Florida 'soulmates' went to Greece on a whim. The locals' daily 'mesimeri' ritual made them stay for good
Jeffrey Davidson and Walter Zak knew the made the right decision to move
In 2024, a Florida couple, Jeffrey Davidson (62) and Walter Zak (57), took their first trip to Greece to celebrate their 30th anniversary with a 10-day cruise visiting the Greek Islands. They fell in love with the country and the people from their very first visit. Zak said, "We liked the pace. We liked the people. We liked what we saw," but it was the locals' daily 2 to 5 p.m. ritual that drew them to permanently settle down in Akrata, reported CNN Travel on August 5, 2026.
Greek siesta
Davidson and Zak had both worked in hospitality and were recently retired. Before moving to the Hellenic Republic, Davidson and Zak had never planned on moving to Greece, even though Zak was of Greek origin. They had their sights set on the Caribbean Island of St. Martin, but had to reconsider because of the threat of hurricanes. What drew them to the small village of Platanos was the pace of life, especially their "mesimeri." It was much slower compared to their bustling Orlando routine. "Mesimeri" was the Greeks' version of a siesta. During this time, all businesses and shops remain closed from 2 to 5 p.m. Davidson told the outlet, "We wanted to embrace the Greek culture. And have a much calmer way of life here."
Slow living
After their 2024 visit, Davidson and Zak began researching what they needed to do if they wanted to move to the country. They found out they were eligible for a Greek Golden Visa, and a year later, Zak proposed they move. Davidson sold his Corvette and their three-story townhouse. They planned to move to Thessaloniki but decided Akrata, in southern Greece, was a better option because of the warmer weather.
They bought a two-bedroom house in Platanos for $461,000, and moved in April. They concluded that they made the move "at a good age" and are "figuring things out" day by day. Zak added, "Everything you see around you is forcing you to slow down. It’s very nice, and it’s kind of forced relaxation, which we need after years of 'How quickly can you eat dinner?'"
'The quiet hours' protected by law
'Mesimeri' was one of the reasons that prompted the Florida couple to move to Greece. The word literally translates to "midday" and is considered "the quiet hours." The Greeks often use it to take a break from work, take a nap, or rest at home, as during the summer, the midday sun is at its strongest. It is not just a cultural thing, but the 'mesimeri' is protected by law. During the summer season (April 1 to September 30), the timings for 'mesimeri' are 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m, and during the winter (October 1 to March 31), it starts from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Happy in paradise
After four months, Davidson and Zak were extremely happy with their decision. Davidson said, "It was the perfect location. The perfect price, and it just has worked out beautifully for us." They haven't gone back to Florida since their move, but family and friends have been visiting them. So far, they're not planning on moving back, but Zak said, "Never say never." Davidson humorously countered, "He can go. I'll stay."
More on Scoop Upworthy
Woman explains 4 iconic reasons why moving out to Europe from the US is completely worth it
Asian immigrant reveals how moving to the United States shattered her myths about 'lazy Americans'
Share on Facebook
