Private Villages & Countryside Foodie Day Trip with Lunch, Naxos

Your day starts with a transfer to the tiny village of Kaloxylos, where time seems to stand still and a traditional way of life still prevails. Along the drive, you'll pass through scenic island landscapes and ancient olive groves home to 800-year-old trees as your guide shares stories about the rich culinary traditions of Naxos.

Upon arrival in Kaloxylos, take a stroll through the quaint alleyways to a historic olive press that's over a century old. Here, you'll delve into the time-honored techniques of olive pressing and taste a variety of olive-based products. Take a break afterward in classic Naxian style by sitting down to some al fresco snacks that highlight the island's produce, accompanied by a glass of local wine.

Next, stretch your legs and explore the surrounding landscapes with a nature walk through the rural olive groves outside town, listening as your guide explains the trees' historical importance to Naxos and the island's time-honored cultivation methods. After you've worked up an appetite, the walk ends in the village of Chalki, the former capital of Naxos, where a farm-to-table feast awaits. Dine family style and chat with your hosts as you savor traditional dishes and more local wines, followed by a homemade slice of galaktoboureko, a custard and phyllo pie that's a favorite Naxian dessert staple.

Round off your day with an apertif at a nearby family-run distillery that's been crafting local spirits for over 120 years. Sip a glass of kitron, a refreshing, citrus spirit said to aid digestion, and learn how the distilling process uses flavorful local citron fruit (similar to a lemon) to create this classic Naxian tipple. The excursion ends with another scenic drive back to your hotel, where you'll part ways with your guide.