There are places you arrive at not to switch off, but to switch on. To awaken something. To remember that leadership isn’t built in boardrooms—it’s shaped under open skies, between crashing waves and quiet contemplation. Gundari, perched above the jagged cliffs and glittering coves of Folegandros, is one such place.
For the past three months, I’ve journeyed across Europe with The DMC Collective in search of rare destinations—places that speak to the needs of today’s executive retreats. Places that host not just meetings, but moments that change you. Gundari doesn’t just make the list—it redefines it.
Folegandros isn’t Mykonos. It doesn’t try to be. And that’s its superpower. Part of the lesser-known southern Cyclades, this island remains raw, elegant, and largely untouched. Whitewashed villages cling to cliffs, old footpaths wind across its rugged terrain, and the Aegean stretches endlessly into sky.
It’s this purity—this quiet intensity—that makes it perfect for high-performing teams seeking both clarity and connection. Gundari, with just 25 suites, is a sanctuary carved into volcanic rock. It holds space not for the masses, but for the few who understand that true luxury is privacy, perspective, and purpose.
Arriving at Gundari is like stepping into another rhythm. You don’t check in. You arrive—greeted with a chilled herbal infusion and a view so vast it silences every inner monologue.
The architecture is elemental. Earth-toned walls curve around stone and light. Every suite faces the sea, some with infinity plunge pools that seem to pour directly into the horizon. Indoors and outdoors blur. Even the meeting spaces—minimalist lounges with panoramic glass walls—invite contemplation as much as collaboration.
Our first day set the tone: sailing along the coastline, diving off the boat into caves that shimmered like ancient temples, laughing as the sun dipped gold behind the cliffs. The next morning, we hiked a path older than memory itself—scrambling down to deserted beaches, pausing to breathe in thyme-scented air and the sound of nothing but our own footsteps.
Later, we cycled narrow island roads that unspooled like silver ribbons. Some in our group opted for guided snorkelling and scuba dives into kaleidoscopic reefs. Others found their adrenaline in simplicity—rising early to run along the cliffs, ending with a barefoot swim before breakfast.
Every activity felt curated not to fill time, but to stretch us. To surprise us. To connect us in the way only shared adventure can.
Each evening, we gathered at Gundari’s open-air restaurant—a theatre of Aegean flavours and local craftsmanship. Cooking classes led by the resort’s chef revealed secrets of Cycladic simplicity: sea urchin, fresh herbs, handmade cheese, lemon leaves grilled over charcoal.
Conversations lingered long after the plates were cleared. These weren’t just meals; they were moments of reset. Of realignment. A reminder that nourishment is as much about emotion as it is about cuisine.
The Gundari spa is an ode to the island’s healing spirit. Built into the cliffside, it offers elemental treatments using botanicals foraged on Folegandros itself—wild sage, myrtle, rockrose. I chose a deep-tissue massage that felt less like therapy and more like a homecoming.
Others disappeared into the hammam. Some took private yoga at dawn. One executive quietly journaled in a stone alcove overlooking the sea. The message was clear: here, you choose your pace. You choose your healing.
The sense of seamlessness across our retreat was no accident. It was the result of precision design by The DMC Collective’s in-house specialists—experiential curators who understand that leadership retreats are as much about emotion as logistics. From mood-enhancing scent trails upon arrival to custom movement therapy sessions (inspired by The DMC Collective’s creative wellness team), every detail supported the purpose of our time here: reflection, reconnection, and renewal.
Their ability to blend adrenaline-pumping exploration with stillness and creative pause elevated this trip from a gathering to a transformation. It was more than a retreat—it was a recalibration.
With just 25 suites, Gundari is designed for ultra-exclusive groups—leadership teams, visionaries, innovators. It’s not a place to repeat. It’s a place to remember.
This retreat is unrepeatable not because it’s unattainable, but because it’s unforgettable. It redefines team building not as icebreakers and schedules, but as storytelling, shared silence, and soul-level connection.
Unlike destinations that dazzle, Folegandros invites you to notice. To walk the ancient path from Chora to the cliffside church at sunset. To sit in a taverna and listen. To speak less and see more.
The DMC Collective helped us weave this narrative into a seamless itinerary: days of movement, moments of stillness, and a structure that flexed to every group dynamic. Gundari became the canvas—Folegandros the muse.
If you’re seeking an executive offsite that feels sacred, grounded, and transformative—this is it. For less than 27 guests, Gundari offers something rare: space. For clarity. For courage. For the next big leap.
Contact The DMC Collective to begin planning your bespoke leadership retreat to Folegandros. Let the cliffs carry your vision. Let the silence say what words cannot.
In this article, discover the Top 10 Luxury Destinations that can transform your team.
Love this article? Share it now!
Related Articles
Discover why Bali is a top choice for corporate events, with world-class resorts and stunning venues that attract businesses from around the globe.
This article explores why Bali remains a top choice for incentive travel planners and highlights some of Indonesia’s hidden gems that deserve a spot on the radar of forward-thinking planners.
As we step into 2025, the events industry is poised for a year of transformation and growth. By embracing technology, designing purpose-driven events, and focusing on personalisation, we can craft experiences that exceed expectations. Now is the time to innovate, inspire, and connect—together.
©2024 – 2025 THE DMC COLLECTIVE – All Rights Reserved | Privacy | Sustainability
©2024 – 2025 THE DMC COLLECTIVE – All Rights Reserved
Privacy | Sustainability
You cannot copy content of this page
This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.