Thanks Jim for a wonderful time and such a heart opening experience. I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and your 30+ years experience being on the Sikkim Buddhist trail enabled me to go deep into the Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhist monasteries in front of the high lamas of Buddhism and receive insights from them. You have cut down years of visitations and frustration for me if I was to do this on my own. It was a very spiritually productive and valuable trip. Wish your next trips similar success.

— Modesto, CA
Having now traveled to Tibet and Bhutan with Jim Hagan and his native guides with Wisdom Tours, both my wife and I can say this: they are simply wonderful! Whether helping arrange passports and visas, recommending appropriate gear and luggage, attending to personal medical needs, or explaining the historical and religious backgrounds of the many spectacular sites we visited, Jim and his staff were always amazingly clear-minded — detailed yet comprehensible, knowledgeable yet accessible. We felt remarkably worry-free throughout our travels with Wisdom Tours. Thoughtfully attentive, kind-hearted and considerate, they made touring these wonderful lands a sheer delight.

We give Wisdom Tours our highest recommendation to all who ask.

Happening now in Athens…
No one can doubt that ancient Athens was in the 5th and 4th century B.C the mother of all arts. Rich in culture, Athens was a paradise for people interested in expanding their mind , enriching their spirit and indulging their eyes!

But… what about today??
Among the numerous cultural events taking place in Athens annually is Cheapart, the most important contemporary artistic movement in Greece. Founded in 1995, it continuously works on promoting new trends and ideas. It has given the opportunity to more than 400 artists mid career and established Greek and International artists to communicate new ideas to a broad, demanding public of varied social groups.

The story behind the Greek Cheapart goes back to the early 1980s! Dimitris and George Georgakopoulos were studying in Germany. Just before going back home for Christmas, they met with their friends, other artists, in a house for one last meeting before the holidays. Together with them they brought their paintings which they exchanged with the rest as gifts. Soon more friends would join their meetings, friends who were not artists but were interested in the works of art. To give them the opportunity to own one, they set a small price for the paintings so that their friends could buy them.

Coming back to Greece permanently, the two brothers founded Cheapart and continued what they started in Germany on a bigger scale. Cheapart is based on the direct relation of the artist and his viewer, without intermediaries. Its purpose is to allow the artist to express him or her self and to make art without it having to go through academic approval, and allow common people to own a work of art by paying a small price for it. In collaboration with each artist, Cheapart has the opportunity to integrate into the exhibition program, novel works that other galleries and artistic organizations do not exhibit considering them to be of high risk.

Who said that art belongs to cunning investors???
Coming to its 16 years of existence, Cheapart 2011 invites 150 European artists to exhibit 20 paintings in 25 days (1 – 25 of December) in three Athenian galleries! That’s 3,000 works of art to choose from!

The price for each painting is…80 Euros!!!
— Giota Mantziou

Imagine a beautiful warm evening in Athens in June. You are wearing a loose sundress with a wrap just in case it gets cool later on. We walk from our hotel past sidewalk cafes where people sit dining outdoors or sipping drinks, along narrow streets with balconied buildings on either side, until we arrive at a leafy square where the owner welcomes us. We order our favorite gyros and greek salads, accompanied with a frappe or wine, and chat as we eat and watch the lively night life around us and the sounds of musicians and singers in the square. The gyros are delicious but we save some room for dessert, for just around the corner is our second stop for the night, the gelato cafe of our dreams – mountains, volcanoes, of gelatos displayed side by side in the long freezer showcase, with flavors we have never heard of until now. We can guess at Nutella, Rocher, Black Forest (dripping with a lava of sour cherries) and Greek yogurt with honey — but what about Mastic? All are made right here, and we are given a complimentary taste of several before making our choice. Heaven!

ATHENS, Greece — It’s summer, and every night in the Acropolis area, the great Parthenon — a symbol of absolute symmetry and pride for what the human mind is capable of — stands illuminated, while the pedestrian streets surrounding it fill with tourists.

As I walked on a quiet street below the Acropolis, I met a schoolteacher from Los Angeles guiding a group of students. We smiled at each other, and started a conversation about the beauty of the architecture.

She said she was teaching ancient cultures to her students, and that before coming to Greece she and her students had a conversation saying they thought the ancient Greeks were geniuses because they had the ability to build things of such beauty, harmonizing mechanics and philosophy into something so perfect.

“The students asked me why the Greeks aren’t like this anymore, and why human civilization seemed to be more genius in ancient times compared to today,” she said.

I told her, “I think your students are geniuses too! They have grasped the question of the whole [of] humanity and they are so young.

“And how did you answer them?” I asked laughing.

“That ancient civilization had different values — different ways of thinking from our modern civilization — and that values are what make a society,” she said.

“You said the key word!” I said. “Of course, these kids could not turn out to be geniuses without a genius teacher.”

We both laughed.

“Did you tell them what the key value was for the ancient Greeks?” I asked.

“No.”

“Then, I think we should tell them the answer. What do you think?” I asked her.

“Yes!” she replied.

The key value for the ancient Greeks was virtue, I told her. Greek philosophers, especially Socrates, talked about virtue being the key to elevating the spirit and reaching perfection.

Socrates taught that virtue is when you avoid exageration, which is why a human should think logically and not be overwhelmed by his instinct.

People in ancient Greece had a deep faith in the gods, and believed that their blessings and abilities were given by the gods. In return, they wanted to thank the gods with perfection in human skill and beauty in all they created.

