Freediving & Hiking in Iraklia (Small Cyclades, Greece)
Iraklia, Greece
Up to 8 in group
June 23 - 30, 2024
Retreat Highlights
- 🔹Freediving : Accompanied by Michaël, instructor AIDA since 2017 and founder of the flying dolphin company, school of freediving in Amorgos, discover a delfinian way to freedive.
- Based on a solid technique and deep understanding of water, you will enjoy this discipline that combines sport and poetry.
- Open to beginners and intermediates. and mindful breathing to establish a profound connection with the water.
- 🔹 Hiking Excursions: Accompanied by Sabine, an experienced guide who loves the island, we follow the beautiful paths of Iraklia and explore the biggest wild cave in the Cyclades.
- During the hike we talk about nature, history, myths, customs and traditions of the island. We enjoy wonderful landscapes of wild beauty and stunning views of the Small Cyclades and the Aegean Sea.
- We encounter wild herbs, goats living freely in the mountains and birds of prey.
About this Retreat
Michael
initially attended business school (Essec MBA) and gained professional experience in large corporations.
He then embarked on a new journey by enrolling at the Cour Florent, where Michael rediscovered the invigorating realms of the theatre.
Having founded the company ARTICHAUT, Michael engages in various roles, including writing plays, directing, and performing in shows such as "Retour de Vacance" (2011), "Cabaret Cosmique" (2012), "The Great Turnaround" (2014), "Schmetterling" (2015), "Welcome Back in Arcadia" (2016), "Big Blue 3D" (2017), and "Arthur in the Land of the Great Depression" (2018).
Michael also creates poetic performances and willingly assumes the roles of Monsieur Loyal and town crier (Montmartre à Clisson 2016, 2017…). Furthermore, he contributes to the theater for young audiences within the company l'Artifice (Dijon). Since 2014, Michael has been a part of the show "Le Monde Sous les Flaques" (with 120 tour dates in France) and is currently involved in a participatory creation titled "La BIP" (Banque d'Idées Positives).
He actively leads workshops focused on imaginary stimulation, writing, and theatrical creations, particularly with children and adolescents.
Since 2017, Michael has been teaching freediving in various locations, including France (Abyss Garden), Greece (Amorgos), and Egypt (dolphin trip). His unique approach to freediving blends the sporting, ecological, and poetic aspects of the discipline, revealing that freediving has the power to enhance happiness both underwater and on land.
As of 2021, Michael has taken on the role of overseeing the eco-poet(h)ic strategy and coordination for compagnie ARTICHAUT. In collaboration with Sabine PP, they co-create eco-poet(h)ic journeys on Amorgos island, supported by the Erasmus+ programme of the European Union. Notably, ARTICHAUT achieved Erasmus+ accreditation in January 2024.
Sabine, also known as ‘PP’ for Peter Pan,
came into this world in the vicinity of the Pyrenees in France. Her formative years unfolded amidst the captivating landscapes of Greece, fostering a deep-seated curiosity for the exploration of 'heterotopias.' Embarking on an academic odyssey spanning over nine years, Sabine delved into the realms of sociolinguistics, theater, sustainability, and sciences of education culminating in 2018 in co-founding the boundary-defying initiative, sChOoL🤸♀️withOuT frOntiers⛵.
Her passion for cross-pollinating worlds translates into engagement in several not-for-profit organizations working on: regenerative farming, consumer cooperatives, popular education, agroforestry, and permaculture. She has been trained in Art of Participatory Leadership, Permaculture Design and Agile Learning Facilitation. At the core of her multifaceted expertise lies a role as a coordinator for European projects.
Beyond her intellectual pursuits, Sabine finds equilibrium by serving as a nature guide in her beloved Cycladic islands during the summertime. Currently, she embarks on a soul-enriching journey towards the East, immersing herself in the realms of traditional Thai yoga massage, Aquatic bodywork and healing movement.
Details of this retreat
8 days and 7 nights
sports course for beginners and experienced freedivers.
Discover and progress in freediving, with an experienced instructor who will help you discover the many facets of this practice and take part in a fun competition day on the last day to assess your progress.
Discover the island of Iraklia by exploring these exceptional hiking trails under the guidance of a passionate guide.
Take a boat trip around the island to dive into the translucent waters of wild coves.
Enjoy relaxation and movement sessions (yoga type) in an idyllic setting.
sports course for beginners and experienced freedivers.
