MÈLISSES GUIDELINES
If you are participating in one of our workshops/retreats or are simply curious :)
here’s anything you need to know!
You take care of TRANSPORTATION to/from ATHENS to ANDROS,
And we’ll take care of the rest :)
Below, you’ll find our helpful guidelines to help you arrange all transfers and make necessary pre-arrangements. Once you arrive on Andros, we’ll pick you up and drive you around.
HOW TO REACH THE ISLAND OF ANDROS:
BY BOAT FROM RAFINA (ATHENS)
You can reach the port of Rafina from Athens airport in 20 minutes by taxi or by bus in about 30-40 minutes. It is recommended to book your transfer in advance here.. Reliable drivers with good spoken English and very transparent fares, thus avoiding long queues at the airport.
The trip from Rafina to Andros is about two hours long with standard ferries. The price is usually around €25 (one way).
BY BOAT, FROM TOURLOS (MYKONOS)
You can reach the port of Tourlos from Mykonos airport in about 15-20 minutes by taxi. It is recommended to book your transfer in advance through this link. Reliable drivers with good spoken English and very transparent fares, thus avoiding long queues at the airport.
The trip from Mykonos to Andros is about two hours long with standard ferries or one hour with Sea Jets. The price is usually around €15-18 (one-way).
IN BOTH CASES, MAKE SURE TO CHECK FERRIES’S UPDATED SCHEDULE BEFORE BOOKING YOUR FLIGHTS, AS THERE IS A LIMITED NUMBER OF FERRIES SCHEDULED EVERYDAY and EVEN LESS DURING WEEKENDS.
An example of ferries' schedule (there are usually at least two ferries early morning and two ferries in the afternoon).
Rafina-Andros 7.30 / 7.50 / 16.00 / 17.30
Andros-Rafina 10.15 / 14.00 / 16.00)
A safe choice is to land in Athens at around lunchtime (having enough time to catch an afternoon ferry) and depart /fly back home late afternoon, at around 17.00-18.000.
It is safe to book a flight that lands 1.30h - 2.30h before your ferry departure.
HOW TO PURCHASE YOUR FERRY TICKETS
ONLINE
You can consult the ferries’ updated schedule and book tickets from this website. Alternatively, you can purchase your tickets through the official ferry companies’ websites ( Ex. Golden Star Ferries, Fast Ferries, Sea Jets etc.).
NB: Make sure to have your pdf ferry ticket vouchers printed out (to avoid time loss). Remember that when purchasing your tickets online, you will only receive a voucher (not valid as a ticket) that will have to be handed to one of the ticket offices near the port in exchange for the official tickets.
FOR ADDITIONAL HELP/ASSISTANCE
Offices near the port:
TOGIAS TICKET OFFICE IN RAFINA
Tel. +30 22940 22900
Tel. +30 22940 25200
E-mail: info@togiastravel.com
BATIS TICKET OFFICE IN ANDROS
Tel. +30 22820 71489
Tel. +30 22820 72477
E-mail: batistra@otenet.gr
OUR CANCELLATION POLICY:
*Mèlisses’ Cancellation policy:
Please keep in mind that due to the nature of the event, there will be no refunds or cancellations, but if you need to cancel, we can accept someone to take your place.
*If we do not reach the minimum number of participants, the retreat will be cancelled, and you will be refunded 100%. The itinerary is a guide; we reserve the right to make alterations or replace outings with something equally wonderful.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION:
PICK-UP POINT:
We’ll meet all participants in front of the main pharmacy of Andros port (Gavrio port) opposite the usual ferry arrival. We will come and pick you up and drive you to Mèlisses (about a 25 min drive).
We will ask you for your updated ferry arrival and departure to arrange all pick-ups better.
WHAT WE ADVISE YOU TO BRING:
Please bring a pair of sneakers that you don’t mind getting muddy or wet. Make sure to bring a pair of trousers that covers your ankles (recommended for hikes) that can also get dirty.
Of course, we hope for a few refreshing dips in the sea, so bring a hat, SPF and swimsuits. The weather on Andros can get a little windy, so bring a warm jumper, a good jacket/ windbreaker for the evenings, and practical, layer-able clothing for the rest of the day.
At Mèlisses, you’ll find towels, linens, hairdryers and locally-made amenities.
