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$2,995
GREECE

Strength and Virtue

PILATES IN PUGLIA

Strength and Virtue

Strength and Virtue

Heading

Oct. 19-26, 2025

SEPT. 5-12, 2025
8
Days
8-12
Travelers
1
Cities
View Itinerary
SOLD OUT
May 20 - June 2, 2025

Voyage to the heart of Ancient Greece and rediscover the heroic soul of man, where discipline, strength, and endurance will pave the way of excellence.

A Fitness Expedition in Greece

An eight-day expedition for men on the legendary island of Samos in Greece. Reclaim the Ancient Greek belief that man’s greatest calling is to prepare his body and soul for the daily war of life.

You will join a brotherhood of men committed to athletic and spiritual training as you ruck into ancient caves, swim in the wine-dark sea, summit a mountain, and tread a labyrinthine path to hidden beaches. Exercise for strength and self-discipline at our personal outdoor gym, take on arduous physical challenges, relish the rewards of meat and wine, and experience the ancient practice of camaraderie in the struggle to be a better man.

Camaraderie

In a world drowning in fitness hacks and self-help tips, the lonely grind of willpower has replaced the bond of men united by purpose. But Strength and Virtue is a shared mission—not to outdo each other, but to raise every man to his highest potential. This expedition revives the lost art of shared struggle and brotherhood.

  • Group training sessions designed to inspire mutual effort and encouragement.
  • Feasts of meat and wine celebrating our relentless grit and achievement.
  • Arduous physical challenges that demand sweat, determination, and teamwork.
  • Tough conversations on masculinity, breadwinning, competition, self-mastery, and self-doubt—raw, unfiltered, and necessary.
  • Reflections on what it means to belong to a tribe of men, facing life’s trials shoulder to shoulder.

Competition

Competition is essential because it ignites ambition, sharpens focus, and forces men to pursue their manifest potential—but without the pressure of comparison, and through the internal drive of personal excellence.

  • Group challenges—competing as a group to do difficult things together: summit a mountain, hike miles with a weighted vest to an ancient philosopher’s cave, and row a boat to a remote island.
  • The competition of consistency—showing up every day, doing the reps, and holding each other accountable to continual progress.
  • Physical contests designed to push each man’s limits, emphasizing personal growth over victory.
  • One timed challenge that tests endurance, speed, and strength, fostering a sense of urgency and purpose.
  • A mix of individual and team-based competitions to balance personal achievement and cooperative spirit.
  • A team relay challenge combining swimming, running, and lifting, testing individual strengths and teamwork.

Self-Mastery

If you are not the master of yourself, then your appetites will master you—driven by impulse, rather than purpose. The foundation of self-mastery is the physical, for it is through conquering the body that we unlock the capability to control our passions—physical, emotional, sexual, and intellectual. Mastery over the body is the bedrock of mental and intellectual discipline, creating a foundation to become a virtuous man.

  • Practicing a daily fitness routine that builds consistency, resilience, and mental toughness.
  • A focus on delayed gratification—learning to embrace discomfort in the pursuit of long-term growth.
  • Journaling and personal assessments to track progress and confront mental barriers head-on.
  • Creating an environment where you can open up and speak honestly with the other men, sharing struggles and triumphs without judgment.
  • Harnessing accountability within the group, building a culture that acknowledges individual setbacks and calls on the collective strength of the group to push forward and achieve goals.

Samos, Greece

Samos, with its rugged terrain, towering mountains, and the deep, clear waters of the Aegean Sea, offers a striking backdrop for a journey of self-discovery and communal challenge. The retreat takes place in the more remote and untamed western part of the island, in Limnionas, where Mount Kerkis rises imposingly over the landscape. This part of Samos, much less inhabited than the eastern side, echoes with the island’s ancient past—a place where the first philosopher Pythagoras once sought solitude in its caves. It was here, in these remote mountains, that Pythagoras contemplated the deeper truths of existence.

The island, like the mountain that dominates it, invites those who venture here to engage in the physical and mental struggle necessary for self-mastery, offering both challenge and sustenance in equal measure. Samos is a place where the journey inward is reflected by the rugged beauty of the land, calling participants to conquer both their own weaknesses and the trials that nature offers.

