FROM ANCIENT MYTHS TO MODERN STORYTELLERS
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KATE FORSYTH
Join award-winning author and poet Kate Forsyth on a 10-day literary odyssey through the ancient and fabled land of Greece.
"My fascination with Greece began with its myths. They sowed in me a longing to travel to Greece, and a love for its ancient stories. One thing that struck me, however, was that all the Greek heroes were young men – any female I did find often had a terrible fate: transformed into trees, given snakes for hair, or chained up for a sea-serpent.
When I began to develop the idea of a literary tour of Greece, I decided to focus on modern women writers as a counterbalance to the thousands of years of male-dominated histories and his-stories. Our carefully curated itinerary was inspired by the texts I chose – all of them written by women, all of them giving a bold fresh insight into the beautiful land of Greece".
Kate Forsyth
From Ancient Myths to Modern Storytellers:
A Literary Tour of Greece
About the Tour
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Located on the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, Greece is a land of sun-bleached ruins, mountainous interiors, spectacular island beaches and endless Aegean coastline. Its culture, food, wine, music and myths are legendary, with historic sites and stories that span over four thousand years.
On this literary tour, Kate will share some of the most fascinating stories from Greek myth and history as we visit the sites where these legends were born - and experience the best of the culture they left behind. We'll also walk in the footsteps of modern writers who have lived in Greece and been inspired by its land and people.
Throughout the tour, Kate will lead a series of 'Literary Salon' sessions based on a selection of works written by women, inspired by Greece. These range from new tellings of old tales, memoir, poetry, essay, fiction and non-fiction - all designed to deepen and enrich your knowledge of the country considered to be the cradle of western civilisation.
Tour Itinerary and Highlights
We start our tour in Athens, the city dedicated to Athena, Greek goddess of wisdom. Here we'll learn about the foundational myths of the Greek pantheon and their enduring appeal to storytellers today. We'll explore the streets of Athens like a local, discovering the ancient city's stories and secrets while sampling the best of local produce.
Then we head to the charming island of Hydra, once home to a famous bohemian community of artists and writers including musician Leonard Cohen and Australian writers Charmian Clift and George Johnston. Hydra has since become an important literary pilgrimage for many Australians, and continues to inspire artists and writers today.
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Next, we fly to Crete, the largest of the Greek islands and the heartland of ancient Minoan civilisation. Crete has a deep and multilayered literary and mythological history: not only was it the birthplace of Zeus, but also Ariadne and the Minotaur, who inspired Kate's recent novel, The Crimson Thread. Crete has been home to many Greek literary giants such as Nikos Kazantzakis and Pandelis Prevelakis, but its landscape, culture and stories have inspired countless other writers who travelled to its fabled shores. Crete is also a significant site for many Australians due to the experiences of the ANZACs stationed there during WWII - also a connection close to Kate's heart, and a story woven into her novel.
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Our expedition through Crete begins in the port-city of Chania, known for its 14th-century Venetian harbour, Egyptian and Ottoman influences, and vibrant waterfront life. Chania is our gateway to Western Crete and the legendary Lefka Ori (White Mountains) where we will learn about the myths, history and customs of the Cretan land and its people - both of which remain a major source of literary inspiration.
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We end our tour in Heraklion, famous for its multicultural Old Town along with its ancient cultural and archaeological sites. The most important of these is Knossos, a palace dating back to the 7th millennium BC, which served as the ceremonial, political, religious, cultural and economic center of the Minoan civilization. The palace is also famous for its association with the myth of Ariadne, Perseus and the Minotaur, along with the labyrinth, which many believe Daedalus built under Knossos.
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Please note: this tour is designed for adventurous travellers keen to discover the secrets of Greece off the beaten track. A moderate level of fitness is required as we will be on the move most days and there will be a lot of walking, sometimes in hilly terrain.
