Awe-inspiring ancient architecture, island-hopping, and savory eats come together on this enticing journey.
Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner tonight. Sample plant-based mezze — an array of small plates — including vegan moussaka, zucchini balls, and more.
Wander the Varvekeios (Central) market on a walking food tour with local expert Anna.
Athens
If you’re a food lover, your journey to Greece can’t be complete without exploring its capital city. Tucked away in its bustling neighborhoods are culinary treasures cherished by locals. Local guides can introduce you to a wide range of dining experiences, from family-run tavernas to local bakeries with time-honored recipes.
Start your culinary exploration at the Varvakios Agora, a buzzing market of fresh seafood, aromatic spices, and traditional Greek products. You’ll discover the many ingredients that form the backbone of Athenian cuisine, from fragrant saffron to scrumptious cheeses.
After your market tour, join a local guide for a tasting tour of Athens’ vegan scene. Your guide will take you to the most-loved vegan restaurant in town, where you can try a variety of healthy and delicious treats that are vegan versions of their traditional Greek counterparts. Next, you’ll visit a local deli to learn how to recognize high-quality virgin olive oil.
After your morning or mid-day departure to Crete, you’ll be picked up by private transfer for your return to Athens. On the return, you’ll have one last day and evening to cram in any final souvenir-hunting, sightseeing, or gastronomic adventures. You can then prepare for your flight home or your next adventure. If you aren’t quite ready to head back, talk with our travel experts about extending your journey.
Santorini
Indulge in the rich, savory flavors of Greek cuisine as you visit some of its premier islands. During this immersive island-hopping journey, you’ll sample traditional dishes in a family home and take part in a cooking class. Then, sip local wines on a moonlit terrace while enjoying sunset views of the glimmering Aegean Sea.
Santorini is one of the world’s most famous destinations, known for its spectacular clifftop villages and stunning beaches. Spend time on the island absorbing the beauty of its azure coastline and strolling picturesque streets lined with shops. During your stay, explore the archeological sites of the Akrotiri excavations and visit a vineyard for wine tasting of its trendy volcanic whites.
Hop on the 1-hour ferry to the island of Folegandros, where you’ll find tranquil charms away from the crowds. Stroll the uncrowded beaches and admire the island’s impressive Venetian architecture. Wander the historic town of Chora, or hike to the peak of Prophet Elias Mountain for incredible vistas.
Crete
The largest of the Greek islands, Crete is a destination that deserves weeks (or even months) to explore. It is home to a dazzling array of beaches, rugged mountains and dramatic gorges, charming villages, hotels and tavernas, and an epic history of ancient Minoan civilizations.
You can’t help but fall in love with the island’s mouthwatering food and wine. Sample fresh seafood and olive oil, and dig into hearty dishes like saganaki (grilled lamb) or apaki (citrus marinated pork). And don’t miss the chance to try oshi toki – fried squash blossoms stuffed with rice or cheese.
It would be impossible to visit all of Crete’s enticing destinations on one trip, but top highlights include Chania with its boutique hotels and adorable restaurants; Rethymno, Heraklio and Agios Nikolaos for their old-world charm; Samaria Gorge and the Lasithi Plateau for hikers and lovers of nature; and Knossos for its expansive palace complex and legendary frescoes.
On your final day, enjoy a leisurely cruise around the beautiful Kolokytha Bay on the north coast of the island. After the tour, take a private transfer back to Athens for your flight home or on to the next leg of your travels. Enjoy the rest of your evening and day at your own pace, cramming in final souvenir-hunting or gastronomic adventures.
Sifnos
With their picture-perfect villages and secluded beaches, the islands of Greece are famous for a reason. But, as it turns out, these coastal paradises have a rich gastronomic heritage too. Experience the flavor of the islands on a unique culinary journey. Learn about local traditions through the food—from renowned chickpea soup to mouthwatering honey almond cakes. You’ll also take part in a cooking lesson on Sifnos, a pristine island of whitewashed houses and secluded coves.
On wildly beautiful Sifnos, where sun-bleached rocks and azure sea paint the horizon a fuzzy peach, the scent of orange-and-anise cookies floats down whitewashed streets and you can nibble on creamy cheese pies at local bakeries. Sifnos’ culinary fame owes to Nicholaos Tselementes, a Sifnian chef who wrote the first Greek recipe book in 1910—a cookbook that he called ‘Odigos Mageirikis’ (‘Cookbook of the Greeks’). His name has since become synonymous with the word “cookbook” in the country.
Tselementes’ legacy is still evident throughout the island, from mastelo—lamb slow-cooked with red wine and served in a clay pot—to revithada, a traditional chickpea stew that requires two days of preparation, including the making of revivokeftedes, or chickpea fritters. Try the dish at Nero & Alati, a taverna on the beach of Platis Gialos. It also serves a range of other traditional Sifnian dishes, such as apricot pie and the string beans manoura and xinomizithra.