Author: Dora Riga

τα βότανα του κήπου _ our garden’s wildherbs

May 25, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Την άνοιξη και νωρίς το καλοκαίρι το κτήμα γεμίζει με υπέροχα βότανα τα οποία συλλέγουμε, αποξηραίνουμε και χρησιμοποιούμε για να φτιάξουμε αφεψήματα και εγχύματα .

Αν δεν τα γνωρίζεις μοιάζουν με υπέροχα αγριολούλουδα, αλλά έχουν πολλές υπέροχες ιδιότητες για την υγεία και την ευεξία μας.

During Spring and early summer we find different herbs in our garden which we collect and dry in order to make herbal teas. They look like beautiful wildflowers but have so many valuable properties for our health.

Ενα από αυτά είναι ο κίστος γνωστός για τις αντιφλεγμονώδεις, αντι-ιικές ιδιότητες του. Η συχνή χρήση του τονώνει το ανοσοποιητικό ενώ βοηθά στην αποβολή των βαρέων μετάλλων. Αν ψάξετε λίγο θα βρείτε και άλλες ιδιότητες.

Αν περπατάτε στην ύπαιθρο αυτή την εποχή θα τον βρείτε παντού.

Cistus creticus is one of those herbs. A herb very well known for its antiinflammatory and antiviral effect, for boosting the immune system, for providing detoxification from heavy metals.

During this time of the year it can be found in abundance in Greek countryside.

Kίστος – Cistus creticus

Ένα άλλο βότανο που βρίσκουμε σε αφθονία αυτή την εποχή είναι η αχιλλέα. Σχηματίζει τα πιο όμορφα μπουκετάκια.

Ανάμεσα σε άλλα βοηθά στο να πέσει ο πυρετός, στο να ανακουφίσει από πονόλαιμο και βήχα, στα προβλήματα του ουροποιητικού και προβλήματα έμμηνου ρήσης.

Another herb that is abundantly found at this time of the year is achillea. You can see it in the picture forming a beautiful bouquet.

This herb aids in reducing high fever, in sorethroats and coughing, in urinary tract infections and in women’s menstrual problems.

Αχιλλέα – Achillea //Achillea Millefolium

Η μολόχα φυτρώνει πάντα κοντά στις τσουκνίδες θυμίζοντας μας ότι η φύση μας προσφέρει πάντα το αντίδοτο αν χρειάζεται. Η τσουκνίδα παρόλο που μας προκαλεί πόνο κ κνησμό είναι ένα πολύ σημαντικό βότανο για το οποίο θα μιλήσουμε άλλη φορά.

Όσον αφορά τη μολόχα ανάμεσα σε άλλα είναι φυτό αντιοξειδωτικό, αντιφλεγμονώδες, βοηθά στη λειτουργία των νεφρών, στους πονοκεφάλους και την αϋπνία. Έχει επίσης πανέμορφα άνθη.

Mallow can always be found around stinging nettle, reminding us that nature always provides the antidote when needed. Stinging nettle is also a very important herb but we will cover it in another blogpost.

Mallow is an antioxidant, anti- inflammatory herb. Aids in good renal function, in headaches and insomnia. As you can see it has very beautiful flowers!

μολόχα – mallow // malva sylvestris

προσοχή όμως όταν συλλέγουμε βότανα πάντα έχουμε μαζί μας κάποιον που τα γνωρίζει καλά και όταν τα καταναλώνουμε τηρούμε πάντα μέτρο ή συμβουλευόμαστε το γιατρό μας!

please keep in mind to be be careful when collecting wild herbs. Always consult with someone that knows if they are the correct ones. And when consuming them always take care that the amount is not very high, or consult your doctor or physician.

happy 1st of May

May 1, 2022 / / 0 Comments

Καλή πρωτομαγιά! Καλό όμορφο μήνα. Ευχόμαστε να πιάσατε το Μάη σήμερα!

In Greece trafition has it that at the first of May, we go outside and gather flowers to make flower wreaths.

Later we bring the wreths home and hang them at the entrance. This is how we bring spring in our homes!

Do you have the same or similar tradition in your country?

The cherry tree

December 16, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Today we cut down one of the old trees of the plot. An old, withered cherry tree. We cut it with the chainsaw and then used a rope to pull it down. Although it was long past it’s days, it was partly impressive but also partly sad to see such a tall tree falling.

