Yassas! - Hello!  Kalorisate – Welcome!

This information for Axladitsa (pronounced Ak-la-thi-tsa) is to help you prepare and includes information about location, weather, what to bring, accommodation options, Internet access, telephone connectivity and emergency telephone information

Axladitsa-Avatakia is Natural, Rural and Untamed
Axladitsa is located in the southern region of the Pelion peninsula, http://www.pelion.org/geography/index.asp  1.5 hours south of the city of Volos – with Platania and Promyri being its closest villages, and its closest beach being Kastri.  Please see ‘Greek Travel Information’ to see how best to travel to the land
 
Axladitsa’s landscape is hilly and untamed - and includes ravines with steep edges and dry riverbeds, olive groves and diverse woodland.  There is a dirt road accessing the main house as well as other parts of the land.  There is also a 1km footpath, steep in places, following the ancient ‘monopati’ route, connecting the land to the sea and requires a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes.

Weather
Axladitsa-Avatakia is blessed with the Mediterranean climate.  It can however be changeable, and being relatively north, this area of Greece does have more rain than other more southern areas.  Therefore we advise you to bring clothing that suits the seasonal weather conditions of this southern region of Pelion and serves your personal preferences and needs.  For further information, please connect to http://www.aroundpelion.com/weather.html

What to Bring

• Passport!!
• Money – Euros (including for all local accommodation)
• Travel and health insurance   *Please bring all relevant insurance documents*
• Good, closed walking shoes/boots & socks
• Personal Medication (inhaler), bee antihistamine (if allergic), cat allergy meds, mosquito repellent, etc & Sunscreen
• Good flashlight or head-torch for moving around the land at night

Please bring clothing suitable for outdoor living, plus all personal items that will make your stay comfortable:

• Layered clothing…including shorts, T-shirts, sarongs, etc; long sleeved thin tops; leggings/tracksuit bottoms; fleece top/sweater for cooler days/evenings
• Waterproof jacket (it may rain!)
• Swimwear, flip-flops, sunglasses, water bottle & sun hat
• Towel – needed if camping, but also for those who are staying in local accommodation and wish to swim
• Ecological/biodegradable soaps, (if staying on the land) toiletries/personal items
• Camera, Notebook, pen, etc
• Musical instruments

Getting to Know the Local Area

Location
Please take a look at this site map to get a sense of where Axladitsa is located http://www.pelion.org/geography/index.asp and what is within the local area.  Axladitsa is in the southern region of the Pelion peninsula, 1.5 hours south of the city of Volos – with Kastri and Platania being the closest villages.  Please see ‘Greek Travel Information’ to see how best to travel to the land

Walking / driving between local accommodation in Platania, Kastri and Axladitsa
Platania - On foot, it is a 40-minute walk over a hill and requires a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes; by road it is 6km.  Platania has several tavernas, small shops selling food plus most necessary goods for a short stay
Kastri - 3km by car and 1km walk (steep in places, following the ancient ‘monopati’ route, connecting the land to the sea and requires a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes).  Kastri has two tavernas and a camp ground

Beaches
From Axladitsa, the beach of Kastri is a 1km walk along the ‘monopati’ / ancient pathway, through various olive groves and along the dry riverbed; by car it is 5 minutes.  The path is steep in places and requires a reasonable level of fitness and good walking shoes.
In Platania, the beach is 3 minutes walk from local accommodation

Health Centre
The nearest health centre is Argalasti, 25 minutes away by car.  It is open 24 hours.  There are various pharmacies in the area, and there is a rota-basis of opening time during the afternoons (most close between 2 and 5pm).  Check with the health centre for further information.  The nearest hospital is in Volos, 1.5 hours away.  It is on the main road, on the left, approx .5km as you enter the town.

Tending the Land
There are ongoing land projects strengthening and supporting Axladitsa Avatakia’s movement towards self-sufficiency, ways of tending the land, and Axladitsa as a place of learning.  This includes land projects such as creating dry stonewalls around the gardens and olive groves to conserve water and prevent erosion; clearing areas that are suitable for further cultivation, e.g., expanding the summer vegetable garden, planting a mixed fruit tree orchard and walnut orchard; clearing around the olive trees to optimize olive production and of course harvesting the olives (all dependent on weather and season)

Being Safe on the Land
Living on this land, with us human beings, are many other species – some of which, if disturbed or disrespected can cause harm.  Please Respect The Nature, and be mindful during your stay!!

These include:

• Thirteen cats – Mia, (Grandma) Mish-Mish, Nerazi, Taloula, Max, (2nd generation) Petit-Louis, Willow, Cleo and Rosie (3rd generation) and Megafoni with Tarzana, Hamoudi and Mitzos (2nd generation) – who are all very friendly cats

• One dog – Freddie is a Greek hunting dog; and is very lively, friendly and loves to play

• Wild Boar – A shy animal that has been heard on the land, usually walking the riverbeds at night and foraging in the woodland – but rarely seen.  They become territorial if separated from their young – and if threatened, could charge.  When walking the land at night, make some noise (footsteps or talking) as this will usually move them on.  If you encounter them face on – look down and back away

• Snakes – A variety of snakes live on the land – usually inhabiting rocky areas (except in the summer when they like to sun themselves on the footpaths in the late afternoon as the day cools).  The horned nose viper is the only poisonous snake and if bitten requires swift emergency care.  This is a small snake less than half a metre long, with beautiful diamond shaped markings on its back and a triangular face.  It is important, again to make your presence known on the land, wear closed shoes and to be especially mindful when working or walking in rocky areas

• Scorpions – Both light and dark coloured scorpions live here.  Their sting is poisonous and extremely painful and requires emergency care.  They live in rocky areas and the light coloured ones can be especially hard to see as they are camouflaged by the colour of the rock.  Therefore, care must be taken when working or walking in rocky areas, and it is wise to keep tents closed and to check them as well as any shoes left outside before putting them on

Self-Organising Pattern & Conscious Kitchen
Axladitsa-Avatakia’s pattern is one of self-organisation.  The kitchen is self-organising too, and is an important element within the daily rhythm of tending ourselves.  We will have a kitchen host, but will co-create the food preparation and service as part of the flow and participation.  Please bring recipes and a culinary spirit!

Connecting to Home While at Axladitsa

Internet Access
Axladitsa now has wireless Internet – however during the Immersion we ask that we limit the amount of time we are on the internet

Telephone
There is a public phone in Platania, the local fishing town, and phone cards can be purchased from local shops.  There is a telephone at Axladitsa for emergency and important incoming calls, on request.

Contact Information / Emergency telephones
Axladitsa Avatakia, Promyri-Volou, 37006, Greece, +30 2423071293
Maria’s mobile /cell phone: +30 6979112426

We hope that this information is helpful…!