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Itinerary

DAY 1

Arrival

DAY 2

Initiation, Courage, Descent

DAY 3

Camaraderie, Problem Solving, Wisdom

DAY 4

Justice and Beauty

DAY 5

Poseidon's Day

DAY 6

Victory and Overcoming – Mount Kerkis Climb

DAY 7

Self-Mastery, Temperance, Games, Feasting

DAY 8

Homecoming

DAY 9

DAY 10

DAY 11

DAY 12

DAY 13

DAY 14

DAY 15

Day 1

Arrival

Afternoon and Evening:
Your challenge today is to arrive in one of the far corners of Greece, the island of Samos. Whether you arrive directly by plane or take the ferry from Athens, we’ll help you arrange transportation to Limnionas Bay–our base overlooking the Aegean for the week.

Between 4:00-8:00 pm your local host will give you an orientation to the accommodation and workout area before a group meal with your traveling companions. You’ll be given a checklist to pack in preparation for the morning. Take advantage of an early evening to shake off jet leg and prepare for the challenges in the coming days.

Day 2

Initiation, Courage, Descent

Morning:
Wake up before dawn, collect your weighted vest, and ride to the nearby town of Kampos. Here you'll embark on a three-kilometer hike with the group, culminating at an undisclosed location of historical and philosophical significance.

Afternoon:
Return to Limnionas Bay for a hearty lunch and a formal introduction to the group. Enjoy some downtime after lunch to rest or take a refreshing dip in the sea.

Regroup for your first group workout session.

‍Evening:
Enjoy a feast of grilled meats and vegetables. Tonight, you’ll also be assigned your teammates for the challenge that awaits tomorrow.

Day 3

Camaraderie, Problem Solving, Wisdom

‍Morning:
Today, teamwork is paramount. Engage in an all-out, sweat-drenched competition across land and sea—a unique team triathlon that rewards collaborative problem solving and collective strength.

Afternoon:
Savor a big lunch featuring simple, fresh ingredients, and enjoy some free time to relax, explore, or join an optional workout session.

Evening:
Spend the evening on your own. Use this time to reflect on the morning’s challenges and prepare for the adventures ahead.

Day 4

Justice and Beauty

Morning:
After a full Greek breakfast, set off for the island’s northern coast. Hike to Mikro and Megalo Setani beaches—the only access to these natural wonders is by foot or sea.

Afternoon:
After a refreshing swim and a light snack by the water, you'll hike the most remote part of the Island up to the town of Drakei. Here you'll have free time for lunch in one of the town's small taverns.

Evening:
Return to Limnionas Bay and have some downtime before joining a scheduled group weightlifting session. Later, travel to the small port town of Ormos for a shared dinner.

Day 5

Poseidon's Day

Morning:
Enjoy a later start—sleep in and recover. Then, prepare to swim with your team from the shore to board a local fisherman’s boat, which will serve as your transportation for the day.

Afternoon:
Visit various beaches with the group, including an isolated spot for personal exploration, and enjoy a seafood lunch provided by the boat captain.

Evening:
Return by boat to Limnionas Bay, where you’ll have the rest of the evening free to rest, lift, or explore at your leisure.

Day 6

Victory and Overcoming – Mount Kerkis Climb

Morning:
Rise well before dawn and ride with the group to the Mount Kerkis trailhead. Dress warmly and prepare for a challenging hike that gains over 1,400 meters in elevation. At the summit, take time to relish your hard-won victory.

Afternoon:
Complete the ascent and descent—an approximately six-hour journey—with an expected return to home base around noon. Enjoy some well-earned rest and recovery after this monumental effort.

Evening:
Gather for a communal barbecue featuring grilled meats and seasonal vegetables. Savor this hearty feast as you celebrate your achievement, knowing it’s your last meal before an early start the next day.

Day 7

Self-Mastery, Temperance, Games, Feasting

Morning:
Begin with invigorating challenges: ice baths, pull-ups, push-ups, dead hangs, and a farmer’s carry. These exercises are designed to test your physical endurance and mental resilience, setting the tone for a day of self-mastery.

Afternoon:
Refuel with a robust “break-fast” lunch shared with your fellow travelers. Later, engage in competitive games that blend agility and strategy, and then take some quiet time to pack your belongings and reflect in your journal on the week’s transformative journey.

Evening:
Conclude the day with a final communal feast—a celebratory dinner where you toast your accomplishments and share your reflections. This final evening is a tribute to the challenges overcome and the bonds forged over the past week.

Day 8

Homecoming

Morning:
Gather for one last shared breakfast at Limnionas Bay. Enjoy this final moment of fellowship before we help organize your transportation back to the airport or the ferry terminal. Bid farewell to new friends and carry the strength and insights of Samos with you as you head home.

