Yes, yes, yes! Here we are again, back together in lovely, sunny Crete! Our fully remote team from all over the world flew to Ierapetra this September, the birthplace of Mentionlytics, to enjoy the sun, the sea, and many surprises! And what a reunion it was!
Our five-day retreat was packed with exploring new, breathtaking sights, enjoying delicious Cretan cuisine, deep dives into work and brainstorming sessions, and just as much sun-soaked relaxation.
For some, it was the very first time meeting colleagues in person. Yet, the vibe was effortless, as if we’d known each other forever.
We worked, laughed, talked, danced, cruised the sea, swam, sunbathed, and most importantly, created memories together.
And really, isn’t that the true blessing of every team?
The Why
With a remote team, you can have all the Zoom calls, Slack channels, and DMs in the world, but nothing replaces a real handshake and a face-to-face conversation.
That’s how humans bond, that’s how ideas spark, and that’s how the best in us comes forward.
Our very first retreat two years ago gave us the blueprint for this one: the schedule, the activities, even the timing. And yes, it made this second retreat not just smoother but even more meaningful.
Was it easy? Hardly. Coordinating 23 people flying in from around the globe, handling transfers, accommodation, activities, and every little detail is a logistical puzzle. But it was a puzzle we happily solved.
Because in the end, nothing beats seeing the genuine smiles on your teammates’ faces.
The Accommodation
No surprises here: just like our first retreat, we set up camp in the same spot. But this time, not one villa… two! Yep, our team has grown from 19 participants at the last retreat to 23 this time, which means we needed more space.
For these five days, the villas became our HQ, where morning coffee turned into brainstorming sessions, living rooms turned into laughter-filled lounges, and poolside chats often sparked the best ideas.
By the end, it felt less like accommodation and more like a big, slightly chaotic family home, with laptops, flipcharts, and the occasional cannonball.
The Weekend Agenda
Balancing work and play is always a challenge, especially with 23 people from different corners of the world, each with their own roles, languages, habits, and preferences. But that’s exactly what makes these retreats so valuable: every time, we discover new things about each other (and ourselves).
The first day was all about easing in. We strolled through Ierapetra, snapped a ton of photos, enjoyed a traditional welcome dinner (seafood, xygalo, and, of course, fried snails), and capped it off with a cocktail party that set the tone for the days ahead.
Day two? Adventure mode on!
We boarded a boat to Chrissi Island, a protected natural gem with turquoise waters and beaches that look like they belong on a screensaver. Surrounded by nature (and each other), the team bonded in ways no Zoom call could ever achieve.
During our boat expedition, our team had a full sailor experience! We rode waves, dived, and enjoyed freshly made sushi on deck.
Sun, sea, and the wind set the tone, as some of us tried steering the boat like pros, while others just soaked up the serenity of endless blue horizons.
Between splashes, selfies, and salty hair, it was the kind of day that makes a retreat unforgettable.
After a salty, sun-drenched day, nothing hit the spot more than a family-style dinner in a restaurant with the best homemade pies and comfort food that smelled and tasted like home.
Presentations, Workshops & BBQ
Monday and Tuesday were all about blending work with play. We shared achievements, explored new features, and talked about vision and future plans… but… the real magic happened when we mixed the teams. Sales, marketing, devs, and CS rolled up their sleeves together in workshops that were equal parts enlightening, exciting, and (let’s be honest) pretty fun.
Of course, we didn’t have traditional coffee breaks; it was more cannonballs into the pool, quick beach strolls, and catching just enough sun to recharge.
Even lunch turned into a spontaneous activity. Our founder, Manos, gave an impromptu lesson on preparing the authentic Cretan Dakos (thank you, Veterano Bakery, for the rusk variety!). By layering fresh tomato, mizithra cheese, and olive oil, we ended up with a delicious, messy, and quick lesson full of local flavor and kitchen collaboration.
“The Mentionlytics retreat was a great opportunity for me, especially as a new team member, to meet the team. The greatest value for me was bonding with teammates outside of work and getting to know people more in-depth (even potentially building new friendships!). From inspiring workshops to unforgettable moments together, the retreat gave us fresh energy for the year ahead.”
Victoria Karra, Customer Success Manager at Mentionlytics
The Photoshoot
One of the hidden perks of our team? We’ve got a professional photographer in the mix. Not only does this mean we get stunning group shots, but also that everyone has the chance to shine in front of the camera (yes, even the camera-shy ones).
Some teammates showed off brand-new haircuts, others braved the lens for a second round after their “first attempt” two years ago, and our new members finally got their official Mentionlytics portraits.
What started as a photo session quickly turned into a laughter-filled mini-event. It’s the best proof that capturing memories is just as fun as making them.
The best part? We now have a set of photos that reflect exactly who we are: a team that’s professional, creative, and not afraid to have a little fun along the way.
The Secret Workshop: Mizithropita Masterclass
To spice things up, Monday came with a surprise: a Cretan cooking class. Mizithropites, the traditional cheese pies, were on the menu.
Our team is brilliant behind their laptops, but give them flour, dough, and a rolling pin? Turns out, they can master that too.
We had no idea what was coming until we spotted aprons, bowls, flour, and rolling pins lined up on the table.
🤓 For making Mizithropites (in Greek: μυζηθρόπιτες), the traditional Cretan cheese pies, you only need a handful of ingredients.
The process of making it is simple: mix flour, water, oil, a sprinkle of raki, and salt, then let the dough rest for 20 minutes. In the meantime, roll little balls of fresh mizithra cheese.
Break the dough into small pieces, flatten them into rounds, place a cheese ball in the center, fold, and roll it out again with a pin. The secret is to make them extra thin.
Once they’re ready, drop them into hot olive oil until golden. Serve warm, ideally with a drizzle of honey.
Warning: Teams may become competitive over who gets the last one.
Okay, okay, we were not left alone. Auntie Maria guided us patiently through the process (and the patience was more than needed).
Just a note: for some of us, it was the first time holding a rolling pin. But hey, first time for everything!
And it turned out quite delicious (you’ll have to trust our word, because we ate everything).
BBQ & Dance
And then came the BBQ night at the villas… unforgettable! Amazing food, traditional Greek dancing, and so much laughter that our neighbors probably considered joining in. That evening revealed just how versatile our team is: dancers, singers, cooks, swimmers… and, of course, problem-solvers.
“My aha-moment was when I realized how different teams, working on different parts, can all come together and contribute so much directly to our common goal. The one word I would use is ‘understood.’ After meeting everyone, I now better understand their day-to-day work and their way of thinking. And if I had to choose a song for this retreat, I would opt for “Happy” by Pharrell Williams, as it perfectly captures the positive energy we all shared.”
Lefteris Xenarios, Key Account Manager at Mentionlytics
By the next morning, everything flowed even smoother. After all, it’s much easier to collaborate with someone once you’ve shared a dance (and maybe a pie) the night before.
Till Next Year!
It’s incredible what just a few days together can do. In no time, our team was working, laughing, and flowing as one, and that’s the real success of a retreat.
The hardest part, of course, is saying goodbye. But we didn’t leave empty-handed. We left with valuable insights, fresh perspectives, stronger bonds, and Slack channels that suddenly feel a lot chattier.
As the sun set on our last evening, one thing was clear: retreats are definitely a time away from work, but even more about bringing people closer together, as colleagues, collaborators, and friends.
Until next time! Because if there’s one thing we know for sure, it’s that this tradition is here to stay!
