Private Cultural Treasures & Local Villages Experience, Naxos

After a pick-up at your hotel, your half-day adventure through Naxos begins with a drive inland to the Temple of Demeter, where you'll find the remains of a sixth-century BCE marble sanctuary perched on a hill with sweeping views of the Sangri plains. Follow your guide through this remarkable archaeological site, and listen as they explain how the temple predates the Parthenon and how ancient rituals held here are linked with the seasons and the myth of Persephone.

Get back on the road and venture north to reach the ancient village of Melanes next, where you'll find the mysterious Kouros of Melanes, two unfinished sixth-century BCE marble statues hidden among the rugged countryside. It's on to the Byzantine era next with a visit to a 1,000-year-old church adorned with original religious frescoes and hand-painted icons. Here your guide will introduce you to the wonders of Byzantine art and architecture as you learn about Naxos' cultural evolution through the ages.

Get a glimpse of authentic island life at your next stop, the tiny village of Kaloxylos. This off-the-beaten-path gem is known for its olive oil production, and you'll stroll through olive groves to reach a century-old olive press to learn how olives are harvested and pressed, then savor a tasting accompanied by local treats. End in the neighboring village of Chalki, filled with historic neoclassical mansions, Byzantine churches, and bougainvillea blossoms. Here you'll step into a local distillery that dates back over 120 years to sample some of the island's famous kitron liqueur, made from lemons grown in the surrounding valley.