We did it! A place of our own on Ikaria for everyone who truly wants to experience life in a Blue Zone.
Ikaria has always been a special place for us. I (Mr. Blue Zone) arrived the first time twenty years old, searching for myself and my future with nothing more than a few uncovered Eurochecks. After six weeks in a bamboo hut on the beach of Evdilos—an unforgettable coming-of-age experience—I returned to the Netherlands a different person.
Mrs. Blue Zone was on Ikaria with her mother and brother around the same time. After a three-day trip on the “Magic Bus” and an overnight boat trip on the “Icarus,” they disembarked too early, on their way to Patmos, further afield. At first, Ikaria seemed boring. Nothing really happened. But when the next boat arrived four days later, they didn’t want to go anymore. Mrs. Blue Zone, too, had fallen in love with this magical place where time seems to stand still.
When we met each other again ten years ago (we knew each other from high school), our shared fascination with Ikaria was a recurring topic of conversation. It was natural to return together, in recent years with our vintage 1980s campervan. Our shared love for Ikaria also led us to delve deeper into the Blue Zones, and thus to the birth our company, Mr. & Mrs. Blue Zone.
A year ago, while painting our campervan in Ikaria, we happened to meet two hotel owners who were interested in taking a look and invited us to see their hotel. We quickly discovered that there was a lot of overdue maintenance, and without any form of digital marketing, things weren’t going to well. Our offer to renovate the hotel and rent it for the coming years was therefore welcomed with open arms.
The five hotel rooms are now a spacious and simple apartment, right in the lively center of Evdilos, the heart of Ikaria. It has two bedrooms, a study, a dining room, and a living room, lovingly furnished, making maximum use of the old furniture that was already there. The beach, numerous restaurants, bars, and a small supermarket are within walking distance. It’s also convenient that you can walk there by boat upon arrival.
It’s a new chapter in our adventure as Mr. & Mrs. Blue Zone, and we’re proud of what we’ve created with so much love. If you’re interested in staying there or organizing something related to (mental) health and/or personal growth, please feel free to contact us. Don’t expect jungle showers, king-size beds, or air conditioning. Instead, you’ll find a loving place in the heart of Blue Zone Ikaria to heal, connect, and above all, enjoy, alone or together!
