Who is writing here?

Kalimera and Grüezi! I am Ursula Kastanias. I have two nationalities, I am Swiss and Greek. I was born and raised in Switzerland, but since 1986 I have been living and working with my family in Ikaria all year round. I have found my new home and my great love here. I married a genuine Ikarian and together we have two children who are now grown up.

Like all travelers, I myself once stood in this country with a head full of question marks… everything was exciting, interesting, but foreign. The first thing I had to do was learn the language, that was clear to me! The language opened many doors for me. And so I could begin to familiarize myself with the Greek culture, the temperament and the Icarian way of life.

Together with my husband Pantelis, we have lived on and managed the 300-year-old family farm since 1986. This is also where we produce our “liquid gold”, our extra vergine olive oil, which you can buy in small quantities directly from us or in Switzerland. You can read about our olive harvest and how I pickle my olives in exciting reports.

You can meet us in our store in Christos Raches. Just ask for Ursula and Pantelis, everyone knows us! 

You can read here what the village is all about and why it is so special in Greece. Christos – Raches is always worth a visit!

I have spent more than half my life in Ikaria, so let’s be honest: I feel at home here! I feel accepted and welcomed. I have grown into the community, become a part of it. I now also have a Greek passport and I can choose whether I go through life as a Swiss or a Greek.

I like to travel to Switzerland often, but it’s always for short stays. I take my children with me because I think it’s important that they are at home in both cultures, know the language and know that they have family in both countries. But I can’t help it: after a short time, I’m drawn back to Ikaria. I long for the light and the sea, for the sun, for the warmth of the people, for the simplicity of our life here!

I started *Ursula’s Ikaria* in 2011. In the middle of the financial crisis. I had access to two worlds that are almost unimaginably different from each other: Greece and Switzerland. I really wanted to do something!

For many years, I had collected donations at every opportunity to support the local community, the schools and the hospital. However, as I am not a non-profit organization, this has unfortunately not been possible for some time now. Nevertheless, you can read here what we have achieved with my donation projects: Heating oil for the schools and support for the hospital.

Many visitors are reluctant to travel to Ikaria because the usual travel information on the internet is rudimentary, diffuse or contradictory, to say the least, and makes getting there seem very complicated. With *Ursula’s Ikaria* I would like to gather all the information to make the journey to Ikaria easier.

Because remember, the vast majority of small businesses in Ikaria are family businesses. So every euro you spend in a taverna, store or small guesthouse on the island goes directly to this family!

You don’t hear or read much about the crisis anymore, officially our government has everything under control, but for the families and people here on the island the reality is quite different: the crisis is still present everywhere. Low incomes, very high taxes and the cost of living make it difficult for many to make ends meet and cause a high emigration rate among the younger generations.

I would like to show you Ikaria as I experience it. I have compiled all the information about the island so that you too can feel like you’re in paradise! That’s why my motto is, with a trip to Ikaria you support the people directly.

P.S. Don’t be afraid of mass tourism! We don’t have the necessary infrastructure for that. Due to the adventurous journey to Ikaria, let’s say, only lovers are sure to come!