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Day 14
Day 15

Day 15

What people say

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Collaborator

Your Trainer

Elijah Weaver, Yale graduate and founder of SQ4 Elite, will be the personal trainer leading the group throughout the retreat. Known for his transformative approach to fitness, Elijah is inspired by the radical culture of heroic virtue (arete) and struggle (agon) found in Homeric Greece. His training philosophy is centered on forging strength—physical, mental, and emotional—through a combination of rigorous challenges and unflinching self-assessment.

Before the retreat, Elijah will work one-on-one with each participant to understand their individual fitness goals and craft a personalized plan of preparation. This preparation ensures that everyone, regardless of their starting point, is ready to fully engage with the challenges ahead. During the retreat, Elijah’s guidance will focus not only on physical transformation but also on building resilience, grit, and a warrior’s mindset. With his proven ability to help clients achieve life-changing results, Elijah is committed to making this experience as impactful and rewarding as possible for every participant.

Collaborator

What's Included

All breakfasts and eight additional meals.
All transportation throughout the trip--excluding airfare.
Eight days accommodation, activities, and logistics management.
60 days personal preparation and training through SQ4
Your friendly Alithea tour manager for the duration of the tour.
All breakfasts and eight additional meals.
Daily sessions with your Pilates instructor, Amanda Marley
Optional private consultation with onsite nutritionist, Sarah Weiss
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Tour tips

Pack Light

Come Prepared

Bus and Travel Time

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

explore@alitheatravel.com
Who is the ideal candidate for this trip?

This journey is open to any man ready to explore and expand his inner strength, and to reawaken a sense of purpose, meaning, and masculine identity. Whether you're just beginning your path toward improved fitness and mental clarity or you're already committed to personal growth, this trip is designed to challenge and inspire you. It’s not about being the most physically prepared at the outset; it’s about the willingness to push your boundaries, embrace transformative experiences, and grow alongside a supportive brotherhood of like-minded individuals.

‍

How physically demanding will the trip be?

This is a very active trip that includes daily activities intended to challenge and strengthen your physical and mental capabilities. There will be daily hiking, running, rucking, lifting, and other physical activities, including team sports and recreation. While it will demand a high level of effort, there will be plenty of time for rest and recuperation throughout the week.

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This is a very active trip that includes daily activities intended to challenge and strengthen your physical and mental capabilities. There will be daily hiking, running, rucking, lifting, and other physical activities, including team sports and recreation. While it will demand a high level of effort, there will be plenty of time for rest and recuperation throughout the week. If you cannot run three consecutive miles without stopping, then Elijah will work with you in the months before the trip in order to be fully prepared.

‍

How should I prepare before I come?

Every participant will receive two months of personalized preparation and training from Elijah, including resistance training and cardio training. Your training will be virtual and housed on Elijah’s SQ4 Elite app.

Will I have the opportunity to meet the other participants before I arrive?

Yes! We will have a few virtual meetings and opportunities for engagement with the other men before you arrive on the island.

Are flights included in the tour price?

Roundtrip flights are not included in the tour price. We recommend using Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for international flights to Samos. If coming from Athens, you may also take the ferry (Blue Star) from Pireaus to Karlovasi.

When should I book my flights?

For September 2025:

‍This trip will be confirmed when eight or more travelers have joined--or by June. Purchase your flights when you receive the trip confirmation on or before June 1st. We recommend leaving the USA on Friday, September 12th in order to arrive in Samos (SMI) on September 13th, but you may wish to arrive earlier in order to adjust to the time change. Since the trip will end on Saturday, September 20th you should book your departure flight for this day.

Will there be an airport transfer on arrival and departure?

Yes, airport transfer on arrival and departure will be provided. After you purchase your ticket we will collect yourr arrival and departure information to coordinate transportation.

Is a visa required to enter Europe?

US citizens are currently not required to apply for a visa in order to enter the European Union.

‍

How much is the deposit and is it refundable?

The deposit payment is $500 and is fully refundable within 30 days--unless booked within 90 days of departure.

I'm traveling with one friend, but we will pay our deposits separately. Can we still travel together and avoid the single supplement fee?

Of course. Sign up and send us a note. We'll make sure you room together.

Will there be a lot of free time for independent exploration?

