Private Countryside Walk: Naxian Villages & Local Food, 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 unique 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.