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Real-Time Retreats

Divine Greece:

Where The Gods Are Celebrated

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Pack your bags this week for a trip to idyllic Greece! Greece is ancient sun-bleached ruins piercing blue skies, the balmy Aegean lapping an endless coastline and a culture alive with passionate music, wonderful cuisine and thrill-seeking activities.

Real Time Retreats: Divine Greece: Where The Gods Are Celebrated

You’re in for a real treat this week as our Greek hosts from Horizon Travel, Blue Cocoon and the two hotels this week guide us through the gorgeous settings of Mykonos and Corfu, and the equally stunning properties of AEGON Hotel Mykonos and ANGSANA Hotel Corfu! Hold onto your togas, darlings, this is going to be funnnnnnnnnnn!

Though certainly not required, each week we ask our planners to get into the theme of the destination by dressing up, making an appropriate cocktail, maybe bringing a prop or a story from your travels! We’ll be asking Hermes (god of travelers, among others) to guide us this week as we transform ourselves into the Greek gods and goddesses... Will you sea your way to being Poseidon? Feeling as great as Zeus, or as beautiful as Aphrodite? Perhaps Apollo, Athena or Artemis are more your vibe? It’s worth the time and effort to ‘all-in’ on Wednesday with costume, story, and props, darlings, because there are some Olympic-sized rewards to be won!

Giveaways this week!

Angsana Corfu aerial pool

* 2-night stay at the ANGSANA in Corfu in an Ionian Seaview Grand double room, plus transfers

AEGON Mykonos infinity suite pool

* 2-night stay at the AEGON Mykonos in a Deluxe Room Retreat, plus transfer

* Plus, a pair of Maui Jim sunglasses is being rewarded as well!

And the first five planners to log in after 3:55 will win a gift from our hosts, too!

Video Replay

Thanassis Phocas, Sales & Senior Project Manager - Horizon Travel

Thanassis Phocas

Sales & Senior Project Manager - Horizon Travel

50, Praxitelous Str. Kallithea – Athens 17674, Greece
New York, NY 10019
Dir.: (+30) 210 9470 914
Cell: (+30) 6937 220 233
E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
W: www.horizon.gr
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Born and raised in Athens, you can say I am the guy you want around when you plan your next event in Greece!

I love challenging myself, I am a quick adapter and I always enjoy multitasking.

HORIZON is a perfect fit for me because of the values it represents, such as professional ethics, the love of Greece, the Team-spirit, and the quality of services.

Fun however, is also FUNdamental!

Sofia Theofilaktidis, VP Sales & Marketing - Blue Cocoon

Sofia Theofilaktidis

VP Sales & Marketing - Blue Cocoon

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Sofia was born and raised in New York City. As a first-generation American to Greek parents, traveling multiple times a year to visit family and explore her roots was an inevitability that she grew to treasure. She had a long career in production for high-end fashion advertising campaigns, editorials, runways, and events for clients such as J.Crew, Victoria’s Secret, Marc Jacobs, Bath & Body Works, and more. The nature of her work required extensive travel, lifestyle, and logistical coordination to all parts of the world.

Pivoting from the fashion world, she co-founded Blue Cocoon, the boutique luxury leisure division of Horizon Travel. Her team consists of well-connected travel tastemakers and experts that design sophisticated, tailor-made trips within Greece for the niche traveler. She strives to redefine luxury by offering elevated, purposeful, and authentically immersive experiences. Traveling with intention may require more heart, thought, and time, but it gives back, twofold, what it takes.

Eleftheria Synodinou, Revenue Manager - AEGON Hotel Mykonos

Eleftheria Synodinou

Revenue Manager - AEGON Hotel Mykonos

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Working for 18 years in Marriott’s 5-star properties, I have developed affection feelings for the hospitality industry.

Combining a family of two children and a dog with eager feeling to learn new skills and develop them further through my experience. Ballroom and Latin street dancing are one of my passions other than traveling!