This is a packed itinerary with full days, but you will have downtime in Limnionas to relax, swim in the sea, or have a conversation with new friends. Keep in mind that our hotel will be in an isolated area of Samos, so without a bicycle or car you cannot easily reach other towns for shopping or sightseeing.

What additional expenses should I budget for this trip?

In addition to shopping and your own miscellaneous travel expenses, there will be be four independent meals that are not covered in the itinerary. With €200-€400 euros you will be able to cover meals, shopping, and miscellaneous expenses.

A Christian Classical Approach to Travel
Travel encourages a living experience of art, history, and ideas that transforms the classroom into an immersive experience of truth, beauty, and goodness. Museums, meals, archeological sites, and foreign languages are not merely artifacts that help students consider the world, they cultivate a love of wonder, moral imagination, and a rich understanding of the truth. More than a student trip, travel is an invitation to become a lifelong practitioner of the loves that shape the soul.
The Prayerful Traditions of Europe
Rather than treating churches and monasteries as defunct historical monuments, Alithea and Oakdale Academy invite students to approach them as places of prayer and worship

FAQ

For further questions don't hesitate to reach out to us directly.

Who is the ideal candidate for this trip?

This journey is open to any man ready to explore and expand his inner strength, and to reawaken a sense of purpose, meaning, and masculine identity. Whether you're just beginning your path toward improved fitness and mental clarity or you're already committed to personal growth, this trip is designed to challenge and inspire you. It’s not about being the most physically prepared at the outset; it’s about the willingness to push your boundaries, embrace transformative experiences, and grow alongside a supportive brotherhood of like-minded individuals.

‍

How physically demanding will the trip be?

This is a very active trip that includes daily activities intended to challenge and strengthen your physical and mental capabilities. There will be daily hiking, running, rucking, lifting, and other physical activities, including team sports and recreation. While it will demand a high level of effort, there will be plenty of time for rest and recuperation throughout the week.

What kind of shape do I need to be in to participate?

This is a very active trip that includes daily activities intended to challenge and strengthen your physical and mental capabilities. There will be daily hiking, running, rucking, lifting, and other physical activities, including team sports and recreation. While it will demand a high level of effort, there will be plenty of time for rest and recuperation throughout the week. If you cannot run three consecutive miles without stopping, then Elijah will work with you in the months before the trip in order to be fully prepared.

‍

How should I prepare before I come?

Every participant will receive two months of personalized preparation and training from Elijah, including resistance training and cardio training. Your training will be virtual and housed on Elijah’s SQ4 Elite app.

Will I have the opportunity to meet the other participants before I arrive?

Yes! We will have a few virtual meetings and opportunities for engagement with the other men before you arrive on the island.

Are flights included in the tour price?

Roundtrip flights are not included in the tour price. We recommend using Skyscanner or Google Flights to search for international flights to Samos. If coming from Athens, you may also take the ferry (Blue Star) from Pireaus to Karlovasi.

When should I book my flights?

For September 2025:

‍This trip will be confirmed when eight or more travelers have joined--or by June. Purchase your flights when you receive the trip confirmation on or before June 1st. We recommend leaving the USA on Friday, September 12th in order to arrive in Samos (SMI) on September 13th, but you may wish to arrive earlier in order to adjust to the time change. Since the trip will end on Saturday, September 20th you should book your departure flight for this day.

Will there be an airport transfer on arrival and departure?

Yes, airport transfer on arrival and departure will be provided. After you purchase your ticket we will collect yourr arrival and departure information to coordinate transportation.

Is a visa required to enter Europe?

US citizens are currently not required to apply for a visa in order to enter the European Union.

‍

How much is the deposit and is it refundable?

The deposit payment is $500 and is fully refundable within 30 days--unless booked within 90 days of departure.

I'm traveling with one friend, but we will pay our deposits separately. Can we still travel together and avoid the single supplement fee?

Of course. Sign up and send us a note. We'll make sure you room together.

Will there be a lot of free time for independent exploration?

This is a packed itinerary with full days, but you will have downtime in Limnionas to relax, swim in the sea, or have a conversation with new friends. Keep in mind that our hotel will be in an isolated area of Samos, so without a bicycle or car you cannot easily reach other towns for shopping or sightseeing.

What additional expenses should I budget for this trip?

In addition to shopping and your own miscellaneous travel expenses, there will be be four independent meals that are not covered in the itinerary. With €200-€400 euros you will be able to cover meals, shopping, and miscellaneous expenses.