“I am nature, the mistress of all the elements, the queen of the dead, queen also of the immortals. The Egyptians call me by my true name: Queen Isis.”

Excerpted from the novel visions of Lucius Apuleius, priest and initiate of several Graeco-Roman-Egyptian mystery cults (Metamorphoses, Book XI: V).

A world FROZEN IN TIME

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Large parts of Southern Italy were once called Magna Graecia, Greater Greece, as by the 8th century BCE Hellenic settlers had mixed with local peoples to create an unique intercultural landscape. By the rise of the Roman Empire, Egyptian influence was thriving in Magna Graecia as well.

Famously buried by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE, vibrant cities of this landscape such as Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Stabiae were forever frozen in time. Here, the same 4-6 meters of volcanic ash and pumice which obliterated so much life of the Campanian region, ironically, also preserved its homes, temples, art, and even the physical voids left by the inhabitants' bodies.

Millennia later, the richness of this world remains intact, and nowhere is this more evident than in the religious world of Pompeii and its neighbors. This was a culture in which mystery religion thrived -- secret societies and special initiations through which gods and goddesses promised liberation and salvation. Here, in candlelit villa halls, women shook off the constraints of patriarchal pressures and entered into Dionysian ecstasy. In the sanctity of the inner Temple of Isis, devotees both elite and enslaved found shared divine purpose.

In June 2026, you are invited to journey back in time to this secretive and sacred world -- the world of Mystic Pompeii!

1 June


After flying into Naples, we will journey to the hotel and settle into our rooms. The group will get to know each other over a relaxed dinner at a nearby pizzeria.

2 june


We will enjoy a slow, restful morning at the hotel before heading into the center of Naples. There, we will visit the treasures housed in the Naples National Archaeological Museum, many of which come directly from the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum. The richness of mystery religion is on full display here, with striking statues and lively frescoes of Dionysos and Isis. Our visit will include time for leisurely shopping and delicious dining.

3 june


Next, we will head bright and early to the sprawling archaeological park of Pompeii where we will spend the day immersed in the preserved city streets.  Bria will give an in-depth talk on the Dionysian mystery rite which is painted on the walls of the famous Villa of Mysteries, along with the surviving structures of the Temple of Isis and (excavators permitting!) the mystery frescoes of the newly-discovered House of Thiasos.

4 june


Continuing our adventure, we will journey to the nearby ancient city of Herculaneum, beholding the nymphs of the spectacular nymphaeum, another House of Dionysiac Reliefs where a mysterious rite may have been performed, and the Villa of the Papyri - the only surviving library of Antiquity - whose carbonized papyrus scrolls are slowly being deciphered after nearly 2000 years. We will close our day with a joyful bacchanalian dinner at an ancient-style Pompeiian restaurant, presided over by a local Bacchic Sacerdos (Priest).

5 june


Our final full day will be spent exploring the neighboring island of Capri by boat and foot. There, we can sample the handcrafts of local artisans, refreshing drinks and traditional delicacies, and take in hidden gems of the landscape: incredible views from the Gardens of Augustus, the Blue Grotto, and lush Mount Solaro. We will return to our hotel for a final relaxing evening and plenty of rest.

6 june


We will check out of the hotel and fly back home, wrapping up our magical tour together!

Our accommodation is a four-star hotel on the residential outskirts of Naples. All participants will have a private room with en-suite bathroom. WiFi and air conditioning are included, along with coffee, water, and buffet breakfast of pastries and cereals, select meats and cheeses, fruit, and fresh juices each morning. A restaurant and bar are also on-site to enjoy between activities.

We will balance sightseeing and downtime with immersion in the rich Campanian culture, with plenty of time for shopping and traditional restaurants. Summer invigorates the region in early June, with mostly sunny days and warm weather (21-29° C / 70-84° F), while avoiding the full heat of July-September.

a journey into ancient worlds

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This tour is open to all individuals; everyone will have a private hotel room. It is capped at 6 spaces for an intimate experience.* Please see FAQ for current international travel considerations for LGBTQ+ individuals.

Unlike our pilgrimages, tours with Mt Nysa are a more relaxed and educational option, with an emphasis on history and archaeology as opposed to intensive spiritual experience.

There will be plenty of opportunity to connect spiritually with the sites we visit, should you feel the call -- but equal time for enjoying all the tranquility and pleasure the Mediterranean has to offer!

*Please be advised: Bria's husband and young son may be around during the trip. They will not be part of the regular itinerary events, but may join in on casual meals in and around the hotel!

Bria Melitta

Bria Melitta is a postgraduate Classical Archaeologist and founder of the Mt Nysa Mystery School. She is passionate about religions of the Mediterranean and an experienced guide of ancient sites. A kind and easy-going facilitator, she possesses a love for adventure but also a firm belief in rest, individual care, and slowing down!

After receiving her degree in Religious Studies in 2016, she continued her studies in Classical Greek with H.M. Classics Academy, Ancient Hellenic Religion with the Artemis Research Center, and Women’s Mysteries and Priestess Training with the Mt Shasta Goddess Temple, where she now serves as a priestess on the Council of Wisewomen.

