Queer Tango Retreat in Crete – 9. till 16. may 2026
About the retreat
Picture mornings with the sea at your doorstep, afternoons on the sand, and dive into Tango with flowing role-switches — this is the rhythm of our Sea, Sand & Switches retreat.
Our Retreat in Lentas is about movement, curiosity, and connection – with yourself, with others, and with this beautiful island.
Every day we’ll explore tango in depth: its music, technique, playfulness, and the art of switching roles with ease. Each morning begins with a light body practice to wake up and tune in — from yoga or Feldenkrais to meditation or singing — before we dive into our tango workshops. Most days offer around three hours of guided dancing, plus time for relaxed practicas on some evenings.
Breakfast and Dinner are shared at our retreat center, Levinthos, where we eat together, talk, and recharge with delicious food and the view of the sea. In the afternoon, you can rest, swim, or explore the village — everything is within walking distance.
Led by Lucia Rosenfeld & Tim Hüning, the retreat is designed as a playful, supportive environment to experiment with both leading and following — curious, courageous, and kind.
The teaching language will mostly be English, but depending on the group, we can easily switch or translate into German or French when needed — making sure everyone feels included and at ease.
What the days will look like
🥐 Breakfast Together (09:00 – 10:00)
We start each day slowly, sharing breakfast at Levinthos — the heart of our retreat, where all workshops and meals take place. It’s a gentle beginning: coffee, sea breeze, and conversation before the day unfolds.
🧘 Optional Morning Body Practice (10:20 – 11:00)
Each morning begins with 40 minutes of somatic or body-based practice — yoga, Feldenkrais, breathing, meditation, or singing. It’s time to wake up, soften, and arrive fully in your body before dancing.
💃 Tango Workshop 1 (11:00 – 13:00)
Our first tango session of the day dives into movement, musicality, and the subtle art of connection. We’ll explore how to play with dynamics and roles. Our sessions are designed to give everyone the same time to explore, learn, and integrate the experience of leading and following.
🌊 Midday Break & Dinner (13:00 – 19:00)
The long break is yours: go for a swim, rest, enjoy the beach, or make yourself lunch. Everything in Lentas is within walking distance, including the sparkling sea just a few minutes away. We gather again for a shared dinner at Levinthos at 18:30. Expect delicious Greek food, laughter, and that slow, golden island evening feeling.
🎶 Tango Workshop 2 / Practica (20:00)
In the evening we continue exploring tango — refining technique, flow, and improvisation, while keeping things light and playful. We will either have a second workshop or deepen our tango during a practica. Workshops 2 take place on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday and will be 90 minutes long.
On Saturday, Monday, and Friday, instead of the second workshop, we’ll gather for a relaxed evening practica — a space to dance, exchange, and revisit what you’ve learned under the soft night air of Lentas. These evenings are all about connection, curiosity, and joyful dancing together.
🪶 Midweek Rest
On Wednesday, we’ll take a full day off — a chance to rest, explore, or simply let the sunshine and sea do their magic before we continue dancing through the second half of the week.
- Please note: exact times and details may be adjusted closer to the retreat.
Location & Accomodation
Our retreat takes place in the peaceful seaside village of Lentas on the south coast of Crete, just a few minutes’ walk from the beach and the retreat center. Lentas is a quiet village surrounded by stunning natural beauty, with crystal-clear waters and hidden beaches nearby, such as Ostria, Diskos, Loutra, and Trachoulas — some reachable on foot, others a short drive away. For those who enjoy walking or climbing, the nearby rock of the Lion offers spectacular views of the Libyan Sea, and by car you can explore famous destinations like Matala, Preveli, Agia Galini, or the archaeological sites of Faistos and Gortyn.
Lentas is a very small and tranquil place — you can walk through the entire village in just a few minutes. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, where you wake up to the sound of the sea and end your day under a sky full of stars. There are a few tavernas, cafés, and small shops, but life here moves at an unhurried pace. If you’d like to explore the wider region or visit more distant beaches, having a rental car can be helpful — though many guests find that once they arrive, they hardly feel the need to go anywhere else.
Workshops and meals take place at Levinthos Retreat Center (www.levinthos.gr), a bright, open space with panoramic sea views. The center offers an indoor hall built with natural materials, ideal for dancing, yoga, meditation, or any practice, as well as outdoor spaces to relax or move freely.
All accommodations are managed by the host of Levinthos, and after registering for the retreat, participants coordinate directly with him to choose from a variety of nearby studios or apartments, all within ten minutes’ walk of the center. Options include single, or double rooms, with prices ranging roughly from €65 to €95 per person per night, including breakfast and dinner.