For so many years it had been abundantly giving us super delicious cherries and I remember my self every year since I was a young child climbing it’s branches to collect them.

But that’s the circle of life. No plant, animal or man is supposed to stay here forever. We will definitely use all it’s wood for the fireplace and … we promise to plant new cherry trees this year!

Σήμερα κόψαμε ένα από τα γέρικα δέντρα του κτήματος. Μια παλιά, ήδη ξεραμένη κεράσια. Κόψαμε τον κορμό με το αλυσοπρίονο και μετα το τραβήξαμε με ένα σκοινί για να το βοηθήσουμε να πέσει.

Παρόλο που ειχε ήδη εδώ και καιρό ξεραθεί ήταν εντυπωσιακό μεν αλλά και στενάχωρο να βλέπεις ένα μεγάλο δέντρο να πέφτει.

Για πάρα πολλά χρόνια μας χάριζε απλόχερα πεντανόστιμα κεράσια και θυμάμαι τον εαυτό μου από παιδί να σκαρφαλώνω στα κλαδιά του και να τα μαζεύω.

Όμως αυτός είναι ο κύκλος της ζωής. Θα κόψουμε τον κορμό και θα χρησιμοποιήσουμε τα ξύλα για το τζάκι και …υποσχόμαστε να φυτέψουμε τουλάχιστον δύο καινούριες κερασιές!

Welcoming winter

December 5, 2021 / / 0 Comments

December is here so we stack wood for the fireplace today!

As we had trimmed our lavender bush earlier we placed lavender sticks in between the wood. Who knows they may keep some insects away…

But most importantly we pick them together with the wood for the fireplace and the livingroom fills with a wonderful smell once the fire starts ☺️

Yoga and Hiking

December 4, 2021 / / 0 Comments

Dates 15-21 June 2022

This retreat is an ideal getaway that will relax you and revitalize you.  Yoga and hiking is an ideal combination for nature enthusiasts, people who want to explore nature as well as themselves!

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Through yoga techniques we learn how to listen to our body, strengthen it and restore it, we learn how to use our breath to expand and control our prana- our living force, we learn how to relax our body and mind. In this retreat we will learn how to take all these outside our yoga mats and into our hiking activity. 

Pelion mountain is located at the southeastern part of Thessaly in central Greece, forming a hook-like peninsula between the Pagasetic gulf and the Aegean Sea. Pelion mountain is well known for its trekking routes of a high variety through stone paved and wild paths.

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Its beautiful scenery is ideal to help us calm the mind and get in touch with our inner self and the nature surrounding us.

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 We are going to have the opportunity to explore all the above thru our daily yoga and hiking activities combined.

Schedule

1st day: Airport – Pinakates
Your guide meets you at the airport of Anhialos or at the port of Volos and accompanies you to your lodge in Pinakates village 25 km away from Volos. Once you have checked in, you can walk around, enjoy the view and the silence in the small traditional village before we meet for our welcome dinner. Overnight in Pinakoti lodge.

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2nd day: Chania – Agrioleukes – Agios Georgios
Before the sunrise we begin our day with our morning yoga class settling in our breath and harmonizing ourselves with the new environment. We continue our day with our breakfast and we set off for our transfer from Pinakates to Chania. We start our trek walking to the ski center and crossing the slopes until we reach the path. The path takes us at the heart of a beech forest where the rustling of the leaves in the wind is accompanying us throughout the trek. In our way there is a place with water where we will have a small break and a picnic before we reach the Agios Georgios village. In the square of the village it’s time for coffee under the shade of the big plane tree before we return at our lodge. We continue the day with yoga in our yoga sala stretching the body and relaxing the mind. Afterwards dinner at the traditional taverna.  Overnight in Pinakoti lodge.

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3rd day:  Pinakates- Kala Nera- Vizitsa- Pinakates
Before the sun comes up we are already on our yoga mats welcoming the new day and energizing our body, mind and senses for today’s hike. After our homemade breakfast we set off for our hiking. On today’s hike we walk down to the sea, to Kala Nera village crossing the old railway track and olive’s tree’s fields with the view of Pagasitikos Gulf. Before we continue we take a break close to the sea taking energy for the ascend. We walk in a traditional stone path until we reach Vizitsa village where we have lunch at the village΄s square. Afterwords we cross two small gorges on our way to Pinakates. When we reach our lodge we take a short break and we head to the yoga sala for mild stretching and deep relaxation techniques. Dinner in the traditional taverna.  Overnight in our traditional lodge.

