Thalia Peteinatou

What places and activities do you specialize in?

"Multi-thematic personalized trips of alternative character, with focus on the ideal combination of historic highlights, culture & tradition, recreational activities and relaxation but primarily on the interaction with local people, experiencing the Greek hospitality and gastronomy of each area such as Athens, Peloponnese, the Cycladic islands, Zagori, Meteora & Pelion."

How did you get involved in travel?

"Since I was a kid, I grew up with the fascinating stories of the Greek Mythology, which stimulated my imagination and triggered my curiosity to visit all those legendary places mentioned in the Myths.
As my parents were both professors, they were taking advantage of their extended holiday to travel in family all over Greece. My father used to organize every trip to be educative, adventurous, and fun at the same time, so I was initiated into discovering my motherland in multiple ways. I was always amazed by the exceptional beauty of diverse landscapes and excited to learn about the history and local culture of each place. At this early age, I fell passionately in love with Greece, and I keep falling in love again and again the more destinations I explore.
Those childhood memories of my dad carrying maps and travel guides, were my source of inspiration to get professionally involved in Tourism, with the vision to plan multi-thematic trips for future travelers, as I would do for my family and friends, under the guidance of an expert. Following my studies in Translation/Interpretation and Travel & Tourism Management, from the moment I started my professional career, I was “infected by the Tourism virus" which means the aspiration to deliver high-standard services, with commitment, devotion, and respect for every visitor and in accordance to the global values of equity, authenticity, safety, flexibility & sustainability."

Please share a unique travel experience you will never forget.

"Every trip is a new adventure! Back to my student years, on my last day of holiday to Naxos, beginning of September, I came across a professional skipper with his wife, who would sail on the same day to Piraeus. They invited me to join them, and I did not hesitate to say yes, since I had never travelled on a sailing boat before.

It was a trip full of surprises, as we experienced light and stronger winds throughout the same day, some rain and even a storm. As a result, a few more anchorage overnights were necessary at the island of Kythnos, for safety reasons. At first, I was worried but then I was grateful for the opportunity to discover this charming Cycladic island, full of colorful flowers, bright blue waters, golden beaches, and one of Greece’s largest caves – Katafiki Cave in Dryopida. In addition, we were extremely lucky to participate in a local festival (Panigyri), in celebration of the Panagia (Virgin Mary) Kanala, worshiped in Kythnos every year on the 9th of September.
These authentic festivals take place in many areas of Greece, on different dates. Apart from their religious duties, people eat, drink, and entertain themselves by singing and dancing with the music of traditional instruments. Dancing along is hard to resist, as every visitor is welcome to join the celebration and get drunk by joy and life! This is the ultimate of way of interacting and connecting with the locals by becoming part of their lifestyle.

This was a literally “Go where the wind blows” journey and unexpectedly rewarding at the end!"