Onar Andros
Located in one of the few remaining unspoiled places of Greece, Onar Andros offers ten holiday cottages only steps away from the sandy beaches of the small island of Andros.
How would you describe Greek Island Retreat in a nutshell?
The only way I could describe it would be to compare it to a dream, because unless you’ve experienced it, you cannot even imagine that it’s possible to have a beach house in such a location all to yourself. It’s very comfortable and homey, and gives you the feeling of incredible space, the beauty of nature, and the sea.
Our private island is only 2 hours from Athens airport and easily accessible by speedboat, ferry or helicopter.
How did you get started renting out the beach house?
This island in the Cyclades just an hour from Athens has belonged to our family since the early 20th century. My husband and I both previously lived in various cities in the US and Europe but moved back to Greece in 2008 and now live on the island to take care of the property.
Starting out renting the beach house to holiday guests, friends and eventually friends of friends , we decided to more openly share this paradise with like minded travelers, who wanted to experience this unique location. It’s been an amazing experience.
We absolutely love it here on the island and live a very different life from that in a big city. Nature is so inspiring every day. I’m currently planting my vegetable garden. Each seed that sprouts up feels like a miracle. It’s very fulfilling.
Please tell us a bit more about your ecological efforts.
Because we are on a small island here, we understand the need to grow produce organically and to ecologically manage our resources. Otherwise we would destroy the environment very quickly. For example, every time we use the washing machine we are very aware of how much electricity is being used since we use a photovoltaic system. Something we never concerned ourselves with in the city.
In the same way, it’s true with water. We try to collect as much rainwater as possible, so every drop is precious to us. We also keep an eye on our pipes to ensure there are no leaks.
Modern technology is also a great assistance, we have established a system that supplies us and our holiday guests with plenty of energy and water to meet all our needs. A desalinator plant, produces as much water as needed, as well as high speed internet that keeps us connected with the world.
What kind of produce do you grow on the island?
I have to admit I’m a novice, but I’ve been fairly successful with tomatoes, peppers, eggplants and an abundance of wild herbs like thyme and fresh oregano and large clusters of fresh basil. The summer sun makes them incredibly sweet and aromatic. We have our own olive oil and also together with a friend we produce great organic honey. We have a Mediterranean climate, so we grow with the seasons. Everything we grow is available to the guests, including fresh eggs.
