Cultural Tales Archives | Fly Me To The Moon Travel

Greek Carnival Traditions – Celebrating the “Apokries” in Greece

As winter ebbs and the trees start to blossom, a season of festivity begins. Millennia ago, this was the season of the “Dionysia” - celebrations dedicated to the Ancient Greek god Dionysus - a god of many things that go well together: orchards and fruit, vegetation, fertility, and festivity. He is also the god of

The “Polis” – Etymology, Civilization, and Ancient Greece

The Ancient Greek world has much to teach us still. The highest good, the ultimate virtue in ancient Greek society was civic engagement - contributing to the common good of the city and of society at large. For example, the wealthiest of the citizens were expected to fund the building of “triremes” battleships to protect

The Inspiring Story of the Marathon

During the Autumn months, festive and ambitious races of amateur and professional runners take place in cities large and small. The Marathon is now a beloved tradition, a celebration of athletics, dedication, and human achievement. But how did it get its name? And why the unusual yet quite specific - 42.195 kilometers (or 26 miles

Windmills and Watermills in Greece – History, Beauty, Sustainability

As renewable energy sources are something many of us are thinking about more and more, we can turn to the example of the wisdom and technology of Ancient Greece. Here in the Mediterranean, the powers of the famously brisk Aegean winds and the flowing waters of Greece’s many rivers have been harnessed for millennia. Wind

Inspiring under the radar actions in wonderful under the radar places

As the talk of where to go in Greece this summer starts warming up, we are thinking more and more of out-of-the-radar places where we can connect with nature. Here are some destinations offering unique experiences, places who take care of their natural environment and who have initiatives worthy of support. Sustainability and Substance -

Ancient Akrotiri – The Mysterious Excavation on Santorini

Amid the many charms of Santorini - the sunset over the caldera, the drama of cliffside Thera (Fira), the crisp Assyrtiko wine - Ancient Akrotiri holds a place of its own. Akrotiri is one of Greece’s most fascinating and mysterious excavations. A visit here will illuminate a facet of Ancient Greek culture less known. Ancient

The Story of the Corinth Canal

Visitors driving from Athens down to the Peloponnese begin their journey with a popular landmark - the Corinth Canal. It’s worth stopping to take a look - with its straight sides of approximately 100 meters in height and its narrow width of just 25 meters, this famous canal is a dramatic and photogenic sight. With

Epiphany – a Bright Day in the Heart of Winter

The Holiday season in Greece does not wrap up on January 1st - there is still more to celebrate here in this devout and festive country. In Greece, the holiday season comes to a finale a few days into the new year. On the 6th of January, all Greece celebrates Epiphany. This is the 12th

Vasilopita – The Greek Cake of Good Fortune

As many friends of Greece know, the holiday season in Greece has many of the same elements of the holiday season elsewhere, just not necessarily in the same order. While many countries have Santa Claus visiting homes on Christmas Eve, in Greece there is Agios Vasilis - Saint Basil. Bearing gifts and good cheer, this

Christmas Greetings from Greece

Wishing you a beautiful Holiday Season! As Christmas and New Year approach, we’d love to share Greek traditions with our friends from around the globe. Holiday Greetings from Greece Greeks love to exchange kind greetings at any opportunity - even wishing one another “Happy Week” on Mondays – Καλή Εβδομάδα (Kali Evdomada). Merry Christmas in