DAY 1

• September 15: Arrival in Athens

DAY 2

• September 16: Visit the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus, UNESCO Heritage sites

The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus built around the fourth century BC in the Peloponnese region of Greece, was the main site for holy pilgrimage from the ancient world. In ancient Greece, hundreds of healing temples were dedicated to the healer Asklepios, known as Asclepieia. They functioned as centers of medical advice, prognosis, and spiritual and holistic healing. At these healing centers, patients would take a bath, detox with a healthy diet, make flower offerings, pray. In dreams they received guidance from the deity, and based on it would be prescribed cures by the priests, herbal and other therapies. In the Asclepieion of Epidaurus, three large marble boards dated to 350 BC preserve the names, case histories, and cures of about 70 patients. The dogs in the temples were healers, protectors, and communicators between humans and gods. In the legends, Asklepios was considered the son of Apollo, the Greek god of healing, light, prophecy and art and Koronis, a mortal woman. Asklepios had children dedicated to the healing aspect of the medical arts. His daughters, the Asclepiades, are: Hygieia- prevention through cleanliness and balanced living, Iaso- recovering, recuperation, Aceso- the healing process, Aegle- vibrant health, and Panacea- universal remedy. His sons were practicing doctors with two primary approaches to medicine: Machaon to surgery and Podalirius to internal medicine. The rod of Asclepius is the predominant symbol for medicine and health care even today. We’ll meditate on the question of Asclepion to get closer to the truth about the ancient healing temples, for our well-being.

  DAY 2

• September 16: Visit Mycenae, UNESCO Heritage sites

The archaeological site of Mycenae in the Peloponnese region was the city during the Mycenaean civilization, which extended across the eastern Mediterranean world from the fifteenth to the twelfth century BC. Mycenae was the birthplace of the legendary hero Perseus, as well as Agamemnon, who is said to have led his troops to Troy to rescue the beautiful Helen. Legendary Mycenaean Greeks would be given immortal life in Homer’s epic, the Iliad and the Odyssey, which have influenced European art and literature for more than three millennia. Argos, the faithful dog of Odysseus, remains one of the most iconic symbols of loyalty in ancient literature. The Mycenae palace complex was surrounded by a fortification wall of large unworked blocks, termed Cyclopean as it was believed that only the giants could have moved such massive stones.

DAY 3

• September 17: Relaxation, Meditation, Holistic Therapy Practices, Kyllini beach

Wisdom and Sacred Teachings of Pythagoras (c. 570 – c. 495 BC)
The Kyllini region is famous for its natural hot springs, which are believed to have healing properties. The beach itself is inviting, with fine sand and clear waters, making it safe and perfect for a wellness retreat. It’s near Ionian islands such as Zakynthos and Kefalonia.
We’ll explore teachings given at the ancient school of Pythagoras for well-being. Pythagoras is known for his mathematical achievement of the Pythagorean theorem. He established the academy and community in Italy, where he taught science, the notion of one God, harmony with nature, spirituality, meditation, healing with energy, herbs and music, vegetarianism, immortality of the soul, and reincarnation. He equally accepted men and women as students. Instead of sage, he preferred to be called a philosopher, from the word philos– to love, and sophia– wisdom. The Oracle of Delphi (at first called Pytho), is said to have predicted the birth of Pythagoras, and his immense contributions to mankind. The moral and ethical teachings of Pythagorean influenced Socrates, Plato’s, and Aristotle’s views and were assimilated into early Christian texts. We’ll look at Apollonius of Tyana, an ancient Greek philosopher, a follower of Pythagoras, known for healing and prophetic miracles, who was a contemporary of Jesus Christ. Apollonius is believed to be part of the ancient Essenes.

DAY 4

• September 18: Relaxation, Meditation, Holistic Therapy Practices, Kyllini beach

Wisdom and Sacred Teachings of Socrates (c. 470 – 399 BC) and Plato (c. 427 – 348 BC)
Socrates was a Greek philosopher and the main source of Western thought. Socrates is why we still praise the ability of reason in human affairs today. He is recognized for inventing the teaching practice, wherein a teacher questions a student in a manner that draws out the correct response, used in the logical and critical thinking development training to this day. In his work the Republic, Plato has Socrates describe a gathering of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all of their lives, facing a blank wall. Socrates asks his listeners, “would they not assume that the shadows they saw were the real things and the whole truth?” “Then think what would happen to them if they were released of their bonds and cured of their delusions,” he says. Classical Greek ideas about the chakras are contained in the writings of Plato. Plato taught that our soul consists of:
1-Epithymia: desire, appetite (masses, stomach- 1st and 2nd chakras);
2-Thymos: spirit (warriors, chest- 3rd, 4th and 5th chakras);
3-Logos: wisdom, reason (philosophers, head- 6th and 7th chakras). The third eye chakra was called in Greek Enkephalos. This center Plato considered to be the seat of the psyche, or immortal soul.

