Beekeeping workshop
Greece has a long tradition in beekeeping due to the mild climate, which creates the appropriate conditions for its development. Since the ancient years, Greeks have recognized the nutrient value of honey for the human organization. There are plenty of mythological reports, which indicate the importance of honey in everyday life as a beneficial nutriment, but also its healing power. Nowadays, besides the professionals, there are a lot of amateurs, who keep the art of beekeeping alive. During this workshop, you will have the opportunity to meet the unique organization of the bees’ population and discover the social structure of the honeybee colony. You will become familiar with many aspects of the art of beekeeping, including its history, the tools and clothing used, the bee products, the inspection of the beehive and most importantly the process of extracting honey from honeycombs (Uniforms will be provided).
Wheat cycle & bread making
Wheat has been the basis of human nutrition in almost every civilization. Throughout history bread has been linked to every major event of the human life cycle and to religious rituals and ceremonies. During this workshop, Cecile will help you understand the importance of wheat and bread throughout the Greek culture. You will learn the whole procedure around wheat, namely the plowing of the earth, the sowing of the seeds, harvesting and milling. You will also learn about sourdough, leavening and also kneading, by making your own bread, which you can take with you.
Natural soap making
The beneficial properties of olive oil are widely recognized, but people often underestimate its value as a cosmetic product. Olive oil has regenerative and moisturizing properties but also therapeutic ones. It is used as the basic ingredient in natural soaps, together with unconventional raw materials such as essential oils and herbal extracts, and can be easily produced athome.“Elaionas tou iliou” is a small Greek company originating from Spetses that specializes in organic products made from pure and certified raw materials. Through this natural soap making workshop you will learn more about the value of pure olive oil products and become familiar with the production of handmade soap.
During the first part, you will travel through the history of soap, learn many tips and tricks of soap making and discover the correlation between herbs, essential oils and olive oil, which can have both cosmetic and healing use for people’s skin and mind. In the second part, under the guidance of the company’s owner, you will put in use the previous theoretical knowledge and create olive oil natural soaps from the starting phase of raw, pure materials to a finished product, using traditional techniques. In the final part, you will have the opportunity to decorate your soaps with selected natural choices. At the end of the workshop the soaps created will be stored, so that they can take their final form.
* Since soaps take some days to take their final form, we recommend this workshop for the first days of your stay, so you can take them back home with you!
Homemade delicacies
Sofia Sirma, warmly welcomes you to her house, to share with you the experience of crafting your own delicacies. You can choose between homemade marmalades and handmade pasta.
Homemade marmalades
The tradition of producing homemade marmalades is interwoven with the Greek household. The abundance of fruits in every season, allows the creation of fresh, free of preservatives, homemade marmalades. Marmalades are a perfect meal for the start of the day, as they have significant nutritional value, they give energy, they are rich in vitamins and they retain the freshness, aroma and flavor of fruits.Through this workshop you will learn how to prepare marmalades on your own and how raw materials in combination with the traditional way of production provide excellent quality and unique taste. Get the chance to take your personal creations at home!
Handmade pasta
The production of local, homemade pasta has been a practice deeply rooted in the tradition of the Greek households. Women used to create food made of products derived from the land they cultivated and from the animals they bred. Pasta was usually made in August, after the period of harvest, where the sun also supported the drying of pasta.This workshop will be the perfect experience for you, as you will learn how to make your own pasta, benefit from their taste and nutritional value and impress your friends!
* Since pasta take some days to dry, we recommend this workshop for the first days of your stay, so you can take the pasta you created back home with you!
Homemade cheese
The local products such as milk and its derivatives are part of the Greek agricultural tradition and history. Cheese is a major source of protein and calcium, being a basic nutrient in the everyday life of the Greeks. Hence, Greece holds one of the highest positions worldwide in cheese consumption.Mrs. Katerina Kalogianni breeds her own sheep, which are fed with totally pure and natural food. She invites you to this workshop to share with you the techniques of creating your own, homemade cheese derived from high quality, absolutely fresh milk.
Tai Chi Chuan
Although Tai Chi Chuan has started as a martial art in China, it has adopted energy practices of traditional Chinese medicine. It does not demand a special level of fitness and considers the body as a whole, containing vital energy. Through systematic exercise the body relaxes and becomes stronger, supple and resilient. The exercise works mainly on the level of prevention, but can also help with health problems. Through Tai Chi Chuan you can gain a calm and alert body, an open heart and a clear mind. In addition, you rediscover the tranquility and the sense of wholeness we often lose in our everyday activities. Mr. Vangelis Mytilinaios, is a Physiotherapist and a certified Tai Chi instructor. Through this workshop, he will pass on to you his theoretical knowledge and experience and help you put it in practice. During the workshop you will also enjoy tea breaks and conversation on Tai Chi philosophy.
Yoga and pilates
Whether you are a beginner or a Pilates and Yoga enthusiast, you can enjoy practicing your favorite exercises while vacationing in Spetses.This is the perfect escape if you need to switch off, nurture your health, rebalance and find your way to relaxation with an independent Yoga and Pilates teacher who offers indoor and outdoor by the beach, daily individual or small group classes suited to each guest’s level.
