Highlights
- Tour a working Peloponnesian olive grove and see how olive oil is made
- Sample the native varietals of Nemea, one of Greece's most ancient wine regions
- Learn to cook Cycladic cuisine on the charming and undiscovered island of Tinos
- Visit a traditional farm for dinner with the locals on Mykonos
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Athens, Welcome Dinner | Athens |
| Day 2 | Traditional Greek Shepherd & Farm Experience, Transfer to Nafplio | Nafplio |
| Day 3 | Day Trip to Nemea Wine Region | Nafplio |
| Day 4 | Greek Olive Oil Experience, Farm Picnic & Taverna Lunch | Nafplio |
| Day 5 | Ferry to Tinos, Explore the Island | Tinos |
| Day 6 | Tinian Culinary Experience | Tinos |
| Day 7 | Ferry to Mykonos, Organic Farm Visit & Mykonian Dinner | Mykonos |
| Day 8 | Ferry to Naxos, Explore the Island | Naxos |
| Day 9 | Naxos Food & Castle Tour | Naxos |
| Day 10 | Fly to Athens, Depart |
Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Athens, Welcome Dinner
Welcome to Greece! Upon arrival at the airport, meet your driver and transfer to your hotel in downtown Athens. Greece's buzzy capital city is an eclectic mix of ancient and modern, with towering temples to ancient deities rubbing shoulders with lively nightlife, crowded flea markets, and contemporary cuisine. Settle in and relax after your flight, then head out to discover the city's sights.
It's possible to walk up the hill to the Acropolis, a vast fifth-century complex on a rocky hilltop overlooking the city, and together with the Parthenon (the temple dedicated to Athena), should be top of your list of places to visit. Wander back down to stroll the colorful stalls of the Monastiraki flea market before settling in for a cold drink at one of the neighborhood cafés. In the evening, you'll sit down to enjoy either a welcome dinner with dazzling views of Athens' ancient ruins or discover the region's wine with a tasting at a local bar.
Day 2: Traditional Greek Shepherd & Farm Experience, Transfer to Nafplio
Today, you'll head out into the countryside surrounding Athens and visit a local farm for a Greek shepherd experience. Arrive at the farm, and you'll receive a warm welcome from the farm owners and its more diminutive residents! Try your hand at all aspects of farm life, including milking the goats and cows and playing the shepherd's flute to call the flock. You'll have time afterward to chat with the owners over a coffee and pastry to learn more about day-to-day life on the farm and the area's history.
Afterward, you'll transfer to the coastal city of Nafplio on the Peloponnese peninsula, considered one of Greece's most beautiful towns. Cross the Isthmus of Corinth, the narrow land bridge that connects the mainland to the peninsula, and check into your hotel. Spend the evening strolling through the Old Town, where you'll find Ottoman fountains, Venetian architecture, and the 15th-century Bourtzi Castle in the middle of the harbor. Accessible only by boat, the castle was built in the 1470s to defend the city, and it still keeps watch at the entrance to Nafplio Bay.
Don't miss the 1,000-step climb to see the view from Palamidi Castle, and afterward, reward your efforts with dinner at one of the family-run tavernas that line Syntagma Square in the Old Town.
Day 3: Day Trip to Nemea Wine Region
Spend today on a guided tour of Nemea, one of Greece's most important wine-producing regions known for its indigenous grape variety agiorgitiko, whose grapes have grown in the region for thousands of years. Legend has it they were first grown from a vine brought by the god Dionysus. Meet your guide and make the 40-minute drive north to two boutique wineries in the area, where you'll be greeted by the owners and accompanied on a guided tour of the vineyards and observe the winemaking process.
There'll be plenty of time to taste the varietals, too, and after your tour, you'll head to the tasting room overlooking the Nemean Valley with its endless rows of vines. Enjoy a lunch of traditional Greek dishes paired with a selection of vintages from the estate, and if there are any bottles you particularly enjoyed, you'll have the chance to purchase directly from the winery's cellar. On your return to Nafplio, you'll stop at an organic balsamic vinegar producer, where you'll learn about the area's organic farming methods and taste their top-quality balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
Day 4: Greek Olive Oil Experience, Farm Picnic & Taverna Lunch
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Ferry to Tinos, Explore the Island
This morning, you'll catch an early ferry to Tinos, one of the most overlooked islands of the Cyclades. Tinos has remained under the radar for many years, overshadowed by its celebrity neighbor of Mykonos and seen mainly as a religious destination. Those who continue to believe that, however, are missing out on an island with fascinating history and culture, winding streets, great outdoor activities, and glittering beaches.
