Peloponnese family adventure vacation

Planet

Carbon Reduction:
-Our hotel partners are usually trying, with all the means available, to use renewable energy sources, for example a solar water heater, as Greece is a Mediterranean country.
On this trip we use local boutique hotels and family run guesthouses that try to follow sustainability friendly rules. For example, they change sheets and towels every 3 days and not every day to reduce electricity and water waste while also implementing garbage recycling.
-On our tours we use shared transportation (20-seat bus) for the whole tour so we can reduce the carbon exports. Of course, we limit the transfers via vehicles, and we walk to the near locations like restaurants, museums etc.
-Also, we respect any food preference, and we try to provide it every day i.e vegan, vegetarian, kosher etc.

Environment & Wildlife:
-For this reason, during all our trips we try to minimize the trash we produce, we avoid the use of single-use plastic, and we recycle our waste, while at the same time we encourage our travelers to do the same.
-When we hike or do other activities outdoors, many times our staff carries a bag to collect any trash found along our way and clear the paths a bit. The same applies to any water-based activities, such as when hydro-biking or kayaking in the lake.
For this tour an included activity with local operators is on day 4 is Rafting Lousios Gorge from Karitena village!
-Wherever is possible (greatest part of mainland Greece), we encourage travelers to drink tap water or refill their water bottles with fresh water from the springs, so that we reduce water consumption and most importantly in order to reduce the extensive use of single use plastic bottles.
-With regards to wildlife, we know how important it is to respect it and protect it and we encourage our guests to follow our lead. We inform them about the specific wildlife we encounter in different places, what the dangers are and how we could better protect it.
-Most Parks or Protected Areas in Greece don’t have an entrance fee, but we try to protect it by respecting the environment and reducing the pollution we might cause.
On this tour, we will hike a part of the trail network on foothills of Mount Taygetus (E4 European route). The area has been included in the Natura 2000 network of habitats. Also, the area belongs to the important bird areas of Greece (Important Bird Areas).
-Our guides are volunteers in Greek associations for the protection of forests and wildlife and contribute significantly to them with voluntary actions i.e tree planting in places affected by fires, participation in special seminars on disaster and crisis management.

People

Local Economy:
-Another important element of our business is that we aim at supporting the local communities we visit as much as possible.
-Moreover, we stay in family run guesthouses, so that the hosting community has a direct benefit from our operation. The same applies for local restaurants.
The guesthouses on this trip, are family run businesses, and the buildings usually have a strong element of stone and wood, which means that they are made with environmentally friendly materials. Also, the interior is based on the local country style, while they offer Greek traditional breakfast with local products. The local dishes the restaurants offer is called Lalangia - the delicious traditional Mani pancakes are known in Peloponnese and two of the most famous flavors of the land of Mani are the delicious synglino or pastos (smoked pork) and the Maniatiko sausage.
-We take our travelers to local craftsmen and artisans’ workshops and encourage them to buy local souvenirs and products from the destinations we visit.
On day 2, when we visit the olive oil farm, you will have the opportunity to purchase handmade products such as Greek traditional soap made of virgin oil.
-We always support the interaction between the locals and our travelers, since we believe cultural encounters with the locals is what makes an experience even more authentic!

Employment, Inclusion & Diversity:
-The first way to do that is by hiring local staff for the several activities offered, with whom we develop long term relationships and are paid with fair salaries.
For example, all the instructors we work with in Dimitsana (rafting) etc. are all locals and are people who share the same vision and ethos with us.
-Our philosophy is to embrace all social categories, minorities or people with disabilities and offer job opportunities that match their work skills.
-We enhance the workplace diversity strategy by including everyone in our company and focusing on equality by not making discriminations.
-Our agency is women-owned .