Special feature · The House of 4 Seasons
Three days of circular economy in a stone mansion
Three bedrooms, a fireplace, a stone cellar and a hands-on soap-making workshop in Sklithro, Florina. Non-commercial, experiential hospitality: every participation supports the public-benefit work of Clean Hands® (Kathara Cheria), a non-profit organisation.
- 3 days / 2 nights
- Up to 6 adults + children
- One group at a time
- Participation contribution from €500 per group
Hands-on educational programme
Live the circular economy – not just another weekend away
The Clean Hands® mansion is neither a hotel nor tourist accommodation. It is a non-commercial hospitality facility of our non-profit organisation – a living space for learning and giving, where groups and families take part in our educational and cultural programmes. Eco-Residency is a three-day, hands-on environmental education programme with circular economy workshops every day; accommodation in the Centre’s guesthouse is part of the programme, for as long as it runs.
Workshop visit: on Saturday morning you’ll see at first hand how soap is given a new life, how plastic bottle caps are upcycled and how green energy is made from biomass. Children must be supervised at all times, as this is a working workshop.
The Herb Hunter
Spring · herbal soap
This seasonThe Cool Escape
Summer · natural shower gel
This seasonThe Forest Palette
Autumn · coffee pellets
This seasonThe Cozy Nest
Winter · traditional green soap
This seasonThe programme
Three days, four hands-on workshops
The participation contribution is for this educational programme; accommodation in the Centre’s guesthouse is part of it. The workshops are run by our volunteers and change with the seasons.
- FridayOn arrival · Welcome and tour of the circular economy workshop (45')How “rubbish” becomes soap, pellets or a wheelchair.
- Saturday10:30 · Seasonal workshop (2 hours)Spring: herbal soap · Summer: natural shower gel · Autumn: coffee pellets · Winter: traditional green soap. Whatever you make, you take home.17:00 · “Junior Recycler” for the children and sorting for “Caps with Heart” (1 hour)
- Sunday10:00 · Herbs of Mount Vitsi and composting in the garden (1 hour)We finish with a certificate of participation for every child.
Programme extension: each extra day comes with one more workshop or guided tour, by arrangement. The rest of your time is free – see our suggestions for Florina below.
Gallery
Stone, wood, open fires and lakes
The mansion in Sklithro and the sights around it: Prespa, Nymfaio, Florina, Zazari, Pisoderi.
Photo credits
Our wild neighbours
Bears, wolves and lynx still live here
The mountains around Sklithro are among the last refuges for large wildlife in Greece. A few kilometres from the mansion, Arcturos cares for animals that can no longer live in the wild – and teaches us how to live alongside them.
Ursus arctos
The brown bear
The largest inhabitant of our mountains. At the Arcturos Bear Sanctuary in Nymfaio, bears live on 50 hectares at an altitude of 1,350 metres.
Canis lupus
The wolf
Wolves live in packs and travel for kilometres every day. The Arcturos wolf centre at Agrapidies covers 70 hectares, at 650 metres.
Lynx lynx
The lynx
The forest’s most elusive hunter, with its distinctive ear tufts. You can meet it at the Arcturos wolf and lynx centre.
- Keep your distanceWatch from afar – never approach or feed the animals.
- Bear countryNever leave food or rubbish outside the house.
- On the trailsStay on marked routes, especially at dawn and dusk.
Photos: Aconcagua, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Malene Thyssen, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wilfredor, CC0 · via Wikimedia Commons. Representative photos of the species.
The house
A stone retreat on three levels
The Centre’s guesthouse hosts one group of participants at a time, for the duration of the programme. Ideal for three families.
Lavender Room
Upstairs master bedroom with a double bed and a private upstairs sitting room with a sofa bed.
Mint Room
Upstairs master bedroom with a double bed and a private downstairs sitting room with a sofa bed.
Lemon Room
Upstairs master bedroom with 2 single beds and a private downstairs sitting room with a sofa bed.
- Hands-on workshop
- Stone cellar
- Fully equipped kitchen
- Central heating & wood-burning stoves
- Up to 13 people + 1 infant
- 2 bathrooms
- No smoking
- Washing machine
- Junior Recycler for children up to 12
Booking
Choose your weekend
Tap a Friday to arrive. Departure is on Sunday at 12:00. For weekdays, choose any day and we’ll get in touch with you.
For your free time
Four days in Florina
Some ideas for your free time. Activities, shops and transport are provided by third parties, are not organised by Clean Hands and are at your own risk.
