Luxury Greek Gastronomy Tour: Athens, Nafplio, Santorini & Naxos - 14 Days

Day 2: History & Cuisine of Athens Tour, Wine Tasting 

This morning, meet your guide for a privately guided tour of the historic Acropolis. This ancient citadel sits above the city and is considered the cornerstone of Greek history and culture. In addition to being the home of the Parthenon, you'll find the ruins of several historically significant buildings here. Stroll the same paths that legends such as Socrates and Plato once walked and learn more about how notions like democracy were created and evolved to become a crucial part of modern Greece. 

Next, take a deep dive into Greece's fabulous gastronomy with a foodie tour! Accompanied by your expert guide, you'll wander the vibrant city streets, stopping at local restaurants where you'll meet chefs who have perfected their recipes over decades. Try favorites such as moussaka (lamb-based casserole) or dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), as your guide explains the heritage and culture associated with each dish.

Later this afternoon, take part in a private wine tasting at a beautiful local wine bar. Try eight different glasses of local wines, including varietals such as assyrtiko, xinomavro, and savvatiano, all accompanied by a savory charcuterie of Greek meats and cheeses. End the day back at your hotel, where you can relax by the pool or have a drink at the bar. 

Day 3: Transfer to Nafplio, Self-Guided City Tour, Dine with a Private Chef 

You're off to Nafplio, a coastal town in the Argolis (eastern Peloponnese) region and about 85 miles (137 km) from Athens. A driver will collect you from your hotel after checkout, and you'll make the scenic drive. Upon arrival, check in at your accommodations at Castellano Hotel & Suites. Housed in an impeccably restored 19th-century neoclassical building, the Castellano offers laid-back luxury, featuring modern rooms with clean lines, terraces that overlook the city, and a restaurant cited as being one of the top 100 restaurants in Greece.

After taking some time to enjoy the hotel, step out into Nafplio's Old Town district and explore. Walk the narrow, cobblestone streets and take in the neoclassical mansions that dot the neighborhood, as well as other notable architecture. Visit the hillside fortress of Palamidi, constructed by conquering Venetians in the 1600s, and stop by Syntagma Square, the city's main square and its most historic. 

This evening, discover the flavors of Nafplio with a private dining experience. Meet a local chef and watch as they prepare a repast curated to suit your own taste and preferences. Learn how the ingredients for each dish are harvested and their significance in Greek culture, as well as try different food and wine pairings. 

Day 4: Nafplio Sightseeing Excursion, Dinner & Music at Local Restaurant

Get better acquainted with Nafplio on a private city tour. you'll start with a visit to the fortress of Akronauplía, the city's oldest castle, where you'll find panoramic views that span across the city's red rooftops and out to the sea. From here, you'll catch a glimpse of Bourtzi, a Venetian fortress on a small island in the middle of the bay. 

Walk through the Gate of the Land, once part of the city's original walls, and visit the Vouleftikon building, the first Greek Parliament. If you didn't get to Syntagma Square yesterday, you'll have a chance to take a stroll through it, as well as visit nearby Fillelinon Square and the Town Hall, a gorgeous example of neoclassical architecture. 

For dinner tonight, head to a recommended restaurant, where you'll try local dishes such as trachanas (soup made from milk and wheat) or their renowned homemade pasta. Your meal will be accompanied by live music from a traditional Greek band, adding to the upbeat, convivial atmosphere! 

Day 5: Nemea Winery Tour & Tasting 

Your morning is free to relax at your hotel or see more of Nafplio on your own. You can take advantage of your hotel's many luxury amenities, swim at the pool, or head out for some shopping around the city. Nafplio is also home to some incredible beaches, such as the Blue Flag-rated Karathona, Kondyli, and Tolo, so if you're looking for sun and fun, Nafplio is the perfect spot.

This afternoon, meet your guide at the hotel and head out for lunch and a wine tasting in Nemea, one of Greece's most important wine-producing regions. Known for its red wines from the agiorgitiko grape, legend has it the region is also the location where Hercules killed the lion, and the blood of the lion is what painted the grapes of the area red! Take a private tour of a local winery, learn about Nemea's wine production, and end with a tasting of different wines accompanied by an assortment of hors d'oeuvres. 

Day 6: Fly to Santorini, Evening of Dinner & Wine

Your next destination is Santorini, one of the Aegean Sea's Cyclades islands. Known for its cliffside white and blue houses (built on the side of a once-active volcano), sunset views, and endless beaches, the island is a popular destination for visitors from across the globe but has retained its authentic character. Check out of your hotel in the morning, and transfer to the Athens airport for the quick 50-minute flight. 

