Discovering the secrets of Pelion’s nature we recognize, we touch, we smell, we taste
We recognize, we touch, we smell, we taste, we participate with all our senses in a unique seminar on practical botany and beekeeping in the magical Pelion village of Lafkos!
According to mythology, the Centaur Cheiron lived on Pelion. Half-man and half-horse, he was the wisest of the Centaurs and knew the art of medicinal plants, while he was also skilled in hunting and music.Over time, researchers have suggested caves with features that might indicate that they were the cave of the Centaur. One of these is located in the broader region of Milina South Pelion,close to Lafkos, another in Central Pelion in the wider region of Milies, and a third in East Pelion, in the village of Mouresi.
Within this mythical environment, you will learn to understand the herbs that can be found in the region today.You will learn the correct way to collect the fruit and herbs from nature and about the beneficial and healthy greens that can be used in cooking, how to make oils and vinegars with aromatic plants for use in your cooking ,how to make traditional herbal creams that can be used as cosmetics and for medicinal purposes. Also,you will create bath salts, herbal oils for medicinal purposes, and various decorative items with flowers and herbs from the Pelian land. Finally, through practical exercises, you will learn to identify everything you see during your walks through nature. You will be able to take the creams, oils and bath salts that you made, home with you.
In Pelion, there are extensive mixed forests at high altitudes with fir, beech, oak and chestnut trees and ivy. Pines and oaks dominate at the lower levels, as well as groves with olive, apple, cherry and citrus fruit trees with few grazing areas. By contrast, beekeeping is more profitable for the locals. In this class we will also learn about beekeeping and do practical exercises in the beehives while wearing special outfits.

Program Identity

Code: GREX05
Description Discover the secrets of the Pelion nature: We recognize, touch, smell, taste
Category: Rural/Serenity
Type: Tour in the nature, educational and creative programs
Area: Pelion-Thessaly
Duration: 2 days / 1 night
Accommodation: In a 3 star hotel/upon request
Board: Halfboard (dinner)/upon request
Traveler Type: Creative and educational

The services included in the program:
1. Transfer by bus/mini bus from hotel to Lafkos village and return (days 1 and 2).
2. Short hiking tours in the nature with cognitive object the herbs and fruits in the land of Pelion (days 1 & 2).
3. Participation in seminar- experiential workshop of botany with an experienced escort-teacher (days 1 & 2).

Heli Mayr
Photography,
Wien Austria 2015

Heli Mayr
Photography,
Wien Austria 2015

Mary was willing, smiling, generously showing us her love for the nature of Pelion, the herbs and the flora of the region, which was conveyed to us during the entire duration of the program.
We learnt about the plants and herbs, how to collect and use them in our daily lives.
We baked bread in the traditional oven, while at the end of the seminar we were offered aromatic gifts and the fresh bread we baked earlier in our seminar.
The village of Lafkos and the region of Pelion, impressed us from the first minute, and definately we will return to the natural landscape of the mythical Centaurs and the villages of South Pelion at the coastlines of both the Pagasitic Gulf and the Aegean Sea.