Leftheris Papageorgiou was born and raised in Athens, Greece. He earned degrees in history and psychology in the United States and established a successful career in teaching and psychotherapy in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

In 1986, a friend persuaded Leftheris to organize and co-lead a trip to his beloved native country. He began to offer more trips and soon word of his expertise and intimate group travel size spread. By 1996, with the growth of his travels, Leftheris decided to put his family therapy practice on hold to devote full energy to his growing venture - Hellenic Adventures.

Today, Hellenic Adventures has grown from a couple trips a year to multiple departures of wholly unique Travels with Leftheris tours to Greece, Italy and Turkey. The company also customizes itineraries for groups and individuals and offers pre-packaged independent travel itineraries, including honeymoons and weddings, and arranges bare boat or crewed yacht charters and cruises. In fact, the Los Angeles Times selected Hellenic Adventures for its Top 10 Tours for the Thinking Person list.

Leftheris has logged over 70,000 miles in Greece, Turkey, and Italy, seeking out the best and most unique places to charm the visitor. He has personally inspected every service that he recommends. This hands-on research and attention to detail have been the foundation of his success with Hellenic Adventures.

Hellenic Adventures has also carved a niche by providing a level of service unique among travel companies. That service includes a detailed “Handy Facts” book provided for each traveler, lists of suggested restaurants and recommended wines, maps, mileage charts, bibliographies...even a complimentary mobile phone for independent travelers in Greece.

In light of his expertise, Leftheris has been invited to teach courses, particularly on Greece, and has appeared on numerous radio talk shows. Hellenic Adventures also has been featured in The Educated Traveler, Twin Cities Business Monthly, Los Angeles Times, Outside Magazine, Free Riders (a Warren Miller film), Private Clubs, Powder Magazine, Honeymoon Magazine and Travel Weekly, among others. Leftheris’ clientele includes an Oscar Award-winning actress, three Royal Families, several Fortune 500 CEOs and many people who just want to take the trip of a lifetime.

Leftheris maintains his company’s headquarters in Minneapolis, but spends approximately three months each year abroad, overseeing his Athens’ branch office and continuing his research for off-the-beaten-path places for his clients. He runs Hellenic Adventures with his wife, Jane, with strict adherence to his motto: “Do what you love.”