Eumelia

Title – Name

Eumelia

Scope / Sector / Industry

Agritourism accommodation

Country / Region

Greece, Laconia

Why is it good practice?

Eumelia is a good practice of agritourism accommodation, as through its operation it seeks to entertain and educate visitors and the local population on issues such as the environment, environmental technology, organic farming methods, alternative health, sustainability, etc. It is an accommodation that has created sustainable development projects that place nature and human relationships at the center.

How is it applied?

Eumelia is a regenerative agritourism and ecotourism accommodation near the village of Gouves in Laconia in the Peloponnese. The purpose of its creation was respect for nature and the relationship with other people. The farm consists of houses of traditional Greek architecture, while at the same time an organic farm is being developed in the same area which consists of:

• Olive grove with olive trees from which the farmhouse’s organic olive oil is obtained. The olive grove applies biodynamic practices, permaculture and non-interventional agricultural practices, with the aim of respecting the flora and fauna and creating suitable soil for its regenerative healing.
• Vineyards with five local and regional varieties. The vineyards apply polyculture, biodynamic and permaculture practices, while the grapes are hand-picked, traditionally crushed and naturally vinified.
• Vegetable garden with seasonal organic vegetables for the hotel and restaurant. The vegetable garden applies practices such as co-planting and composting, contributing to a healthy soil and the cultivation of nutritious raw materials.
• Greek herbs among the olive groves and vineyards, which, in combination with organic olive oil, are used to create oils and natural soaps.
• Animal farm with domestic animals for the purpose of farm sustainability and regenerative work on the soil. The animals are fed with wild grasses and vegetable scraps from the vegetable garden, while the manure produced enriches the soil and controls the overgrowth of wild grasses. Local breeds are housed there, some of which are endangered, such as the black pig of Greece. In this context, the company collaborates with a Greek NGO that records rare breeds and finds places like this farm to breed them and save them from extinction. These animals provide fresh organic eggs, milk, cheese and live comfortably in a stress-free environment.

The farm’s desire was to cultivate and produce products that are beneficial to human needs while also caring for the needs of the soil and plants. Olive oil, olives, jams, soaps, herbs and other products are produced on the farm and are available in the company’s online store.

In the context of tourism development, Eumelia offers a variety of agritourism experiences, which bring the visitor closer to nature and local heritage and tradition. The experiences it has designed and offers are the following:

• olive oil and wine tastings combined with local flavors,
• “farm to table” meals,
• cooking classes with fresh farm products,
• olive oil soap making classes,
• activities such as participating in grape picking and harvesting, olive harvesting and other agricultural activities,
• activities such as yoga classes, yoga retreats, massage services, mountain biking, hiking and mountaineering tours,
• event hosting
• culinary tours

In addition, special tourist packages are offered which are implemented on predetermined dates throughout the year. An example is the specially designed “Olive Harvest Retreat” package which concerns a 5-night stay and includes “farm to table” meals, olive harvest, olive oil tasting, olive oil massage, guided tour of ancient Sparta and the olive oil museum, cooking classes, making soap with olive oil, outdoor film screening, an evening with live Greek music and sending 6 liters of olive oil to the visitor’s home.

The above activities are not only addressed to guests staying at the accommodation but also to guests who wish to experience a similar experience during a day.

Other additional services offered by the agritourism accommodation and worth mentioning are the following:

• Accurate information is provided on how to access the farm, while the possibility of transporting the visitor from the airport and other points is provided, through a partner company.
• Inclusion is sought by creating a destination accessible to people with disabilities.
• The possibility of accommodation for visitors with pets is provided. In fact, special houses for dogs and cats are also provided for those who wish.
• Specially designed educational activities are provided for schools and children, upon request.
• Consulting services are provided in the fields of sustainable architecture, water, waste management and alternative energy. In addition to the variety of agritourism experiences, Eumelia makes a significant effort in the field of environmental protection and sustainability. The practices it applies in order to achieve sustainability are summarized below:
• Implementation of organic, regenerative biodynamic and permanent cultivation practices.
• Composting of weeds, dry plants, prunings and leaves from the garden and farm, as well as vegetable scraps from the kitchen, to create new soil for the vegetable garden.
• Utilization of all food produced on the farm or certified organic products from other producers in the accommodation’s cafe and restaurant.
• Design of buildings based on bioclimatic architecture.
• Utilization of natural materials and essential oils for painting the interior spaces of the buildings.
• Utilization of natural minerals in the colored plaster of the buildings, providing healthy living spaces.
• Recycling of gray and black water and utilization in watering the gardens.
• Reuse and purchase materials and products from sustainable sources and limit the purchase of plastic products.
• Recycling of the accommodation’s waste.
• Utilization of geothermal energy for heating and cooling.
• Construction of energy-efficient wood fireplaces with a combustion efficiency exceeding 75%.
• Utilization of a solar water heating system for heating water.
• Use of LED lights and low-energy lamps to minimize energy consumption and electrical waste.
• Minimize water use by using ecological water-efficient faucets and double toilet buttons.
• Encouraging guests to change linens as little as possible to minimize water use, energy consumption and wear and tear in washing machines.
• Use of ecological and natural mattresses and linens.
• Use of natural and organic cleaning materials.
• Use of disposable tableware made from natural resources.
• Utilization of leftover cooked food and vegetables in animal feed.
• Supply of local products in order to support local people and stabilize their income.
• Collaboration with local farmers, artisans and craftsmen, as well as with workshop and seminar trainers in order to engage the local community.
• Utilization of local community youth and volunteers in the farms’s projects.

Where is it applied?

Eumelia addressed to at all those who wish to be hosted in an accommodation that offers a variety of agritourism experiences and to come closer to nature and the local heritage of the area. At the same time, it is also aimed at those who want to stay in an accommodation that practically respects the environment, animals, people and local culture in many ways.

When did it applied?

Eumelia was founded in 2009.

Results

Eumelia has created positive impressions and has won many distinctions and certifications. Indicatively, it is reported that:

• GEO SAISON magazine selected Eumelia as one of the 100 best hotels in Europe in the issue “100 Best Hotels in Europe 2023”.
• In 2021 it was included in the National Geographic trail “15 of the best European food adventures”.
• In 2021 it was included in the National Geographic trail “5 best farms in Greece”.
• In 2019 it received the World Hospitality Award for the most unique ecotourism accommodations, from LUXlife magazine and the Hospitality Awards 2019.
• It has received the “European Ecotourism Labeling Standard” label of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council and the label of the DIO Certification & Inspection Organization of Organic Products.

Other information

Eumelia participates in European programs such as Erasmus+ and Horizon, in collaboration with research institutions, schools, universities, companies and NGOs with the aim of developing projects that share its experience.

The official website of Eumelia is: https://www.eumelia.com/