IKARIA
IKARIA LONGEVITY RETREAT
Reconnect with life through simplicity, nature, and timeless wisdom.
Welcome to a retreat unlike any other set on the legendary island of Ikaria, Greece where people forget to age and time moves to the rhythm of nature.
Here, the Original Way of the Ikarians is not a concept - it’s a lived experience.
Led by locals and rooted in tradition, our retreat offers you the chance to slow down, nourish your body, move with intention, and rediscover joy in the small, essential moments. Surrounded by the sea, mountains, and the soulful energy of this Blue Zone, you’ll not only recharge, you’ll remember what it means to truly live.
Stay
Where simplicity meets soul and nature flows into every corner of your space.
Our accommodations are thoughtfully chosen to reflect the calm, grounding essence of Ikaria. Merging earthy textures, handcrafted details, and the serene energy of the island just by the sea, each room invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and feel at home.
Our Philosophy
The Original Way of Living
It all began with an idea—that the true secrets of longevity cannot be taught, only lived. And who better to share them than someone born and raised in the heart of a Blue Zone, Ikaria.
The Original – Retreat Ikaria is more than a destination; it’s a return to a way of being. Powered by ZenZoe, where Zen reflects balance and presence, and Zoe (ζωή) means life in Greek, our philosophy embodies a mindful life rooted in simplicity, connection, and timeless wisdom.
Here, well-being isn’t something you schedule, it’s something you live, every day, in rhythm with nature and community. This is not a wellness trend as monetised by others. This is the Original Way of the Ikarians.
THE IKARIAN WAY
On the Greek island of Ikaria, life moves slowly—but with purpose.
Here, longevity isn’t chased; it unfolds naturally through a rhythm deeply rooted in tradition, community, and simplicity.
Daily life revolves around fresh, seasonal food—mostly plant-based, grown in home gardens, and cooked with love.
Afternoons often pause for rest, with the sacred ritual of the midday nap restoring energy and balance.
Movement isn’t planned but lived—through walking, tending to land, and dancing late into the night at joyful village festivals.
Food & wine is shared not just as a nutrition but as connection—around the table, with laughter, music, and unhurried conversation.
In this timeless flow, strong social ties, a sense of purpose, and the absence of stress nurture not just the heart, but the soul. Born and raised in this world, Zoe embodies the Ikarian way where life is not measured by time, but by meaning.
WELLBEING
Move slowly. Breathe deeply. Live fully.
Revive through Rhythm, Nature & Tradition.
At The Original – Retreat Ikaria, well-being is not a trend—it’s a way of returning. Returning to presence, to simplicity, to the kind of movement and meaning that restores you from within.
Guided by Ermina’s deep expertise in yoga, sound healing, and conscious embodiment, each experience invites you to align with the natural flow of the island. From morning breathwork to sunset hiking along ancient Ikarian trails, your days unfold with intention and joy.
You’ll dance, float in healing springs, sip wine beneath the stars, and celebrate life like the locals at a traditional panigiri. From the soul-soothing beaches of Nas and Mesakti to the stories waiting in a folklife museum, everything you touch here nourishes you—not just physically, but energetically.
This is where Ermina’s grounding practices meet Zoe’s ancestral rhythm—and where you come home to yourself.
The Experiences
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Yoga
Enjoy a wide range of Yoga classes taking place each morning at our retreat across our outdoor premises during the afternoon by the sea, forest and cascades.
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Hiking
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Wine Tour
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Apiculture
It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more.
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Greek Dance Lessons
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Traditional Panigiri
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Thermal Springs
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Sound Healing
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Folklife Museum Visit
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Surf (Optional)
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Ikarian Cooking Lesson
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Massage (Optional)
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Our Packages
Rhythm & Roots (6 or 7 days)
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Immerse yourself in the full rhythm of the Ikarian way.
This is your signature retreat — the full experience
Soul & Silence (5 nights / themed retreat)
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A more inward, healing journey focused on rest, reflection, and reconnection
Custom / Private Retreat (Flexible)
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For groups or individuals who want to design their own Ikarian journey.
More about
the founders
Drawn by the well-known magnetism of Ikaria, two souls met drawn together not by chance, but by the quiet pull of something deeper.
Zoe, born of Ikarian soil, with the rhythm of longevity in her bones and Ermina, a seeker of stillness and movement, arrived on the island with the wisdom of breath, healing, and intention to connect - and she succeded.
Ermina got moved by the island’s energy and the warmth of a local so from this meeting, she kept coming back.
Their energies recognized one another like old friends, merging in harmony beneath the Ikarian sun where later on they have created ZenZoe, a living offering, where tradition meets transformation, and where every guest is invited to return to what matters the most.
The Original – Retreat Ikaria was born.
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Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you and help you begin your journey to Ikaria. Whether you have questions or you're ready to join us, reach out and let’s connect the Ikarian way—slow, sincere, and from the heart.