Natalia Lutsenko, Sales Manager - AEGON Hotel Mykonos

Natalia Lutsenko

Sales Manager - AEGON Hotel Mykonos

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For the past 20 years that I have lived in Greece, 15 of them have been devoted to the tourism industry, and it has been nothing but a pleasure to share the beauty of this wonderful and special country with travelers. My enthusiasm for this enduring destination has evolved into a wonderful blend of work and pleasure.

As per my hobbies, aside from digging into myriad streams of new knowledge, one of my pleasures is spending time with my son, sorting through his countless cars by color and form.

Stamatia Foteinou, Sales & Marketing Executive - ANGSANA Hotel Corfu

Stamatia Foteinou

Sales & Marketing Executive - ANGSANA Hotel Corfu

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Stamatia was born and raised in Corfu, the Queen of the Ionian Islands. She is a motivated journalist with excellent communication skills and knowledge in marketing field.

Now, as a part of Angsana Corfu Team, she aims to create an emotional bond between clients and the brand. She believes in diversity of clients’ needs and has the ambition not only to meet their criteria and preferences, but also to go beyond them, so as to provide them the best possible experience.

Her interests involve poetry & creative writing, traveling, extreme sports and photography aligned with her own aesthetics and perspectives. She is also an “art-junkie” who seeks opportunities to visit painting exhibitions and museums.

Yiannis Iliadis, Manager, Event Sales - ANGSANA Hotel Corfu

Yiannis Iliadis

Manager, Event Sales - ANGSANA Hotel Corfu

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I consider myself a citizen of the world!!

Born in The Netherlands, Greek father, Dutch mother and grew up in the eternal city of Rome. From the age of a ‘toddler,’ I had the luck to travel around the world with my mom who was a flight attendant and had the opportunity to visit many places and been introduced to so many different cultures and traditions.

In 2007 I moved to Athens and decided to undertake a new challenge in my life and joined the MICE Travel Industry. Since then, each day and every event is an unforgettable voyage.

In October 2020, I started this new adventure at Angsana Corfu Resort as Manager Event Sales. I feel excited and honored to be part of this great team and can’t wait to open this beautiful property a gem in the Mediterranean.

My free time is dedicated to my beautiful Twins, the joy of my life!!

Corfu

Greece! Where The Gods Are Celebrated

Our first stop - the island of Corfu!

Corfu is located in the north Ionian Sea, opposite the coast of the Greek mainland and close to Italy and it is the diamond of the Ionian Islands complex, also called the Heptanese.

Corfu is one of the most important and beautiful islands in Greece, perhaps the greenest one with dense vegetation, unmatched in natural beauty with dozens of sightseeing and beautiful beaches. It is also one of the country’s cornerstones in the tourism industry. It’s an island with a long history and has been notable in Greek culture and tradition for over 3,000 years.

Angsana Hotel Corfu

ANGSANA HOTEL CORFU

Angsana Corfu is a Mediterranean sanctuary of extraordinary beauty, a luxurious spa and beach resort offering the warmth and charms of its unique blend of Greek and Asian hospitality. Its proximity to Achilleion Palace, once home to the famed Empress Sisi of Austria, enriches its surroundings with echoes of a royal era. The resort is set on an idyllic lush green hilltop overlooking the turquoise waters of the historical Benitses Bay. It boasts a close vicinity to the exotic Paxoi and Antipaxoi islets. Located a short 12 km drive south of Corfu town, an UNESCO World Heritage site with its imposing Old Fortress, the resort is strategically positioned for must-see spots, beautiful sandy beaches, historical sites and activities for all tastes, an experience of local heritage and a deep sense of belonging.

Angsana Hotel Corfu infinity pool

TO INFINITY AND BEYOND

Amongst Angsana Corfu luxurious facilities, a main outdoor infinity pool encapsulates the heart of the resort’s lifestyle. An indoor heated pool for winter days or training regimes and a kids’ pool bring the fun of poolside life to every guest. A personal fitness program can be designed and executed at Angsana Corfu dedicated state-of-the-art Gym and at the outdoor Yoga Pavilion, for a healthy and fit summer life. There will always be something for the children, who can happily hang out and socially mingle at the kids’ club and pool, the Ranger’s Club. Their beach spot will offer luxurious sun loungers, a beach bar and fun water sports activities. A dedicated concierge is available to deliver special guest requests.

