This handcrafted 8-day culinary excursion through Athens, Santorini, and Crete perfectly combines cuisine with culture. Tour from city to city to taste a variety of Greece's infamous dishes. Prepare for the gastronomical experience of a lifetime that will have you indulging in authentic Athenian street food, basking in the herbaceous fragrance of Santorini's volcanic infused wine, and savoring the sweet and salty zest of feta cheese on a tour of a Cretan dairy farm.
Customizable Itinerary
Day 1
Athens – Dine with the Gods
As you emerge from the airport terminal, you will immediately notice the earthy, herbaceous fragrance of olive groves permeating through the air. Your personal driver will be waiting to greet you with a large sign and will also assist you with your belongings. As you pull up to your charming, classically inspired hotel in the heart of Athens, your gracious hosts will quickly check you in and escort you to your room. You will be able to look out of your window and see the legendary Acropolis as it towers in the distance. This evening will be left free, and you can feel free to head down to your hotel's dining room for your first local dinner.
What's Included:
Day 2
Athens – Back-Alley Culinary Tour
Day 3
Santorini – Sommelier Guided Wine Tour
Day 4
Santorini – Octopus Dive in the Sea
Day 5
Crete – Sail to the Grandeur of Crete
Day 6
Crete - Experience the Samaria Gorge Hike
Day 7
Crete – Olive Oil Tasting and Cheese Tour
Day 8
Crete – Return Home
Trip Highlights
- Immerse yourself in the mythology and magic of the legendary Acropolis on a private tour through each distinctive temple
- Indulge in richly spiced and authentic Athenian street food during a back-alley culinary adventure
- Savor the sweet and dry local grape in addition to the earthy, herbaceous fragrance of Santorini's volcanic, mineral-heavy soil on a sommelier guided wine tour
- Bask in the soothing sunshine as you dive from a luxury yacht into the crystal-clear Aegean Sea in search of octopus and oysters
- Enjoy breathtaking views of running riverbanks, snow-patched mountains, and vibrant flora as you hike the Samaria Gorge
- Delight in Crete's infamous savory and succulent olives as you travel from grove to grove on a spectacular olive oil tasting
- Cherish the subtle complexity of local feta cheese as you embark on a private tour through a dairy farm
Detailed Description
This handcrafted, weeklong culinary adventure through Athens, Santorini, and Crete perfectly combine cuisine with culture. Your vacation will begin in Athens, which is known as the cradle of Western Civilization. As you walk out the airport terminal to greet your private driver, you will immediately notice the earthy, herbaceous aroma of olive groves permeating through the air. Once you collect your belongings, your driver will escort you to your charming accommodation in the heart of the City. This evening, you will be free to relax. The following day, a private guide will arrive at your hotel in the morning to accompany you through the legendary Acropolis. You will spend your morning visiting one of the greatest architectural achievements in human history and will be able to marvel at the elegant and sleek design of the Temple of Nike Athena, the sheer size of the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and the cultural significance of the Parthenon. While your morning will consist of touring with the gods, your afternoon will consist of dining with them. Your guide will lead you on an authentic street food tour through the back alleys of Athens. Any foodie knows that to experience the true taste of a city, you need to eat where the locals do. With this in mind, we have handcrafted a specialized tour through Athens to provide you with a unique peek into the vibrant street food scene. During your tour, you will partake in a succulent tasting of local souvlaki, indulge in a sweet and salty gyro made with freshly baked pita bread, and appreciate the simple delicacy of a perfectly made baklava.
The next morning, you will depart for Santorini on a private aircraft. As you soar over the Aegean Sea, you will admire the spectacular view of Greece's islands against the bright blue sea. After you land, you will quickly check-in to your hotel and head toward the lovely town of Oia. As you stroll through the maze of eclectic artesian cafes, shops, and jewelers, make sure to stop for a strongly brewed coffee, try a loaf of freshly baked bread, and capture a memory at one of the many picturesque stopping points. Later in the afternoon, your personal sommelier will arrive and accompany you on a spectacular Santorini wine tour. You will spend your last day in Santorini sailing through the seas on an ultra-luxury catamaran yacht equipped with diving and fishing gear. During your time on the open sea, you can bask in the revitalizing air and soothing sunshine as you dive through clear waters in search of octopus and oysters. Your crew will then transport your fresh seafood to a local restaurant, where you will learn how to prepare a perfectly grilled and seasoned octopus dish with a famed Greek chef.
Your final destination will be the mystical island of Crete. You will arrive early in the morning, and your hotel will send a driver to pick you up from the marina. No trip to Crete would be complete without hiking the Samaria Gorge, and you will spend your first morning on Crete trekking past snow-patched mountains, rushing riverbeds, vibrant flora, and inspiring cliff sides. Later in the evening, a world-renowned Greek chef will teach you how to prepare the quintessential Greek dish that consists of a Greek salad, lamb, and pistachio baklava. The freshness of the feta and olive oil will leave you wondering how something so simple can be so complex. The secret spice rub will be passed onto you by the chef and may become an instant classic for your friends and family back home. On your final day, you will sample Crete's sweet and succulent olives during a tour from grove to grove. Eventually, you will culminate your trip by visiting a local feta cheese dairy farm. Relaxed, refreshed, and reinvigorated with a newfound appreciation of Greek cuisine, you will return home to your friends and family.
A personal guide will accompany you on each tasting and activity to ensure that you leave Greece with an intimate understanding of how the Greeks have continued to revolutionize the dining industry for thousands of years. Nearly all of this itinerary is customizable, so you can adjust nearly anything and everything to better suit your moods and interests once you are in Greece.
Starting Price
$7,100 per person (excluding international flights)
What's Included
- Accommodations
- In-country transportation
- Some or all activities and tours
- Expert trip planning
- 24x7 support during your trip
Your final trip cost will vary based on your selected accommodations, activities, meals, and other trip elements that you opt to include.
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