Today we take you to the wonders of Ancient Greece, with the Ancient Agora of Classical Athens and the Sacred Hill of the Acropolis, where Socrates and Plato used to hang out and teach their pupils. The Agora (marketplace) is located to the northwest of the Acropolis and was the meeting point of the ancient Greeks and the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, administrative, social, and commercial activity, the religious and cultural center, and the seat of justice. 

Sacred Hill of the Acropolis

We will continue towards the Sacred Hill of the Acropolis. During this focused walk, we will closely examine the Acropolis and its essential role in the city.  Our visit will cover the main buildings of the Acropolis, including: 

Ø The Parthenon -  When we explore the marvel, and the spiritual connections the Parthenon has today, appreciate the wonder of this so famous archeological site. In our modern society, the Parthenon would demand decades to be restored, but the Athenian citizens mysteriously built it in a decade, between 447 and 438 BC.

Ø The Propylaea- the monumental entrance to the Acropolis

Ø The Erechtheion – an ancient Greek temple that was dedicated to both Athena and Poseidon 

Ø The Temple of Athena Nike – Nike means victory in Greece, and Athena was worshipped as the goddess of victory in war and wisdom.

After enjoying lunch on your own in the heart of the city, we will continue to the Ancient Agora, the center of public life in classical Athens. 

Classical Agora
All proximal to each other, we will wander through the ruins of the most significant buildings and structures.  These include: 

Ø Monument of the Eponymous Heroes - it was a marble podium that bore the bronze statues of the ten heroes representing the tribes of Athens 

Ø Bouleuterion—It served as a meeting place of the 500-member Boule (Senate), made up of fifty citizens from each of the ten Athenian tribes, chosen by allotment each year.

Ø Tholos - It was the headquarters of the 50 prytaneis who served as the executive committee of the Boule (Council) for an interval of 35 or 36 days.

Ø Altar of the Twelve Gods – It was an altar and sanctuary dedicated to the twelve Olympian Gods.

You will finish this day with a deeper comprehension of ancient Athenian society and a basic answer to why Athens is widely considered the touchstone of Western civilization, the birthplace of democracy, philosophy, sciences, and classical art. 

Rest well tonight, for we will take you tomorrow for a moment of epiphanic transitions: the Eleusinian Mysteries.

🍴: Breakfast

🛌  4* Hotel
 

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions.

The morning is yours to relax and explore Athens at your own pace. Visit favorite landmarks, indulge in a leisurely breakfast, or browse local markets before we continue our mystical adventure. 

In the mid-afternoon, we will travel to the Ancient archeological site of Eleusis, which is not far from Athens but will bring us to a new level of mysticism. It was the location of a very important sanctuary where the Eleusinian Mysteries (Elefsinian Mysteries) took place every year around the 14th of September. And on this day, thousands of years later, we will bring you here. 

Next, we take you to the breathtaking Ancient Ruins of  Eleusis. Here we will form a procession that follows what was done thousands of years ago with the initiates during the Eleusinian Mysteries.  The Processional Road is the continuation of the Sacred Way (Iera Odos) within the Sanctuary and leads from the Lesser Propylaea to the main temple of Demeter, the Telesterion, which curves along the rocky slope. 

In Roman times, this road was paved with marble slabs, of which only a few are preserved today. On either side of the Processional Road, pedestals stood statues and other dedications. Some of them can still be seen at the site. 

At dusk, we will go to the gateway of the Underworld—the Cave of the God Pannas in Kifissia, the entry to the Underworld, where the Eleusinian Mysteries rituals were performed. This is where we will perform our rituals.

Take Part in the Eleusinian Mysteries at Dusk!   

The Eleusinian Mysteries were ancient Athens' secretive religious rites, annually honoring Demeter and Persephone's story. Notable figures like Plato and Hadrian were initiated, maintaining silence under the threat of death. Participants gained a fearless perspective on death.

We return to a selected place in Athens, where we will recreate the rites and rituals of the Eleusinian Mysteries and be guided by Kathrine, a High Priestess of Hecate. This is no ordinary experience. We'll engage in the initiation stages, allowing us to delve deeper into understanding Demeter's mythology and uncover the mysteries' significance to the Greeks. We will relive the stories, witness the rituals, and enter the gateway to Hades as close as possible to the "Underworld."

We will return to the Astor Hotel with minds buzzing from the day's mystical experiences and encounters with the unknown.

🍴: Breakfast

🏆  Special Experience: The Eleusinian Mysteries 
🛌  4* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions.

Our day begins with a late morning tour of two of Athens' most iconic and haunted cemeteries. 

