAN LABDANUM -
BEYOND THE
RESIN RETREAT
ANCIENT MAGES MEET MODERN ALCHEMISTS ON A PERFUMED FIELD EXPERIENCE
JULY 25-31, 2025
CRETE, GREECE
"This long-awaited trip is a gathering of perfume wizards and plants people of all kinds who walk the talk of embracing sustainable management and use of aromatic and medicinal plants on many levels."
Beyond our scented bottles, beyond our imagination, beyond whatever we think we have known about our aromatics… There lies the true, raw, authentic nature of Crete. The slow-paced GreekĀ MediterraneanĀ island offers exquisitely genuine sensory treasures and pleasures for the sacred seekers of perfumed experiences.Ā Beyond the olive gardens, over the orange orchards, in the wild company ofĀ the most aromaticĀ culinaryĀ plants likeĀ sage, thyme and oregano, quietlyĀ growsĀ the plant of Cretan labdanumĀ offering her fragrant sticky balsamicĀ medicine.Ā In this hidden cradle of aromatic paradise an adventure of a lifetime is waiting for you!
JOIN OUR TRIP ON CRETE
Join us and our hosts on this truly genuine aromatic journey:
– Visiting wizard, Dan Riegler who runs Apothecary’s Garden and is a Herbal Apothecary, Artisan, formulator, distiller and worldwide traveller. Dan knowledgeably advocating for fresh & fair trade, ethical and sustainably harvested medicinal plants and aromatics.
– Localised wildflower, Ildiko Berecz who is behind Essential Reflections andĀ propagates ethics, education and scented stories as an alchemist, aromatherapist, grower, forager and artisan distiller. Ildiko transforms lives teachingĀ holistic herbal practices,Ā blending plant matter and human essence.
FRAGRANT ENCOUNTERS
AROMATIC INSIGHTS
ON CRETE ISLAND
OUR CISTUS JOURNEY ON CRETE
Ildiko and Dan will be guiding, teaching & facilitating a scented circle, and will share their many life stories and work experiences from growing plants, harvesting in the wild, distilling aromatics, creating natural medicine, cosmetics & botanical perfumes. Being engaged with the highest quality ingredients, dedicated to sustainable and fair-trade practices, theirĀ drive for making a difference in the herbal and aromatic world is beyond enthusiasm.
Support ourĀ endeavoursĀ of conscious life-style and artisan businesses by joining us!
Our program is a specially curated retreat, a combination of a series of aromatic workshops and discovery field-trips. It’s a sort of ‘time out of time’ in Crete where you can:
ā Surrender to all the goodness that nourishes your soul;
ā Refill your cup andĀ recharge your energies;
ā Connect with ancient practices;
ā Explore the birthplace of our precious fragrant materials;
ā Witness aromatic life in the rural Crete;
ā Blend potent potions during the workshops;
ā Contribute to maintain the dedication to true raw materials;
ā Spend time with other sensitive beings;
ā Experience some of the most touching and inspiringĀ learningĀ moments on this fragrant journey!Ā
Scroll down for program overview below >>>
Orientation dates
Beyond Labdanum Retreat:
25 – 31 July, 2025
JOIN OUR WAIT LIST!
If this program is on your wish list,Ā please get in touch!
JOIN DAN RIEGLER
APOTHECARY'S GARDEN
SCENT ALCHEMIST!
More on
OUR CISTUS JOURNEY ON CRETE
Experience artisan distillation as a sacred ceremony.Ā Our discussions uncover processes, plants used, material and type of distillation apparatus, as well as other influential contributors. You get a more considerate insight into such as ratio of the various extracts, and their corresponding quantity and quality features. Our journeys are in context of nature, and you are guided through the process of distilling medicinal plants while you actually attend to the Plants we work with.
ENJOY HOSPITALITY
BY ILDIKO BERECZ
OUR HOLISTIC GUIDE ON CRETE
MEET OUR TEACHERS ON CRETE
Dan Riegler runs Apothecary’s Garden in Canada and is a real wizard in the field of understanding elements, processes and ingredients in the arts of natural perfume, medicine and cosmetics. Dan has spent the last 60 years as an artist, artisan and maker. He is an Herbal Apothecary, a noble Artisan, formulator, distiller and advocate for sustainable management of our aromatic and medicinal plants.
Ildiko BereczĀ is the empowering force behind Essential Reflections, born out of her majorĀ shift moving from Hungary to Crete over a decade ago becoming and Earth steward. Ildiko is an alchemist, aromatherapist, artisan distiller and promotes co-creative work with plants and people to serve the evolution, healing and awakening of human beings.Ā Ildiko isĀ a transformative teacher and offers guidance, coaching and mentoring through the plant world.
Yiannis Psillos is born in Crete, travelled and lived internationally, yet remained deeply connected to his homeland. Yiannis is a therapist, teacher of homoeopathy, herbalist and farmer. Yiannis transformed monoculture olive groves into fields of biodiversity, pioneering in wild-cultivating and distilling Damask Roses on Crete.Ā
WORKSHOPS
ā No. 1 – The Cistus Chapter
We explore the botanical, historical, medicinal and perfumery background of the Labdanum plant, and learn about the various methods of collection and extraction. You will be able to make distinctions between spices and characteristics, understand adulteration and become more knowledgable to evaluate materials.Ā Ā
ā No. 2 – The Distillation Chapter
ā No. 3 – The Blending Chapter
ā No. 4 – The Oracle Chapter