Michalis and Popi turned their love for nature into a lifestyle and professional activity Plan your Athens food experience with Dimitris.
Michalis and Popi turned their love for nature into a lifestyle and professional activity.
How often do we meet people who dare to radically change their daily life, leaving behind the security of the city to chase a different dream? Michalis and Popi are two such cases, who decided to transform their love for nature into a way of life and professional activity.
We met the young couple at the foothills of Parnonas, where they've now established their base. Michalis, former gym owner in Athens, and Popi, a philologist with deep love for nature, are preparing to get married next May, having already taken the big step of relocating to mountainous Laconia.
"When we first met, one of the first things Popi made clear to me was that she didn't want to stay in Athens," Michalis tells us smiling, who had already started looking for a different direction in his life. The timing was ideal: the Vamvakou Revival's Youth Business Incubator program became the bridge that led them to their new life.
Walking with them on one of Parnonas's trails, I observe how their professional activity is inextricably linked to their passion. Their business, with the inventive name "I Fasi einai Mountains" (The Phase is Mountains), offers alternative activities in the area, from hikes on historic trails to bike tours and archery lessons.
The cycling experience with them reveals the depth of their knowledge about the area. Each route has its own story, each stop its own meaning. Michalis, with his experience as a fitness trainer, ensures safety and proper guidance, while Popi, with her philological education, enriches each route with historical and cultural elements.
"It's not just about a business," Popi explains as we rest in a clearing. "It's a way to share our love for this place with visitors." And indeed, their approach to alternative tourism goes beyond the limits of typical business activity.
Michalis and Popi's story is more than a simple business success. It's proof that with the right vision, support, and determination, the transition from urban life to the countryside isn't just feasible but can also become professionally viable. The Vamvakou Revival program proves to be a catalyst in this effort, offering the necessary guidance and support to young people who dare to take the leap.
As our day with them comes to an end, it's clear the couple has found their path. The upcoming May wedding will simply seal a common journey that started with a dream and materialized on the slopes of Parnonas. Their "Phase" is indeed the mountains, and it seems this phase is here to stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes Greek food unique?
Greek cuisine is built on simplicity and quality ingredients. What makes it distinctive is regional variety — every island and mountain village has its own flavors, often unchanged for centuries.
