Accommodation in Ikaria, reserve a room at the guesthouse

We offer accommodation in Ikaria, in the guesthouse of the Ikarian Center, not only to students of Greek language courses, but to those who want to spend one or more weeks at the Center participating in the activities we offer. Outdoor activities (guided hiking tours and olive picking) are offered a few weeks of the year and are noted in the booking calendar. Accommodation is provided in simple, double occupancy rooms, with private bathroom and kitchenette. Each guest has a private room, which can be shared with a friend traveling with them.

For solo travelers and digital nomads

Staying at the Center is always combined with some activities that bring the small group of guests together. That is why it is ideal for solo travelers and digital nomads who want to get in touch with people from other countries as well as locals to better understand the culture and history of the place. Digital nomads can use the common areas to work, thus having the experience of co-working.

Life at the guesthouse

Accommodation at Ikarian Centre is perfect for those who wish for an experience off the beaten path. Here you can enjoy a course or simple holidays combined with a healthy dose of nature and community, not to mention the opportunity to become better acquainted with the local Ikarian culture (which may make have you believing you just stepped out of a time machine). Although our students will have their own private space, the larger areas of the facilities – the patio, classrooms, and common kitchen – provide a place for teachers and students, maybe also participants in hiking activities, to come together for learning, for discussions, for meals, and for enjoyment. The scheduled afternoon/evening activities, like hiking on the mountains of the area, traditional dance lessons, learning to sing Greek songs, film screenings, cooking evenings, slide shows, create a learning environment outside the classroom that makes the students’ stay more productive, interesting and fun. Outings to local taverns and cafes arise spontaneously in our free time, depending on the mood of the group.

Activities

Every week, activities such as cooking evenings, songs, traditional dance lessons, film screenings, discussions, lectures and visits to the island’s attractions are organized. The activities give our guests the opportunity to better understand the history and culture of the island, also to get to know each other and the locals and to have a good time together.

Outdoor activities

The area is ideal if you want to walk in the mountains. A network of poorly marked paths and dirt roads without car traffic stretches across the area and challenges the visitor to walk and explore it. Some weeks in spring and autumn, during what we call “hiking weeks” you can walk with us on the paths of the area. If you come one of the weeks in October or November you can pick olives with us.

Food

Simple meals ARE ALSO served from Monday to Friday, during the courses and activities we offer. Our menu does not cater for special diets and although sometimes we also serve meat or animal products, if you are a vegetarian or a vegan, or you cannot eat gluten, you will survive. Breakfast is not served, however you may always use the kitchenette in your room in order to prepare your breakfast and if necessary (if you follow a special diet), your own meals.

In the nearby village of Arethousa and Karavostamo (less than 10 min by car) there are cafes, and tavernas. You can also find grocery stores in Evdilos and Karavostamo. The cost of living in Ikaria is still quite inexpensive: A meal at one of the local tavernas costs about €15 (including wine).

Local transport

As one of our students or guests, you will be able to visit the surrounding villages and beaches without having to rent a car. However, if you want to be free to go where you want whenever you decide, you can rent a car or a scooter.

Guests who just want to reserve a room during periods without activities (clearly stated in the reservation calendar, such some weeks of August) must come with their own vehicle. If you are planing to rent a car or scooter in August, you must do it a long time in advanced, as it will be very difficult to find something at the last moment.

Amenities

All rooms are twin occupancy, with two single beds that can be joined without leaving a gap in the middle. Each room has a separate external entrance and includes a kitchenette and a private bathroom. All rooms are all well heated. There is no air conditioning, but there is a ceiling fan in each room.The guesthouse facilities also include a small library-reading room, a common kitchen and several courtyards and covered areas where one can sit alone or meet with other guests. All areas have good wifi access.

Briefly:

• twin occupancy rooms,
• separate external entrance for each room
• two separate beds in each room (however you can connect them without leaving a gap between the mattresses)
• fully equipped kitchenette (with stove and refrigerator in each room
• bathroom in each room,
• heating,
• ceiling fan,
• mosquito screens in the windows,
• bed sheets and towels,
• fast Internet and wifi in every room and yard
• free use of washing machine,
• common kitchen,
• common reading – study room
• private parking

Cost

– For solo travelers, in spring, summer and autumn: 84€ / day
– For solo travelers, during winter, early spring: 65€ / day
– If you share your room with a fellow traveler: additional 25€ / day
– Hiking weeks: 840€ / person / week

The reservation calendar gives also a detailed cost breakdown, according your choices. The cost covers:

• Local transportation to the beaches and Evdilos, the central settlement and port of northern Ikaria.
• Participation in the activities we organize: Traditional dance lessons (once per week), lectures and slide shows, cooking evenings, Greek songs, walking and hiking excursions, visits to artisans etc. (Visits to wineries for wine tastings has cost is paid extra, directly to the winery).
• Two simple meals per day from Monday to Friday. In February and March one simple meal, for lunch. Please note that we do not offer breakfast, but you can prepare your breakfast in the kitchenette of your room, which is equipped with the necessary things (fridge etc.)

Location

How to get to Ikaria

We recommend skyexpress or aegean flights from Athens (www.skyexpress.gr or www.aegeanair.com) There is also the ferry from Piraeus, Mykonos or Samos. (www.hsw.gr). We will pick you up from the port or airport on Sunday, the date of check-in for the courses. More information on how to get to Ikaria

Room reservation

To stay with us and participate in the activities we organize, without participating in the Greek language lessons, book a room from Sunday to Sunday (minimum reservation period 7 days)

• During the hiking weeks you can participate in organized hikes in the mountains of the area
• In November, during the hiking weeks you can also participate in olive picking, if there is fruit.
• In Easter you can check-in / check-our any day (4 days minimum) and during the Holly Week (5-12 April 2016) you can participate in activities related to Easter customs