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4th day: Milies-Ksourichti- Tsagarada
We salutate the rising sun in our yoga mats, as we feel its energy circulating in our bodies filling us with prana for the new day. After our breakfast we start from the picturesque village of Milies and visit the famous train station, the old library and the church with the beautiful wall paintings in the square of the village. We then head to Ksourichti via the forest road (at the beginning of the path) through chestnut trees. Before we continue our hike to Tsangarada village and hear the stories from the oldest plane tree in Greece, -more than 12 centuries old- we will have our lunch in a traditional tavern in one of the three squares of the village. Transfer to Pinakates. Long day today and we need a relaxing yoga session to properly close it. Afterwards we head to the traditional tavern for dinner. Overnight in our traditional lodge.

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5th day: Sailing cruise to Trikeri
We wake up heading to our morning yoga class with asanas for the body, pranayama techniques to expand our energy and meditation on the connection with nature established the past three days. We continue our morning with our breakfast. Today is a Sailing day and we descend to Kala Nera port by mini bus where our skipper and sailing boat are waiting for us. We begging our sail passing beatiful Afissos, Milina and the islets of the Pagasitic Gulf. Discover unspoilt coves and beaches accessible only by boat. We enjoy the beautiful, green tree- covered Mount Pelion from the sea. There are stops for swimming, and sea food lunch in traditional taverna in Trikeri island. A short walk until the monastery of the island it will be good option after our meal. Back to Kala Nera to enjoy the beautiful sunset. Dinner in a taverna close to beach and afterwards back to our yoga sala for yoga nidra. Overnight in Pikanoti lodge.

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6th day: Pelion round tour day.
We wake up for our morning yoga class and after we have our breakfast we set off for a Pelion round tour. We will drive to the traditional villages of Portaria and Makrinitsa, have coffee at the village square which is known as the biggest balcony of mountain Pelion and walk around the picturesque paths. There we can shop for souvenirs and traditional Pelion products. After that it is time to visit the beautiful beach of Agios Ioannis, enjoy the clear water of the Aegean sea, have lunch and then set off to continue our drive through the villages as we return to Pinakates.  Back at the lodge we throw a barbeque dinner farewell party!

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7th day: Pinakates –Airport.
After our breakfast at the lodge and full of experiences we travel from Pinakates to the airport of Anhialos or the town of Volos.

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The cost is 1680 euros / per person on double room

                    1930euros/ per person on single room

All accommodations provided by Pinakoti Lodge, a traditional villa with 5 double bedrooms. The option for single room occupancy will be provided according to availability.

Include: All accommodations, all meals from dinner on day 1 through breakfast on day 7, all picnics, group transfers from and to the airport, all transportations throughout the trip, luggage transportations, services of the tour leader – guide, sailing boat charter and skipper fees  all taxes and VAT.

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TRIP DETAILS

Dates 15-21 June 2022

Group Size: 5-8 participants.


Insurance: Participants should be covered by their own personal travel-health insurance and prior to the trip. The personal insurance must at least cover medical expenses as well as air rescue and the cost of repatriation.

True Adventure is not responsible for any accidents or mishaps directly or indirectly related to the tour.

Transportation : We travel by our own mini-bus  or local buses which leaves us to walk.

Accommodation: All acomodations at Pinakoti Lodge in Pinakates village (all with private facilities). The trip prices are based on double occupancy or single if there is availability.

Food: Every morning we have breakfast in Piinakoti lodge, picnic lunch, or stopover to a tavern en route and  dinner at local tavern. (Vegetarian and vegan options available but we need to know in advence)

Difficulty Level: Hike (2), Yoga beginners, intermediate. The hikes offer a moderate trek with a maximum of 5-7 hours walk on rocky terrain. Participants should be in good physical condition with a little of experience

All yoga classes held by a Bihar school of yoga instructor. Bihar yoga is an holistic system focusing on the development of awareness. Classes consist of asana program (body excersises) based on traditional hatha yoga, pranayama (techniques that use the breath to expand our prana -energy), meditation and Satyananda yoga nidra – a deep relaxation technique. 

ALL SERVICES PROVIDED BY TRUE ADVENTUE

ALL ACCOMMODATIONS AT PINAKOTI LODGE

www.trueadventure.gr

www.pinakotilodge.gr

© 2022 Pinakoti

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