On the mountain and by the sea: A healthful, mindful living retreat on Ikaria
September 26 - October 2
I am delighted to announce my first retreat offering in Greece, in collaboration with the Karimalis Farmhouse Estate in Ikaria, which was featured in the hit Netflix documentary Secrets of the Blue Zones!
We invite you to land in body, heart, and mind on the beautiful Greek island of Ikaria, a true Blue Zone of healthful, mindful, long living. You’ll spend four days on the mountain at the beautiful Karimalis Farmhouse Estate, and two days by the sea at stunning Cavos Bay, learning about the Ikarian lifestyle, healthy plant-based cooking and eating, Greek dancing together, exercising for stress release, meditating, sharing, practicing silence, walking mindfully, swimming in thermal springs, tasting wonderful wines, relaxing, and replenishing.
Led by the George, Eleni, and Iliana Karimalis, experts and vibrant examples of the Ikarian lifestyle, and by skillful, wise mindfulness and meditation guide Patricia Billings, this retreat is a wonderful opportunity to learn, grow, release, and practice together in peaceful, heartful community on the exquisite island of Ikaria. Please reserve your spot with an email to ikarianwine@gmail.com.
Program:
September 26 / Retreat day 1: Arrival day for participants; pick up guests from airport/port; 2.00pm lunch at the farmhouse restaurant; 3.00-4.00pm walking, exploring, breathing by George; 4.30-6.40pm talk on Ikaria lifestyle and longevity by George; 6.40-7:00pm introduction to mindfulness on retreat by Patricia; 7.15pm dinner at the farmhouse restaurant; 8.30pm mindful walking by George; 8.50-9.20pm evening meditation by Patricia.
September 27 / Retreat day 2: 7.45am herbal tea at the farm kitchen; 8.00am morning meditation by Patricia; 8.30-9.30am anti-stress exercise by George; 9.30-10.30am breakfast at the farm kitchen; 11.00am-2.30pm first cooking workshop by Eleni and lunch at the farmhouse restaurant; 4.00-5.30pm Greek dancing lesson by Maria; 7:00pm dinner at the farmhouse restaurant; 8.30pm mindful walking by George; 8.50-9.20pm evening meditation by Patricia.
September 28 / Retreat day 3: 7.45am herbal tea at the farm kitchen; 8.00am morning meditation by Patricia; 8.30-9.30am anti-stress exercise by George; 9.30-10.30am breakfast at the farm kitchen; 11.00am-3.00pm guided walk via an ancient path to Kambos beach, swimming and return to the estate by George; 3.15pm lunch at the farmhouse restaurant; 5.45-7.00pm wine tour/wine taste with Iliana; 7.00pm dinner at the farmhouse restaurant; 8.30pm mindful walking by George; 8.50-9.20pm evening meditation by Patricia.
September 29 / Retreat day 4: 7.45am herbal tea at the farm kitchen; 8.00am morning meditation by Patricia; 8.30-9.30am anti-stress exercise by George; 9.30-10.30am breakfast at the farm kitchen; 11.00am-2.30pm second cooking workshop by Eleni and lunch at the farmhouse restaurant; 4.00-5.00pm mindful walk in nature, silence and breathing by George; 5.00-5.30pm circular dancing to connect by George; 7.00pm dinner at the farmhouse restaurant; 8.30pm mindful walking by George; 8.50-9.20pm evening meditation by Patricia.
September 30 / Retreat day 5: 7.45am herbal tea at the farm kitchen; 8.00am morning meditation by Patricia; 8.30-9.30am anti-stress exercise by George; 9.30-10.30am breakfast at the farm kitchen; 10.30-11.30am check out from Karimalis accommodations; 11.30-1.00pm free time to walk, wander and breathe in the mountains before we move to the seaside hotel; 1.00-2.00pm lunch at the farmhouse restaurant; 2.00-3.00pm check in at Cavos Bay Hotel; 5.00-6.30pm meditation, talk, and Q&A by Patricia; 7.00pm dinner at a local restaurant near the hotel; 8.30pm mindful walking by George; 8.50-9.20pm evening meditation by Patricia.
October 1 / Retreat day 6: 7.45am herbal tea at the hotel bar; 8.00-9.00am anti-stress exercise by George; 9.00-9.30am morning meditation by Patricia; 9.30-10.30am breakfast at the hotel serving area; 10.30am-3.30pm going by car to hot/cold swimming (+ picnic lunch) at the hot springs by George; 5.00-6.30pm meditation, talk, and Q&A by Patricia; 7.00pm dinner at the Karimalis farmhouse restaurant and celebration party; 10.00pm return to hotel.
October 2 / Day 7: Departure day; 7.45am herbal tea at the hotel bar; 8.00-8.45am final anti-stress exercise; 8.45-9.30am final morning meditation by Patricia; 9.30-10.15am breakfast at the hotel serving area. Driving guests to the port/airport.
This is the provisional program which may be subject to slight changes.
The all-inclusive prices in US dollars are:
$2150 for single occupancy private room with en suite shower/toilet at Karimalis Estate (max 3 spots) and Cavos Bay Hotel (unlimited)
$1900 for single occupancy private room and shared shower/toilet at Karimalis Estate (max 4 spots) and single occupancy with private room with en suite shower/toilet at Cavos Bay Hotel
$1750 for double occupancy with en suite shower/toilet in both accommodations
You can find images of rooms at the Karimalis Farmhouse Estate here, and at the Cavos Bay Hotel here.
Prices do not include airfare, ferry fare, or travel insurance, which we highly recommend.
We will collect you from the airport or port and drop you back on departure.
Please reserve your spot with an email to ikarianwine@gmail.com.
Any extra days, meals, or activities outside of the 7-day all-inclusive program will be at regular guest prices with breakfast included. If participants arrive at Karimalis Estate a day prior to the start of the retreat they have the option of starting the next day with free exercise at 8.30am.
Ikaria National Airport serves only domestic flights. Connections to Ikaria are from Athens International Airport and Thessaloniki International Airport. You have the option of coming one or more days earlier to the Karimalis Estate, or one or more nights in Athens prior to your flight to Ikaria.
Here are flight options for those who want to arrive on Day 1/September 26 and fly back on Day 7/October.