Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm — Hotel in Municipality of Eurotas

We went to Eumelia seeking refuge -- from technology, crowds and the city. What we found was mother nature and a home away from home. Frangisko is the soul, Marilena is the heart and their son Jason is the adorable little explorer of Eumelia. Inspired by a plot of land left to the family by his grandfather, Frangisko decided to leave his fast-paced modern life and go back to Greece. What he created was a place where folks like us seeking refuge can reconnect with the land.

The farm is simply beautiful. The cracked red earth is teeming with wild life, which serves as the canvas for many photographs we took. We enjoyed long walks getting lost in olive tree groves during sunset and visiting the pigs, vegetable garden and grape vines. In the evening the sky is beautifully lit with stars, brightly shining without the light and sound pollution of cities. On the farm tour we learned about Frangisko's personal journey to reconnect with the land, the trials and tribulations of creating Eumelia from scratch and the geo-political climate of Greece. We were also introduced to an olive tree more than a thousand years old. This conversation captured why this place exists. His energy is magnetic, raw and excitable.

The food, we are still trying to recreate. We connected with Frangisko, Marilena and their wonderful son Jason during conversations over lunch and dinner, beautifully crafted by Marilena with vegetables from the farm. Their close friends came to stay a couple nights and we enjoyed getting to know them. Marilena's breakfast is something of a dream. The Greek mountain tea, fresh vegetables from the farm, homemade jams and fresh eggs of the day were what we looked forward to the most. Fresh, local ingredients and low-and-slow cooking techniques inspired us. Our cooking lesson was directly inspired by many dishes Marilena's mom made for her growing up. During the olive oil tasting Marilena answered so many nerdy questions we've always had about how olive oil is made, and what impacts the quality of the oil. And the Greek food vocabulary lesson saved us in subsequent visits to restaurants in Greece.

Our one-day tour of the local caves was simply stunning. Like something out of Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or the Three Musketeers. I was afraid there would be little to do near Eumelia, but I was wrong. There are beautiful mountain landscapes, seascapes, century-old towns and quaint restaurants that serve grilled seafood and stewed meats.

Our home had the most wonderfully soft sheets and comfortable bed. We made meals in our well-appointed kitchen which we were excited to discover came with Eumelia olive oil and if you're lucky a couple surprises from the vegetable garden. The home was so beautifully lit, and we had fun taking many rustic shots to capture the warm simple beauty of the space.

Lastly, one important call-out for US-citizens visiting Greece. Unlike many other European countries that will let you rent a car with a US license, as of five months ago, Greece started actively doling out severe fines to car-rental companies that rent to anyone without an international drivers license (which you can get for a low fee from AAA in a couple weeks). We didn't know this and were denied a car rental at the airport. We learned police would actively stop car rentals hoping to catch folks without an international drivers license and fine the car rental company to the tune of thousands of dollars. In desperation we called Eumelia and thankfully Marilena and Frangisko guided us to the local busses which brought us to Eumelia. Local transportation to Eumelia took 6 hours instead of 3 hours by car, and cost a lot more than the car rental for a week. Do not visit Greece without an international drivers license.

We visited in October to escape the crowded season and the weather was warm and lovely. We will return to Eumilia for the olive oil pressing in November one day to taste the first...

A Magical Greek Experience at Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Our stay at Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm was peaceful, inspiring and refreshing.

At the estate, we were immersed in the authentic Greek lifestyle, surrounded by the serene beauty of an organic olive grove. Here’s a breakdown of our unforgettable experience:

Accommodation: The eco-houses at Eumelia are superbly designed, nestled within a regenerative organic olive grove. The houses are equipped with top-notch textiles and, notably, excellent air conditioning—a welcome feature during the warm days. Our room was immaculately clean and maintained daily.

Food and Dining: The culinary experience at Eumelia is extraordinary. Every night, we were treated to farm-to-table meals crafted by Marilena, our host and a top-tier sommelier and chef. We enjoyed every meal, especially the fresh handmade pasta, olive oil Mayo, and the exquisite selection of organic wines. Our dinners provided an ambiance that was both intimate and enchanting.

Activities and Amenities: Eumelia offers a variety of engaging activities. We thoroughly enjoyed the farm tour, which included an informative olive oil tasting session. The cooking and soap-making classes led by Marilena were our kiss’s favorites. She made both activities engaging and fun for the kids, and we loved eating the delicious food we prepared. The farm is conveniently located just 30 minutes from beautiful beaches, with our favorite being a scenic 45-minute drive away. These excursions offered a balance of relaxation and adventure.

Staff and Service: The staff at Eumelia made us feel like family. Our children played with the owners’ kids, and they even set up an outdoor movie night for them, creating lasting memories. We extended our stay by an extra night to join the staff for a beach outing and a visit to a castle with a city built within its walls.

Location and Environment: The farm is situated in a rural area, surrounded by olive trees as far as the eye can see. While the location is remote, it is well-signposted from the nearby town church, which I recommend as the initial destination.

Value for Money: Considering the gourmet meals alone, we felt that our stay provided excellent value for money. The accommodations felt like an added bonus to the exquisite dining experiences, making the overall package incredibly worthwhile.

Recommendation: I wholeheartedly recommend Eumelia Organic Agrotourism Farm to anyone seeking an authentic Greek experience. It’s more than just a place to stay; it’s an opportunity to become part of the local culture and...

Our friends happened to tell us about Eumelia when we were in Greece this summer and we were so happy they did. After traveling around the country for a month, we decided to go and it turned out to be the highlight of the trip. Frangiskos & Marilena are excellent hosts and have created a sustainable paradise in the Peloponnese. They are the heart and soul of the property and we really enjoyed spending time with them. It's truly a place where you can unwind and are taken care of. I emailed prior to our stay to let them know which of their offerings (yoga, cooking class, wine tasting, etc) we were interested in and they created an itinerary for our stay.

I am a chef, and loved the cooking class with Marilena where we made local dishes and discussed the local ingredients and cuisine. Of course we got to eat everything after, which was all so delicious. We also joined them for a wine tasting, which gave us an introduction to the well crafted wines of the region. We ate dinner with them every night of our stay as well, and Marilena's breakfast spread is not to be missed!

The guesthouses are really comfortable. It's like having your own house with an ample kitchen, living room and bedroom with a very comfortable bed. All the buildings at Eumelia are constructed with natural, breathable materials, which is wonderful in the summer because they are still comfortable even without air conditioning. They also all have WiFi, which is great if you need it, but really why would you since this is really a place where you can give your brain a rest and disconnect.

The grounds of Eumelia are surrounded by olive groves and they also grow their own grapes and other produce. They also have animals (baby pigs! friendly dogs!). We also really enjoyed having Frangiskos take us on a tour of the property and learning about his vision for it.

The location is also a great jumping off point to explore the region. We went to Monemvasia for an afternoon and Sparti on our way back to Athens. There are other nearby villages that are fun for exploring too.

Ultimately, we can't wait to go back and next time will definitely spend more than 3 nights. Eumelia truly is one of those rare spots on this planet where you can completely unwind and feel at peace—and enjoy great food, wine and company while you're doing it. I can't say...