We are a materialistic society; the sirens sing from every vodka martini and designer handbag. Occasionally, they can make us forget our very souls. (See Succession if in doubt.) We have to have a plan so we do not get lost, and recently I’ve been on a journey of wellness—a sentence I never thought I’d write, since “journey” and “wellness” are overused to the point of nausea. And now, having returned from a visit to Euphoria, a retreat in the Peloponnese, I’m feeling downright blissful.
Euphoria, founded by Marina Efraimoglou, a former investment banker, is in Mystras, an ancient town once the last stronghold of the Byzantine Empire. Now, when the sun is shining above the modern village, the ruins which once included both mosques and churches appear to be spangled in powdered gold. The contemporary architecture of the spa, which is new, undulates with curves and circles. The building is set in a scented, prehistoric pine forest, and guest rooms are cool and decorated in serene, minimalist furnishings. Many come with their own private garden, so that guests can enjoy meals there when they prefer to be alone.