Angsana Hotel Corfu birdseye views

SPECTACULAR VIEWS

The resort offers a collection of 159 contemporary rooms and suites, plus 37 luxury villa homes built in the style of local architecture, laid out across the hilltop estate. The estate is surrounded by a landscape of exquisite beauty with Mediterranean gardens and olive tree groves, overlooking the picturesque Benitses Bay, presenting far-reaching views of the Ionian sea and the countryside.

Angsana Hotel Corfu starboard terrace lounge

MEET YOU POOLSIDE

Corporate events and meetings are top of the list in this delightful Angsana Corfu Sanctuary. Events have their place, a dedicated conference space where Executive VIP board members can summon corporate teams and become creatively inspirational, when planning ahead, with a range of activities. Leisure activities and functions can be hosted pool-side, beach-side and at the rooftop terrace venues. A professional team of events and wedding organizers will deliver the required service for your special event at Angsana Corfu resort.

‘Sexy Greek’ Cocktail

‘Sexy Greek’ Cocktail

The Sexy Greek is a take on the traditional screwdriver, substituting vodka for Ouzo. The sexy Greek is also Spiros Boutsias, but that’s another story.

Ingredients

  • 1½ ounces Ouzo
  • 7 ounces orange juice
  • ice
  • Garnish: orange peel

Method

Just mix together Ouzo and orange juice and pour over ice in a collins glass. Garnish with an orange slice and get friendly.

Mykonos

MYKONOS

Our second stop - Mykonos!

Mykonos is an island in the Cyclades group in the Aegean Sea. It’s popularly known for its summer party atmosphere. Beaches such as Paradise and Super Paradise host stellar beach events. Iconic landmarks include a row of 16th-century windmills, which sit on a hill above Mykonos town.

Aegon Hotel Mykonos outdoor pool

AEGON HOTEL MYKONOS

With a total of 76 rooms and suites, Aegon Mykonos comprises of 2 premises for guests to choose depending on their mood, the serene ‘Retreat’ located on the hillside with panoramic views, and the vibrant ‘Revive’ on the Kalo Livadi beach. A choice of two restaurants include ‘Dalos,’ set on an atmospheric terrace with sea views, serving Cycladic flavors combined with the Nikkei, creating a unique dining experience. With pristine blue waters, golden sands and cocktails, everything from gym and spas, to yoga and paddle-boarding, Aegon Mykonos is the ultimate retreat for mind body and soul.

Angsana Hotel Dalios Restaurant

DIVINE DINING

With luxurious dining options on the property, you’ll have many choices to suit your fancies. The culinary gem of Aegon Mykonos is defined by creative Cycladic cuisine.

Aegon Hotel Mykonos aqua guest rooms sharing pool

ROOMS WITH A VIEW

Above, the sharing pool takes center stage in the Aqua Room Retreats with a watery backdrop, contrasting intimacy with togetherness. Other rooms and suites offer private pools and terraces. A variety of room product keeps things interesting.

Palm Springs movie on Hulu

IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME...

Each week, we give you some food for thought in this little area... to help put you in the mood for our tour. How about a little taste of chicken souvlaki?

A full list of the Greek gods, with their backgrounds.

The best Greek movies, from IMDB.

If you’re feeling like you need to get back in the gym, the Legend of Hercules.

If you don’t care anything about going to gym for a few weeks.

Some virtual backgrounds for you for our Zoom call, provided by Horizon, Blue Cocoon, Aegon Hotel Mykonos and Angsana Corfu

Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim Corporate Gifts

Kelly McAlister, Maui Jim

Kelly McAlister of Maui Jim will be with us on the calls each week as judge and jury to see which planner really goes all-in with the theme. So engage, be creative, and have fun... and you may be the winner!

She’ll be doing some gifting that will surely lift your shelter-in-place spirits!

Maui Jim