The imposing Panagia Evangelistria should not be overlooked, as Tinos is also known as the island of the Virgin Mary. Its icon is believed to have healing powers, and the annual August pilgrimage is a key part of the island's identity as churchgoers crawl on their knees toward the temple as a sign of piety.
If pilgrimage isn't quite your scene, there are also nearly 80 windmills to be explored, Venetian ruins, hiking on the slopes of Exomvourgo mountain, and beaches for any mood. Try the island's craft beer from the Nissos brewery or sample the cheeses at the shop belonging to the Cheese Cooperative of Tinos. Keep an eye out for the many painted dovecotes around the island as well — there are over 1,000 of these small white homes dotting the countryside.
Day 6: Tinian Culinary Experience
Start your morning at an aromatic garden and harvest fresh ingredients as part of today's culinary experience. Learn the stories of some Greek recipes, then cook them yourself with expert local instruction. Enjoy the fruits of your labor al fresco as you consume your creations under the trees and arched alleyways accompanied with local wines and the scent of the herb garden.
Later on, pick from the many cafés and tavernas along the seaside or in the interior. Complete your island culinary education with louza, a cured pork that's been refined by Tinians over years of practice, and rich volaki cheese balls and kariki cheese aged within pumpkin skins, similar to a Stilton or Roquefort. See if the menus offer fourtalia, a fresh Cycladic dish similar to an omelet made with fresh local eggs, sausage, and potatoes, or dishes made out of the signature Tinian artichokes. Complement them with a glass of crisp, light Tinian wine or Nissos beer brewed right on the island.
Day 7: Ferry to Mykonos, Farm Visit & Mykonian Dinner
Today you'll catch the ferry to Mykonos, the most famous of the Cyclades archipelago, known for its whitewashed houses, art scene, and jet-set crowds. Check in to your hotel and continue your culinary adventures with a trip to an organic farm and winery in a former monastic vineyard. Talk to the farm's caretakers to learn how vegetables are grown on the island and new-age viticulture techniques, including playing classical music over the vineyards to cultivate full-flavored Cycladic wines. You'll also get to meet the farm's resident animals, including Konstantis, the good-natured donkey.
In the evening, as the sun sets, you'll be welcomed into a local Mykonian household to experience traditional Greek hospitality. Spend your last evening on the island sipping on free-flowing local wine and feasting on hearty Hellenic dishes such as dolmades (stuffed vine leaves) and kleftiko (baked lamb) while your hosts share stories of Mykonian culture and their family history.
Day 8: Ferry to Naxos, Explore the Island
Today, you'll catch a ferry and make the 1.5-hour crossing over to Naxos, the largest and most fertile of the Cyclades, known for its expansive white-sand beaches, archaeological treasures, Venetian architecture, and laid-back charm. Check into your hotel, and the rest of the day is yours to unwind or explore as you wish. Spend the day in Chora (also known as Naxos Town) and amble up the hillside lined by quaint shops and restaurants. Then, head along the causeway to the islet of Palatia, where you'll find the Portara, the ancient entrance to the Temple of Apollo and one of the island's hallmarks.
If you're feeling energetic, hike to the summit of Mount Zas, the mythological childhood home of Zeus and the highest point in the Cyclades, where you'll be rewarded with wonderful views over the island. Alternatively, venture inland to Chalki, home to the island's oldest market and a petite, shady square perfect for whiling away the afternoon with a cool drink. As evening falls, wander up the hill in Chora to the Kastro neighborhood, where you'll find plenty of tempting family-run tavernas.
Day 9: Naxos Food & Castle Tour
As the largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos is home to a wide range of agriculture in addition to its tourist industry. Livestock live alongside the western farms, home to the famous Naxian potatoes, and mountainous areas full of olive groves provide the staples of Greek cooking. Your guide will take you through the winding lanes of Chora today to sample some of the products of those fields. You'll taste five different Naxian cheeses along with kitron, a traditional liqueur distilled on the island. You may also stop at a candy shop and learn about confectionary production or visit a wine shop to taste Greek varietals.
Then, continue on to a historic tour of the town's Venetian Castle. Spend the evening continuing to wander the castle district and put your newfound knowledge to use in the many tavernas on the hillside. For great views over the town and across to neighboring Paros, check out 1739 Terrasse Cafe.
Day 10: Fly to Athens, Depart
It's time to say goodbye to Greece for now. Take advantage of any extra time with one last morning stroll around the island before catching a flight back to Athens for your onward connection. Safe travels!
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