Adventure in Greece

Arrive in and explore the old neighbourhoods of Athens

Upon arrival at the Athens International Airport, you’ll meet with a representative and will be transferred to your hotel located in the heart of the city of Athens.

In the afternoon, we will walk (or take the metro) to the old neighbourhoods of Athens. There, we'll wander around its picturesque alleys, observing the kaleidoscopic co-existence of the Ancient Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Ottoman and modern Greek eras, represented in the ruins, the architecture, the houses, and the stories imprinted in each corner. The walk is an excellent opportunity to hone our photographic skills, experimenting with colours and angles.

Later, we will pass through the Anafiotika neighbourhood – fondly referred to as “an island within a city” – and enjoy the sunset as well as a panoramic view of Athens from the Areopagus Rock. We will finish our day at the Plaka Tavern to dine on traditional local delicacies while singing and dancing – the Greek way.

Includes dinner

Hike in Athens and drive to Vrachni

After breakfast, we start the day by hiking in the hills opposite the Acropolis of Athens: the Filopappou Hill (or Hill of the Muses), Pnyka and the Hill of Nymphs. There, under the shade of pine trees, we will talk about the story of the city of Athens: the ups and downs, the golden eras and the dark ages, the differences with other well-known Greek cities, the importance of its famous monuments and the impact of the city on Greece’s as well as Europe’s history.

From the hills, we will also enjoy panoramic views of the Parthenon. We will then visit the place where democracy was implemented and later, walk downhill, passing the old Observatory on our way to a couple of other important neighbourhoods: Thiseio and Monastiraki. In Monastiraki, we will explore the flea market and have lunch in a small tavern for a taste of the famous Greek souvlaki. After lunch, we will have coffee or a refreshing drink on a terrace with a view of the old city. Later, we will return to the hotel to pick up our luggage and drive towards the Vrachni village, close to Kalavryta in Peloponnese.

At 1,100 metres above sea level, Vrachni village, along with Souvardo, are the highest inhabited villages in the Kalavryta area. The region is thought to have been first inhabited in the mid-8th century AD. The landscape is verdant green, with fir trees and running water. It is a village that is cared for by its residents with a lot of love and creative energy. We can even find a theatre opposite the Church of the Saints Theodori.

After a three-hour drive, we will reach the village. We will be welcomed there by Nancy, the second leader of our Greek team, who will host us at her family house in the mountains. Nancy's home will be our place of residence for the rest of the trip. After settling down, we will enjoy a home-cooked dinner and spend the rest of the evening having tea or coffee in the garden, sharing stories from the region, observing the stars and listening to the sounds of the nearby forest.

Gain 1,100 metres Includes breakfast, snacks and dinner

Go caving at the Cave of Lakes and trek in Vrachni

The morning will start with a hearty breakfast on traditional local delicacies that we will prepare at home. The preparation of the breakfast is a ritual of its own in which we will all participate, observing the recipes, the ingredients and the habits of the Greeks.

After breakfast, we will drive towards the Cave of Lakes, which is an old subterranean river consisting of three levels. During the winter when the snow melts it is transformed into a flowing river with waterfalls. During the summer, it dries up, leaving behind 13 lakes.

After the cave, we will visit Planitero village with its amazing plane-tree forest. We will explore the ancient settlements of the area while walking in the pristine forests of fir, cypress, walnut and chestnut trees. Later, we will have lunch at a traditional restaurant in the trout-growing farm of the village. There, we may be joined by a young, accomplished beekeeper whose six types of honey have won prestigious awards throughout the EU. We will visit the beehives and learn more about the honey collection process.

Later in the afternoon, we will return home and proceed for a short hike on the path that passes through the house. Depending on the season, we may be lucky to encounter some of the local fauna, such as foxes, ferrets, or wild boars, in addition to the numerous kinds of birds that live in the trees. We will most certainly meet goats and sheep flocks and will also have the chance to interact with local shepherds and listen to some of their stories.

We will return home to prepare dinner – maybe using some of the greens we have picked from the mountains during our stroll – and enjoy a quiet evening around the fireplace of the house.

Includes breakfast, snacks and dinner

Snorkel at the Trapeza beach and hike in Souvardo

We will repeat the breakfast ritual and set off for Trapeza, the clearest and most beautiful beach of the Corinthian Sea, at around 10 am. We will spend a couple of hours swimming and snorkelling, and we will bask under the sun while sharing information about the local sea life, the overall ecosystem and the changes we have observed throughout the years.

After lunch at a traditional fish tavern by the sea, we will return home to relax and shower before going for a hike towards Souvardo village. At an altitude of 1,300 metres, Souvardo a bit higher than Vrachni.

We will enjoy dinner at a traditional restaurant while drinking the fresh, digestive water of the Helmos Mountain directly from the central source of the village.

Gain 1,300 metres Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner

Picnic at Tsivlou lake and visit Kalavryta town

After breakfast, we will drive towards Tsivlou lake, one of the most beautiful lakes of Peloponnese. Located at an altitude of 800 metres, it is surrounded by forests that slide down next to the water edge and offers a great opportunity for short hikes and relaxation. Some of us, on a dare, may be brave enough to swim in the cold waters of the turquoise lake. We will enjoy a picnic lunch under the trees and will return home.

After coffee and cake, we will visit the picturesque town of Kalavryta. We will pass by the memorial site which shares a message of peace and later stop at a local delicatessen. The owner will take us on a journey through the tastes of the region by sharing information and stories regarding the cheeses, pasta, beans, mushrooms and other produce of the area. We will have dinner at a local tavern and will return home for another beautiful evening with tea, coffee, or drink next to the fireplace.

Gain 800 metres Includes breakfast, lunch and dinner