Arrival & local food
- Arrival at the Centre’s guesthouse
- A meal at Taverna Thomas with local Amyntaio produce
- A stroll through the lanes of Sklithro
Wildlife & Nymfaio
- Arcturos brown bear sanctuary (15')
- Hot chocolate in Nymfaio’s square
- An evening by the fire
The magic of the lakes
- Lake Zazari: horse riding or cycling
- Lunch in Limnochori: pies and Florina peppers
- The mineral spring at Xino Nero
Amyntaio & the lakes
- Photos in the village of Petres
- Discovering Amyntaio’s vineyards and grape harvest
- A stroll in Agios Panteleimonas, on Lake Vegoritida
Good to know
- Basic programme: 3 days / 2 nights, arrival Friday 15:00–20:00, departure Sunday 12:00.
- Beds: 3 bedrooms (6 places), 5 sofa beds, a child’s bed, a camp bed and a cot. Up to 13 people (maximum 6 adults) + 1 infant up to 2 years old.
- No smoking anywhere indoors.
- Pets: not allowed, except for guide dogs accompanying people with a visual impairment.
- Participation contribution: a single rate per group of participants, also for couples.
- Festive experience (Christmas, Easter, public holidays): a welcome basket with local produce and sweets, a festive workshop and a decorated mansion (+€50).
- Deadline: bookings up to 12 hours before arrival.
Cancellation policy
- Up to 14 days before: 100% of the deposit refunded.
- 13 to 7 days before: 50% of the deposit refunded.
- Less than 7 days before, or no-show: the deposit is non-refundable. The amount goes exclusively to the organisation’s public-benefit purposes.
- If we cancel (force majeure, weather, inability to run the programme): a full refund or a new date, as you prefer.
Questions
Frequently asked questions
Can just the two of us come?
Yes. The contribution is a single rate per group of participants and applies to couples too.
Are you a hotel or a short-term rental?
No. The mansion is a non-commercial hospitality facility of our non-profit civil company (AMKE) under Greek Law 4873/2021. Accommodation is provided only as part of our educational, cultural and volunteer programmes, and the participation contribution is used exclusively for the organisation’s public-benefit purposes. See the Terms of participation.
Can we book on weekdays?
By arrangement. Choose the day you want in the calendar and send a request; we’ll get back to you about availability.
When is the booking final?
The request is not binding. The Secretariat confirms in writing within 24 hours, and your participation is finalised with a 50% deposit. The balance is paid on arrival.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes, with a special “Junior Recycler” programme for children up to 12. During the workshop visit, children must be supervised because of the machinery.
Legal framework
Terms of participation & accommodation
By sending a request you accept the terms below. Last updated: September 2026.
1. Who we are
Accommodation is provided by the non-profit civil company (AMKE) «ΚΑΘΑΡΑ ΧΕΡΙΑ, ΣΥΛΛΟΓΗ - ΜΕΤΑΦΟΡΑ - ΑΠΟΘΗΚΕΥΣΗ - ΕΠΕΞΕΡΓΑΣΙΑ - ΑΝΑΚΤΗΣΗ - ΔΙΑΘΕΣΗ ΜΗ ΕΠΙΚΙΝΔΥΝΩΝ ΑΝΑΚΥΚΛΩΣΙΜΩΝ ΑΠΟΡΡΙΜΜΑΤΩΝ - ΑΣΤΙΚΗ ΕΤΑΙΡΕΙΑ ΜΗ ΚΕΡΔΟΣΚΟΠΙΚΟΥ ΧΑΡΑΚΤΗΡΑ» (trading name «ΚΑΘΑΡΑ ΧΕΡΙΑ» (Clean Hands) / «GREEN SOAP»), General Commercial Registry (G.E.MI.) no. 190883855000, Tax ID (AFM) 997457938, Florina Tax Office, registered office in Sklithro, Florina (Sklithro 9, postcode 53075). Contact: info@greensoap.gr · +30 23850 23377.
2. Nature of the accommodation
The mansion is a non-commercial hospitality facility of the AMKE, in accordance with its statutes (articles 3, 5 and 6) and Law 4873/2021. It is not a hotel, tourist accommodation or a short-term rental. Accommodation is provided solely as part of an educational, cultural and environmental programme (hands-on circular economy workshop, guided tour of the organisation’s activities) and does not constitute a lease of property. Participants acquire no right of use or tenancy beyond the programme.
3. Participation contribution & non-profit status
The amount you pay is a participation support contribution to the programme (article 8 of the statutes). It covers the operating costs of the facility and the workshop and is used exclusively to fulfil the AMKE’s public-benefit purposes. The AMKE operates under a strict ban on distributing profits. An official receipt is issued for every payment. The contribution relates to the educational programme; it does not relate to spaces or equipment funded by the LEADER/CAP programme, which are made available free of charge in accordance with article 8 of the statutes. The amount shown on this page is indicative; the amount in the written confirmation is binding.
