Organic Olive Farm and Retreat Space
Thessaly
Hi Wwoofers! We are a Greek-German couple with two children living in the stunningly beautiful Pelion peninsula that we chose as our home eight years ago. We are running a 2 ha olive farm with sea view and a small farm house that is completely off-grid, with photovoltaics and water processing installations. Marina is a yoga teacher and holistic nutritionist, and I am a former climate scientist turned farmer, project developer and activist writer. Apart from the day-to-day farming activities (pruning, shredding & mulching, cutting the grass, harvesting and firewood collection) we are currently developing the farm into a retreat and events space complete with camp site, activities deck, access to the local stream, small pond and a vegetable and herb garden. We also have an additional 3/4 ha plot 500 m from the beach where we have planted various fruit trees. This will be the space where we will grow the vegetables to supply the retreats.
At present, we are mainly looking for volunteers with specific DIY and building skills, in order to further build up the retreat space: sanitary installation, a deck, tent spaces, walking paths, improving the electricity and water systems. Also, we are looking for volunteers to help with various olive framing activities - such as harvest, shredding the cuttings from pruning, applying manure.
You will stay in the small and newly renovated stone farm house with a living/sleeping area upstairs and a kitchen and bathroom downstairs. In front of the house there is a large veranda where you can enjoy the view onto the sea and the mountains beyond. Walking distance to the sea or to the nearest bus stop is half an hour. You can also start hiking trips directly from the farm to all over Mt Pelion.
On work days, there will be a freshly cooked vegetarian or vegan meal provided for you at the end of your work shift. In addition we will provide ingredients for you to prepare your own breakfast and dinner in the kitchen of the farm house.
We are both nature lovers and try to spend as much time as possible out in the wild. If you are, too, you will enjoy an intense outdoor feeling on the farm, from where you can gaze for hours at the sea, distant mountains (on clear days you can sea Mt Parnassos, which is half way to Athens), or the nearby and densely forested mountains of Pelion. You can also sit meditating on various spots above the stream, where you can the water flow, either below the tree canopy or on an open space again with sea views.
Further afield, you can hike all the way up to the top (1500m) and, if you have the stamina, down to the Aegean sea on the other side. But of course there are also beaches within walking distance, and many more spread around the Pelion peninsula. You can visit the many picturesque Pelion village with traditional architecture and the famous giant plain trees, forage for wild asparagus, various herbs or mushrooms, or rent a sea kayak or SUP. Or just explore the rocky outlets either on land or swimming or snorkeling.
Read more
Learning opportunities
Fruit or nut farming
Wild foraging
Aromatic or medicinal plants, teas
Seed saving or production
Bakery
Natural cosmetics fabrication
Renewable energy production
Methods or systems
Biological pest control
Regenerative agriculture
Host type
Production farm
Certified organic
2
Hectares
|
4.9
Acres
Wolfgang
Member since 2024
Languages spoken:
English, German, Greek
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
Response rate: 95%
Response time: typically within 4 days
Thessaly
Ano Lechonia (Volos City Bus No 5)
Reviews
Thomas
United Kingdom
•
December 2025
My partner and I had an excellent experience at Marina and Wolfgang’s farm. The farmhouse and surrounding grove were exquisitely beautiful, with a gorgeous view to wake up to. Marina is a great cook and we were fed delicious meals on work days besides having plentiful food for our own cooking.
Harvesting olives is tough work, especially on the steep hills, but we both found this work engaging and rewarding - plus, Marina is a yoga teacher and her free classes help to ease your back pain!
The farmhouse is very remote - you’re looking at a 45 minute walk to the nearest settlement - and we were sometimes frustrated by bars/cafes/restaurants being closed on some weekdays, but this is a face of rural Greece out of season. We say, embrace the remoteness and isolation.
In sum, our most memorable WWOOF experience to date and with two generous hosts. We cannot wait to visit again!
Read more
Reply from Wolfgang
Thank you so much, we much appreciated your help! And yes, the experience is one of being out in nature, remote from civilization!
Actually, the walk is about 45 minutes along the main road or close to it to Ano Lechonia, where you can take the city bus to Volos. There is also a shortcut which takes 30 minutes or less, but it's admittedly difficult to find. And to Agios Vlasios, which has two Cafés, three tavernas, a pharmacy, a medical practice and a small, but chaotic, shop, it is about 1km walk.
Read more
Romi
Israel
•
March 2025
I stayed at the tree of longevity farm for 10 days and I was magical ! Wolfgang and marina are such a nice couple, and they were looking after me and made sure that I have absolutely everything I needed.
the scenery of the sea and the olive trees is unreal, and the little house that I stayed at was more than I could ever asked for. it was like a peace of heaven to me, to have my own space like that. the work (most time with Wolfgang) was really nice and I felt really respected and that I can communicate anything I need. once a day I had lunch with the family, so I also got to know their wonderful children, and to eat the great food marina cooks.
thank you guys, it was such a pleasure to meet you all!
Read more
Basile
France
•
February 2025
My stay with Marina and Wolfgang was very pleasant. I stayed for 1 month in a small residence that was simply magnificent with an unimaginable view. My job consisted of maintaining the avocado trees, the mango trees or taking care of maintaining their land, always in a good mood with Wolfgang :). It is a very nice family with whom I was able to spend very good times and learn new things about Greece. Very curious and interesting, I felt very quickly integrated into them. During my free time I was able to play football with their son who is also very gifted.
If you have the opportunity to come to Greece, take a detour not to their place, it can only be a good time :))
Read more
Basile
France
•
December 2024
Wolfgang and Marina are two very kind and open minded persons.
Even if the work was strenuous, they took care of us during all the week we spent in this beautiful little house in the middle of olive trees.
Marina meals are very tasty and she gave us a yoga class on a morning.
We had a wonderful experience in Agios Vlasios, we recommend it !
Read more
Insa Maria
Germany
•
November 2024
We spent a bit more than 2 weeks in Marina and Wolfgang's stone house right within the olive grove. The house and the view over the olive trees and the ocean is truly beautiful and there is nothing that disturbes the peace and quiet. The workload varied between the days, due to the weather and the tasks. The 1st week we only worked with Wolfgang which was a tiny bit chaotic sometimes, however we felt we had a really good vibe which - of course - is much more important. In the 2nd week Marina joined for the olive harvest and some work in their garden. Both, Marina and Wolfgang are really interested and open-minded people. Even though they were very busy, we felt really good cared for. Thanks for cooking such good food for us, Marina and also for the warm and welcoming time. :)
Read more
Isidore
Canada
•
November 2024
I only got to stay for a week but my stay was absolutely wonderful. The cabin is secluded, peaceful, and surrounded by a breathtaking landscape. Wolfgang and Marina are extremely kind and caring, towards me and the planet / nature. There are beautiful hiking trails that are well marked and a very nice cafe a 25 min walk approx from the cabin. I was able to find blackberries, chestnuts, and pomegranates around the trails, I visited in end of sept.
Many thanks to Wolfgang and Marina for the wonderful memories and for showing me around your beautiful part of the world :)
Read more
Reply from Wolfgang
Dear Isidore. It was such a joy to host you. We loved your calm and positive spirit, we could sense your deep love of nature, your curiosity, your openness. Our greatest gift is to have enriched a little bit your journey in this part of the world, and on the planet as a whole. Be well!
