Join The Greek Herbalist and Mira Karakitsou of A Temple Wild on a mythical and mystical plant journey in northern Greece. This herbal myth and medicine tour will take us to Mount Pangaion, an area sacred to the god Dionysos, as well as to the picturesque Rodopi Mountains at the start of the vibrant autumn season.

Celebrate the Fall Equinox surrounded by the botanical bounty of this very special region of Greece. Welcome in the harvest season with hiking, hands-on herbal medicine workshops, and ceremonies honoring ancient Greek herbal traditions. Learn about sacred plants in Greek mythology and how to apply them to your own practices of self-care. Indulge in traditional Greek cuisine and experience the unique landscape of northern Greece.

Maria and Mira will introduce you to ancient and modern herbal medicine, sharing the mythical, mystical, and medicinal qualities of celebrated plants in Greece. We will also examine the significance of the harvest in our everyday lives, reflecting on the teachings of the plants and their role in ancient and modern celebrations of the Equinox season. Join us for this holistic exploration into the wisdom of an ancient practice.

This tour involves a moderately difficult hike on a maintained forest trail. Participants must be able to hike on uneven, uphill and downhill terrain for up to approximately 3 hours. 

 Registration includes:

• 5 nights in comfortable hotel accommodations
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner (excluding alcohol)
• Workshops about Greek mythology, ancient Greek herbal medicine, and modern applications of Greek herbs
• Hiking, sightseeing, and museum visits
• Transportation to/from Thessaloniki airport and transportation to all group activities listed in the final itinerary
• The Greek Herbalist tote bag

Registration does NOT include: 

• Flight to/from Thessaloniki
• Meals, activities, and transfers not listed on the itinerary
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

 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.

Mira Karakitsou (A Temple Wild) is a Greek-American artist and herbalist who crafts offerings inspired by the landscapes and myths of the ancient Greeks, their stories ripe with Eros and deeply rooted in Mediterranean soil. She is also the host of A Temple Wild, a podcast and show that explores the Greek myths, not just as stories created by humans, but as traditions growing from the landscape itself: grounded in Mediterranean earth and nourished by the sun, sea, and mountains. You can find her online at atemplewild.com, where she re-members ancient Greek plant lore and shares her essays, dances, poetry, and more.

 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: Saturday

• Pick up from Thessaloniki airport
• Group welcome and herbal tea workshop with Greek herbs 
• Tour of village
• Dinner

Day 2: Sunday - Fall Equinox

• Breakfast
• Hike in the village of Mesoropi and forest meditation
• Lunch
• Fall equinox ritual
• Dinner

Day 3: Monday

• Breakfast
• Exploring Kavala and visiting the Archaeological Museum of Kavala
• Lunch
• Myth and medicine workshop
• Dinner

Day 4: Tuesday

• Breakfast
• Visit to Peliti Seed exchange
• Lunch
• Harvest workshop
• Dinner

Day 5: Wednesday

• Breakfast
• Myth and medicine workshop
• Lunch
• Free time
• Dinner and closing ceremony

Day 6: Thursday

• Breakfast
• Final reflections
• Drop-off at Thessaloniki airport