Though primarily a Hellenic Reconstructionist, she has hands and feet in other religious communities, and has served people around the world through pilgrimages, consecration ceremonies, birth and death transitions, and divinations.

Bria Melitta is on track to complete her second Master's Degree in Classical Mediterranean History and Archaeology in the autumn of 2025.

Tour Guide

marina, 2023 crete retreat attendee

"Soulful. My favorite session was the mystery of the labyrinth and the divination night. A truly amazing experience, with incredible people and in the most beautiful location. One of those moments I’ll always keep close to my heart. Forever grateful to have been part of it."


"If I could sum it up in one word, friendship. This experience gifted me with deep, nurturing friendships, a deep sense of acceptance for all that were present and the gifts we bring. I found the experience to be a culmination of alot of inner work and found clarity about who I am as a person/priestess. I would recommend this experience to others that are ready to dive deeply into the priestess path, or wanting to be apart of a deep sisterhood and community."

kirri, 2023 crete retreat attendee

INCLUDED IN COST:
  • 5 night private lodging in 4-star hotel
  • Ground transportation to and from sites
  • Admission and tours of sites and museums
  • Dinner experience at ancient restaurant
  • Capri Island boat and grotto day trip
  • Daily light breakfast, coffee, tea, and water

NOT INCLUDED:
  • Flights to and from Naples
  • Transport between airport and hotel (30€ fixed taxi rate available; we will share details in our pre-trip call)
  • Lunch and dinner (except 4 June)
  • Personal excursion or shopping
  • Travel insurance

Questions or inquiries: retreats@mtnysa.com

Apply here

$2400 USD | early registration
$2800 USD | after 1 June, 2025
(6 private rooms remaining)

$800 non-refundable deposit required. Remainder of payment due by 1 March, 2026.

Tour cost

When you make a deposit or any payments for this Tour, you understand and agree to the following:

  1. You are contracting us to book international travel accommodations and services on your behalf; please understand that these are not refundable from vendors on our end. For this reason, payments are generally non-refundable. If emergency circumstances arise after registration that prevent you from participating in the Tour (i.e. family death, extreme weather, national disaster, etc.), we will be happy to review the situation via email (retreats@mtnysa.com) to consider a partial refund. What constitutes an emergency circumstance is ultimately at the discretion of Mt Nysa; however, every reasonable and fair effort will be made to review your circumstances.
  2. For the above reasons, your deposit may not be refundable, even in cases of emergency and other approved refunds.
  3. In summary: if you withdraw from the Tour and wish to recoup your full payment, it is your responsibility to find someone to take your space.
  4. We are not liable for problems, delays, or cancellations arising with your flights or ground transportation, nor for any loss, injury or damage to your person or property. We highly encourage you to purchase your own travel insurance.
  5. Traveling to and around ancient sites, which are sometimes remote and largely rural, can be challenging (though it is intensely rewarding)! We ask that you please be culturally sensitive, patient, and adaptable, and communicate any issues or concerns you have as soon as you can. We will always do our best to help you feel comfortable, safe, and empowered on your journey.

Thank you for understanding these Terms which ensure respect for all parties and services you are committing to, including those of our third-party vendors, as we embark on this experience together!

tour TERMS AND CONDITIONS

FAQ

is this Tour only for women?

No -- this tour welcomes individuals of all gender identities. All rooms are private with en-suite bathrooms.

As a note, we recognize the challenges and concerns which may be present for some individuals, particularly those travelling from the United States and other countries where LGBTQ+ rights are currently under threat. Please reach out if you have related concerns or questions before booking; closer to the trip itself, these can also be addressed during our pre-trip call. Mt Nysa takes participant safety and comfort seriously, with great care taken to book quality accommodations in secure areas along with private ground transportation. Italy is considered generally safe for travel; that being said, no place is without risk. 

We encourage all individuals to weigh risks and precautions when considering international travel. The IGLTA and LGBTQ+ Travel Safety Index may be valuable resources to consult.

I am completely new to ancient history / religion...can I join?

Yes! If you are curious and open to journeying with us, we are happy to have you.

What is included in cost?

INCLUDED IN COST:
  • 5 night private lodging in 4-star hotel
  • Ground transportation to and from sites
  • Admission and tours of sites and museums
  • Dinner experience at ancient restaurant
  • Capri Island boat and grotto day trip
  • Daily light breakfast, coffee, tea, and water

NOT INCLUDED:
  • Flights to and from Naples
  • Transport between airport and hotel (30€ fixed taxi rate available; we will share details in our pre-trip call)
  • Lunch and dinner (except 4 June)
  • Personal excursion or shopping
  • Travel insurance

which airport should i fly into and when? What about the return trip?

We recommend flying to and from Naples-Capodichino International Airport (NAP). You will need to book transport between the airport and the Hotel Palazzo Esedra. Check-in begins at 4 PM. Check out on the final day is 10 AM.

In the months leading up to the trip, we will host a call to connect and review questions, concerns, how to book transport between the airport and hotel, the itinerary, and packing list.