About Pelion Peninsula, the summer residence of Gods

Poets sang their praise of the beautiful Pelion Peninsula in ancient times. Homer referred to it as the summer residence of the Gods. On Pelion's green mountain slopes the wedding of Pileas and Thetis took place and the gods of Olympus were invited. Even today Pelion is the most valued destination for honeymoon travellers among Greeks.

Early medicine and wisdom were cultivated here. Chiron, the wisest of all Centaurs, lived on Pelion. Among his students to the art of healing were Hercules, Jason and Achilles, the famous hero of the Trojan war.
It was in Pelion that the Greek "Father of Medicine", Asklepios, was initiated into the art of healing. In antiquity, Pelion was famous for its many healing herbs (approx. 2,000 types).

The Pelion Peninsula, country of the legendary Centaurs and Argonauts, is a green oasis over picturesque creeks and the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea. An oasis with lush vegetation, small, idyllic villages and sandy coves, a unique combination of green mountains and the magnificent beaches of the Aegean Sea.
At the steep slopes lie the famous 15th and 16th century villages of Pelion with typical stone-build houses.

Away from mass tourism one experiences here tranquillity and genuineness.

Pelion's map

Local Weather Information

Travel and Do's suggestion on meaningful vacation in Pelion

The Kalikalos living learning centre in Pelion is dedicated to demonstrating the power of authentic community as a vehicle for building a new holistic world of peace, partnership and sustainability.

Kalikalos offers an educational programme of workshops, retreats, workcamps and conferences in the areas of healing (self, society & planet), arts & crafts, relationship science, and self-enquiry.

About the centre's concept:

Drawing on concepts pioneered by several international ecovillages and spiritual communities, the Kalikalos programme is unique in that it provides a holistic community experience in the form of workshops and retreats combined with a beach holiday.
 

Participants help with the cooking and preparing of the main (usually evening) meal which is coordinated (focalised) by one member of staff. This typically amounts to one 2 1/2 hour cooking shift (6pm - 8:30pm) per week per person. Additionally, guests sign up for a couple of 35 min dinner clean-up shifts, one 90 min garden shift and participate in friday morning centre clean-up. Taking responsibility as a group for the meals and cleanup makes the centre's programmes very affordable as well as providing the daily work experience out of which people build authentic community. Kalikalos centre is committed to demonstrating the principle made famous by the Findhorn Community that: "Work is Love in Action".

About the area:

Kissos is a village of fruit trees, flowers and greenery, carved out of the forest above the seaside resort of St Yiannis, about 25 minutes from the county seat of Tsangarada. Set in a charming position in a lovely hillside area overlooking the sea, Kissos is 28 miles—an hour and a half by local bus or Taxi— from the port of Volos. At an altitude of 1600 feet (515 m) Kissos village is never oppressively hot, even in August. The village is notable for its 17th Century ornate Church and its fine tavernas specialising in regional dishes.

The area features many ancient donkey trails ideal for hiking. This summer Cornwall small holder and Pelion afficinado Mark Taplin will be on staff to lead walks in the moutainside. There is rock scrambling near the cliffs, snorkling off the rocks, nearby horse riding, mountain bike hire, and excellent clay courts one hour away at the Volos Tennis Club where racquets can be hired.

About the facilities:

The 2010 Kissos campus venue is a pension on the fringe of the village in the lush Pelion forest an hour and a half from Volos, the 6th largest city of Greece, and about 3 miles (5 km) from the sea.

At the Kissos campus there are:

• 14 available guest beds in six rooms: one single, one quad, one triple and three twin/doubles in the pension. The quad and two double/twins are ensuite, the other rooms have their shower/toilet adjacent. In low season, additional singles/twins can be rented (£120/€150 supplement payable) in neighboring B&B.
• Three double tents and one yurt are occupied by staff and served by the toilets located in the independent kitchen building. A few additional tent spaces are available for guests bringing their own tent, towel, foam pad and sleeping bag.
• An open air terrace for Qi Qong, Tai Chi etc.
• A large vine-covered patio/studio suitable for arts and crafts workshops, such as painting, pottery, weaving, stain glass etc.
• A seven meter diameter waterproof reciprocal frame roundhouse, suitable for small workshops or retreat meetings and for small dance or yoga workshops.
• One yurt, called The Blue Saloon, used for staff meetings, treatment room and bookable for 1-1 healing sessions or overnight intimacy.
• A restaurant grade kitchen and open air dining area which also functions as a meeting place.
• A non-denominational sanctuary open at all times for quiet contemplation and communion.

About the meals:
As the cooking is generally done by the community—staff, you participants, and guests—you will usually have basic tasty, vegetarian meals using mainly local produce. A buffet breakfast and a main meal (usually dinner) will be provided. Lunch is snack meal, generally a beach picnic box consisting of bread, butter/marge, olives, cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers and fruit. Once a week (usually Tuesday) the staff have a day off from coordinating a main meal, so most everyone eats out that evening at one of the local tavernas, where a basic meal with a glass of wine runs about £12.00 (€13.00). The Tuesday taverna meal-out is not included in the basic price of your workshop/retreat.

About Centre's Daily Rhythm:
(may vary with certain workshop weeks)

•0730 Qi Qong, Yoga, Tai Chi (on selected weeks)
•0800 Morning sanctuary meditation
•0830 Breakfast
•0915 Breakfast cleanup
•0930 Staff Work Attunement / Community meeting
•1000 Staff Work / Workshop Session 1
•1330 Staff lunch / beach picnic for participants
•1430 Beach / free time
•1800 Kitchen and garden teams attune/second work period (Some workshop leaders offer 1-1's at this time)
•2030 Dinner
•2115 Dinner cleanup (KP rota)
•2145 Healing Circle / Sharing / Individual Ad hoc Offerings

Travel and Do Network has selected and suggests for 2010 the following workshops/retreats under Kalikalos in Pilion.