It All Began 30 Years Ago
What started as a spontaneous idea became reality 30 years ago. Inspired by Werner Helwig’s biographical novels “Raubfischer in Hellas” and “Im Dickicht des Pilion” about the adventures of Alfons Hochhauser, known as “Xenophon”, we had discovered Pilio early on as a destination for our journeys. We were especially captivated by Pouri and Veneto, the starting points of many of our hikes. Pouri — a lively and bustling village, inhabited by wealthy apple farmers. Veneto — nearly abandoned, almost crumbling and forgotten, but still full of charm.
We dreamed of owning one of those houses — but it had to have a view of the sea! One particular house overgrown with thornbushes on the outskirts of the village, heading toward Koulouri, with an incredible sea view, caught our attention. Casual conversations with locals led to our first contacts with the owners, who lived in nearby Keramidi.
After nearly two years, the house was ours — and that’s when the work really began!
A Place for All Generations
Today, especially during the summer months, our house attracts a wide variety of groups. It serves as a stopover on their journeys through Greece, or they join in for building and restoration projects. It also offers space for older members who have moved beyond the classic youth group travels, and sometimes families spend their holidays here too.
We allow ourselves a few luxuries: a washing machine and running hot water. You can even watch TV now — if you really want to.
But anyone staying at the house during the summer holidays should be prepared for a horde of travel-hungry kids to suddenly burst out of the bushes. That’s why we’ve set up a small tent meadow, an outdoor shower, and an outdoor kitchen — so the house can be used both by travel groups and older visitors at the same time.
Because one thing the house should always remain: a home base for travel groups.
We can only ensure its continuity if we succeed in sparking interest in the house among those who no longer (want to) roam the land with a rucksack. We hope we will continue to succeed in this in the future.
