Day 1: Arrival in Athens

Start this memorable adventure through Athens, and the stunning islands of Naxos, Santorini, and Crete are in the Greek capital. You’ll be met with your private transfer at the airport and taken to your hotel to get settled in before enjoying the rest of the day exploring on your own. Perhaps visit one of the world’s greatest antiquities museums. The Archaeological Museum boasts an impressive collection of Greek jewellery, pottery, sculpture, and other objects, including a 2,000-year-old computer discovered in a shipwreck. Other options include visiting the Parthenon atop Acropolis Hill or browsing shops and people-watching from one of the cafes in the historic Plaka district.

Day 2: Acropolis – the Parthenon – Food Tour

Today, enjoy an enticing tour of the Greek capital, covering the main cultural highlights whilst also diving into local cuisine. Climb to the top of the sacred Acropolis to greet the Parthenon, which has been looking over the city for centuries as one of the world’s most important structures. Your expert guide will reveal the stories behind the hill and its monuments, along with the city’s rich heritage itself. Learn all about the Greek civilisation’s cultural achievements during the Golden Age before embarking on the rest of the excursion: a three-hour food tour in the heart of the city. Intrigue all your senses while delving into the local cuisine, visiting artisans who’ve dedicated decades to perfecting their recipes, along with specialty food shops known for sourcing the best products from across the country.

You’ll explore the central food market, too, enjoying tastings of all sorts of sweet and savoury local treats along the way.

Day 3: Athens – Naxos

Catch a ferry or a flight to Naxos this morning, enjoying the remainder of the day at your leisure. The largest island in the Cyclades, this uncrowded gem offers diverse terrain that includes some of the country’s top sandy beaches, soaring mountains for hiking, and waterfalls for viewing, along with nearly four dozen villages that include white hill towns glistening under the Mediterranean sun. Take a stroll through Chora with its impressive Venetian architecture, perhaps sampling crepes with locally made jams in one of the hidden cafes before enjoying a refreshing drink on a rooftop patio that brings the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean into view.

Day 4: Food and culture tour to Apeiranthos village

Enjoy a day trip to the unique village of Apeiranthos today, a mountainous village that many consider to be Naxos’ crown jewel. It’s famous for its striking natural beauty and its food, including rich Rosto (pork with garlic) that impressed the late chef/author/television personality Anthony Bourdain. Thanks to the high altitude as well as being amphitheatrically built along the slopes of Mount Fanari, you’ll be able to enjoy extraordinary views from the restaurants here, most serving local produce while overlooking lush valleys and peaks. As you stroll along the marble paths, the village’s old-fashioned arts and tasty dishes will be revealed.

Day 5: Ferry to Santorini

As Naxos fades away, the bucket-list island of Santorini comes into view. Your first introduction is sure to impress as you step off the ferry and gaze up at the steep sides of the caldera. You’ll have the day to enjoy it on your own, perhaps touring Akrotiri, frozen in time after being buried by ash during the massive 1646 BC volcanic eruption, or hiking the path between Thira and Oia, one of the most stunning routes on the planet. With the sunsets from Oia one of the best vantage points for the island’s famous sunsets, you might want to plan a trip that will put you there at dusk.

Day 6: Wine tour and welcome dinner

An exclusive private tour with an expert guide, learn insider island secrets while travelling to the top spots on Santorini. Stand at the edge of the caldera to capture exquisite images against the backdrop of the sapphire Aegean Sea and wander through the picture -perfect village of Oia before heading to the peak of Prophet Elias Mountain. Listen to the haunting chants of the monks, stroll the island’s longest black sand beach, and indulge in a wealth of food and drink experiences.

Day 7: Santorini

Enjoy a fun, authentic gastronomic experience with a visit to a traditional home where you’ll get to enjoy warm Greek hospitality along with a cooking lesson.

Of course, sharing and tasting will be included in this relaxed, informal excursion as well. You’ll be welcomed with local wine and appetisers, getting a brief intro to the island’s local foods and gastronomy before heading into the kitchen for expert instruction with the chef. Help prepare the traditional Greek dishes using fresh, local ingredients, and then gather with all on the lovely terrace where you’ll share and taste the delicious meal everyone helped put together.

Day 8: High-speed ferry to Heraklion

Hop aboard the ferry, cruising to Crete, one of the largest Greek islands. Upon your arrival, enjoy exploring this enchanted isle at your own pace, perhaps a hike to discover Minoan ruins or a visit to one of the beautiful beaches. You’ll find plenty of museums and galleries to wander through, along with shops, restaurants, and nightlife to indulge in, one of which is sure to be perfect for unwinding with a drink as you gaze out at the magnificent scenery and experience daily life on the island. You won’t be disappointed with the flavourful local cuisine, renowned for the quality and freshness of its ingredients, typically featuring wild herbs and greens.

Day 9: Food tour in Heraklion –  Rethymnon or Chania – To be advised

This afternoon, you’ll meet a private guide for a walking tour of one of these beautiful towns.. The tour is timed for 5 pm, as the heat of the day has faded, and the dusk light begins to fall over this picturesque port. Your expert local guide will join you for around two hours, with the tour covering the main highlights of Rethymnon, which include its Venetian Harbour, the semi-ruined Fortezza Castle overlooking the town, the Church of the Fort Martyrs, the Rimondi Lion’s Fountain (also Venetian), and the twin Asia Minor and Unknown Soldier’s Squares. During the tour, you can ask your guide for their eating and drinking recommendations and then continue your exploration into the evening.

Day 10: Cretan wine and Cheese tour in a local town

Spend an unforgettable day meeting local producers and tasting the pure and authentic wine delicacies of Western Crete. Enjoy a tour of a family-owned winery, visit the traditional old cellar, and learn about local viticulture, grapes, and vine-growing. Sample a variety of different Cretan and international varieties, along with a demonstration of how to properly taste the wine. You will then be introduced to  a local family cheese factory. After the tour of the factory, you will taste the local cheese varieties like Graviera, Anthotiros, or Mizithra and learn about the cheese-making process. Your final stop is for lunch in a traditional Cretan village, where you will experience the incredible tastes of the local cuisine.

Day 11: Heraklion or Chania – Athens

After bidding farewell to Crete, catch your morning or mid-day flight back to Athens. On arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel and have the remainder of your last afternoon and evening to cram in any final souvenir-hunting, sightseeing, or gastronomic adventures.

Day 12: Departure from Athens

Sadly today we bid you farewell – Antío

Should you wish to extend your stay, we are more than happy to plan this for you