Discover and progress in freediving, with an experienced instructor who will help you discover the many facets of this practice and take part in a fun competition day on the last day to assess your progress.
Discover the island of Iraklia by exploring these exceptional hiking trails under the guidance of a passionate guide.
Take a boat trip around the island to dive into the translucent waters of wild coves.
Enjoy relaxation and movement sessions (yoga type) in an idyllic setting.
Schedule
7-day program
DAY 1 Arrival . Relaxation, swim in Livadi beach, introduction and dinner at fish restaurant
DAY 2 /8:30-10:00 breakfast / 10:00-11:00 stretching, breathing and theory/ 11h30 - 15h - Dive session 1 / 15h:00-16:00 lunch / 18:00-19:30 Delfinian stretching & sound bath / 20:00 Dinner at italian restaurant
DAY 3 8:00-9:00 : breathing and stretching / 9:00-10:00 breakfast / 10:30-12:30 static session / 14h:00-15:00 lunch / 17:00-19:30 excursion in the cave / 20:00 Dinner at local traditional tavern
DAY 4 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-16h group 1 : boat & freedive group 1 : excursion on the cliff including lunch / 18:00-19:00 delfinian stretching and meditation / 20:00 Dinner at local tavern
DAY 5 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-22:00 full day boat excursions, including freediving, breathing, stretching, meditation and fishing in the sunset
DAY 6 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-10h30 : delfinian stretching / 10h30 -14h free morning / 14h:00-15:00 lunch / 16h:00 - 19:00 group 2 : boat & freedive group 1 : excursion in the castle lunch / 1/ 20:00 free dinner
DAY 7 8:00-9:00 : breathing and stretching / 9:00-10:00 breakfast / 10:30-13:30 static and dynamic session in Livadi / 17:00-19:30 excursion to mountaintop Papas / 20:00 Dinner at restaurant
DAY 8 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-16h delfinian playful competition static, dynamic and deep including lunch / 20:00 Dinner at local tavern
DAY 1 Arrival . Relaxation, swim in Livadi beach, introduction and dinner at fish restaurant
DAY 2 /8:30-10:00 breakfast / 10:00-11:00 stretching, breathing and theory/ 11h30 - 15h - Dive session 1 / 15h:00-16:00 lunch / 18:00-19:30 Delfinian stretching & sound bath / 20:00 Dinner at italian restaurant
DAY 3 8:00-9:00 : breathing and stretching / 9:00-10:00 breakfast / 10:30-12:30 static session / 14h:00-15:00 lunch / 17:00-19:30 excursion in the cave / 20:00 Dinner at local traditional tavern
DAY 4 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-16h group 1 : boat & freedive group 1 : excursion on the cliff including lunch / 18:00-19:00 delfinian stretching and meditation / 20:00 Dinner at local tavern
DAY 5 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-22:00 full day boat excursions, including freediving, breathing, stretching, meditation and fishing in the sunset
DAY 6 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-10h30 : delfinian stretching / 10h30 -14h free morning / 14h:00-15:00 lunch / 16h:00 - 19:00 group 2 : boat & freedive group 1 : excursion in the castle lunch / 1/ 20:00 free dinner
DAY 7 8:00-9:00 : breathing and stretching / 9:00-10:00 breakfast / 10:30-13:30 static and dynamic session in Livadi / 17:00-19:30 excursion to mountaintop Papas / 20:00 Dinner at restaurant
DAY 8 8:00-9:00 : breakfast / 9:30-16h delfinian playful competition static, dynamic and deep including lunch / 20:00 Dinner at local tavern
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change
Getting Here
Flying Dolphin company, Iraklia, Greece
Directions
OPTION 1: SLOW ROMANTIC
Flight to and from Athens
‘Blue Star Naxos’ Ferry from the port of Piraeus - 7 hours crossing - €84 return
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 6:45 a.m. >> 1 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 - 9 p.m. >> 5 a.m. (morning of July 1)
https://www.ferryhopper.com/
OPTION 2: SPEAD ATLANTIS - stopover in Naxos
Flight to and from Santorini
Champion Jet or Blue Star 1 from the port of Santorini - crossing 1h20 -
stopover in Naxos (1h30 or 3h) - then Blue Star Naxos for Iraklia - crossing 1h
between 73 and 130€ AR depending on the options
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 12:20 p.m. >> 1:35 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 - 9 p.m. >> 10 p.m. Naxos,
then 12:35 a.m. - 2:45 a.m. (morning of July 1st) Santorini
OPTION 3: JET SET LAG
Flight to and from Naxos
‘Blue Star Naxos’ from the port of Naxos - 1 hour crossing - €11 return
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 12:10 p.m. >> 1:10 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 >> 10 p.m.
