EPTALOFOS, PARNASSOS –  Elatos Resort & Health Club, Greece’s premier alpine resort, opened its doors to the public in 1996. Situated in the heart of the fir-tree forest of Mount Parnassos, Elatos is just two hours away from Athens, at a height of 1,300 meters (about 4265 feet) above sea level.

Built entirely from natural materials, including wood and stone, the resort comprises a Club House and 39 separate chalets that provide visitors with exceptional comfort and warmth.

The Club House includes the reception desk, a restaurant with emphasis on fresh local produce and the regional cuisine, a heated indoor pool, a lounge bar with fireplace and comfortable sofas, as well as a gym, spa area, playroom, TV lounge, and foosball and billiard room facilities.

Elatos is perfect for nature lovers, with countless trails and paths for hiking alongside the Resort. Revitalizing walks on the marked paths around the Resort are an ideal starting point for hiking on the E4 international trail. Tree and rock climbing, mountain biking, flying fox, skiing, mushroom hunting, bushcraft are only a few of the options in activities at Elatos.

Families, groups, private parties, and corporate events are welcome at Elatos as are couples looking to enjoy a romantic getaway. Themed weekend events are scheduled throughout the year at Elatos including wellness retreats, mushroom and truffle hunting, dog weekend, Oktoberfest, wine and olive tastings, and karaoke, among others.

For ski lovers the Parnassos Ski Centre is just 25 km (about 15.5 miles) away. Elatos Resort is the ideal base from which to explore the oracle of Delphi, Galaxidi, and Itea.

Elatos Representative Irina Kertsikoff spoke to The National Herald about the Resort and about its summer camp.

TNH: What makes Elatos Resort the best choice for summer camp?

Irina Kertsikoff: Elatos Summer Mountain Adventures (ESMA) is hosted at Elatos Resort & Health Club, a unique year-round five-star resort located on Mt Parnassus, northwest of Athens. During ESMA, the hotel is closed to guests and only children are allowed into its 10,000 square meter premises, enjoying simple yet luxurious accommodation and services. Each chalet houses 6-9 participants of the same gender and similar age group supervised by a counselor.

Premises are very well maintained and staff members are well-trained and experienced in their field of expertise. Safety is of prime importance and a doctor is on-site 24/7 to take care of incidents requiring immediate medical support.

Elatos Resort & Health Club is a two-hour drive from Athens airport, near the archaeological site of Delphi and other important Greek heritage sites, making it an ideal starting point for cultural excursions.

ESMA is the only bilingual camp in Greece; Greek is the first language spoken but all staff may communicate in English, if required.

The program focuses on arts & crafts, music, theatrical expression, dance (hip-hop & Greek folk dancing), community work and of course mountain activities such as rock-climbing, tree-climbing, archery, hiking. The hotel’s pool is used for swimming and water-polo lessons. In addition, star gazing with a professional astronomer and volunteer work in the nearby villages are participants’ favorite activities, not to mention, the camp out night at an altitude of 1500 square meters, and the survival lessons being taught by our experienced mountaineers.

Last but not least, ESMA is a screen-free summer camp. Mobile phones, iPads, laptops etc. are not allowed during the camp term. Electronic devises are delivered to the counselor upon registration and are returned only at departure; a full two-week technology-detox for all campers!

ESMA offers a safe environment and a unique program for Greek-American children to experience Greece, while creating long-lasting friendships, exercising, learning new skills, playing, having fun and testing their confidence and independence at a home away from home…

TNH: What can participants look forward to when they attend summer camp at Elatos?

IK: Making new friends, learning new activities, experiencing Greek culture and history, socializing with kids of different backgrounds, visiting Greek heritage sites, practicing Greek, practicing music and art with inspirational teachers are only part of the everyday life in the mythical forest of Mount Parnassus.

In one sentence: After their first ESMA, participants look forward to their next ESMA, one year later!

TNH: How far in advance should those interested book their stay for the summer camp at Elatos?

IK: Registration starts January 30, 2020.

TNH: What special features are offered at the resort?

IK: Besides the truly fun mountain activities, the amazing hikes, the water polo lessons, stargazing, volunteer work, and the exciting camp out night, kids will also enjoy unique excursions like visiting the “center of Gaea (the world)” archeological site of Delphi and/or the UNESCO heritage site of Osios Loukas, or hiking on the ancient path from the Korikion Antron Cave to the Oracle of Delphi.

TNH: Are there any discounts available for booking early, for example?

IK: There is an early bird special (15% discount) from January 30-March 15, 2020. The early bird deposit is non-refundable.

Also starting March 30th there is a 10% discount for the 2nd and 3rd child (on official rates only).

More information is available online: elatosresort.gr.