JOIN THE GREEK HERBALIST FOR A 5-DAY HERBAL MEDICINE TOUR ON THE BEAUTIFUL GREEK ISLAND OF KYTHERA

The island of Kythera was once home to Juliette de Bairacli Levy (1912-2009), a well-known herbalist, traveler, and writer who influenced herbalists around the world. This 5-day herbal medicine tour will honor Juliette’s memory and bring together people who wish to learn more about her herbal journey and inspirational life.

Below you will find all details about registration, an example itinerary, and options for accommodations.

But first, why are we celebrating Juliette?

A pioneer, a medicine woman, a wonder maker, a healer, and a naturalist — Juliette has been celebrated for decades both during her life and after for her extraordinary contributions to herbal medicine. She was a prolific writer of non-fiction, fiction, and poetry, and her work on herbal medicine, especially, has inspired and educated thousands of people on how to apply herbs for human and animal health. Juliette passed away in 2009 at the age of 97. 

So why celebrate her now? 

Last year I took a 10-day trip to the island of Kythera to uncover some of the mystery behind this celebrated herbal figure. I had recently watched the film Juliette of the Herbs and became enchanted with the idea of her gathering herbs and making herbal medicines in a cottage located on the outskirts of a small Greek village, where she had lived for 10 years. As a Greek-American, I was also immensely curious about her life on the island and how Greece shaped her herbal practice.

During my visit, I met locals who smiled as they recollected their memories of her. I trekked through high grasses in very hot weather to peer through the window of her former home. I swam in the waters of the beach she frequented. I really felt the beauty of the island seep into my skin.

Serendipitously, a couple weeks later, I was connected with Adaya de Bairacli Levy, Juliette’s granddaughter, who had just visited the island and had only one day in Athens (where I live) to meet with me. Adaya is a popular folk singer (www.adaya.net) who sings the lyrics of her grandmother’s poetry. Since meeting her last year, I’ve been inspired and encouraged to organize an event that honors Juliette’s memory and her invaluable contributions to those of us who still wish to capture the treasure and spirit of nature in the melodies of our lives.

You can read more about my visit to the island in the article, Ten Days on Kythera: Remembering Juliette de Bairacli Levy, published in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Conservation by United Plant Savers. 

Choose from five options for hotel accommodations. We are offering multiple options to accommodate the expected size of the group. All options include the full tour experience.

• Reserve your spot from the options below with a non-refundable deposit of $500.
• Half of your remaining balance payment is due by January 15, 2023 (an invoice will be sent to you). Final balance payment is due by April 15, 2023 (a receipt will be sent to you).
• Payments are accepted in U.S. dollars by any credit card or PayPal. Any fees for currency conversion are to be paid by the registrant.
• Booking + Cancellation Policy: All fees are to be paid in U.S. dollars. The $500 deposit is non-refundable. The paid remaining balance can be fully refunded 5 months prior to the tour (January 25, 2023 or earlier). After January 25, 2023, the paid remaining balance can be refunded 50% until March 25, 2023. No refunds within 3 months of tour (March 26, 2023 or later), but transfers to interested participants is possible. All participants must read and agree to our Booking + Cancellation Policy.

Registration includes:

• Accommodations from Sunday, June 25, 2023 - Friday, June 30, 2023 in the village of Avlemonas
• Transportation for pick-up / drop-off at airport or ferry port
• Transportation to all scheduled and organized group activities listed in the final itinerary
• Daily meals of breakfast, lunch, & dinner beginning with dinner on arrival day and ending with lunch on departure day
• Herbal medicine activities with local artisans and herbalists
• A special pilgrimage to the cottage where Juliette once lived
• A closing circle to honor Juliette’s influence on herbalists around the world
• Special tote bag from The Greek Herbalist

Your registration does NOT include:

• Flight or ferry to/from Kythera - we will provide guidance on how to get to Kythera once airline and ferry schedules are announced for the 2023 travel season
• Meals and activities not listed on the itinerary
• Travel insurance (highly recommended)

OPTIONS FOR HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS:

To reserve your spot on the tour, you must select from one of these five options for accommodations in the village of Avlemonas. We are offering multiple options to accommodate the expected size of the group. All options include the full tour experience. Once you have selected your preferred accommodation, you will need to select from the available rooms. Your deposit holds your room selection. Unless there is availability, this selection can not be changed once you submit payment. 

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: Arrival day

• Pick-up from airport / ferry port
• Hike with a local guide
• Group welcome dinner

Day 2

• Breakfast
• Botanical hike with local herbalist and forest bathing with The Greek Herbalist
• Lunch
• Herbal medicine-making workshop at Elixrysos Herbal Apothecary
• Free time / beach
• Dinner
• NEW: Live Zoom call with Susun Weed, herbalist and publisher of Juliette’s books
• Showing of Juliette of the Herbs film

Day 3

• Breakfast
• Olive oil soap workshop or Greek cooking workshop
• Lunch
• Free time / beach
• Shopping and dinner in the main town

Day 4

• Breakfast
• Honey bee workshop
• Lunch
• Ancient and modern Greek herbal medicine seminar with The Greek Herbalist
• Free time / beach
• Dinner

Day 5: Juliette’s day

• Breakfast
• Free time / beach / preparing for the celebration of Juliette
• Lunch
• Pilgrimage to Juliette’s cottage
• Celebration dinner
• Closing circle to honor Juliette’s influence on herbalists around the world

Day 6: Departure day

• Breakfast
• Beach meditation and final reflections
• Free time / beach
• Farewell lunch
• Drop-off at airport / ferry port

The island of Kythera is famed as the birthplace of Aphrodite, the goddess of beauty and love. The island is located near the southern part of the Peloponnese and offers scenic beaches, green landscapes, and Medieval architecture.

From Athens, the island is accessible by plane (50 minutes) or by ferry boat (6.5 hours). We will provide guidance on how to get to Kythera once airline and ferry schedules are announced for the 2023 travel season.