10 day immersion holidays, island Ikaria
Accommodation, private tours & activities
tailored to your needs
Island Ikaria – Accommodation & activities tailored to your needs
Stay with locals when the few tourists have left and immerse yourself in the culture and the natural environment of Ikaria. If you are traveling alone or with a few friends, you can stay a few days with us in Arethousa, Ikaria, and let us show you our island through a program of activities that we will create together, “tailored” to your own standards. You will have enough time to enjoy the scenery and relax, but also, you will be able to meet local people and work a little with them in agricultural activities, visit winemakers or beekeepers, learn about Ikarian herbs, cook local recipes, dance the local dances of the island, walk on the mountain, swim in the hot springs that bubble up in the sea, learn about the local architecture and history of the island. A description of the activities we offer follows below.
Ikaria
Ikaria is a small island in the center of the Aegean, still off the radar of the tourist industry, with a unique wild nature and a mountainous terrain. For some people Ikaria is the place where people forget to die, as some studies conclude that the island belongs to the longevity zones, the blue zones: A place where people live longer than expected.
Arrival – departure & cost / person (2023)
- 24 Apr-2 or 3 May, €1250 / person (+ 990 for a fellow traveler in the same room)
- 5-14 May, €1250 / person (+ 990 for a fellow traveler in the same room)
- 25 June – 2 July 970€ / person (+770 for a fellow traveler in the same room)
- Oct 16-25, €1250 (+ 990 for a fellow traveler in the same room)
- Nov 6-Nov 15, €1250 (+ 990 for a fellow traveler in the same room)
Accommodation in a private room. Cost is per person. A fellow traveler who is going to share the room with you is also welcome with a small discount (see the list above). The cost includes airport transfer, accommodation, breakfasts, excursions and activities. It does not include meals in the taverns in the area. A meal in a local tavern costs around 15 Euros, including wine.
doncing 
olive harvest
Some of our activities
Activities
The program of guided tours and activities is made jointly, after the arrival of the group, according to the interests of the people participating. Participation in agricultural activities with local people, lectures, classes, and cooking evenings take place on specific days and times. On hikes, excursions and guided tours, there is always the possibility to follow a personal program, or to do something together with some of the group. You shouldn’t do things you don’t want to do. Below follows a short description of the activities that we can easily plan. If you have any other suggestion, you can contact us before your arrival to confirm that we can arrange it.
Accommodation
You will stay with us in the center’s guesthouse, in a private room with its own bathroom and kitchenette, and a separate external exit. For health and ecological reasons there is no air conditioning, but it is not necessary. The rooms are well ventilated and cool in summer, while there is heating for the cold spring and autumn nights. The groups accommodated in the hostel are small, 7-8 people. The hostel complex consists of 4 independent buildings, and includes a small library – reading room, dining room and communal kitchen. There are many courtyards and interior spaces where one can isolate or meet others.
The area
The guest house is located in a magical location, in direct contact with nature. Many times you will admire birds of prey flying above your head. The Aegean Sea opens in front of your feet in the West and North, while in the East rises the volume of Mount Atheras, which rises sharply to 1000 meters above the sea. You will admire the colors of the sky as the sun dips into the sea, while when darkness falls thousands of stars will be seen in the sky.
How will you get there?
You can arrive by plane from Athens or Thessaloniki and by ship from Piraeus or Thessaloniki (www.hsw.gr). We will wait for you at the port or airport to take you to the hostel.
Who we are
We are from Ikaria and have been organizing Greek courses for non-native speakers in Ikaria since 1995. In the language courses we organize, our students immerse themselves in the local culture through a series of similar activities. We want to offer the same experience to people who do not learn Greek. We can speak with you in English and Greek.
Reservation
Browse the calendar below to find the available dates, select ALL the green boxes and make your reservation. If you need to check-in / check-out in different dates, you must contact us.
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