7 days hiking ikaria
with optional Greek lessons for absolute beginners
Hiking Ikaria for those who just want to enjoy the mountains and landscapes of Ikaria with optional Greek language courses for absolute beginners. Reserve accommodation at our guesthouse, located in a spot ideal for hiking, participate in our guided hiking tours and other activities, meet other people, start learning Greek and immerse in the natural environment and culture of the island.
Ideal for solo travelers or small groups of friends who want to relax in a quiet environment, in direct contact with nature. Languages we speak: English & Greek
Ikaria has recently become known as the blue zone, for the longevity of its inhabitants, who seem to forget to die! The morphology of the island with its high mountains and steep paths, the local diet, the relative isolation, the slow pace of life, and the relations of the inhabitants of the local communities are some characteristics of the island that may explain this paradox.
Cost
- If you travel with a friend
590€ / person, if you share your room with your fellow traveler (1180€ for both persons) - If you travel solo
690€ / person, for accommodation in a private single room (you keep the whole room just for you) - Additional 10,5€ accommodation tax / room / overnight (1,5€/ room / overnight)
Schedule
- 12-19 May 2024
- 7-14 July 2024
- 1-8 September 2024
- 29 Sept – 6 Oct. 2024
- 24 Nov – 1 Dec. 2024
- The last two periods are combined with olive picking, if there is olive production
Typical questions
What does the cost include?
The cost includes accommodation in a private room at Ikarian Centre guesthouse, simple meals (lunch and dinner) from Monday to Friday, free port and airport transfers on Sundays, local transport, activities (such as lectures and screenings, traditional dance lessons, cookery evenings, etc) and participation in Greek language course for absolute beginners
Can I check-in / check-out different days?
Check-in and check-out days are Sundays. If you want to arrive or leave in different dates than the ones given in the schedule, you may be able to have a room in the guesthouse, but for this you will need to contact us 2 – 3 weeks before your arrival. Otherwise you will have to book a room in another hotel or airbnb of in the area.
I only want to participate in hiking, how much should I pay?
You are welcome to participate only in hiking if you are not interested in Greek language. However there is no fee deduction if you will not participate in language classes
I do not want to participate in hikes, I am only interested in Greek language courses. How much should I pay?
You are welcome to participate only in our Greek language course. However there is no fee deduction if you don’t want to participate in hikes.
Can I participate in a Greek language course for more that 1 week in a row?
If you want to participate for a longer period of time, please contact us
What can I do if I don’t want to participate in the hikes?
You can stay home and do your homework, go to the beach or visit a nearby settlement for a coffee and little chats with locals.
Can I just attend the Greek language course, without accommodation and other activities?
Yes, it is possible, to participate in the language courses without taking accommodation or participating in other activities.
How much Greek am I going to learn in one week?
You will learn to use the Greek alphabet in order to write and read. Students will also learn to introduce themselves and ask others about themselves: Πού μένεις; / Από πού είσαι; Τι δουλειά κάνεις; / Πώς σε λένε; / Το σπίτι σου είναι μεγάλο; etc. Through this process there will be an introduction to the declension of the verb, the genders and the declensions of the nouns (ο Γιώργος θέλει καφέ / Θέλω τον Γιώργο etc). In this way students will create a solid base in order to keep building on it, if they want to continue studying the Greek language.
How many students will participate in the class and how long will each lesson last?
Each class consist of 6 students maximum. Lessons take place daily from Monday to Saturday (6 days within the week) for 2 hours daily (17:00 – 19:00)
How a typical day look like?
In the morning we go for hiking. We return in the afternoon and have lunch. Later from 17:00 to 19:00 we have Greek language courses. From 19:00 to 20:00 or 20:30 different activities take place: dance courses, cooking evenings, lectures and slide shows about the island and his history.
Accommodation
Accommodation in a private room of Ikarian Centre guesthouse. The guesthouse consists of a complex of 4 independent buildings, in a bushy area between the settlement of Arethousa and the seaside settlement of Karavostamo. It is completely integrated into the natural environment of the mountain. A network of paths and dirt roads is easily accessible for short and longer walks. Tranquility and direct contact with natural environment, combined with facilities such as fast wifi that covers all areas and satisfies every “digital nomad” as well as common areas for eating, studying and working are key features of the accommodation. Each building includes 3 independent rooms of 20m2 with a separate external entrance, private bathroom and kitchenette. Each room can accommodate 2 people (adults or children).
Other activities and Greek language courses for absolute beginners
Activities for all
For everyone, regardless of their participation in Greek language lessons or not
- Visits to local wineries,
- “Cooking evenings”, where we will all cook local dishes together
- Local traditional dance lessons.
- Lecture on local architecture and history of the island.
You will also have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Greek language courses for absolute beginners
Combine it with an introduction course of modern Greek and start learning Greek!
Participation in the Greek language course is optional, for those who are interested to start learning Greek. In the lessons we will:
- Learn to read and write with the Greek alphabet
- Start building phrases and go forward to a A1 user of Greek language
The routes
Every day we organize guided walking tours or facilitate our guest to go self-guided tours on the mountains of the area; each day there is a different route / footpath in the schedule. During these walks you will enjoy the unique nature of the island and a landscape that is constantly changing: from a dry barren mountain with rocks carved by the surrealist artist “wind”, to dense forest, small lakes and small river beds. In the background most of the time: the sea.
- Arethousa – Karavostamo (circular route).
- Arethousa – Dokimi (circular route)
- Kyparissi – Droutsoulas – Akamatra
- Koskina Castle – Manganitis.
- Raches – Theoktistis – Kampos. Visit to Theoktistis monastery and Karimalis vinery.
- Christos (Raches) – Armenistis. We recommend eating and swimming at Armenistis.
Hikes with Greek language courses for absolute beginners – Reservation
Check availability and submit your registration. You can register from Sunday to Sunday, selecting the zones in the calendar marked with blue color. In order to complete your reservation you must make a payment of 190 Euros, following the instructions you will receive to your email, after you submit your reservation. This amount is not refundable if you cancel later, however you keep the right to re-register, in the same year or the next
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Are you looking for a A1-C2 Greek language course combined with hiking?
7 days picking olives
in combination with Greek language courses for absolute beginners