Our first visit will be at the Ancient Cemetery of Kerameikos, a neighborhood on the northwest edge of the city. Kerameikos is the Greek word for pottery, and the area was a settlement of potters and vase painters and the main production center of the famous Attic vases.

The people who lived around the Acropolis of Athens buried their dead in Kerameikos. For roughly 1,500 years, the plains of the Eridanus River served as a burial place for the city. This is how the area from Potter’s Quarter became Greece’s largest and most important Necropolis.

We continue exploring where the dead are laid "to rest" but are burdened by restless souls. We will take you to the First Cemetery of Athens, an (assuming) peaceful spot filled with olive and pine trees. Established in 1837, it is an extraordinary open-air museum with more than a thousand remarkable sculptures, temples, tombstones, and monuments created by famous Greek artists. 

In the afternoon, we’ll take a tour of the Lyceum of Aristotle, where the great philosopher taught his wisdom to ancient minds. Walking these historical grounds, we’ll delve into the world of ancient philosophy and the knowledge passed down through the ages.

We’ll return to the Astor Hotel by 7 PM, allowing you to relax and unwind after a day filled with history, spirits, and philosophy.

🍴: Breakfast

🛌  4* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

You will have a late morning, a time to rekindle your energy, for today you will be part of an extraordinary experience.

Prepare yourself to explore one of the most mystical and mysterious locations in Greece: Daveli’s Cave. This well-known cave in the mountain of Penteli was first brought to light in the 5th century BC. In antiquity, the cave was a place of worship for the followers of Pan and the Nymphs. The cave's name comes from the widespread belief that an infamous 19th-century brigand named Davelis used the cave as a hideout. The story says that Davelis hid his treasure inside the cave.

Due to this intense and complex history, the cave has also gained a famous reputation since the 1800s, when testimonies of otherworldly presence were first reported.

We will return to the Astor Hotel by early evening, concluding a day filled with enigmatic stories and spiritual experiences.

🍴: Breakfast

🛌  4* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

Early in the morning, our bus service will take us to the port of Rafina, where you will embark and start your trip to Mykonos. Upon your arrival on the island, our chauffeur will take you to your hotel in the Chora (capital).

Prepare for a marvelous, free, and fun day in Mykonos. Enjoy a blend of its vibrant culture and stunning scenery. Start with a stroll through Mykonos Town (Chora), exploring its narrow, winding streets, whitewashed buildings, and colorful bougainvillea. Visit iconic landmarks like the windmills and the charming Little Venice.  Relax on the pristine beaches, such as Paradise or Elia, and enjoy the lively beach bars. Engage with the friendly locals and savor authentic Greek cuisine at a seaside taverna. 

For a touch of mystery, visit the hidden Cave of Agia Anna, rumored to have been a pirate hideout, adding an adventurous twist to your day.  The church complex of Panagia Paraportiani is worth seeing in Chora, which has been recognized as a national cultural monument. Also, the famous windmills, the trademark of the island, stand on a hill overlooking the city, and from there, one can enjoy a magnificent view over Little Venice, which is one of the most beautiful parts of the village. 

Don't stay up too much tonight. Tomorrow, we will explore the ancient ruins of Delos, a short boat ride away, known for its rich mythology and archaeological wonders. 

Return to Mykonos for some free time and accommodations. 

 
🍴: Breakfast 

🛌 3* 

🛌 4*

 PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

We will rise early and visit the Sacred Island of Delos. We will take a ferry to Delos, departing from the Old Port (a short walking distance from your hotel) and arriving in 30 minutes. You will spend the entire morning taking in this incredible island!

Delos, an uninhabited small and rocky island, lies in the heart of the Aegean Sea, in the center of the Cyclades islands complex.  It is steeped in mystery and myth. As the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, it holds ancient ruins and sacred sites that evoke a sense of the divine. Many visitors report eerie feelings and unexplained phenomena, attributing these to the island's ancient spirits and its long-abandoned state. 

You will have a guided tour of the archaeological site of this unique island, which hosts numerous monumental antiquities from the Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic periods (actually, the whole territory is used exclusively as an archaeological site as the island is cited as a top monument of the World’s Cultural Heritage by Unesco. 

After lunch in a Cafe in Delos, we will leave Delos and embark on our journey back to Athens. 

🍴: Breakfast  

🏆  Special Experience: The Island of Delos
🛌  4* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

After we had finished our breakfast, we started traveling to central Greece. At the foot of Mount Parnassus lies the Pan-Hellenic sanctuary of Delphi, which had the most famous oracle of ancient Greece. According to mythology, it is here that the two eagles sent out by Zeus from the ends of the universe to find the navel of the world met.

