Wellness, nature, STEAM, theatre & carnival celebration events in the mountains
February and Carnival celebrations bring joy, excitement, and celebration to the high hills of Mount Parnon and the village of Vamvakou. As winter fades away, we welcome spring in the mountains with yoga, meditation, massage, hiking, cycling, robotics, 3D printing, workshops, educational programs, creative activities, crafts, and carnival events. All of this takes place within the framework of the Vamvakou Revival initiative, made possible by the exclusive grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF).”
Wellness, Nature and Relaxation in the Mountains
The month kicks off with meditation (01/02) and yoga (02/02) for everyone, helping us discover inner peace and connect with our bodies, while embracing nature and the present moment. Every Saturday in February, join guided mountain hikes (01 & 15/02) or cycling tours (08 & 22/02) through the stunning mountain landscapes of Mount Parnon, to explore the trails around the village. You can also unwind with relaxing massage sessions (01, 08, 15 & 22/02) at the stone-built Traditional Guesthouse of Vamvakou, offering breathtaking views of the winter mountain scenery.
Activities & Programs for Everyone
The village school is a wonderful creative space that hosts activities and programs for both children and adults. This month, in celebration of the Carnival, we let our imaginations run wild and create our very own unique superhero using natural clay (15/02), shaping stories and bringing them to life. We’ll dress up in our favorite costumes and enjoy a fun, creative Sunday (16/02) at the school … otherwise. We’ll also craft animal-shaped masks, wear carnival hats, and dance wildly to the rhythm of the Carnival of Animals (22/02). Additionally, we’ll create decorative hot air balloons (23/02) using colors, cardboard, and fabrics, with the goal of sending them “high up” into a magical sky!”
STEAM as we call it in our village!
In Vamvakou, a village where tradition meets innovation, a state-of-the-art tech hub thrives within the local school — the V.Lab (Vamvakou Technology Lab, fully powered by SNF). This February, we invite children to dive into the world of robotics (08/02) through a fun and interactive workshop filled with games and hands-on activities. Meanwhile, both kids and adults will explore the magic of the latest 3D printing technology and its creative possibilities (08/02)! Yes, we even have 3D printers in our village! The carnival season kicks off with a one-of-a-kind chemistry workshop (09/02), where masked experiments, witches, and spells will come together for a whimsical, festive showdown!
Carnival Season & Vamva-koulouma
The Carnival season has arrived and is bringing the first month of Spring! Join us on March 1st as we uncover the secrets of traditional taramosalata (a Greek fish roe dip) and learn a delicious recipe to make a Lenten yule log in two culinary workshops. We’ll also be cycling in costumes up the mountain and unwinding with top-notch massage services. The imaginative comedy “Turn Off the Light” by the KO-PERNIKOS theater group (02/03) will teach kids how to face or accept their fears. The Carnival holiday weekend will come to a close with our traditional Vamva-koulouma celebration (03/03) — a big party at the village school featuring a concert by the Jeepers Creepers Band, a dance performance by Athens Boogie, and a DJ set by Evi Akrivou! The “Lenten menu” will also include kite flying, creative workshops, crafts, face painting, archery, ping pong, table football, virtual reality games, and, of course, a variety of traditional Lenten treats.
February brings the rain, Thaws the frozen lake again while March brings breezes loud and shrill, stirs the dancing daffodil!
