Tzhma House & Olive Grove in Heart of the Village

Keep it simple at this peaceful, centrally-located village home and mature olive grove. Newly refurbished the ground floor, with its own terrace and spacious fruit and olive grove, are a magical setting to escape to or explore from. The stone, two-storey, TZHMA House was built to enable the annual olive harvest. From this land scientists, educators, actors and builders were born, passed and continue to inspire. Guests are welcome to help themselves to fresh produce from the garden in-season. The space For those keen to explore, experience and reconnect our traditional stone house and olive grove is situated in the centre of Sykourio. It is a stone’s throw away from the main square, with it's bakery, mini market and cafes, while tucked away so you’ll enjoy privacy, peace and quiet. The mature olive grove offers quiet contemplation amongst the trees. Relax on the terrace under the grape vines or hang in the hammocks within nature. Newly refurbished, the house offers a simple cooking area, cool spaces, a shower/WC, or you can enjoy the outdoor shower under the vast Thessalian sky. Trust us, there is something magical about bathing outdoors. If you’re feeling adventurous we can connect you with many options to explore the region; eat, walk, kayak, wild swim, hike and more, Mount Olympus is just the beginning. Some examples can be found on the ‘other details to note’ section. Guest access Guests have sole access to the newly refurbished ground floor of the house (as pictured, including simple kitchen and shower / WC) plus access to full extent of the mature olive grove and soon a new kitchen garden (being planted in Autumn 2025). As the house is in a residential neighbourhood we ask that guests respect the local 'siesta' hours and avoid making noise between the hours of 2.30pm and 5pm and late at night. Other things to note IMPORTANT NOTE: Article 24 (Issue A' 198/05.12.2024) of the Greek State: As of January 1st 2025, all short-term properties are subject to the Climate Crisis Resilience Tax (aka Environmental Fee). The guest is obligated to pay upon arrival (card or cash) the following amounts: APR-MAY-JUN-JUL-AUG-SEP-OCT: €8 per night of stay NOV-DEC-JAN-FEB-MAR: €4 per night of stay. —— The Tzhma House and olive grove - Here you will find two air-conditioned bedrooms, one with a single and a double bed, the second with two bunk beds. Adjacent is a comfortable living room with a table for four, a traditional sofa bed, wood burning stove and a projector for those film nights (inside or out). Step up to the kitchen or to the nearby shower room (with washing machine) or hang out in the hall, there you will find a dedicated desk space, wi-fi, a wi-fi enabled printer and a selection of books and other reading material adjacent to our story-gathering gallery wall. The external space includes a patio area under the beautiful vines, a place embedded in hellenic heritage and generations of lively conversations around the family table, from current affairs to creative adventure, from making small to building big. Convivial family discussions, friends and guests sharing, caring, celebrating, exchanging ideas. Nourishment in every sense of the word. The garden is spacious, with grapevines, walnut, fig, fruit and many mature olive trees plus a kitchen garden (to be planted in Spring 2025) and an outdoor shower. Guests are welcome to help themselves to fresh produce in-season. The Area - There is much to explore, from foodie experiences to ancient ruins, mountains, beaches and more. Sykourio [συκούριο] Inhabited since the Neolithic Age; now one of the largest villages in Municipality of Tempi. A places of stone, half-timbered, 2-storey houses by stone masons from Epirus and the home of Stelios Papanikolaou, renowned sculptor and explorer of the rich local cultural heritage, geology and ancient written rocks. Mount Ossa [βουνό Όσσα] The continuity of Mount Olympus, Mount Ossa (alternatively Mount Kissavos) has an elevation of 1,978 metres and divided from Mount Olympus (elevation 2,918 metres) by the Vale of Tempi. Situated between the Valley of Larisa to the west, the Valley of Agia to the south, and the Aegean Sea to the east. The region holds many festivals for local produce, gastronomy and culture. Larisa [Λάρισα] One of the oldest settlements in Greece, Larisa is the capital and largest city of the Thessaly region and a hub for commerce, transport, education, industry, and agriculture (PDO: Feta, Tsipouro) in Greece. Visit the 10,000 capacity First Ancient Theatre of Larisa, built during the reign of Philip V of Macedon, towards the end of the 3rd century BC, and the newly renovated Mill of Pappas (1893-1983), now a cultural heritage museum and the embodiment of the recent living history of the city. More specifics - Close-by nature & hills (Mount Ossa) • Foothill viewpoints (10–15 min from Sykourio): Drive towards Spilia; pull in at a safe lay-by on the ridge (e.g. small chapels and turn offs). Here there are short, relatively easy paths lead to big views across the Tempi / Pineiós valley and the Thessalian plain. Spring brings wildflowers; in high summer start early (there may be little shade). • Kanálos Refuge (Kissavos) for half-day, full-day or longer hikes: Continue past Spilia, follow signs to the Ossa (Kissavos) Mountain Refuge at Kanálos (1,604 m)—good trailhead, parking, and info. From here you can hike Profitis Ilias or the Ossa summit (1,978 m). • Ossa at a glance (aka Kissavos): 1,978 m; separates the Thessalian plain from the Aegean and sits opposite Olympus with the stunning Tempe gorge (and beautiful river) between them. • Old marble workings (local history stop): Around Kalochori (Sykourio area), Kastri (Agia) and Tempi there are documented ancient marble quarries—some white marble, and nearby the historic “Green Thessalian stone” (ophicalcite) used in Byzantine times as well as in Rome and Vatican City. Surfaces ca be unstable, please don’t climb quarry faces; surfaces can be unstable. Water & coast • Stomio (≈ 35-40 min): Broad sandy beach, multiple tavernas, cafés, camping; easy swim + lunch day. • Kokkino Nero: Mineral springs rich in iron oxides tint rocks red (the name means “Red Water”), there is a natural waterfall /spring area as well as an organised collection of human-made small pools. The shore is pebbly with small beach. • Platia Ammos: Adjacent to Kokkino Nero; shade from large trees and the easy access beach has a pebble/sand mix. • Psarolakas: Quieter cove between Kokkino Nero and Stomio; pebbles, clear water; low-key beach bar in season. • Paliouria: Quieter beach, cliffs & views: Rugged coastline and dramatic cliff-line. great at sunset. If driving from the south you will stop, park and walk down the concrete steps near the sign just before you leave the town. This is a truly lovely spot where you don’t need to go too far out to find deeper water and even on public holidays there is space and privacy. Rivers & falls (inland) • Kalipso (Kalypso) Waterfall: A shady, refreshing forest stop, best after rain; pair it with the Hidden Lake for an inland “nature day.” • “Blue Lagoon” (local tip): Angelo & Jill’s nickname for a secluded river pool, it’s a scramble rather than a walk on foot in the river bed starting from the Barra and heading uphill (the Barra is our local reservoir and also a very nice stroll, it is accessible on foot or by car just 10 or 2 minutes from the house). The ‘Blue Lagoon’ is suitable only for confident walkers. As with everywhere bring water, hats, sunscreen, and leave no trace. Note so far there is no reliable public listing online, feel free to ask Angelo for the details. • Η Κρυφή Λίμνη (Hidden Lake): Quiet, photogenic pond in the hills not far from Sykourio. • Αρχαία Λίμνη Νεσσωνίδα (Ancient Lake Nessonida): Historic lake basin of the plain, partly re-wetting after major weather events i.e floods of 2024; an interesting landscape history of Thessaly’s former lakes. Culture (Larisa & nearby) • Larisa for many wonderful cafés, riverfront, and year-round events; visit the A’ Ancient Theatre (Hellenistic) in the city center and the B’ Ancient Theatre (Roman). • Mill of Pappas (Larisa): Beautifully adapted 19th-century mill now a lively cultural complex with exhibitions, performance, workshops. • Sykourio Folklore / Mill Museum (limited hours): Housed in the restored old water mill this is a small but characterful local collection of artefacts. Most often a quiet secluded place, the mill hosts international folk dancing festivals and transforms into a magical festival vibe. If it’s closed and you’re keen to visit, tell us, we can request the key and take it from there. • Sculptors’ Garden, Sykourio (local): Small outdoor sculpture garden in the village; hours are irregular. No official site, ask us and we’ll help arrange access if possible. • Meteora day-trip: UNESCO-listed monasteries on towering sandstone pillars, a full day by car; many steps, unforgettable views. Food & everyday spots • Evangelismos (taverna): Authentic, simple, tasty food; warm welcome, a relaxing dinner after a day out. • Spilia (multiple tavernas): Traditional dishes with valley views, ideal after walking. • Vaso’s home-style-cooking takeaway (near Franklin Coffee): A handy Hellenic “home meal” with zero effort. Limited quantities, pop-in before heading out for the day, after lunch the trays may be bare. • Dimitri’s Bakery (first square, Sykourio): Bread, pies, and sweets for breakfast/snacks. Nature note (wildlife) • Eleftherio storks: Each spring the white storks arrive to nest on telegraph poles across the plains, raising chicks and practicing their first flights before migrating in autumn; how many nests can you spot?! People & Place Sykourio (our project) - We’re building a spring school entitled, People & Place Sykourio; we have started mapping stories, place and culture, and are gradually developing fieldwork and residency opportunities for those interested, from architects and visual artists to makers, educators and world schoolers - and everyone in between. Great for curious, active visitors (including students) or even those who might like to take part by volunteering in the early stages as we develop the house, garden and other regenerative projects. Check our insta and website for more details at www dot peopleandplacesykourio dot com or reach out directly if you would like to connect. Registration Details 00003207809