August 31st-8th & 8-21st, 2024
SACRED ROOTS JOURNEY Part 1
Athens to Peloponnese
Aug 31 - Sept 8
$2,699 (single) $2,149 (double)
($200 off for early bird special by April 30)
Included
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Accommodations
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Ground transportation
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Daily breakfast
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Farmers picnic
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Wine Tasting
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Workshops/events/tours
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Museum entrances
Not Inlcuded
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Meals (except breakfast & events)
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Airfare (international/inter-island)
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Travel Insurance
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Snorkel equipment
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Alcohol (except wine tasting)
Grow Your Vision
Welcome visitors to your site with a short, engaging introduction.
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Meet & Greet &Dinner in Athens
August 31st
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This evening will be our first gathering as a group. We will introduce ourselves to one another and review the itinerary together.
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Afterwards, we will take an evening stroll to dine in the area of the Parthenon which is majestic at night. For those that wish, we will have an opportunity to continue on for an evening walk in the area and visit nearby shops.
Sept 1st
A Day in Athens
Guided City Tour
It is truly something special to spend a day in such an iconic city with a true expert. Dimitra will guide us through the metropolitan areas of Athens to visit both on and off the beaten path spots.
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Be prepared to get a taste of what is ahead on our journey! There will be lots of interesting history and mythology that will unfold throughout the day.
Sept 2/stop 1
Goddess Demeter & Pesephone
The Eleusinian Mysteries:
"The best kept secret of the ancient world".
After Athens our journey will begin with a search into the traces of ancient Greek mysteries, which were initiations in the truths of Mother Earth and afterlife.
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Anyone who would reveal what happened during the Eleusinian Mysteries ceremonies was sentenced to death. Therefore, the Eleusinian Mysteries are the ancient’s world best kept secret. They had two goals. One was to show respect to Mother Earth and dedicate agricultural goods to please her in order to provide the fertility of the fields. The second was to make peace with death and afterlife. These two goals were interconnected and seen as a unity, because we belong to the Earth and our planet’s natural life circle.
Sept 2/stop 2
Goddess Aphrodite
Ancient Corinth
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“I belong to Aphrodite”. Corinth, where the goddess of love Aphrodite was born, was also known for sexuality.
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Corinth is a port city that is located between Athens and Sparta, and it offers trade through land and sea, making it more wealthy than other cities.
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Corinth's temples are known as the one that are the most socially accepting to prostitution. It is said that the temple of Aphrodite once had acquired more than a thousand prostitutes, donated by both men and women to the service of the goddess.
Here we will visit Corinth Museum, where artifacts of everyday life are exhibited, in order to observe and visualize how women in the ancient world lived.
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The final stop will be to visit the world famous amphitheater
Sept 2/stop 3
Arrival at Sparta Gaia
Guesthouse and
Mythical Garden
This rural mansion (18th c) bears witness to Greece's architectural heritage, also preserving the traditional garden design and the hand-crafted furniture, while embodying modern amenities and artistic details:
This is an energizing spot for serenity and inspiration.
Dimitra, an awarded archaeologist who inherited Sparta Gaia from her family, has preserved the house complex as intact and authentic as possible, keeping the original architectural style and the old furniture.
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Respecting the house that inspired in her the love for archaeology and the values of the Greek earth, Dimitra’s main concern was to give the guests a comfortable and unforgettable stay while preserving the old mansion’s authenticity.
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Sept 3
Goddess Artemis
Artemis Valley at Mariorema
A unique experience is to sense the deity in the original Artemis valley at Marius, where Pausanias, the ancient Greek traveler mentions that there she was worshipped.
We will drive to Artemis stream and fairies valley, Mariorema where Artemis and her Nymphs bathed in the fresh water springs.
Next to old stone “laundries” we will weave together songs and myths and we will be baptized into the wild free women spirit that Artemis represents. Drinking the spring water, we will enjoy a traditional farmer’s picnic with pies cooked by old village ladies.
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Our final meal of the day will be a traditional "Homeric" dinner!
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Sept 4/stop 1
Diros Stalagmite Cave
Journey through the Magic of Nature
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Yes! We will be on a boat tour through Vlychada Cave in Diros. It is one of the most beautiful caves in the world and is located on the west coast of the Laconian Peninsula, in Diros Bay.
Under the sparse Mani landscape, nature has patiently and artistically sculpted a miracle beyond imagination – white stalactites and stalagmites, impressive waterfalls and glittering crystals adorn every corner, creating an incomparable spectacle that takes your breath away!
