Black Tomato's family-friendly Greek odyssey is inspired by mythology and features sea monsters, labyrinths and an audience with the gods. Olivia Palamountain reports

In a bid to bring ancient mythology to life,  Black Tomato has unveiled a nine-day adventure across Greece, inspired by the legendary tales of Hercules.

This innovative offering is part of their "Take Me On a Story" initiative, which aims to immerse families in classic children's stories through bespoke travel experiences.

The new Greek odyssey, launched on September 17, 2024, comes in response to a growing trend in educational family travel and a surge in interest in Greece, particularly during the shoulder season.   Black Tomato reports that almost 25% of their bookings to Greece are for this autumn, with families making up nearly half of all Greek bookings this year.

With British mythological black comedy television series Kaos currently debuting on Netflix, expect to see interest in Greece surge further, as fans of the show use it as an excuse to set jet.

The Hercules-inspired journey, priced from £37,340 for a family of four, takes travellers on an epic pilgrimage across Greece, from Athens to the Peloponnese coast and Crete.Families will undertake a series of challenges inspired by Hercules' famed 12 labours, including battling mythical creatures, navigating secret labyrinths, and crossing raging seas.

The adventure begins in Athens, where families will seek the blessing of the goddess Athena at the Acropolis before sailing across the Saronic Gulf to the Temple of Poseidon in Sounion.

En route, they'll face a simulated attack by sea creatures, swimming to shore while collecting "gifts" from Athena.In Olympia, participants will run in the ancient Olympic stadium, before flying to Crete to "hunt" the Cretan bull across the Lasithi Plateau.

The journey culminates in a challenge to defeat the Minotaur in the Labyrinth of Knossos, mirroring Hercules' legendary feats.

This immersive experience is part of a broader trend in family travel that seeks to blend education with adventure.

By bringing mythological stories to life, Black Tomato aims to ignite children's curiosity about the world and ancient cultures.