Day 1 - Arrive in Athens
We arrive at El Venizelous International Airport in Athens, Greece. Introduce yourself to the ancestors of the land as we are transported to our hotel in central Athens, a short walking distance to historical sites of the Acropolis, Syntagma Square and Plaka. Free time allowed for rest, unpacking, and time adjustment. Greece is 7 hours ahead.

Day 2 - Acropolis
After breakfast, we will begin our pilgrimage to the Acropolis. We will walk through the winding charming streets of old Athens towards the great hill and make our way over the ‘Propylaia,’ which is considered the threshold that worshippers crossed from the mundane into the sacred world of deities. We will explore this ancient sacred site of the Goddess, including the Parthenon which housed the statue of Athena (as the virgin), the temple of Nike, and the tribute to the forces of the Goddess at the Porch of Maidens. We'll enjoy a panoramic god’s-eye-view of the sprawling modern city below and then slowly make our way back down the expanse of marble and onto the charming pedestrian street lined with the cafes and restaurants of Thisseo.  We'll enjoy lunch with a view of the Acropolis in a traditional Greek taverna. When we are ready, we will leisurely return to the hotel to siesta like the locals. There is no rushing a good meal. After an afternoon Greek coffee (or tea), enjoy a night out in the old city of Plaka with its charming pedestrian streets. Celebrate your Goddess within with an optional welcome night of dinner and live Greek music and dancing in an outdoor rooftop taverna with spectacular views of the Acropolis. 

Day 3 - Saronic Islands of Poros, Hydra, and Aegina
One day cruise to Saronic Islands of Poros, Hydra and Aegina. We'll sail early from the mainland to the first charming island of Hydra. Here we have time for a swim or stroll or local craft shopping. We sail again in early afternoon towards Aegina, passing through the narrow strait separating the Peloponnesian coast from the island of Poros. We will make a shorter stop in the picturesque port of Poros and sail again towards Aegina. Lunch is served after sailing. Upon arrival in Aegina we will make our way to the Goddess temple of Aphaea. This is both an ancient and modern site of Goddess Worship which forms a sacred triangle with the Acropolis and the temple of Apollo at Sounion. After our making our connection, we travel back into the port town of Aegina for some free time for local craft shopping before we ferry back to the Athens mainland. Free night.
 
Day 4 - Site of the Eleusinian mysteries
After breakfast, we travel overland to Eleusina, the site of the Eleusinian mysteries. Make your connection to Mother Earth next to the entrance to the underworld where Persephone, daughter of Demeter (De-Meter: The Mother), was kidnapped by Pluto and then returned for a season. Here we unravel the mysteries as far as we can as we understand the cycles of life through them. After siesta, enjoy a free night with many options such as visiting the planetarium, one of the best in Europe.

Day 5 - Ancient sacred site of Delphi
After breakfast we turn our attention north and travel over land to ancient sacred site of Delphi. Once Gaea's home, later it was used as just another site for the oracle. There are as many stories about this ancient place as there are questions to ask the Oracle. We learn how the site's use evolved, from worshipping 'the mother' to punishing her daughters, the Pithies. Breathe in the fresh air as you imagine the Pithies (mediums in tune with their intuiton) sitting on poisonous earthly gases to help them get into altered state so that they could predict peoples’ futures. Return to Athens, free night to relax and pack.

Day 6 - Crete
After breakfast we are transfered to El Venizelos airport and catch a flight to the beautiful southern island of Iraklion, Crete. We are met by our bus and taken to our nearby hotel right on the beach. Free afternoon for swimming and relaxing, (weather permitting).

Day 7 - Goddess site of Knossos
After breakfast, our bus takes us to the glorious ancient Goddess site of KNOSSOS. Dating before the Bronze Age, the reconstructed palace is the grandest example of what could be possible in a matriarchial society.  Here we are led by a professional guide knowledgeable in the ancient ways of the Goddess. Our guide then accompanies us into the city of Iraklion and guides us through the archaeological museum, where we see the original goddess statues found at the ancient sites at Knossos and surrounding areas, including the famous "snake goddess" (the central deity worshiped in Crete up until 700BC. She displays an imagery of life, death and lunar events), and the "goddess with upraised arms" (a.k.a. goddess yoga pose!). We enjoy a local lunch in Heraklion. Free afternoon for swimming (weather permitting) and free night with time to pack.

