Herbal Medicine & Wellness Retreat on Samothrace
August 25-30, 2024
Join the Greek Herbalist and Valia Vlatsiou on a 6-day experience exploring the wild landscape of the land and of the heart on the rugged island of Samothrace. This wellness retreat is for anyone wishing to learn about ancient and modern traditions of herbal medicine in combination with yoga and therapeutic activities designed to expand our organ of love.
Maria and Valia will lead you on nature-based activities throughout the island, including hikes, yoga, herbal medicine, and heart-centered practices to enrich your body, mind, and spirit. There will be moments of gathering and celebration as well as meditation and journaling.
The island of Samothrace is located in the Aegean Sea in the northeast of Greece. It is considered a wild and mystic island due to its ruggedness and unpredictable weather patterns. Mount Saos, one of Greece’s most rugged mountains, offers spectacular waterfalls, hiking trails, natural pools, and healing thermal springs. In antiquity, the god Poseidon marveled at the Trojan War in Homer's Iliad from atop the mountain. The island is also the site of the Sanctuary of the Gods where secret rituals took place to pray for protection and safety at sea.
Samothrace is an alternative, eco-conscious, and nudist-friendly island. Participants are encouraged to use eco-friendly and nature-based sunscreens and body products when swimming in the river, waterfalls, and sea.
This tour involves hiking on forest trails. Participants must be able to hike on uneven, uphill and downhill terrain.
Sample Itinerary
We are preparing an exciting tour itinerary that will look somewhat like this. The itinerary will be finalized closer to the tour dates.
Day 1: Sunday
Pick up from Samothrace ferry port
Welcome circle
Tour of village
Yoga / Heart-centered activity
Dinner
Day 2: Monday
Breakfast
Botanical hike + forest meditation
Lunch
Yoga / Heart-centered activity
Dinner
Day 3: Tuesday
Breakfast
Botanical mythology workshop
Lunch
Yoga / Heart-centered activity
Dinner
Day 4: Wednesday
Breakfast
Herbal activity & Nature excursion
Lunch
Free time / sightseeing
Yoga / Heart-centered activity
Dinner
Day 5: Thursday
Breakfast
Herbal activity / Nature excursion
Lunch
Free time / sightseeing
Yoga / Heart-centered activity
Dinner and closing ceremony
Day 6: Friday
Breakfast
Heart-centered activity and closing reflections
Drop-off at Samothrace ferry port
Learn more about the tour’s location in Τα βότανα της Σαμοθράκης -Οι παραδόσεις ενός τόπου με μεγάλο γαστρονομικό πλούτο / The herbs of Samothrace - The traditions of a place with great culinary wealth - in Travel.gr.
Join us on Samothrace Island
Registration includes:
5 nights accommodations at Aigaion Guesthouse
Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (excluding alcohol)
Workshops about Greek mythology, ancient Greek herbal medicine, and modern applications of Greek herbs
Yoga, yin yoga, and therapeutic heart-centered activities
Hiking, nature excursions, and island sightseeing
Transportation to/from Samothrace ferry port and transportation to all group activities listed in the final itinerary
The Greek Herbalist tote bag
Registration does NOT include:
Ferry to/from Samothrace island
Meals, activities, and transfers not listed on the itinerary
Travel insurance (highly recommended)
Participation Rates and How to Register
Submit your non-refundable €500 deposit and make your room selection (single or shared).
Special discount! Bring a friend and save €150 each. Discount applied to the final invoice.
€2,225 for single occupancy
€1,850 for double occupancy / per participant
Participate on a tour with The Greek Herbalist and receive a 5% discount on your next tour.
After you submit your non-refundable deposit, two invoices will be sent to you for half of the remaining balance to be paid by March 15, 2024 (invoice #1) and the other half to be paid by June 15, 2024 (invoice #2). Payments are accepted by any credit card or PayPal. Any fees for currency conversion are to be paid by the registrant. For refunds, invoice #1 can be fully refunded by June 30, 2024 or earlier. After June 30, 2024, invoice #1 can be refunded 50% until July 30, 2024. No refunds after July 30, 2024, but transfers to interested participants is possible. All participants must read and agree to our Booking & Cancellation Policy. Please read our Booking & Cancellation Policy.
ABOUT THE INSTRUCTORS
Retreat activities are co-led by Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) and Valia Vlastiou
Maria Christodoulou (The Greek Herbalist) is a clinical herbalist exploring the wisdom and whimsy of ancient Greek herbal medicine. Based in Athens, Greece, she offers educational herbal tours throughout the country and virtual courses based on the bounty of medicine and folklore of her ancestors. She is the author of “The Greek Herbalist's Guide to the Mountain” and "The Greek Herbalist's Guide to the National Garden.” In 2022, Maria was the recipient of the Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities Award from the Society of Classical Studies at New York University.
Valia Vlatsiou has been a yoga instructor (500h YACEP) and facilitator for more than a decade. She is also an expert practitioner in Thai yoga massage, yin yoga, and relaxation techniques. In 2017, Valia embarked on a journey into the fascinating world of herbs as the television presenter of Βότανα, καρποί της Γης (Herbs: Fruits of the Earth) on the Greek national public television channel ERT. She loves traveling and trekking in the mountains, and is inspired by holistic practices, tradition and ancient wisdom, and by mother Earth and all that she offers. Mostly, Valia is inspired by the healing power of Nature, inside and around us, as the greatest teacher and healer of all. Through classes, workshops and circles she aspires to nourish this deep connection and invite remembrance.
How to Get to Samothrace Island
We recommend flying into either Thessaloniki International Airport or Athens International airport.
On Sunday, August 25: From either city, take a flight to Alexandroupoli Airport (AXD). From Alexandroupoli, take the 4pm ferry boat to Kamariotissa, Samothrace (2 hours). There is only one ferry on Sundays, so be sure to time your arrival accordingly.
On Friday, August 30: We will take the 7pm ferry to Alexandroupoli. There is only one ferry option on Friday. We recommend booking an evening flight from Alexandroupoli (AXD) airport back to Thessaloniki or Athens.
