Wine, Cheese, Oil and Islands 10 Day Journey

Welcome to Athens and the start of your memorable Greek holiday. Upon your airport arrival, you’ll be welcomed by private transfer for transport to your hotel in the city. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure, relaxing after the long flight or heading out to explore.

While you’ll take a guided tour of the capital toward the end of your trip, get a glimpse of what awaits by walking in the footsteps of ancient greats at the Acropolis and exploring the Acropolis Museum. Or stroll the narrow cobblestone streets of Plaka, lined with little shops selling jewelry, clothes and local ceramics. The family-run tavernas and sidewalk cafes stay open late, ideal for dining and people watching.

If you want to enjoy sightseeing and some of the tastiest flavors of Athens, this five-hour private walking tour is ideal. 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.

Hop on the ferry to beautiful Naxos, famous for its spectacular beaches with many long stretches made up of granite and marble sands edge by brilliant turquoise waters. After gliding into port with the Gate of the Apollo Temple, a 2,500-year-old marble doorway leading to nowhere marking your entrance, you’ll have the rest of the day to enjoy the island at your own pace.

Enjoy a refreshing swim and sunbathing or perhaps take a stroll along the paved narrow streets of Naxos Town’s Chora with its magnificent Venetian architecture, rooftop patios, cafes, restaurants and unique boutiques. You might want to sample island specialties like sausage and cheeses complemented with the tasty local wine.

The mountainous village of Apeiranthos offers timeless beauty with meandering marble paths, magnificent architecture, stone-built homes, and a population known for their independence and unique dialect. Thanks to the late Anthony Bourdain, television personality/chef/traveler, it’s become somewhat of a foodie destination after being featured on CNN’s “Parts Unknown.” Bourdain raved about it, and you’ll be able to try some of the same delicious dishes. Locally grown ingredients are used to created eclectic recipes that you’ll sample, including smoked ham, homemade bread with a crunchy crust, pork in a tomato-garlic sauce, goat cheese with honey, and a decadent dessert. You’ll definitely want to bring your appetite for this one. A cheese plate will be served paired with raki, and your dessert can be enjoyed with the local liqueur, kitron.

Get to know the locals and their favorite recipes with this hands-on excursion. A local will welcome you into their Naxos home in the village of Kaloxylos, known for its incredibly picturesque scenery that includes centuries-old olive trees, magnificent architecture, flower-filled yards, and countless cats. A special cooking lesson, you’ll enjoy a Greek meal in the most authentic way possible, helping to prepare the typical family dishes as you become part of the community. You’ll cook a full, traditional Naxian meal that’s based on recipes handed down from generation to generation. It will reveal why the Mediterranean diet is not only considered the ultimate in optimal nutrition but one of the most delicious too. You’ll have time to explore the village or check out the Folklore Museum too. After the meal has been prepared, sit down and enjoy it while making new friends as you chat about the area and the family’s history.

Enjoy a scenic and relaxing ride onboard a ferry, cruising to the spectacular island of Santorini. After your arrival, you’ll be able to explore as your wish. Just some of its wonders popular for exploring include its black, red and white sand beaches, the fascinating prehistoric archaeological site of Akrotiri that’s been well-preserved for centuries under volcanic ash, and
Oia village, with its whitewashed homes spilling down the island’s steep cliffs.

Cap off your day by taking in a glorious sunset while dining at one of the many outstanding restaurants overlooking the Aegean for an especially dramatic view.

One of the best ways to experience Santorini’s famously dazzling sunsets is to embark on a catamaran cruise and today you’ll get to do just that. Sail alongside the caldera cliffs, taking in sights like the red and white beaches from another perspective, stopping to enjoy refreshing dips in the warm springs of the volcanic crater and exploring the magnificent underwater world by snorkeling and swimming through the crystal-clear Aegean Sea.

As you’re sure to work up an appetite, the excursion includes a full Greek meal, fresh-cooked onboard, along with beverages like soft drinks, wine and Greek beer. The grand finale is a mesmerizing sunset, so don’t forget your camera to capture one of the world’s most memorable moments.

The roads of Santorini lead to many vineyards and wineries with today’s tour bringing you to sample the unique and wonderful flavors of the island’s volcanic wines and learn more about how they’re produced. The dry, mineral-rich volcanic soil has been cultivated by winemakers for millennia, leading to the creation of indigenous grape varieties that are wholly unique to Santorini, molded by the landscape.

You’ll visit three different wineries, guided by an expert sommelier who will reveal everything you need to know about the island’s viticulture while providing a fabulous tasting experience. Sample varieties paired with local cheeses and other eats as you try to decide which is your favorite.

Get ready for your return to Athens with a flight this morning or at mid-day. The afternoon is yours to spend at your leisure either relaxing at the hotel or to go exploring the amazing city of Athens.

Equally, we can arrange for an optional tour of the Temple of Poseidon in Cape Sounion. Built in the same year as the Parthenon the temple dramatically sits at the cliff’s edge and on a clear day you can see Kea, Kythnos, and Serifos to the southeast, and Aegina and the Peloponnese to the west.

Your journey through Athens and two of the most beautiful islands in the Cyclades ends today. Prepare to depart after breakfast, with private transfer bringing you back to Athens International Airport.

If your time here seemed to go far too fast, we can arrange for an extended trip if time allows, or perhaps you’ll want to embark on another adventure. Our experts are waiting to assist, otherwise, we’ll see you next time.