Serendipity has given me an exciting opportunity to travel to Greece coinciding with the launch of Akadēmeia Courses & Programs this year.
I have been travelling from the 19th of September, visiting ancient sites and learning about the mythology and philosophy that inspires so much of my creations for Apotheca.
Greece has a millennia-long tradition of using herbs for medicinal purposes, so I am very excited to explore more about ancient medicine and physicians - and of course, bring all that knowledge back with me to share with you!
This experience, Looking for Akadēmeia started with an invitation by my aunt and uncle. You may know my uncle (married my aunt Helen). He has a TV show called My Greek Odyssey about a boat called Mia Zoi traveling around the Greek islands sharing each island's unique gifts. Season five is currently playing on Sundays at 3:30pm on 7two. I first said I’ll think about it because Paul, my partner had commitments he couldn’t change and then I said yes. The pull was undeniably strong. I had to go.
My aunt and uncle picked me up from the island of Kythera but the journey started three days earlier in Athens. When I travel, I always research herbal medicine, naturopathy, looking for local apothecaries. That is how I met Maria, The Greek Herbalist, most serendipitously. She wrote about her travells to Kythera to learn more about Juliette de Bairacli Levy (1912-2009) a well-known and well-loved herbalist, traveler, and writer who lived here. It was from this one article that I contacted Maria, and how I came Looking for Akadēmeia in Greece.
Akadēmeia is the Greek word for academy. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded approximately 385 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill. It was an area outside of the Athens city walls that originally held a sacred grove and later contained a religious precinct and a public gymnasium. It was from here I planned my trip, in search for ancient wisdom, ancient herbal medicine and mythology the roots of my profession and my love of all things botanical.
Serendipitously, Akadēmeia was the name I gave to my course & programs long before my plans. @akademeia.by.anthia will become a distillation of over 27 years of clinical practice, consolidated in one place just for you.
I have been documenting my travels on @anthia.koullouros.naturopath
Please keep in touch as I hope to delight you with updates and behind-the-scenes of my travels.
I'll be putting together a blog post or two on my time in Greece - where I've been, what I've learnt and where I stayed (hotels etc.) and of course what I ate....
Much love,
Anthia
What happened next...Read My Greek Holiday