Food and wine enthusiasts — especially those looking to get off the beaten path a bit — will love this two-week itinerary around Athens and a pair of Greek islands. The trip starts with a few days in Athens, where you'll get oriented in Greek history and mythology. Then it's off to the island of Naxos, where you'll sample local sweets and visit a family-run olive oil farm. You'll also enjoy a day of sailing on the Aegean Sea before continuing to the lesser-visited island of Amorgos for several days of eating, drinking, and sunbathing. Learn how to prepare Greek food during a cooking class, sip wine with a sunset view, and pick up some bottles of locally produced olive oil to take home with you. You'll head back to Athens for one last Greek meal before the trip comes to an end.

Highlights

  • Enjoy a mythology-themed tour in Athens
  • Tour family-run olive oil factories on two islands
  • Taste one-of-a-kind candy and ice cream on Naxos
  • Sail to the islands of Paros and Antiparos
  • Explore the wild landscapes of Amorgos
  • Attend a Greek dance class

Brief Itinerary

Day Highlights Overnight
Day 1 Sightsee in Athens Athens
Day 2 Learn About Mythology in Athens Athens
Day 3 Explore Naxos at Your Own Pace Naxos
Day 4 Sail to Paros & Antiparos Naxos
Day 5 Eat Your Way Around Naxos Naxos
Day 6 Go on a Culinary Tour of the Island Naxos
Day 7 Travel to Amorgos Amorgos
Day 8 Explore the Villages of Aegiali Amorgos
Day 9 Taste Local Delicacies  Amorgos
Day 10 Attend a Greek Dance Class Amorgos
Day 11 Discover the Secret Amorgos  Amorgos
Day 12 Explore Greek Olive Traditions  Amorgos
Day 13 Return to Athens & Enjoy Free Time Athens
Day 14 Depart Athens - End of Trip  

Detailed Itinerary

Day 1: Sightsee in Athens

Monastiraki Square and Sunset over Plaka
Monastiraki Square in Athens
Welcome to Athens! In the afternoon, get out for some sightseeing. Those interested in history and mythology might choose to visit the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum of the Ancient Agora, or the Archaeological Museum of Kerameikos. View fine art at Benaki Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, or the National Gallery. You could also go off the beaten path at the Museum of Cycladic Art, where you can buy truly unique souvenirs, or the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology. You'll overnight in the city. 

Day 2: Learn About Mythology in Athens

The Parthenon at the Athenian Acropolis
Today you'll get a crash course in Greek mythology. Experience the ancient stories surrounding you with today's guided mythology tour. You'll meet your guide and storyteller at the Temple of Olympian Zeus, then head to landmarks around the city, including the Acropolis, the ancient cemetery at Kerameikos, and the Agora. The city's myths will accompany you as you go, with stories of Zeus, Athena, Poseidon, Dionysus, and more. Hear the stories themselves and the historic facts behind them, adding resonance to the archaeological ruins you'll visit during this four-hour tour.
 
Enjoy another guided tour at the Acropolis Museum in the afternoon. Named one of the ten best museums in the world by National Geographic, this modern museum houses a multitude of artifacts removed from the hill of the Acropolis for safekeeping to provide insight into ancient religious practices and daily life. Linger for lunch in the museum's cafe, with views of the artifacts' former hilltop home. As night falls, you may be able to visit the Athens Observatory to learn about the constellations overhead and take a look through the telescope.
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Day 3: Explore Naxos at Your Own Pace

Explore Naxos on your own
The whitewashed buildings of Naxos
Welcome to the largest island in the Cyclades, Naxos! Explore this beautiful island today. Hike up to the summit of Mount Zas, the mythological childhood home of Zeus, the ruler of the gods, and the highest point in the Cyclades. Visit the Temple of Demeter, where multiple deities of fertility were worshipped. The temple was constructed in 530 BCE, during the tyranny of Lygdamis, and represents a precursor of classical Athenian architecture. Then stroll to the Portara, the entrance to the Temple of Apollo. Construction on the temple began in the sixth century BCE but was never finished, but the still-standing entranceway has become one of the hallmarks of the island. You can find it on the islet of Palatia, just over a causeway from the heart of Naxos Town.

Day 4: Sail to Paros & Antiparos

Old stone buildings on Paros
Spend a full day sailing around the Aegean Sea, enjoying its crystal clear waters and magnificent beaches on the islands of Paros and Antiparos. You'll be able to go swimming or snorkeling off the boat at the Blue Lagoon while the crew prepares a Greek-style barbecue for you. Then the boat continues to Antiparos, where you'll have the opportunity to explore the island on foot. The Hora (Main Town) of Antiparos is built around a 15th-century Venetian castle. The stone-paved streets, whitewashed alleys, and houses trimmed with vibrant bougainvilleas are incredibly picturesque, as is the central square, shaded by eucalyptus trees. 

