Rose Alchemy
Our fields of Damask Roses on Crete
Almost a decade ago Yiannis Psillos – a teacher of homoeopathy, therapist and farmer – decided to realise his long-time dream and started planting roses on the fields that he had taken over from his parents. The main fields are on a lovely hillside, nearby the picturesque traditional Cretan village of Kritsa. The land is surrounded by olive orchards that produce one of the highest quality and finest extra virgin olive oil the area is known for. Yiannis himself planted over a thousand Damask roses, one by one, and this journey also proved to be his own therapy to mend his heart. The gift of his commitment, dedication, and passion for the ever-changing phases of working with the land all year around is transmitted by the beauty and the most exquisite fragrance of the roses that come into blossom year and year again. With a shared passion for Nature, Plants and teaching their therapeutic gifts, Ildiko and her partner Yiannis have joined in their vision transforming the land into a working apothecary garden with currently over 50 species of aromatic and medicinal plants.
A FRAGRANT ROSE JOURNEY ON CRETE?
Each year we harvest and distill our roses two times a years. Our beautiful classic Damask Roses blossom around May-June, while our local old Roses bring their fragrant flowers both summer and winter. We welcome you to experience this magic with us!
How to participate in our Rose Alchemy?
Each year we harvest and distill our roses in two seasons. Our beautiful classic Damask Roses blossom around May-June, while our local old Roses bring their fragrant flowers both summer and winter. While our Rose harvest time is not set in stone due to increasing unpredictability of weather changes year after year, our abundant aromatic fields continue to offer endless experiences for being present, practicing meditation, connecting with the plants, learning through plant observations, creating art, and of course, making herbal medicine. We welcome you to experience this magic with us!
Are you a student or practitioner of aromatherapy, botanical perfumery or herbalism?
Come and smell our roses, and do your field studies in our dream-come-true aromatic fields! Ildiko offers workshops, day-classes, and her truly transformative aromatic retreats on Crete.
DO YOU JUST NEED A BREAK?
What if life is not so rosy...?
You may simply need a break.
If you want to achieve substantial change in your life, it is very helpful – if not inevitable – to get out of your usual environment and to contemplate on your life from the far. Sometimes, the longer the time period the better the clarity you achieve. You need time and space to breathe, to heal, to recharge, to empower yourself, to figure out the next steps, and to make that happen. Ildiko, who had been there and done that… is passionate about transformation and offers to facilitate that for you!
You are given the possibility of enjoying the truly unique nature of Crete for an extended period of three weeks to three months, experience village life or stay in a small picturesque town, and work with Ildiko participating in her long-stay mentoring program.The choice is YOURS. Are you ready to take a break from your life? It might be just the right time and opportunity to CHANGE YOUR LIFE!