DAY 5

• September 19: Relaxation, Meditation, Holistic Therapy Practices, Kyllini beach

Wisdom and Sacred Teachings of Hippocrates (c. 460 – 370 BC)
The Hippocratic Corpus, the collected writings attributed to Hippocrates, contains works on a variety of medical topics. The Hippocratic Oath is perhaps the most widely known of Greek medical texts. According to the literature, “healthy mind in a healthy body” was the main component of the Hippocratic philosophy, which was also the principle applied at the Asclepieia temples. Plato in his works refers to Hippocrates as the priest of Asclepion.  The original Hippocratic Oath began with the invocation “I swear by Apollo the Healer and by Asclepius and by Hygieia and Panacea”. Over the centuries, it has been rewritten often in order to suit the values of different cultures influenced by Greek medicine. Hippocrates is generally credited with using observation of the body as a basis for medical knowledge. Central to his physiology was the humoral theory of health, whereby the four bodily fluids, or humors, needed to be kept in balance.

DAY 6

• September 20: Visit Olympia, UNESCO Heritage site

The archaeological site of Olympia offers insight into the religious and cultural life of the ancient Greeks, and represents the birthplace of the Olympic games. The first Olympic Games were held here in honour of Zeus, the king of the ancient Greek gods, every four years from 776 BC to 393 AD. People would travel from all over Greece to compete in games at Olympia. As states were often at war with one another, a period of truce covered athletes travelling to and from the Games. The modern Olympics, probably the biggest event on the planet, is certainly one of the reasons that the ancient site of Olympia is such a popular place for visitors. To see where the idea originated, and stand where athletes competed thousands of years ago, is a reminder of the connection between the ancient world and today. Visitors even have the chance to run on a track used thousands of years ago in the ancient Olympic Games!
We’ll also visit one of the most popular medical tourism destinations in the country, Kaiafas Lake. The natural beauty of the area can hardly be described in words. The combination of forest, lake, sea, and thermal springs is unique. The hot waters of the springs, which were known since ancient times for their healing properties, based on the legend, originate from the Nymphs.

DAY 7

• September 21: Visit Delphi, UNESCO Heritage Site

Delphi is one of the most famous landmarks in Greece. In the sixth century BC, Delphi was Greece’s most sacred place and was considered to be the center of the world. People would make pilgrimages from all around the Mediterranean to consult the Oracle of Delphi who channeled the god Apollo. This ancient sanctuary occupies a large space on the slope of nearby Mount Parnassus, with incredible views out over the surrounding valley. The Delphi Archaeological Site includes the Temple of Apollo, the Stadium, and the Theatre of Delphi. We’ll meditate on the site to connect to the Oracle and Apollo.

DAY 8

• September 22: Visit Meteora, UNESCO Heritage site

A Greek gem Meteora is a uniquely spectacular rock column formation in Northwest Greece, with six Greek Christian monasteries sitting atop these tall rock columns. A region of almost inaccessible sandstone peaks, monks settled on these columns of the sky from the eleventh century onwards.  We’ll experience the legendary Meteora sunset and be enchanted by fascinating giant rocks formed about 60 million years ago. Kalabaka has a beautiful old town, where we could enjoy lunch while looking up at the gorgeous rock formations of Meteora.

DAY 9

• September 23: Visit Acropolis in Athens

The Acropolis is one of the most well-known UNESCO sites in Greece. The Acropolis was built by the Athenians in the fifth century BC under the leadership of Pericles, who commissioned some of the most renowned architects and sculptors of his time to create a masterpiece of classical architecture. The Acropolis in Athens is an ancient citadel, that houses several temples dedicated to the Greek gods, including the Parthenon, which was originally built as a temple to the goddess Athena. This ancient, fortified citadel would have been the very core of ancient Athens, and evidence suggests it has been inhabited since 4000 BC. Let us take a walk in ancient Athens.

DAY 10

• September 24: Visit Aegina

Saint Nektarios of Aegina is one of the most beloved and venerated saints throughout Greece. A bishop ordained in Cairo, exiled due to false rumors, retreated to a monastery, founded a girls’ school, authored theological works, and became revered for humility and posthumous healing miracles, greatly impacting modern Christian thought. Saint Nektarios was born in 1846, as a young boy named Anastasios Kephalas in the town of Eastern Selyvria, located in what is now Turkey. He was one of six children born to Dimosthenis and Vassiliki, who taught their children the importance of faith. St. Nektarios life is a high example of holiness. He believed that Christian life is a continuous journey toward God, guided by prayer, humility, and love. He had a special veneration for the Virgin Mary. It is believed that countless people have received healing by praying to St. Nektarios. St. Nektarios greatly loved nature. On Aegina, he planted 5,000 cedars. Aegina is known for the production of pistachios and olives, part of the delicious local cuisine. The temple of Aphaea is also situated at the Aegina’s island. Aphaea is revered as an ancient goddess of nature, symbolizing the strength and beauty of women, and it is believed that she is the protector of the island.

DAY 11

• September 25: Leaving after breakfast

Recommended book for preparation: The Cave and the Light: Plato Versus Aristotle and the Struggle for the Soul of Western Civilization by Arthur Herman.

The itinerary are subject to change due to circumstances. This is our preferred schedule, organized by the travel agency in Greece, specialized in spiritual and cultural tours.

We’re planning to stay in three hotels:
3 nights in the center of Athens: September 15, 23, 24: 3-star hotel
5 nights on the on the Peloponnese, Kyllini beach: September 16, 17, 18, 19, 20: 5-star hotel
2 nights near Meteora: September 21, 22: 4-star hotel