Астро Звездный

Our aim: is to make astro-tourism viable in a responsible and sustainable way by gazing into the night skies’ sparkling diamonds – A journey through the vast universe!

ELaiolithos Luxury Retreat is an Eco-friendly resort combining luxury with sustainability. Nature is everywhere on this property. Tucked away between Chalkio and Moni, it’s a secret escape hiding in an idyllic countryside site offering guests flawless uninterrupted views, memorable experiences and high-tech telescopes to better appreciate the natural magnificence. It is a getaway that will allow you to enjoy astro tourism – the night sky travel, a haven for stargazing the beautiful natural surroundings, the environment and atmosphere.

The choice of location is not accidental – It is in an exceptionally favourable observing spot. The hotel has no neighbors, there’s nothing blocking your view, giving guests perfect seclusion for enjoying both the day and nighttime views. Here you can stargaze into the black clear vast open sky, share an intimate evening with the universe, and a romantic night with your loved one. When your daytime adventures are over, you can have a relaxing and luxurious evening, including dinner at our gourmet restaurant with artisanal craft cocktails all while stargazing into the sky with the help of our professional telescopical equipment. Stargazing and Astronomy is a novel way to appreciate the universe’s wonders and witness the sky in its natural glory. 

The sky is considered as one of the highest sustainable fascinations, and location plays a big role in being able to engage in and study the night sky. ELaiolithos’ area  is a “natural darkness zone,” where no permanent outdoor lighting exists, thus the dark sky here is exquisite.  Built in such a pristine nocturnal environment, in the highlands of the island, ELaiolithos is an ideal destination where skies are free from artificial light pollution. This is because the mountainous region of Naxos is home to some of the darkest skies in Greece. The number of stars you can see here, compared to the night skies of Northern Europe, is breathtaking. 

A big advantage is ELaiolithos’

1.  specific location in Naxos, Greece, situated far south, at 37° latitude,  where planets like Saturn with its moons, Jupiter, and all the others keep you glued to the telescope 
2. as well as its easy accessibility by car. 

Enjoy some of the clearest, darkest skies full of glitter 365 days a year! ELaiolithos is equipped with an impressive range of telescopes – a high powered Celestron – NexStar 130SLT Computerized Telescope and Zhumell Z8 Deluxe Dobsonian Reflector Telescope for guest use – free of charge, for “stargazing à la carte” – where you can appreciate an especially good view of the Milky Way and observe the celestial objects the sky has to offer such as stars, planets, galaxies, the Moon, star clusters and nebulae.  You’ve never seen them as bright as this before!Gazing skywards to spot constellations and far-off planets, each night is different since the sky is changing due to Earth’s rotation. 

Enjoy comfortable and private self catering accommodation in a peaceful rural location. It’s also the perfect place to be “mindful” of our surroundings and “detox” for a while. Bring yourself back in tune and connect with yourself, your family, friends, and nature while stargazing and letting the starlight and moonlight rejuvenate your soul.  You pause to gaze up at the night sky and reflect on your place in the universe. Entering astro tourism in ELaiolithos is a chance to combine astronomy with travel and tap into that sense of wonder. The luminosity in the dark sky, the breeze of fresh air that collides with your cheek, the silence and the tranquility which you inhale, are some of the reasons why it is worth looking towards the sky. The good vibes that this produces within you are fantastic.  

 “I love you to the moon” takes on new meaning when you see it close up through a strong telescope.  Romance is on the menu here, that’s remote enough to witness a full array of stars, planets, and galaxies that seem just beyond reach above your head. This Stellar Experience at ELaiolithos gives every guest the fascinating opportunity to enjoy Mother Nature’s amenities on two powerful GPS-armed telescopes, and the opportunity for astrophotography to shoot awe-inspiring nighttime pictures that will definitely make Instagram ooh. Viewed through the lens of the computerized telescope, which automatically tracks and follows stars or planets via GPS coordinates, space is spectacular, especially with Champagne or a cocktail in hand. The retreat has all the isolation, expanse, and clear weather. Light pollution and humidity are at a minimum, yielding crystalline views of the Southern Cross (Centaurus), the Pleiades and more. But the adventure is enhanced with vistas of Saturn’s rings, the craters of the moon, bright stars, clear constellations and the streaming Milky Way. 

For all the beauty and adventure of a luxury stay in a remote location, one of the greatest payoffs here comes after dinner. Unleashed from the net of man-made lights that brighten our villages, the universe unfolds above you: you uncover and observe a zillion stars, constellations, coursing meteors and psychedelic auroras. Witness the magic,  It’s moments like these that you can truly enjoy each other’s company.  

Glamour nowadays is considered the grandeur of having a meaningful life, enhancing escapes where you can make emotional connections with new destinations, cultures, nature, the environment and the universe. There is something primal about watching the night sky, and nothing inspires more wanderlust than pondering the vastness of the universe underneath a sky full of constellations.pe

What we offer:

ELaiolithos is a luxurious accommodation that offers you the chance to combine your holiday with astronomy with two powerful telescopes and night binoculars. Picture yourself looking up in awe as the Moon casts its looming shadow over the Earth, and the world submerges in darkness. 

Savor the serene scene that unfolds before your eyes from the comfort of our terrace. Admire the great beyond through our telescopes and learn how to photograph what you’re seeing with your phone! Stargazing experiences can be tailored to you with food and drinks.

Our restaurant serves authentic locally-sourced cuisine, while our hotel bar offers the best of Naxian wines, beers, the most outstanding Greek awarded brands of liquor and signature cocktails. We also provide table games.