Your Teachers
Lucia (she/her) and Tim (he/him) have been teaching together for over three years — united by their love for tango as a space of creativity, communication, and shared freedom. As queer teachers, they bring an open, inclusive perspective to their work, inviting dancers to explore connection beyond traditional roles. In their classes, both Lucia and Tim actively teach and demonstrate from both leading and following roles, embodying the balance and awareness they encourage in their students.
They approach every class with curiosity and presence: listening closely to the group, creating dynamic learning environments that balance playful energy with calm focus. Both come from artistic backgrounds, which deeply influences their way of teaching — encouraging expression, connection, and an inclusive spirit.
Role-switching is a core part of their work: not only as a technique, but as an invitation to understand movement from multiple perspectives, expand personal freedom in the dance, and — most importantly — have fun.
Lucia Rosenfeld
Lucia brings over twelve years of tango experience and a strong foundation in contemporary dance pedagogy. She studied at the Music and Arts University of Vienna and completed her Master’s degree in choreography and performance at ICI Montpellier in France.
From early in her studies, Lucia focused on inclusive dance practices — working with people who are blind or visually impaired, Deaf communities (Austrian Sign Language speaker), and mixed-abled dance ensembles. She actively uses her pedagogy and art to work against ableism and create environments where everyone can move, learn, and connect beyond stereotypes.
Lucia is also the Deputy Studio Director at Lillis Ballroom in Vienna — a renowned hub for inclusive partner dance.
In her tango teaching, she emphasizes body awareness, listening, trust, and musical sensitivity — building strong foundations while empowering individual expression.
Tim Hüning
Tim discovered tango on stage during his performing arts studies at the Folkwang University of the Arts. Trained in acting, singing and dance, he has since worked in theatres and opera houses throughout the German-speaking world, and teaches functional voice training and interpretation.
Alongside the performing arts, Tim spent many years practicing martial arts such as Wushu and light-contact Karate — experiences that shape his tango through an embodied sense of balance, momentum, partner awareness, and grounded movement.
Tim is a co-organizer of the queer pop-up milonga “Tango en la Calle” in Vienna, bringing tango into public and cultural spaces to celebrate openness and community.
In both dancing and teaching, he loves exploring tango as a creative and expressive language — expanding beyond familiar patterns while staying deeply connected to the partner and the shared dance.
Practical Information
Dates & Place
• 9–16 May 2026, in Lentas, Crete
• Workshop location: Levinthos Retreat Centre
Level & Focus
• For dancers with ≈ 1 year of tango experience or more
• Group size around 20 participants
• Everyone learns and dances both roles (open to queer dancers and allies)
• Language of instruction: English (German & French possible)
Workshops & Pricing
• Course fee: €350 / Early Bird: €300 (for registrations before February 1, 2026)
• Includes: 5 workshop days + 2 practicas + closing Milonga
• Payment instructions follow after registration
Accommodation & Meals
• Accommodation in studios/apartments (single / double options)
• All within 5–10 min walking distance from the venue
• Breakfast & Dinner and drinking water included (beverages und lunch not included)
• Typical cost: €65–95 per person / night
• Accommodation booked directly with local hosts (payment on arrival)
• Note: VAT/taxes may apply (approx. +15%)
Travel & Accessibility
• Fly to Heraklion (HER) – the main airport on Crete.
• Transfer to Lentas – by taxi, approximately 1 hour (~€80). Renting a car is recommended if you plan to explore the island during your free time, and it’s also a convenient option for getting to and from the airport on arrival and departure days.
• Arrival details & coordination – after booking, we will provide all necessary information. We will also set up a WhatsApp group for participants to connect, share plans, and potentially coordinate group transfers.
Useful Notes
• Partner rotation & role-switching are core elements of the retreat
• Vegetarian/vegan & dietary needs can be accommodated with notice??????
• Travel insurance recommended
Registration
• Sign-up via luciaundtim@gmail.com
• After registration you’ll receive:
• Payment confirmation
• Accommodation contacts
• Arrival information
Refund Policy
• Refunds are not guaranteed. Requests will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, depending on timing and circumstances.
Cancellations made up to two months before the retreat may be eligible for a refund only if we’re able to fill your spot with another participant. For this reason, please contact us as early as possible if you need to cancel.
Join the retreat
Ready to join us under the Greek sun?
Send us an email at luciaundtim@gmail.com with your name and address and phone number, and let us know that you’d like to take part in our Sea, Sand & Switches retreat.
We’d greatly appreciate it if you could give us a brief overview of your dance journey and your experience with both leading and following.
We’ll get back to you with all the booking details and connect you with owner of the apartments to help you find the right accommodation in Lentas.
Let’s dance, switch, and share an unforgettable week together!