Day 5: Eat Your Way Around Naxos

Naxos Old Town Flavors
The Old Town of Naxos
Eat your way around the island on today's food tour. Visit the traditional creamery shop of Koufopoulos, then a local candy shop that produces homemade candies using local flavors like sage, citron, lemon, orange, mastic, ouzo, and lime chili. Your afternoon walk will end up with a visit to a traditional spirits shop to taste a local liqueur made from citron leaves. You'll have a light dinner on a restaurant terrace in the old town, enjoying magnificent panoramic views over the castle and the port at sunset. 

Day 6: Go on a Culinary Tour of the Island

Shopping for ingredients in Greece
Experience the sweet and savory joys of Naxos on today's culinary tour! You'll learn why the Mediterranean diet is widely considered one of the best and healthiest in the world. During the excursion, you'll shop for ingredients in an island village, then visit a local farm and pick your own seasonal vegetables to use in an afternoon cooking class. You'll prepare lunch with a local chef and enjoy it together, then visit a family-owned olive oil factory in the village of Eggares. Watch how this “liquid gold” is painstakingly prepared, and sample freshly pressed olive oil with bread right out of the oven. The evening is yours to relax.

Day 7: Travel to Amorgos

A shipwreck off the coast of Amorgos

It's time to leave Naxos behind and catch the ferry to beautiful Amorgos! One of the most impressive Cycladic islands, Amorgos has marvelous beaches with azure waters, gorgeous caves, ideal spots for diving, scenic bays, and ancient trails leading through steep, rocky terrain. Step off the beaten path and visit an island that has preserved its traditional color. Dine in a local tavern in the evening before continuing to explore the island the next day. 

Day 8: Explore the Villages of Aegiali

A view of Aegiali 
Go on a tour today to familiarize yourself with the area of Aegiali, located in the northeastern part of Amorgos. Today, there's an asphalt road connecting Aegiali with Chora and Katapola, but the rugged mountain range that exists between these areas makes Aegiali feel like a world apart. The tour will start at the village of Langada, where you will stroll through the picturesque alleys, making a stop at an old olive press. Continue to the village of Tholaria, then visit Potamos, a quiet town overlooking the bay and the surrounding islands. Take a coffee break while admiring the view. The last stop of our tour will be at the port of Aegiali, with its attractive seafront and numerous shops, cafés, and restaurants. It's the perfect spot for a leisurely lunch.

Day 9: Taste Local Delicacies 

Spanakopita & baklava 
Today's gourmet tour of the island will lead you to some of Amorgos' tastiest delicacies. Start in the village of Langada, where you will visit a local bakery. Then head out to the countryside to learn about honey and olive oil production, taste the traditional raki liquor, sample locally produced wines. You'll snack on treats like local cheese and olives before sitting down for a leisurely lunch built around seasonal ingredients. 

Day 10: Attend a Greek Dance Class

A village on Amorgos

Take some time in the morning to explore one or two of the island's quaint villages, pausing for coffee with a view of the sea. After lunch, you'll attend a Greek dance class. The basic steps are as easy as 1-2-3, and the class is fun for travelers of all ages and experience levels. You'll have free time in the evening to stroll, dine on Greek food, and relax.

Day 11: Discover the Secret Amorgos 

A monastery on Amorgos

Kato Meria (literally the “Lower Side”) remains unknown to most visitors to Amorgos. Today's trip will reward you with rural Cycladic landscapes and genuine hospitality. Starting at the village of Arkesini, have a coffee next to the Hellenistic tower of Agia Triada, a well-preserved building from the 4th century BCE. Continue to Agia Paraskevi, the location of the island's largest festival. Moving on to the beach of Kalotaritissa, a well-protected bay at the southwestern tip of Amorgos, you'll pass by the bay where the island's famous shipwreck can be viewed. Have lunch in a restaurant popular with locals to end the excursion.

Day 12: Explore Greek Olive Traditions 

Olives at a farm in Greece 
Olives and olive oil are the staples of the Mediterranean diet. Through the course of centuries, the techniques of olive oil production have been modernized, but the importance of this basic ingredient in the lives and culture of Greeks has remained unchanged. You'll learn all about it today on an olive-focused tour of the island. Enjoy a peaceful walk through olive groves with your guide, then sit down for a lunch prepared with locally produced olive oil. The rest of the afternoon and evening is yours to enjoy on your last night on the island.

Day 13: Return to Athens & Enjoy Free Time

Boats in the Aegean Sea
After breakfast, you'll enjoy the scenic ferry ride back to Athens. The afternoon and evening are free to do whatever you like! One option is to go on a boating excursion to the majestic Temple of Poseidon at Sounio. This sacred site dating back to the Bronze age will take your breath away with its sweeping ocean views, impressive ancient columns, and intricate history. The boat ride back doubles as a sunset cruise before spending your last night in Athens. 

Day 14: Depart Greece - End of Trip

Ferry from Santorini to Athens
Ferry from Santorini to Athens
The trip comes to an end today. You'll head to the airport to catch a flight out. Safe travels!

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