The Cyclades 8 Day Food and Wine Experience

The adventure begins with your arrival into Athens International Airport. You’ll be greeted with private transfer, traveling to your hotel for an overnight in the city. Get settled in and then head out to do some exploring on your own, perhaps climbing Acropolis Hill to marvel at the ancient ruins of several notable buildings with historic significance like the Parthenon and Temple of Athena Nike. You might want to enjoy sampling some of the delicious Greek street food, with some of the city’s very best eats often found along the streets, including souvlaki, the well-known dish that originated in ancient Greece. It’s traditionally made up of souvlaki meat and garnished with tzatziki, onion and tomato, wrapped inside a grilled pita.

This morning you’ll be able to explore Athens’ historic sights and foods more in depth with this unforgettable excursion. You’ll be led by an archaeologist guide on this private excursion of Acropolis Hill, learning about what you’re seeing through fascinating stories before heading to Athens Central Market, tasting your way through a wide range of local gastronomic delights while getting to know the artisans who created them. After checking out of your hotel, hop on an afternoon flight to the cosmopolitan island of Mykonos where you’ll be able to catch one of its glorious sunsets and take part in the lively nightlife.

An exciting highlight awaits today: the chance to learn about the art Greek art of cooking while delving into local culture and the traditional way of life in a Mykonian cooking class. You’ll be welcomed into a local’s home where you’ll listen to stories about the family’s life and wander through the vegetable garden, learning about local organic farming while nibbling on delicious Mykonos meze like dakos with kopanisti cheese and tomato. In the kitchen, you’ll use some of those fresh ingredients to prepare a meal with dishes like spinach pie and tsatziki as the instructor guides you through the process. Of course, the best part is tasting the results.

Hop on the ferry to Santorini with its jaw-dropping scenery that impresses from the moment you arrive into port, and dive into some of the best of the island’s food and wine. You’ll have the opportunity to spend the rest of the day at your leisure. You might want to explore museums like the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Museum, which are of particular importance showcasing exceptional artifacts uncovered from island excavations. If you want to stretch your legs while taking in some of the best views on Santorini, including the sapphire Aegean and the whitewashed homes that spill down the caldera cliffs, take a walk along the path that runs between Oia and Thira.

Join a cooking and tasting tour that starts with a visit to one of the island’s winery and is followed by a hands-on cooking class taught by local experts. You’ll learn about Santorini’s unique viticulture and indigenous grape varietals, sip some of the distinctive volcanic wine and then discover how to cook some of the local traditional cuisine with an island chef. Enjoy the results afterward paired with local wine. It’s the perfect way to bring home a souvenir that you’ll be able to use for life, while sharing the tastes of Greece with family and friends. The experience even includes a booklet featuring the recipes you cook.

Your excursion today is all about the wine and the scenery of Santorini. You’ll get to visit three estate wineries for unique tastings of the island’s volcanic wines like Vinsanto, guided by an expert sommelier. A wine pairing with local bites and Cycladic cheese, informational booklet and wine certificate are all included. It’s a great way to discover all there is to know about the island’s wine culture while tasting and admiring its authentic spirit. The tour includes sightseeing as well, bringing the opportunity to capture many of the top postcard-perfect moments on Santorini like the stunning caldera and beaches in an array of colors from fiery red to white and jet black.

Enjoy a relaxing morning on Santorini, perhaps experiencing some of its iconic places like Oia village where you’ll see those classic whitewashed homes and churches with blue domes highlighted by a backdrop of the sparkling Aegean and the brilliant blue sky. In the afternoon or mid-day, catch your flight back to Athens where you’ll have the afternoon to explore at your leisure. You might want to take a stroll through the historic Plaka neighborhood, the city’s oldest, to unwind at a café while people watching or pick up gifts and souvenirs. There are hundreds of shops with everything from kitschy tourist items to handcrafted artisan products to choose from.

Your journey comes to an end today, returning to Athens International Airport for your flight home, or wherever your travels might take you. While it’s probably going to be hard to say goodbye, with so many islands to explore, not to mention mainland destinations, odds are you will be back. If you’re ready for more now, chat with our travel experts for advice on extending your trip, the options are practically endless, but we can help you narrow them down to provide another unforgettable adventure.