The Sanctuary of Delphi, nestled on Mount Parnassus, is shrouded in mystery as the ancient seat of the Oracle of Delphi. Revered as the center of the world in Greek mythology, it drew seekers of prophecy from across the ancient world. The oracle's cryptic pronouncements, delivered by the priestess Pythia, and the enigmatic ruins, including the Temple of Apollo and the Tholos, continue to captivate and intrigue visitors, evoking a powerful sense of the mystical and divine. 

The Temple of Apollo, the treasuries of Athenians and Siphnians, the ancient theatre, the Tholos of Athena Pronaia, the Sacred Way, and the Castalian Fountain are some of the most important and priceless monuments you will explore walking through the impressive ruins of this great archaeological site. 

The Fantastic Museum in Delphi is known for its surreal and eerie exhibits. Here, a modern twist is added to the ancient city's mystique. Housing peculiar artifacts and interactive displays, the museum's unsettling atmosphere and whispered legends of haunted relics enhance the sense of mystery surrounding this enigmatic cultural landmark.

We will have a guided tour of the archaeological site and the museum.    

🍴: Breakfast   
🛌  3* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

Today, we embark on a captivating four-hour journey to the ancient city of Ioannina, known for its profound spiritual energy and its gateways to other realms. Upon arrival, we will pause for lunch and rest from our travels.

In the early afternoon, we’ll lead you to our "secret" location, known for its mystical body of still water in Lake Pamvotida. This secluded site is believed to be a powerful spiritual point connected to ancient rituals of purification and introspection. The serene waters here invite reflection and connection with the deeper mysteries of existence.

You will enjoy a walk through the city, which is full of secret places and legends that are still alive. Wonderful buildings like the House Matei Hussein, the Ottoman mosque of Veli Pasha, and the entire historic center of the town are unique attractions. 

We will visit Deodona, a village located within a short driving distance of the city of Ioannina. Ancient Dodona was a cult center of Zeus. It is a well-known site from the ancient theater and oracle of Dodona. According to Herodotus, it is considered to be the oldest Hellenic oracle, possibly dating to the second millennium BCE, and second only to the Oracle of Delphi in prestige. 

In Deodana, we will explore the Necromancy Temple (Mekromoanteeion). With a name that means Dead (Necrom) and Mancy (an Oracle), it will surely be steeped in ancient mysteries and legends. Believed to be an oracle of the dead, it was a site where priests communicated with spirits for prophecy. The eerie underground chambers and ritualistic practices continue to intrigue and mystify historians and visitors alike.

These sanctuaries gave prophecies to common everyday concerns that visitors submitted scratched on lead sheets. The priests then consulted Zeus and delivered his divinations by interpreting the rustling of the leaves of the sacred oak.

After this profound experience, we will retire to the luxurious Grand Serai Hotel in Ioannina, where you can relax and reflect on the spiritual and mystical energies encountered throughout the day.

🍴: Breakfast   
🛌  5* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions. 

On this final day of our mystical journey, we will visit two of Greece's most powerful and mysterious locations, ensuring your experience ends with awe and reflection. 

We leave the city of Ioannina, and on our way back to Athens, we will have a stop for a visit to the most famous necromanteion of the ancient Greek world, the Necromanteion of Aheronta, an ancient Greek temple of necromancy devoted to Hades and Persephone.  Devotees believed this site to be the door to Hades, the underworld, the realm of the dead. At the Necromanteion, the faithful went through a mystical process to contact friends and relatives who were not alive.   Here, we will take in our final (short) investigation. 

Devotees believed this site to be the door to Hades, the underworld, the realm of the dead. At the Necromanteion, the faithful went through a mystical process to contact friends and relatives who were not alive.  

In Homer's Odyssey, the Necromanteion was described as the entrance by which Odysseus made his Nokia, a "rite by which ghosts were called up and questioned about the future.”

It is a monument that captures the myth of the dead's descent to Hades, the Underworld, through the River Acheron, where I meet with the River of Stynx. Witness the most famous boatman in the world, a process that gave Acheron worldwide fame through painting, literature, sculpture, and poetry.

After lunch, we start our travels back to Athens, where we will spend our final day in Greece and have our Celebration Dinner!

🍴: Breakfast
👻 Short Investigation: Necromanteion of Aheronta     
🛌 5* Hotel

PLEASE NOTE: Itineraries are subject to slight change depending on availability, weather & travel conditions.  

Today we leave the beautiful islands of Greece, saying so long to our new friends we bonded so closely with! As the Greeks bid farewell to us, they leave us a beautiful message... 

Σπίτι μου σπιτάκι μου και σπιτοκαλυβάκι μου.
(=My home, my little home, a little house of my own.)
Meaning: Greek equivalent of “Home, sweet home”.