The percentage of people who thought this way would not have been small, as it was the way of life, I said. Evidence of Greece’s rich heritage can be found throughout the country, all decorated with ivory, gold and diamonds and columns made out of marble. From the smallest to the most obvious details, all would be richly decorated. In every piece of architecture or art, you can observe the perfect way in which the sciences harmonize all the elements of the piece: correct ratio, symmetry, mathematics, anatomy, mechanics, philosophy, astronomy, geology, geography, energy of the place, aesthetics, and so on, all working together.

The ancient Greeks always thought of the future mankind, wanting to leave them the perfect logic of science and a way of life for people.

I think everyone can feel the magnificence of this ancient building I said as we looked up at the Parthenon. Even if someone knows nothing about it, he can at least feel its beauty — and this beauty, is a testament to the world.

We seemed thankful to each other for the 20 minutes of insight. We hugged and said goodbye, then headed off in our own directions, stealing another look at the glorious Parthenon shining in the dark.

Our two-week tour of Central Tibet was the trip of a lifetime. Jim is very knowledgeable of Asian art and philosophy and he clearly explained everything to us during our tour and this made us really appreciate all that we experienced. Imagine my thrill when I realized that I was hearing a talk on Buddhism in a thousand-year-old temple through which some of the holiest men in Tibet had passed! Jim and his local Tibetan guide were very responsive to personal requests and their attention to detail made the whole trip a pleasure. I couldn’t imagine going with anyone else. We’re now looking forward to visiting Eastern Tibet with Wisdom Tours.

I can honestly say that my trip with Wisdom Tours totally changed the way I view the world around me. It was a very humbling experience and a real eye opener to how other people live in the world. However, my trip started off as a disaster. While placing my bags on the scale to check in for my flight, I found out that my passport wasn’t valid for long enough for entry into Cambodia. Having no idea what to do next, in came Jim Hagan to the rescue! Without blinking an eye, Jim had me on a flight to Burlington, Vermont so I could then drive to St. Albans and get a new passport (the passport agency in New York City couldn’t see me for another week, so Vermont was the next option). I landed in Vermont and Jim’s wife Shelley took me all the way to St. Albans for me to get my passport renewed. Before I knew it, I was sitting at a table in Cambodia with my fellow travelers. Jim and his wife Shelley went to the ends of the earth to help me out and I am forever grateful to them. When I thought my adventure was just winding down, I realized I just got to Cambodia and the adventure was only beginning. My trip to Cambodia was one of the most spiritual, eye-opening, and breath-taking experiences of my life. The temples were gorgeous, the food was outstanding, and the hotels were nicer than most American hotels. I highly recommend a trip with Wisdom Tours! Thank you Jim!

We found Wisdom Tours on one of our first searches for a tour guide company in India. After looking at the detailed itinerary and speaking to Jim on the phone, we knew immediately that we didn’t have to look any further. Jim was extremely detailed prior to the trip, sending us all of the documents, materials and packing lists very far in advance.

Once in India, we were thrilled with the trip. The accommodations were top notch and some of the most beautiful, unique and luxurious hotels we have stayed in. Everything was taken care of for us — transportation, meals, security, guides and more. It made the entire trip relaxing, enjoyable and easy. We had the opportunity to do some really extraordinary and unique activities, including watching the sunrise over some of the highest peaks in the world, a tea-tasting, meditation with lamas, attendance at a service with monks in their monastery, playing cricket and volleyball with the locals and so much more.

The guides that met us in each of our destinations, including our in-house guide, Sam, were incredible. In addition, Jim has such a vast and detailed knowledge of the topics covered, and the overall culture and history of the country, and we found having him as our leader invaluable.

We also used Wisdom Tours to help us plan an add-on trip prior to meeting up with the group. The tour company worked with their contacts in India to set up a flawless, amazing trip to Delhi, Agra and the Taj Mahal. We would highly recommend traveling with Wisdom Tours for any destination around the world and hope to be able to plan another trip soon.

I traveled to Tibet this year with Jim Hagan of Wisdom Tours. I cherish the memories of this once in a lifetime adventure — images of strolling through the Barkhor Square in Lhasa on a moonlit night, being blessed by the Lama, a friend of Jim’s, in the Potala Palace, sitting with the monks as they chanted in the Jokhang Monastery, the beauty of the Tibetan countryside and the sun setting on Mt. Everest. Jim Hagan made all this happen. The hotels, restaurants and transportation provided to us were all the best available. Jim and his Tibetan friend and guide, Tenpa, made sure our small group of travelers was safe and comfortable, and we were treated with kindness and consideration throughout our journey. Jim makes it look easy, and in his laid back manner encourages his travelers to be anthropologists and observe on the trip, and along the way imparts his knowledge and wisdom about Tibetan culture and Buddhism.

If you have an adventurous spirit and want to experience some of the worlds most exotic destinations, I urge you to consider Wisdom Tours. A Jim Hagan trip will stay with you always.

I have traveled with Jim on three Wisdom Tours adventures to Tibet, Sikkim and Ladahk, India. I have been blessed to have been able to travel all around the world with many different tour companies over the years and no one surpasses Wisdom Tours with their personal attention. I live in Vermont as does Jim and, on all three trips that I took with Jim, he actually picked me up at my house and even gave me a ride home after each trip! How is that for service? Needless to say, I was well taken care of during all of my trips with Wisdom Tours and look forward to many more.