The Literary Salons
One of the wonderful things about ‘destination reading’ is the heightened literary and travel experience it fosters. Imagine reading about Ariadne, Theseus and the Minotaur before visiting the site of the labyrinth or tasting the sumptuous Minoan foods that would have been enjoyed in the Palace of Knossos, above. Read Charmian Clift’s evocative and deeply personal words about her life in Hydra, while immersing yourself in the very same place that inspired her. Taste the local honey Clift would have used in her kitchen, breathe in the same warm salty air that would have brushed her face in the late afternoon, and visit the local taverna where Leonard Cohen once serenaded Clift and others from their local artistic community. Walk through the legendary Lefka Ori (“White Mountains”) after reading about them in The Crimson Thread, the place where Alenka tends to Jack and Teddy after they are forced to hide there with the tattered remains of the Allied forces during WWII.
Our literary tour is designed to enrich your experience of Greece through a selected list of works written by modern women writers: a counterbalance to the thousands of years of male-dominated histories and his-stories. Our carefully curated itinerary was inspired by the texts chosen by Kate – all of them written by women, all of them giving a bold fresh insight into the beautiful land of Greece.
In seven ‘literary salon’ sessions facilitated by Kate throughout our journey, you will gain a deeper understanding of the selected works listed in our reading guide. Kate will share with you the Greek history and legends associated with these texts and their writers, along with their broader cultural and literary context. You will learn about Kate’s personal connection to Greece through these stories, and glean a wealth of insights into her own writing and research process. These sessions will also provide a more structured setting for you to discuss the texts with the group, offering your own impressions and interpretations of the works as well as asking questions.
KATE FORSYTH
Dr Kate Forsyth wrote her first novel at the age of seven and has now sold more than a million copies internationally. Named 'one of Australia’s finest writers of this generation';, Kate has written more than 50 books, for all age groups and across many genres, and published in almost 20 countries.
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Kate's most recent novel, Psyche, is a retelling of an ancient myth as a life-affirming celebration of feminine desire, strength and disobedience. Other novels for adults include The Crimson Thread, set in Crete during the Nazi invasion; Bitter Greens, which won the 2015 American Library Award for Best Historical Fiction; and The Wild Girl which was named the Most Memorable Love Story of 2013.
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Kate has a BA in literature, a MA in creative writing, and a Doctorate of Creative Arts in fairy tale studies. She is also an accredited master storyteller with the Australian Guild of Storytellers. Kate has taught writing retreats in Australia, Fiji, Greece, and the Cotswolds, and has a new writing retreat with Better Read Tours in Scotland planned for 2025.
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I found my perfect tour and way to explore overseas destinations as a solo traveller. I visited extraordinary places that I'd long dreamed about, met a fabulous group of fellow travellers whom I hope will be lifelong friends, had stimulating coversations, talked books and life, and expanded my mind and world. Kate and the team took such care to provide an exceptional experience for us. Their care, kindness, and exceptional knowledge made them the tour perfect. And, it was fun!
Michelle Simon, Sydney
PRICE
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Price is $11,350 for single accommodation, and $9,850 for twin share.
To secure your booking, a deposit of 30% is required within 7 days of receiving your booking form. All prices in $AUD. Get in touch with us at tours@betterread.com.au for payment terms and installment dates. ​
PACKAGE DETAILS
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What is included in the cost?
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Tour Leader, Kate Forsyth (Australian) - expert in Greek myths and literature
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Tour Manager (Australian) - expert in European literary culture and history
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Eight 'literary salon' sessions with Kate, along with curated reading guide and lectures
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24/7 Concierge Service and Emergency Assistance
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English speaking local guides
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4-5 star accommodation with daily breakfast
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All inland transport and transfers (as listed in itinerary)
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Ferry transfers (as listed in itinerary)
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Meals and drinks (as listed in itinerary)
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All services, tours and entrance fees (as listed in itinerary)
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Domestic flight as per itinerary (Economy Class)​
What is not included in the cost?
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Transport/flights to and from Greece
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Any visas you may require
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Travel insurance (compulsory)
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Incidentals and expenditure of a personal nature
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Services, meals, drinks and gratuities not mentioned in itinerary
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Covid-19 testing or other medical-related expenses
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