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Sept 4/stop 2
Limeni Village
Sea Turtle Haven
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Located in the south of Mani, a tiny spot in the Peloponnese, Limeni Fisherman's village is known for its natural beauty and history.
Fortified tower houses hosted the gun fighting families of the area in the recent past. The most striking thing about this small village? The bright blue of the sea – you won’t believe your eyes.
We will have lunch at a fishermen tavern in Limeni.
The Here at Gytheio, we will swim at the old shipwreck and spend a little time sightseeing.
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Gytheio was the seaport of Ancient Sparta, It is the site of ancient Cranae, a tiny island where, according to the myth, Paris and Helen spent their first night together before departing for Troy.
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Gytheio used to be an important port until it was destroyed in 4th century AD, possibly by an earthquake, though its strategic location continued to give it a significant role in Maniot history.
Now the seat of the municipality of East Mani, Gytheio is the largest and most important town in Mani.
Sept 5
Agios Demetrios Village
A Day in the Village, Together
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Agios Demetrios Zarakos village now, Demeter’s sanctuary then. The sanctuary has turned into St. Dimitrius church, after which the village, Agios Dimitrios Zarakos, took his name.
Our group will stay at Sparta Gaia Guesthouse and in various other houses of the village depending on how many women will be on our trip.
Each morning we will enjoy a rich “Greek breakfast” of homemade products together with coffee and local herbal tea, and will explore this authentic farmers’ and shepherds’ village.
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Due to its very characteristic gastronomy, the “Zarakas Life and Gastronomy Museum” has been established here by Dimitra and we will visit.
On this day we will have a wine tasting workshop, together with local olives, traditional cheeses and Greek herbs and trees honey. We will share ancient Greek flavors next to Sparta Gaia’s old wood oven followed by a Greek love and ecstatic dances class and party.
Sept 6/stop 1
Snorkle in Pavolopetri
The oldest submerged town in the world
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Yes, we will float above this world renowned archeological site! Bring along your snorkel equipment or buy some there...
Sept 6/stop 2
Elafonisos Island
The Little Piece of Heaven
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Simos Beach on Elafonisos Island is considered one of the best beaches in the country and is known as the "Caribbean of Greece”.
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It offers an unforgettable experience because of the unsurpassed natural beauty this small island has to offer.
Located between the Peloponnese and Kythira, Elafonisos is a small island that is only approximately nineteen square kilometers, or seven square miles, in area.
It has been the favorite vacations island for King Charles of Great Britain and Princess Diana.
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Sept 7
Monemvasia Castle
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The Mythical Rock
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The most attractive historical city of Greece today was called in ancient times Minoa, a female name originating from Crete.
Built on a rock and being an important trading harbor along history, it preserves the traces of its occupants - Greeks, Ottomans, Venetians and Arab pirates.
The largest part of the town has been restored under the auspices of the Ephorate of Byzantine Antiquities keeping its character intact.
Enlivening its historical life, we will stroll through the cobble stoned streets that today host cafes, stores, hotels and taverns for its visitors.
Hosting erotic pleasures for the sailors in the past, Monemvasia is present day a romantic destination for many.
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Sept 8
Travel to airport for
home or on to Part 2
for the festival
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INTERNATIONAL ERESSOS WOMENS FESTIVAL
Amazones Eco-Land, Lesvos
Sept 8th-21st
(actual festival dates-Sept 10-21)
$2,699 (single) $2,149 (double)
Included
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14 Nights at Aolean Village Resort
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Airport transportation to festival
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Orientation/tour of village
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Group icebreakers/intros (new women will be joining for part 2)
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All events festival pass
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Daily group breakfast buffet
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Daily morning group planning
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200 euro voucher at Hara Beach Bar for food & drinks
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Botanical walk-plants & mythology
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Ancient Meal & Elixers Special Dinner Event @ Hara Beach Bar
Not Included
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Airfare (International & to Lesvos)
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Airport transportation home *
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Travel Insurance
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Food & drinks above & beyond breakfast and Hara Beach Bar voucher
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Other activities (watersports, bike rentals, outside tours)
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*We will help coordinate airport transportation home
Aeolian Village Beach Resort - Skala Eressos
Inspired by its namesake, Aeolus, the ancient Greek guardian of the wind, Aeolian Village has been designed to breathe new life into your special vacation time with your women loving women community. Escape the stresses of life and sit back and just relax.
