Meditation and painting holiday in Crete

Planet

CARBON REDUCTION

This trip strives to be as low impact as possible.
-To get to our destination we walk or use the public bus system to keep our carbon footprint low and to enjoy being part of the local everyday life.
-The sunlight in Crete is plenty all year round, so the accommodation where our guests stay use solar power for hot water.
-Because our holidays are in the low season, where the weather is mild, it is rare to need airconditioning.
-During the welcome dinner many vegetarian & vegan options are available, and we eat healthy food with minimal processing.
-The local tavernas to which our guests return time and again also use their own vegetables, wine, raki and olive oil, as the area is plenty of olive groves, vegetable fields and greenhouses.

ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE

-Before the holiday begins, we clean up plastic rubbish that has been swept in by the winter sea and put it into local municipality bins.
-We want to promote upcycling, so that nothing that can still be useful -in any possible way- ends up in the bin, and no more plastic ends up in the drainage. We support a zero waste mindset & lifestyle by using reusable or second hand art materials for our creations as much as possible.
-We promote and share our real concern for the environment, talking about the birds we see, the flora and fauna. We are constantly learning about the properties of plants and their uses, passing on this information to interested guests or learning from them.
-We are always willing to learn more about the history, botany, culture etc. of the area and to do what we can to protect it.
-We also grow our own organic vegetables, have a garden that is abuzz with insect life and use solar power for hot water.
-Our company also encourages donations to We4all, a non-profit environmental organization with the mission to heal earth, with actions like reforestation after wildfires.

People

LOCAL ECONOMY

We are a family run company, and to support the local community and the local economy at the highest level:
-Our holidays take place in the least touristy area of Northern Crete, allowing you to support the local economy.
-The cafes, restaurants and shops we visit or recommend are small locally owned businesses.
-The accommodation where our guests stay is a small family run business, which uses its own organic produce in its generous breakfasts.
-We introduce our guests to the local family run winery, which uses grapes grown only in Crete. They offer unlimited wine-tasting with all 30 of their varieties in a truly Cretan gesture of hospitality, in a room that also acts as a museum of old farming and vinicultural equipment.

In addition, Greeks are famous for their hospitality and generosity. You will have the chance to experience this in every interaction with them. Our holidays take place in a small area where we are well known and loved. The welcome given to guests by everyone is genuine and generous. Our suppliers are all local and friendly neighbours. As a village, we all support each other, exchanging skills and goods. This is the best form of charity on a local scale.


EMPLOYMENT, INLCUSIVITY & DIVERSITY

Last, but not least, LGBTQ+ people are very welcome to participate in this holiday, and, of course, any kind of discrimination (race, gender, religion, nationality) is not accepted.

At the end of this journey there is possibility for the travellers to donate any unwanted items/clothing to people in need via organizations who support minorities.