There are worse things than being on a Greek Island. The pace of life on Syros for example is slower than an English country village. It is an island that has avoided mass tourism, taking advantage of its proximity to Mykonos to access their excellent flight services without having long haul planes arrive several times a day. At the same time, Syros’s capital Ermoupoli is also the legal and bureaucratic centre of the Cyclades so the Blue Star ferry service is constant throughout the year both to Athens (Pireaus) and Mykonos. Easy access is important when organizing group retreats, less time is spent travelling and waiting for transport.
Another advantage of being a non-tourist destination is that the natural beauty of the island is undisturbed. Every beach on Syros is a Blue Flag beach (the European gold standard for cleanliness and water purity). Inland, the small farms and villages operate as they have for hundreds of years, growing olives, grapes, figs, oranges and cloche grown vegetables. The food you eat in the Syros tavernas is almost always grown on the island and fresh to the table. For that reason, Syros has developed a reputation as a foodie destination. Clever, creative chefs have gravitated to the island for the quality of the produce and the discerning palates of the Syros Islanders. The advantage for groups is that prices are far lower on Syros for fine or taverna dining than other brand name islands like Santorini or Mykonos.
For Yoga and other groups visiting Syros who may stay longer than a week, there is the added advantage of its’ amazing cultural scene. The Apollon Theatre (a miniature La Scala) hosts the annual Aegean Music Festival and other events throughout the year. There are summer events like the Syros Film Festival, the Greating Gastronomical Festival, the Rembetika and Jazz Festival and many more. Athenians flock to Syros for these events, so expect August to be the busiest month on Syros.
The only dedicated Yoga Retreat on the island is at the Good Life in Poseidonia. Set up to accommodate 20 people with access to a further twenty a short five minute walk away, the GL is an eco-village and vineyard over-looking the sea. The setting is utterly peaceful without traffic or any noises other than farm animals in the valley. The stone cottages offer humble luxury with self-catering and private gardens and balconies for every cottage.
Services provided by the GL include a Yoga Deck in the vineyard (usually wind free), a celebration Greek Feast and introduction to Greek Wine, group deals for selected local tavernas, bicycles, childrens beach equipment, baby equipment and a great deal of information and booking support from Elspeth and Nick your hosts at the Good Life.
