From the Bee’s Life

“To Meli tis Arkoudas” (“The Bear’s Honey”) is a small family-owned apiary facility that has been active since 1950.

It is located at Paranesti village (Prinolofos area, near the town of Drama) in the Rodopi Mountains. The virgin forest of Fraktos, unique in Greece and perhaps the most balanced natural ecosystem in Europe, is located here. In this beautiful natural environment we encounter the richest flora of Greece, from alpine meadows and spruce forests on the slopes of the Rodopi Mountains to the coasts of Eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and Thassos, where more than 4,500 plant species thrive. Most of them are melliferous and polleniferous. Our facility is situated 80km from the island of Thassos and 60km from the forest of Fraktos. The collection of honey starts from the Rhodopi mountains and reaches the pine forests of Thassos.

ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION 

Embark on a transformative two-day seminar that combines in-depth theoretical exploration with immersive hands-on experiences, all centered around the captivating world of bees and the natural apiary environment.

Day 1

Starting Time: 9 a.m.

Morning Activities. Duration: 4h.

1. Meeting, team acquaintances games.
2. Theoretical approach to the magic world of bees.
3. Bee the melliferous, a highly organized society
4. To bee or not to bee … in the natural environment
5. Coffee break.
6. Walk in nature, outdoor “course” about the bee-hive’s raw  
7. products and their role in our health.
8. Lunch break

Afternoon Activities. Duration: 3 h.

1. The beeswax ointments’ secrets and their preparation. 
2. An experiential workshop where participants make their own beeswax ointments. 
3. Make our own honey-sesame seed bars and also with nuts.
4. Evening meal – Relaxation.

Day 2

Starting Time: 9 a.m.

Morning Activities. Duration: 5 h.

1. Departure for the apiary.
2. Guided tour to the bee society in special observation bee-hives. We have protective masks and uniforms for the participants.
3. Transition to the bee’s natural environment, identification of apiary plants, and herbs. Usually done on the nearby riverside environmental path next to the banks of Nestos River or on environmental paths of the Rodopi mountain range.
4. Photography with the bee as a subject, the flowers – and not only.
5. Traditional food at a tavern of our choice. 

Afternoon Activities. Duration: 3 h.

1. Honey … whatever shines is not gold…
2. What is “honey” from where does it come from? … Honey varieties … tasting sessions
3. Health, well-being, apiary therapy.
4. With wine and honey…
5. Return for an evening meal, farewell and rest.

*The above mentioned program can be tailored to the needs of the group upon request.