Another big advantage of ELaiolithos is that after stargazing, there is no need to travel to get back to your hotel, your warm accommodation is in the same spot. For those heading to bed at daybreak after a full night of observing, we guarantee peace and quiet and the chance to sleep until lunchtime since breakfast is served until midday. We offer that flexibility for guests who will be up throughout the night observing our amazing skies. 

The resort also offers wine and cheese tasting, cooking classes, local music and dance events and much more….We offer everything from superb food to a wide range of hiking trails around the area filled with archeological treasures; the famous Panagia Drosiani Byzantine Church, The Demeter ancient temple and more. Two popular towns Chalkio and Apeiranthos are in close distance as well, and you can find yourself at any beach on the island within 20 minutes.

 Your Stellar adventure with us will satisfy your curiosity about the mysterious skies above us. The surrounding region includes Naxos’ highest peak (Mt. Zeus 1004m alt.) and the retreat itself is at 468m elevation and “hidden” from the rest of the island.  

Ready to book?

The world of ELaiolithos is wonderful, full of beauty, charm and adventure. Your booking with us will take you around the island’s greatest natural delights. It is said and rightly said, “The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” 

For nights to remember… Book with ELaiolithos, or if you prefer to have a chat with us to discuss your plans or book by email, then drop us an email at info@elaiolithos.com, or via WHAT’S UP and we will be very happy to help. 

Astrotourism is one-of-a-kind adventure that goes back many centuries when mankind looked up to the stars, imagined figures, and gave them meanings. Humans have been fascinated with the stars and space travel since the beginning of time. It is one of the simplest (and most accessible) forms of travel that brings you closer to nature, helping you understand the physical world and its dynamics. 

The universe is full of mesmerizing wonders, but since they’re so far away, these objects are barely noticeable with the naked eye. With the help of a high-quality telescope, you can unlock the finer details and observe things that most people will never see.

The Universe is an object of admiration, fascination and fear to men. The secrets it withholds are immense and mankind has always tried to drive meaning out of the sky above.  We are feeble, negligible, and ephemeral in this vastness.

Few memories are sweeter than those nights gazing at the stars! Every new experience with astronomy reawakens the child inside us that is eager to discover the world and its limits!

Have a Happy AstroTravelHoliday……. 

ELaiolithos’ night environment is a wanderlust bliss ideal for: 

• Newlyweds
• Science nerds who will geek out here for sure
• Amateur astronomers
• Naturalists who will share trivia and stories relating to the myths of the great beyond.
• Ambitious astronomy junkies
• Astrotourism lovers; Astro Tourists are “darkness seekers,” looking for places where the sky is the darkest and clearest 
• Scholars and students that prefer remote, quiet and relaxing places to hold their specialized conferences
• Astro-travelers from all over the world seeking to admire its breathtaking night sky
• Those interested in engaging in new experiences, meeting new people, and experiencing new places, traditions and cultures.  
• Astrophotographers
• Filmmakers

Astro-tourists will be able to make a brief video of what they observed as well as take pictures that are of particular interest to them. This can be done by connecting your smartphone to the telescope with the wire provided.  

Wrap yourself in the magic of starry nights at ELaiolithos! It will be a very rewarding experience! 

The Milky Way

is the name of the spiral galaxy in which our solar system is located. It is our home in space. The Earth orbits the Sun in the Solar System, and the Solar System is embedded within this vast galaxy of stars.

** Two-thirds of the world’s population cannot even see the Milky Way now and that is incredibly sad. When you go out and stargaze, you start understanding how incredible this universe is and how lucky we are to be alive to witness such incredible beauty. 

In the northern hemisphere, the Milky Way is visible in the southern half of the sky. This makes Greece one of the best places in the world to see and photograph the galaxy because of the country’s geographic location in Southern Europe at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa.  
Any filmmaker and photographer would feel very fortunate to be here because the Milky Way is always visible in the southern sky.

Geographic coordinates POSITION of Naxos island:

Naxos is located in Greece country, in Europe continent (or region). 

• Latitude: 37°06′20″ N (in decimal degrees 37.1055600°)
• Longitude: 25°22′35″ E (in decimal degrees 25.3763900°)
• Elevation above sea level: 32 m = 104 ft
• Avg. temperatures: 5-15°C in winter and 28-40°C in summer
• Avg. precipitation: 2-3 days per month
• The transparency of the sky is phenomenal at 20-22
•  Latitude position: Equator⇐ 4126km (2564mi) ⇐ Naxos⇒ 5881km (3654mi) ⇒ North pole.
•  Longitude position: Prime meridian ⇒ 2244km (1394mi) ⇒ Naxos. GMT: +2h.

All coordinates are given in the WGS 84 coordinate reference system.
WGS 84 is the latest revision of the World Geodetic System, which is used in mapping and navigation, including GPS satellite navigation system (the Global Positioning System).
Geographic coordinates (latitude and longitude) define a position on the Earth’s surface. Coordinates are angular units. The canonical form of latitude and longitude representation uses degrees (°), minutes (′), and seconds (″). GPS systems widely use coordinates in degrees and decimal minutes, or in decimal degrees.
Latitude varies from −90° to 90°. The latitude of the Equator is 0°; the latitude of the South Pole is −90°; the latitude of the North Pole is 90°. Positive latitude values correspond to the geographic locations north of the Equator (abbrev. N). Negative latitude values correspond to the geographic locations south of the Equator (abbrev. S).
Longitude is counted from the prime meridian (IERS Reference Meridian for WGS 84) and varies from −180° to 180°. Positive longitude values correspond to the geographic locations east of the prime meridian (abbrev. E). Negative longitude values correspond to the geographic locations west of the prime meridian (abbrev. W).
Elevation above sea level is a measure of a geographic location’s height. We are using the global digital elevation model GTOPO30.