A 12 Day Culinary Journey through Greece

Start this memorable adventure through Athens and the stunning islands of Naxos, Santorini and Crete in the Greek capital. You’ll be met with your private transfer at the airport, taken to your hotel to get settled in before enjoying the rest of the day exploring on your own. Perhaps visit one of the world’s greatest antiquities museums. The Archaeological Museum boasts an impressive collection of Greek jewelry, pottery, sculpture and other objects, including a 2,000-year-old computer discovered in a shipwreck. Other options including visiting the Parthenon atop Acropolis Hill, or browsing shops and people watching from one of the cafes in the historic Plaka district.

• Preferred hotel Elia Ermou

Today enjoy a enticing tour of the Greek capital, covering the main cultural highlights whilst also diving in to local cuisine. Climb to the top of the sacred Acropolis to greet the Parthenon that’s been looking over the city for centuries as one of the world’s most important structures. Your expert guide will reveal the stories behind the hill and its monuments, along with the city’s rich heritage itself. Learn all about the Greek civilization’s cultural achievements during the Golden Age before embarking on the rest of the excursion: a three-hour food tour in the heart of the city. Intrigue all your senses while delving into the local cuisine, visiting artisans who’ve dedicated decades to perfecting their recipes, along with specialty food shops known for sourcing the best products from across the country. You’ll explore the central food market too, enjoying tastings of all sorts of sweet and savory local treats along the way.

• Preferred hotel Elia Ermou

Catch the ferry to Naxos this morning, enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure. The largest island in the Cyclades, this uncrowded gem offers diverse terrain that includes some of the country’s top sandy beaches, soaring mountains for hiking and waterfalls for viewing along with nearly four dozen villages that include white hill towns glistening under the Mediterranean sun. Take a stroll through Chora with its impressive Venetian architecture, perhaps sampling crepes with locally made jams in one of the hidden cafes before enjoying a refreshing drink on a rooftop patio that brings the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean into view.

• Preferred hotel Naxian Collection

Enjoy a day trip to the unique village of Apeiranthos today, a mountainous village that many consider to be Naxos’ crown jewel. It’s famous for its striking natural beauty and its food, including rich Rosto (pork with garlic) that impressed the late chef/author/television personality Anthony Bourdain. Thanks to the high altitude as well as being amphitheatrically built along the slopes of Mount Fanari, you’ll be able to enjoy extraordinary views from the restaurants here, most serving local produce while overlooking lush valleys and peaks. As you take a stroll along the marble paths, the village’s old-fashioned arts and tasty dishes will be revealed.

• Preferred hotel Naxian Collection

As Naxos fades away, the bucket-list island of Santorini comes into view. Your first introduction is sure to impress as you step off the ferry and gaze up at the steep sides of the caldera. You’ll have the day to enjoy it on your own, perhaps touring Akrotiri, frozen in time after being buried by ash during the massive 1646 BC volcanic eruption, or hiking the path between Thira and Oia, one of the most stunning routes on the planet. With the sunsets from Oia one of the best vantage points for the island’s famous sunsets, you might want to plan a trip that will put you there at dusk.

• Preferred hotel Anteliz Suites

An exclusive private tour with an expert guide, learn insider island secrets while traveling to the top spots on Santorini. Stand at the edge of the caldera posing for pictures against the backdrop of the sapphire Aegean Sea and wander through the postcard-perfect village of Oia before heading to the peak of Prophet Elias Mountain. Listen to the haunting chants of the monks, stroll the island’s longest black sand beach and indulge in a wealth of food and drink experiences.

• Preferred hotel Anteliz Suites

Enjoy a fun, authentic gastronomic experience with a visit to a traditional home where you’ll get to enjoy warm Greek hospitality along with a cooking lesson. Of course, sharing and tasting will be included in this relaxed, informal excursion as well. You’ll be welcomed with local wine and appetizers, getting a brief intro to the island’s local foods and gastronomy before heading into the kitchen for expert instruction with the chef. Help prepare the traditional Greek dishes using fresh, local ingredients, and then gather with all on the lovely terrace where you’ll share and taste the delicious meal everyone helped put together.

• Preferred hotel Anteliz Suites

Hop aboard the ferry, cruising to Crete, one of the largest of the Greek islands. Upon your arrival, enjoy exploring this enchanted isle at your own pace, perhaps a hike to discover Minoan ruins or a visit to one of the beautiful beaches. You’ll find plenty of museums and galleries to wander through, along with shops, restaurants and nightlife to indulge in, one of which is sure to be perfect for unwinding with a drink as you gaze out at the magnificent scenery and experience daily life on the island. You won’t be disappointed with the flavorful local cuisine, renowned for the quality and freshness of its ingredients, typically featuring wild herbs and greens.

• Preferred hotel Rimondi Boutique Hotel

This afternoon you’ll meet a private guide for a walking tour of Rethymnon. The tour is timed for 5pm, as the heat of the day has faded and the dusk light begins to fall over this picturesque port. Your expert local guide will join you for around two hours, with the tour covering the main highlights of Rethymnon which include its Venetian Harbour, the semi-ruined Fortezza Castle overlooking the town, the Church of the Fort Martyrs, the Rimondi Lion’s Fountain (also Venetian), and the twin Asia Minor and Unknown Soldier’s Squares. During the tour you can ask your guide for their eating and drinking recommendations to then continue your exploration into the evening.

• Preferred hotel Rimondi Boutique Hotel

Follow Crete’s sacred paths to learn all about winemaking history on the island. Your expert guide will bring you to the beautiful Monastery of Tzagarolon, a historic winery with a picturesque setting on Chania’s Akrotiri peninsula. The magnificent Byzantine temple includes an ancient library with rarities and a folklore museum in addition to its wine production. You’ll get to enjoy a wine tasting session, enjoying select samples while viewing the winemaking equipment from the past that’s on display. Your guide will tell you more about it. A scenic drive afterward brings you to Chania’s Manousakis Winery or the family owned Dourakis Winery in Apokoronas to learn about their winemaking process and viticulture, as well as enjoy a tasting of the delicious results. Conclude by visiting a hidden traditional village where you’ll meet up with the holder of a key to a treasured chapel and its stunningly painted Byzantine interiors.

• Preferred hotel Rimondi Boutique Hotel

After bidding farewell to Crete, catch your morning or mid-day flight back to Athens. On arrival you’ll be transferred to your downtown hotel and have the remainder of your last afternoon and evening to cram in any final souvenir-hunting, sightseeing, or gastronomic adventures.

• Preferred hotel Elia Ermou

Today is departure day – after enjoying breakfast, check out of your hotel and prepare for pickup by private transfer, returning to Athens International Airport for your flight home or wherever your travels might take you. If you aren’t ready to head back just yet, talk to our travel experts about extending the journey.