Archontiko Mytilineou Skretaion

Archontiko Mytilineou Skretaion is a family business B&B with 7 double rooms, located in a picturesque village called Neochori on mountain Pelion in the region of Thessaly.

At 450 meters of altitude surrounded by a thick forest offering breathtaking views towards the Pagasetic Gulf, Archontiko Mytilineou Skretaion was renovated and started operating as a guesthouse in December 2015.

They implement energy-efficient projects, use solar panels, heat pump and a forest-based biomass boiler. In addition, a swimming pool out of recycled materials has been built which operates with less water supply.

They achieved to lower the costs for water heating around 30% for the winter and 100% for the summer, as well as the CO2 imprint and they were able to use wood waste (pellets, branches, etc.) that comes from wood processing.

Circular Strategy: Regenerate

Country: Greece

Hobby Farm

Owners have started the farm as a hobby with the reason of being able to live autonomously while eating healthily. But after a few years, they are now able to serve their self-produced food for their guests.

The farm produces fruit, nuts and vegetables, but they also raise animals such as chickens, rabbits, goats and horses. They offer fresh eggs to their guests for breakfast.

Economic impact
Not many financial savings since the animal feed prices elevated in the last years and they also caused many losses during the year. Sometimes animals are lost because of the predators and/or crops from wild animals or weather conditions are destroyed. Life in nature is cruel and difficult. The good thing is that they can use for themselves and for their guests high-quality fresh products that they know where these come from.

Social impact
Not many people appreciate fresh products. It is difficult to find people to work permanently since most people think that working on the land and with animals does not give you social prestige.

Environmental impact
Animals help preserve grasslands/forests by grazing free range on the mountain, consequently also minimising the fire threat. They do not use chemical pesticides and fertilisers. Owners help people maintain their properties clean by letting the horses inside to eat the plants. Like this people do not use tractors or other motor-driven grass cutters.

Human resources
It is difficult to find people/workforce who could contribute to the operation of the farm.

Financial resources
Financial resources are much needed as the price of the feed for the animals got higher in the last year.

Other resources
No other resources were mentioned.