4. Request, confirmation & cancellation
- A request made through this page is not binding on either party. Participation is valid only after written confirmation from the Secretariat (within 24 hours) and payment of a 50% deposit of the contribution. The remaining 50% is paid on arrival.
- Requests are accepted up to 12 hours before arrival.
- Availability shown in the calendar is indicative and is updated manually.
- Cancellation by you: up to 14 days before, 100% of the deposit is refunded; 13 to 7 days before, 50% of the deposit is refunded; less than 7 days before or no-show, the deposit is non-refundable and goes exclusively to the AMKE’s public-benefit purposes.
- As this is a leisure and educational service on a specific date, the 14-day right of withdrawal for distance contracts does not apply; the cancellation policy above applies instead.
- Cancellation by us, or no access to Sklithro (force majeure, extreme weather, road closures, breakdown or inability to run the programme): a move to a new date at no extra cost or a full refund, as you prefer. The AMKE is not liable for other expenses (travel, time off work, etc.).
- Leaving early does not entitle you to a refund.
5. House rules
- Arrival 15:00–20:00 (later only by prior arrangement), departure by 12:00. On arrival, the group leader shows an ID card or passport.
- Maximum occupancy: up to 13 people in total, of whom up to 6 adults, plus 1 infant up to 2 years old in the cot, as stated in the request. Available sleeping places: 3 bedrooms (6 places), 5 sofa beds, a child’s bed, a camp bed and a cot. Overnight stays by people not stated in the request, or passing your place on to others, are not permitted.
- Smoking is prohibited (including e-cigarettes) in all indoor areas of the mansion, the cellar and the workshop.
- Events and parties are not allowed. Quiet hours 23:00–08:00; music outdoors until 22:00. Please respect our neighbours in the village.
- The mansion operates as a self-contained house; daily cleaning is not provided.
- The fireplace and the pellet stove may be used by adults only, strictly following the fire-safety instructions given on arrival. Do not throw plastics or other materials into the fire.
- Pets are not allowed, because of the soap and cosmetics production workshop and other visitors’ allergies. Exception: a guide dog for a person with a visual impairment, accompanying its owner as provided by law. It may not go on beds or sofas or enter the workshop’s production area. When its owner does not need it, it stays tethered in a designated area of the courtyard. Please let us know in your request.
- Guests respect the premises, the equipment and the organisation’s recycling practices. Damage beyond normal wear and tear is charged to the group leader.
- The AMKE’s Internal Operating Regulations apply (article 17 of the statutes); you can request a copy from the Secretariat.
6. Safety, children & liability
- Parents or accompanying adults are solely responsible for supervising minors throughout the stay. In the workshop, supervision is mandatory because of the machinery and materials.
- Participants follow the workshop’s safety instructions and tell us in advance about any allergies or sensitivities (e.g. to essential oils, herbs or food).
- The alcoholic drinks in the welcome basket are for adults only.
- Suggested activities in the area (restaurants, wineries, horse riding, cycling, visits) are provided by third parties and are not organised by the AMKE.
- The AMKE is not liable for loss of or damage to personal belongings, or for damage resulting from failure to follow the instructions and rules.
7. Volunteering & hosting researchers
Volunteering in the organisation’s activities is optional and is not a form of payment for accommodation. Volunteers, researchers, educators and artists are hosted through separate programmes, with registration in the Register of Volunteers and a written volunteering agreement (article 11 of the statutes, Law 4873/2021). If you are interested, please contact the Secretariat.
8. Personal data (GDPR)
Data controller: the AMKE «ΚΑΘΑΡΑ ΧΕΡΙΑ» (Clean Hands) (details in section 1). What we collect: full name, email, phone, dates, number of people and anything you write in your message. Purpose & legal basis: handling your request and participation (steps prior to entering into a contract, Article 6(1)(b) GDPR) and compliance with tax obligations. Where it is stored: in the Secretariat’s email and in a private AMKE file on Google services, with Google acting as processor. The public availability calendar shows only dates, never names. Retention: requests that were not completed are deleted after 12 months; for completed participations, data is kept for as long as tax law requires (normally 5 years from the end of the year) and then deleted. We do not use your data for advertising and do not pass it on to third parties for their own purposes. Your rights: access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability and objection, by emailing info@greensoap.gr. You can also lodge a complaint with the Hellenic Data Protection Authority (www.dpa.gr).
9. Governing law
These terms are governed by Greek law. Any dispute will first be resolved amicably where possible; otherwise the courts of Florina have jurisdiction, without prejudice to your rights as a consumer. You may also contact the Greek Consumer Ombudsman.
How to find us
Sklithro, Florina
Amyntaio–Kastoria provincial road, postcode 530 75 · Directions on Google Maps