Flight to and from Athens
‘Blue Star Naxos’ Ferry from the port of Piraeus - 7 hours crossing - €84 return
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 6:45 a.m. >> 1 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 - 9 p.m. >> 5 a.m. (morning of July 1)
https://www.ferryhopper.com/
OPTION 2: SPEAD ATLANTIS - stopover in Naxos
Flight to and from Santorini
Champion Jet or Blue Star 1 from the port of Santorini - crossing 1h20 -
stopover in Naxos (1h30 or 3h) - then Blue Star Naxos for Iraklia - crossing 1h
between 73 and 130€ AR depending on the options
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 12:20 p.m. >> 1:35 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 - 9 p.m. >> 10 p.m. Naxos,
then 12:35 a.m. - 2:45 a.m. (morning of July 1st) Santorini
OPTION 3: JET SET LAG
Flight to and from Naxos
‘Blue Star Naxos’ from the port of Naxos - 1 hour crossing - €11 return
outbound: Sunday June 23 - 12:10 p.m. >> 1:10 p.m.
return: Sunday June 30 >> 10 p.m.
Accommodation
Villa Meltemi is a charming place to stay ! Nested at the top of the village of Agios Georgios (port of Iraklia) it offers a mesmerizing panoramic sea view onto the surrounding cycladic islands. Single, double or triple rooms are available. The rooms are surrounded by a lush, beautifully landscaped garden, harmonized with the Cycladic tradition. More info : https://meltemi-iraklia.gr €990.00 euros per person – double occupancy (two/three dolphins) €1,190.00 euros per person – single occupancy (one dolphin)
Price in Double Room (Full board)
Price in Single Room (Full board)
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi
Spa
Sauna
Pool
Towels
Free Parking
Kitchen
Tour Assistance
Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea
Cafe
Restaurant
Fitness Center
Yoga Studio
Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent
The stay will take place in the charming Villa Veltemi, offering:
panoramic sea views, a magnificent garden...and a brand new yoga room awaits for us to inaugurate it! (photos will be available soon!)
Iraklia and its wondrous nature, both above and below surface will be our main venues 💙
panoramic sea views, a magnificent garden...and a brand new yoga room awaits for us to inaugurate it! (photos will be available soon!)
Iraklia and its wondrous nature, both above and below surface will be our main venues 💙
Meals
Menu Types
Vegan
Vegetarian
Pescetarian
Ayurvedic
Includes Meat
Organic
Gluten Free
Dairy Free
Nut Free
3 delicious fresh meals per day *except 1 free dinner for you
Breakfasts and lunches will be offered at Villa Meltemi (to take on boat trips) and our dinners in local taverns.
What's Included
- 8 days / 7 nights full board stay
- 3 delicious fresh meals per day *except 1 free dinner for you
- as well as healthy refreshments and snacks for body and mind
- Activities
- apnea courses (3 theory and breathing sessions, 4 deep apnea sessions, 3 static apnea sessions, 3 dynamic apnea sessions) / 1 day of boat trip / hikes / Delfinian swimming sessions - aquatic and movement therapy relaxation
- Healings
- 2 collective sound treatments
- (Possibility of individual massage as an extra)
- Excursions
- 4 walking excursions to sites in Iraklia (Cave of Agios Ioannis, Mount Papas, Chateau-Spirales, Cliff of Merihas)
- 3 boat trips.
- Sunrise/sunset meditation
- Transportation from and to the port of Iraklia in Villa Meltemi
- Live mindfully throughout the day
- Fun games (surprise for those who want it!)
- Participation in classes and activities is optional throughout the retreat.
- We invite you nevertheless to be part of the collective body of this experience.
- All levels are welcome! No prior experience with freediving is required💦
- All meals offer vegan/vegetarian options, special dietary restrictions can be accommodated (gluten, dairy)
What's Not Included
- What you need to add:
- Your flights and ferry tickets to the island of Iraklia
- Your travel insurance
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