This 4-star property hotel is brushed with invigorating strokes of the natural surroundings: the green of the lush, landscaped gardens offsetting the vibrant blue of the various swimming pools and Aegean Sea. It is perfectly poised to welcome travelers in search of comfort and convenience in pursuit of action-filled (or not!), unforgettable holiday moments. This LGBT friendly hotel is just outside of town (15 minute walk) and is a haven unto itself, complete with 24/7 reception, amazing buffets, a peaceful outdoor dining area, gorgeous pools, tennis courts, cycling, yoga and a spa which all engage body, mind and spirit...
Sept 8 - Lesvos
Agiassos Ceramic Village
Aolean Resort Check-in
We fly to Lesvos and from there, jump in our vans to head to Skala Eressos. On the way, we will stop at the authentic ceramic village of Agiasos where we can roam the streets and view the locals works of art and unique architecture and grab a bite if we're hungry.
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This traditional village has narrow stone streets and picturesque lanes. Many of the houses have projecting upper floors known as “sachnosinia” with wooden balconies decorated with flower pots of begonias, carnations, geraniums and other ornamental plants with a rich cultural heritage and religious inhabitants. Its most important attraction is the Byzantine church of Panagia Agiasos (Saint Mary of Zion), built in 1170.
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After our day of travel, we will arrive at the Aolean Village Resort Hotel to check in.
Depending on the time, energy and whether we've had dinner or not, we will either stay and relax or walk in to town which is about 15 minutes.
Sept 9/stop 1
Tour of Mesotopos Village
After some relaxing free time in Skala and when weather permits (cool enough), we will venture over to the nearby Mesotopos Village. There, we will have a walking tour of this small, authentic village which includes the women's co-op bakery, well known all over Greece and famous for producing it's traditional recipes. We will visit and sample products from a family owned cheese factory and spend a few minutes inside of the local church and small museum.
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This will give you an excellent sense of life in a small village on the Isle of Lesvos.
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Sept 9/stop 2
Amazones Eco-Land
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We'll travel down the hill to Amazones Eco-Land, the lesbian owned retreat center to tour the land and gardens, learn about it's founding, vision and offerings and watch a bread making demonstration. Then, we can indulge in an organic home cooked meal together outdoors while taking in the beautiful view of Tavari, the seaside village below.
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The best part of the day is to meet some of the very special locals who have so graciously welcomed the Amazones community to it and contribute in making this village self sustaining and empowering of women.
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We can also sample some homemade wine, ouzo and tsipouro for those that dare! Dancing and music will abound!
Sept 9-21
Daily Breakfast & Planning
We will gather for breakfast every morning at the Aolean to greet one another and to plan the days activities. This is one of the big benefits of being part of a group.
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Some of you will attend festival activities and others might want to do things on your own like ride bikes, kayak, paddleboard, sail, windsurf, parasail, swim, hike, play tennis or pickleball or just be at the beach.
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There are workshops every day to choose from and fun places to listen to music and enjoy food and drinks. The voucher at Hara Beach Bar will cover some of your food & drinks and you will want to explore the other restaurants also, particularly one of the three other lesbian owned spots!
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I'll even tell you where to find fresh caught swordfish which is out of this world!
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The food is so fresh-you will love it.
Sept 10
Introductions/Icebreakers
Festival Orientation, Dinner & Opening Night!
The festival begins tonight!!! Some of you will be coming directly from Sacred Roots and some will be flying over just for the festival.
There will be around 700 women from all over the world converging in Skala and it can be easy to feel a bit lost in the crowd. It is a big advantage to join a group so everywhere you go, you will see familiar faces and women to join at any event, any time.
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We will do games and activities to enhance these connections!
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Then, we will walk you around the entire village so you know how to find whatever you are looking for. I will introduce you to the key founders/organizers Joanna, Wendy and Liz.
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We will dine together at Hara Beach Bar (you have a 200 euro voucher for any food and drinks) followed by our entire group going to the festival's opening night festivities TOGETHER which will surely be one of the trip's highlights!
Our co-host, Dimitra is an award winning archeologist and is brilliant in other fields including somatic psychology, botany, language, history, culinary & all things Greek!
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She will take us on a walking tour of the area, identifying plants & herbs that were used in ancient times along with the mythology that is connected to them.
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Afterwards, you are in for a special, one of a kind treat. She has brought along ancient, authentic meal recipes and is working along side Hara's amazing chef, Dharma, to recreate them exactly as they were made way, way back when.
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Not only will you get to enjoy this meal, you will also get to hear stories and learn about food and elixers while sampling them!
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Don't miss the festival!
There's something for everyone...
Please consult the FAQ's to look for answers to your questions before reaching out!
It is much appreciated...