Copyright Forbes
Perched atop the southernmost tip of Attica, where the Aegean glimmers beneath the watchful gaze of the Temple of Poseidon, Cape Sounio has long been a destination for those seeking the sublime. Now, that energy takes on a new form through the debut of the resort’s Elevations of Wellness program, created in partnership with Athens-born, Los Angeles-based integrative healer Vicky Vlachonis. Known for blending ancient Greek traditions with modern science, Vlachonis has long guided global icons like Gwyneth Paltrow, Lady Gaga, and Oprah Winfrey toward balance and vitality. And with this new collaboration, she’s bringing her life’s work home to the very landscape that inspired it. Vlachonis describes the collaboration as “something that came together very organically.” Having grown up in Athens, she’s always felt a profound connection to her homeland—the sacred light, the rhythm of the sea, the energy of the earth. “My formative years were spent experiencing the healing energy of Greece,” she says. “I still remember childhood trips to Sounion with my family and the sense of balance I felt here. It’s where my own exploration of vitality and wellness began.” So, when Grecotel approached her about developing a wellness program that would honor Greece’s natural power and heritage while offering a modern approach, the fit was immediate. Together with Odyssia Daskalantonaki and the Grecotel team, she envisioned an experience that would invite guests to slow down, reconnect, and rediscover the joy of being present. That sense of alignment between body, spirit, and place runs through every detail of the program. From Cape Sounio’s terraces, guests look out toward the Temple of Poseidon, surrounded by the elements that define Vlachonis’s philosophy: the calm of the Aegean, the warmth of the sun, the whisper of wind through olive trees. “You can literally feel the natural healing elements working together in harmony,” she explains. “For me, that’s the essence of wellness—balance between nature and self.” After decades of working around the world, Vlachonis felt compelled to bring her practice back to Greece. “The world is moving so fast right now—stress, disconnection, information overload,” she says. “People are craving authenticity, simplicity, and depth. Greece offers all of that.” The result is a program that merges Hippocratic wisdom with 21st-century science: hands-on osteopathic treatments, craniosacral therapy, reflexology, acupuncture, and emotional release techniques designed to restore the body’s innate equilibrium. “The ancient Greeks already understood what modern science confirms today, that emotions affect the body, that nature restores the mind, that food is medicine,” Vlachonis notes. “When you bring these ideologies together, the impact is extraordinary.” This philosophy crystalizes in Elevations of Wellness, which she designed not as a spa menu but as a full emotional and physical journey. Personalized consultations and treatments are combined with nutrition, mindful movement, and what the healer calls “rituals of resilience,” daily practices that foster awareness and healing. “It’s not about escaping life,” she says. “It’s about elevating life, feeling refreshed and revitalized each day.” Those rituals, drawn from ancient Greek principles of Eudaimonia—the practice of living in harmony with one’s true self—are woven throughout the guest experience. Days might begin with grounding barefoot walks along the shore, dry brushing with olive oil, or guided meditations at sunrise. Evenings bring sunset hikes to the Temple of Poseidon, saltwater floats, or shared meals centered on the Mediterranean diet. “These small, meaningful acts connect us with our environment and remind us that wellness is a daily ritual, not a luxury,” Vlachonis says. At the core of the program are the personalized in-room consultations, which begin with conversation and careful observation. “The body doesn’t lie,” she explains, referencing her bestselling book of the same name. “Pain, fatigue, or digestive issues—they’re messages from within. When we learn to listen to those signals, we can transform awareness into healing.” Using a combination of osteopathic techniques, breathwork, and energy balancing, her treatments aim to release stored tension and restore vitality. Guests often describe feeling lighter, clearer, and more centered, not just physically but emotionally. “Once you understand your pain and where it comes from,” she adds, “you can channel it into a source of power and change.” For Vlachonis, authenticity begins with the people delivering the experience. She spends time training Cape Sounio’s therapists and hospitality staff personally, focusing not only on technique but on presence. “It’s about teaching intention and how to approach each guest with empathy and awareness,” she says. “Every interaction is an opportunity to create healing energy.” She credits Grecotel’s culture for embodying that ethos: “Their warmth and authenticity were a huge part of why this partnership felt so natural.” Nutrition forms another cornerstone of Elevations of Wellness. “Greek food is the original Mediterranean diet—fresh, seasonal, balanced, and colorful,” Vlachonis says. Menus highlight local ingredients prepared simply, such as grilled fish, ripe tomatoes, and olive oil harvested nearby. Guests are encouraged to eat mindfully, savor slowly, and enjoy meals in community. “It’s not about restriction or deprivation,” she explains. “It’s about balance and joy. Sharing food with others is one of life’s great pleasures.” Even small details, like the daily shot of high-phenolic extra-virgin olive oil offered to guests, reflect the program’s holistic intent. “It’s a simple ritual that supports digestion, reduces inflammation, and promotes mental clarity,” she says. “It’s ancient wisdom, validated by modern science.” Working with world-famous women has given Vlachonis insight into the universality of wellness: everyone, regardless of fame or circumstance, longs for balance and connection. Yet, this new chapter at Cape Sounio represents something deeper, a shift from private practice to collective experience. “This is about creating a place where anyone can come and experience healing for themselves,” she says. “It’s about empowerment—helping people discover tools and rituals they can take home and integrate into their own lives.” For Vlachonis, standing on the cliffs of Sounio feels like both a return and an evolution. Here, where the myths of Poseidon and Athena still linger in the salt air, she’s re-rooting her work in the soil that first shaped it. “My hope is that guests leave with greater self-awareness and a sense of balance," she says. "The path to vitality is available to all of us, at any time. If we can help illuminate that path, we’ve achieved our goal.”
