By Sophie Themelis
Executive Coordinator, Wellness | Pilates Instructor
Health & Wellness Center, The American College of Greece
Posts of luxurious vacations featuring 5* resorts, fancy yachts, exclusive restaurants with impeccable Michelin Star courses and premium spirits get thousands of likes on social media but rarely do we see someone posting on how wonderful they felt during their vacation, or how much their sleep had improved, or how those long hours of walking and discovering made them feel on top of the world.
Maybe all that deserves more appreciation especially when vacationing/travelling is done in GREECE, a country rich enough to provide custom-made travel/vacation choices, offering the perfect mix of luxury, feel good and endless wellness experiences that help balance the mind, body and spirit.
So, are you ready to embark on a journey of self-care, rejuvenation, renewal and finding yourself in Greece?
Whether you are travelling solo or with company start by stepping outside your comfort zone and regular routines and open the door to new wellness experiences. Obviously travelling alone gives you the freedom of choice with fewer restrictions regarding your real travel style, pace, and interests which may help you reach your goals on your wellness journey.
It is important to remember that you do not need to constantly be “Finding Yourself” during these experiences as sometimes the best thing to do is one of relaxation and rejuvenation.
For example, embracing a laid-back lifestyle, enjoying local food, and engaging with hospitable people are key to your quiet wellbeing, and would bring harmony to your life.
Greece, with its rich history and culture, is one of the countries that can offer transformative holistic escapes, whether exploring:
- the beaches of Crete,
- the ruins of the Acropolis,
- the monasteries of Meteora,
- hiking the mountains of the gods “Olympus”,
- enjoying a Mediterranean cuisine dinner in a secluded tavern, or
- simply walking the narrow streets of Athens filled with rich scents and aromas of herbs and spices.
Suggested destinations to help you “Find” yourself
Crete:
a heaven for walking, hiking, discovering and swimming in serene mountains and beaches.
Santorini, Mykonos, Naxos, Paros:
providing endless tools for engaging your senses and your wellbeing. Like other islands the exquisite Mediterranean rich diet, turquoise waters for swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, water sports and sparkling nightlife.
Peloponnese:
hiking, swimming, wellness retreats in Mystras, meditation in zen rocky Mani and endless road trips that will calm your mind.
Cycladic islands:
holistic rejuvenation through yoga, meditation, spa therapies, nature-focused stays, focusing on personalized, long-term health and vitality. Enjoy nutritious Mediterranean cuisine set in rocky islands like Kea, Tinos, Andros. Hiking, rock climbing, swimming and water sports.
Meteora:
a most mesmerizing location with monasteries perched on hills. The area is stunning oozing with energy and spiritual discoveries. Practice Silent meditation. An extra asset here is organized rock climbing.
Ikaria:
for endless dancing till early morning hours filling your heart and soul with laughter and joy. (regarding your feet…well that is a different story 😊)
Athens:
besides its rich history, it is an exceptional location for sunrise meditations at the Vraxakia area, sunset meditations at Cape Sounion and for active or recreational hiking along marked trails or paths at Mounts Lykavitos and Ymytos.
Athens is a paradise for healthy food enthusiasts, including vegetarians, vegan, organic, and locally-sourced nutritious Mediterranean cuisine designed for detox or general healthy eating. Restaurant connoisseurs and premium spirits experts will find it hard to choose among exceptional restaurants.
What’s better than a tinny tavern in the narrow streets of Plaka, after 2 hours walking discoveries to sit and have fresh fish, fava beans and Greek salad all cooked in extra virgin olive oil!
Athens has also a number of state of the art spas and hamams.
These were only few of endless destination that one can find in Greece…
Each one standing out among its counterparts rich in:
- self-care retreats
- spa treatments
- Ancient Greek massage
- Therapeutic baths
- Holistic healing programs
- mythic adventures
- Yoga & Meditation Escapes
all designed to help you connect deeper with your inner self.
The best time to have a wellness experiences in Greece is Spring and Autumn for better weather and less tourists! Make sure you bring your comfortable shoes, a hat, don’t forget your sunscreen and your water bottle!
And remember when you feel tired, Think like a Greek and take a “Siesta”!
A power nap is all you need to rejuvenate and prepare for more discoveries!
As Ralph Marston puts it:
“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit.”
Once you are conscious of your authentic self, you are able to make choices for a more meaningful, happy life.
So if you want to have a life-changing experience, one that will raise your awareness to a fresh perspective of yourself, one that blends relaxation, healthy food, nature, good company, culture and habits that nurture your well-being, one that will help you find and balance your mind, body and spirit, then add Greece to your bucket list and enjoy discovering yourself.
