The stunning blue skies of the Cyclades Islands in the beautiful Aegean Sea gave rise to PATH Travel Designs in 2015.

It was drenched in golden sunshine all afternoon.

After a lovely morning at a quiet sandy beach with the sea salt still feeling good on our skin, my friends, whose families have deep ties to the area, suggested we check out this charming village. 

We set out on a beautiful old trail, leaving behind us the clear blue water sparkling in the sun.

This path, which has been loved by the local sailors for a long time, gave us an intriguing look into the area’s rich history.

We found a homemade apple pie that was absolutely delicious in the traditional village that has kept its charm since the days when “tourism” was just a vague idea. 

The area is famous for its beautiful natural scenery and important historical significance that goes back to ancient times, something the locals seem to be very proud of but in a humble way.

Talking about the history of their place would bring a delightful flush to their cheeks.

The village holds a style and architecture from the early 1800s that makes it feel timeless.

Strolling along the cobblestone and white-painted alleys that beckon you to step back into a bygone era, we encountered scenes that evoked the allure of ancient literature, as the elderly continued to regale us with captivating tales and myths.

It was an amazing journey, full of a history that kept unfolding in front of our eyes, revealing mysteries that made us want to learn more.

Through our explorations off the beaten path, the delicious smell of Grandma Eleni’s freshly baked pies and pastries kept us company with their comforting taste of home. 

Watching the magnificent clear twilight, the evening found us in the village’s central square. 

More like a glade, a huge plane tree with the poise of a friendly giant stands in the middle of it with its trunk still feeling warm from the day-round sun showers. 

The same applies to the blue-coloured, old-school, iron-made chairs that surround it, most of them still empty, searching for “customers.” 

The next second, three men of three different generations are taking place under the plane and start playing Greek folk island music; a girl is singing a song about love (what else); people start dancing; a mystagogy was on its start, and without realising it, we become part of a nightlong bacchanalian ritual. 

It is the amazing Greek heritage and the wonderful friends I have made across the country, along with a strong desire to find the real and beautiful in all its forms, that has always inspired me to discover the little secrets most people have not found. 

This has made my travelling family’s stories fun and interesting, even on the most popular Greek islands, where hardly anyone has found these hidden paths that make a journey to truly stand out. 

Despite having delightful tourist guides and well-loved travel brochures, we often end up visiting popular destinations that are pleasant but seem to somehow miss the authentic experience only the local character of a place and its people can provide.

Another type of trip experience may end up on Instagram or some other media storage devices, but never really sticks with you, and who can possibly want that?

Underneath the familiar surface, a world brimming with genuine charm, captivating fascination, and a wealth of experiences awaits our discovery.

Thinking about it made me realise how important it is for people who love travelling to make their own paths along routes leading to amazing experiences that truly add to one’s overall life journey:

“If you know where to look, you can find enchanting treasures that inspire you to seek out, enjoy, and fully appreciate the beauty of the world around you.”

At that very moment, a simple thought turned into an amazing dream.

Nestled between the dynamic cities of London and Athens, I wholeheartedly pursued my passion for perfection, committing myself to bring that dream to life. 

PATH Travel Designs was born and has been growing into an edgy, classy, boutique agency ever since.

Today, PATH has created an amazing operational system that stands out for how easy it is to use: It takes just 5 steps to go from your first question to complete planning of every detail.

I hope you will be pleased with the result. 

Thedi Papaioannou

Founder