Day 8 - Eiliuthia & Skoteino Caves
After breakfast, we begin our journey inward as our bus takes us to the first of several caves we will be exploring, the Eiliuthia cave (the womb). Birth and death are still celebrated here, a normal life cycle as considered by the Ancient Greeks. After making our connection inside Mother Earth, we then ride to Skoteino Cave. It's name means darkness, the darkness of the depths of Mother Earth, going 4 levels down into the earth. The Goddess was worshiped here first by the Minoans (before 1000BC) and finally by the Christians even till this day, though giving her the name of ‘saint’ rather than ‘goddess’, and building a church in her honor above her depths. We enjoy lunch and then continue our travels to the seaside town of Amoudara. We check into the family-run sea front hotel which houses it’s own charming taverna with tables right on the beach. Listen to Greek music and dance under the stars, roll up your pants and walk along the water under the moonlight. You have come home.

Day 9 - 13th Century monastery of Panagia Kera 
After breakfast, we ride to the 13th century monastery of Panagia Kera which houses artifacts featuring Pan-a-gia (Holy Mary), whose worship is really the transpiration of the Mother-Gaea. This is also the site of the Tree of Life. We continue onto the famous Dikteo Caves, believed to be the mythical birthplace of Zeus. After exploring and connecting with the energies here, we move above ground again to enjoy lunch at one of the best restaurants in the area with a fabulous expansive view of the famous Lassithi Plains, and it's hundreds of modern windmills. We ride back to hotel for siesta. That evening we go back in time as we are driven to the nearby traditional Cretan village of Kritsa. Dine as if you were family and shop the local fare of Greek local olive oil, honey and textiles.


Day 10 - Kato Zahros Gorge two-hour rocky hike
Transfer to the beginning of the beautiful Kato Zahros gorge. This is an optional two-hour rocky hike lined with catacombs dating back to the Minoan Age. It ends at the sea where we can swim, weather permitting, and eat lunch. The coach will be waiting for us at this end, so you can opt out and ride to the sea side. Transfer back to hotel for well-earned rest. Later, enjoy dinner by the sea at our hotel’s taverna, or take an optional taxi ride to the nearby charming town of Agios Nicholas where you can dine next to the famous bottomless lake (said to be inhabited by mythological sea goddesses and faeries). Time to pack.

Day 11 - Ferry to the Cycladic island of Paros
After an early breakfast we are transferred to the port of Heraklion where we board the ‘superfast’ ferry to the Cycladic island of Paros. Feel the mist of the Mediterranean on your face and look for dolphins swimming in the turquoise waters. On Paros, we check into nearby family-run hotel right on the sea where you will be treated as family! From here we walk to the nearby famous Church of Ekatontapiliani". Many stories surround this church, the most famous being that Helena, a priestess of Avalon, stopped here to pray on her way to find the cross that Jesus was nailed to and vowed that she would build a church to honor The Lady/The Goddess/Mary. Legend has it that her son Constantine finished his mother's wish and the church was named after the Lady, here called " Panagia" (mother of Jesus in Greek. Enjoy the rest of the day free to eat, swim, shop, rest.  Enjoy dinner at the family-run taverna right under our hotel, noted to be one of the best restaurants in the area. After another delicious local meal, stroll along the fishing-boat-lined port, and visit the famous Sulla Luna Paros Gelato shop, for homemade gelato made by the Italian Goddess Denise, with a recipe passed down in her family for generations. 

Day 12 - Excursion boat to the ancient site of Delos

After breakfast, we board a bus and ride over the white marble-filled earth to the charming fishing village of Naousa to catch the excursion boat to the ancient site of Delos. The entire island is an archaeological site. This is the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis, brother and sister, and the island houses remains of temples to Gods and Goddesses including one built in honor of Isis. We will visit the secret cave, wonder at its use, and hike up the mountain with spectacular 360 degree views of the entire island and nearby islands and connect with this strong force of Gaea. Feel the energy fill your body and bring it into your heart. The excursion boat continues to the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos where we are free to have lunch and explore the famous old town for pedestrians only, built in a maze-like pattern by early settlers to confuse any attacking pirates. Boat returns us to Paros, free night to rest and pack.

Day 13 - Last night in Athens
Check out, ferry boat back to the mainland and transfer to hotel for one last night in Athens to feast on Greek salad and mezze, do any last minute souvenir shopping, and say our farewells to each other and to the Goddesses.

Day 14 - Fly Home