Your driver will meet you upon arrival and take you to your hotel, the Vedema Resort, a 5-star accommodation located in the village of Megalochori. Their tasteful decor reflects the warmth and storied history of the island, and rooms are spacious and quiet, with attached terraces and options to include a Jacuzzi or private pool. Don't linger too long in your rooms, however, as you'll be heading out shortly to enjoy dinner at a local restaurant.

Santorini's restaurant scene is legendary, and whether you're in the mood for fine dining or something more casual, you'll have your pick of top restaurants tonight. Try Santorini's signature fava (split pea purée), tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters), or apochti (salted pork loin) alongside flavorful local wines. Your travel specialist will provide you with options based on your taste and will book a reservation for you.

Day 7: Free Morning to Explore, Sunset Catamaran Cruise & Barbecue 

Enjoy a leisurely morning at your hotel, relaxing at the pool, or spending some time at one of the island's many beaches. If you're interested in Greece's wine production, you can also take a guided tour of the island's wineries. Your local guide will collect you from your hotel and you can visit local vineyards, learning how the grapes are grown and the methods used to keep the vines healthy—some of which date back more than 3,500 years! Try different varietals, and stop in at the Underground Wine Museum to see the evolution of winemaking over the centuries.

Later, see more of Santorini via a private sunset cruise. Your driver will take you to Vlychada port, where you'll be welcomed onboard a luxury catamaran by your captain and crew. Your first stop is Red Beach, a volcanic beach with—you guessed it—red-hued sand. This is a great spot for swimming, snorkeling, and Instagram-worthy photos. Next up is White Beach, where you can swim while the crew sets out a sumptuous Greek barbecue. Feast on shrimp saganaki, grilled chicken, vegetables, pasta, and more before ending the day with a sunset dip in Santorini's hot springs. 

Day 8: Oia Organic Farm Picnic, Vineyard Excursion & Wine Tasting

Start your day with a privately guided visit to an organic farm in the village of Oia, learning more about the produce that grows here. Your driver will collect you from your hotel and upon arrival at the farm, you'll get a chance to explore the first organic blackcurrant vineyard on Santorini. See local varieties of herbs such as capers and thyme, and learn about the production and harvest of the produce, then take a visit to the property's on-site cave. Try a tasting of infused olive oil curated on the farm, then have a picnic meal created from the farm's own bounty.

Later today, discover Santorini's exclusive wineries on a private tour. Due to the island's small size, there are a limited number of vineyards, and the grape varietals are nationally safeguarded. Winemakers must acquire specific knowledge and experience on how to farm them in order to keep their products safe, and no other crops are allowed to be grown in the vineyards. You'll visit local vineyards, learning how the grapes are grown and the methods used to keep the vines healthy—some date back more than 3,500 years!

Visit a cliffside winery with views of the island's Caldera, and continue to one of the oldest wineries in Santorini, enjoying tastings along the way. Then, spend some time at the Underground Wine Museum, a one-of-a-kind attraction that shows the evolution of winemaking over the centuries. End with a stop at a local brewery to try local artisan beers such as "Crazy Donkey" or "Yellow Donkey." 

Day 9: Ferry to Naxos, Flavors of Naxos Old Town Tour

Depart Santorini this morning and meet your driver for a ride to the port, where you'll board a high-speed ferry for the island of Naxos, the largest of the Cyclades islands and home to charming villages, medieval mansions, and endless stretches of white sand beach. During your approach, you'll see the iconic landmark Portara, a giant door once a temple to Apollo. Upon arrival, a transfer will take you to your 5-star hotel, 18 Grapes. Featuring 18 signature rooms and suites, this peaceful oasis offers in-room pools, sea-view rooms, and a spa with a sauna and hammam. 

After hotel check-in, head out for a privately guided, food-focused tour of the island, starting with a walk along the colorful seaside streets of Naxos' Old Town. Visit the traditional creamery shop of Koufopoulos and sample some delectable Naxian cheeses, then head to Naxos Kastro, a Venetian castle built in the 1200s under the Venetian conqueror Marco Sanudo. Walk along the fortifications and see the impressive Glezos Tower, heading to a local restaurant for a light meal afterward.

Finish the day with a stop at a family-owned marmalade shop, where you can try different local jams with Greek yogurt, and a shop that sells the island's signature liqueur made from the essence of citrus leaves. If you're not too tired after the tour, take a walk along one of Naxos' many beaches, such as Plaka, which has gentle waves and the occasional friendly turtles swimming by, or Agios Prokopios, which has been rated among Europe's top 10 beaches. 

Day 10: Naxos Island Tour, Farm Visit with Wine & Cheese Tasting 

Discover more of the history and culture of Naxos with a private tour, starting with the Temple of Demeter. The marble temple, which dates back to the sixth century BCE, was dedicated to Demeter, the goddess of agriculture, harvest, and fertility. You'll have time to explore the ruins and visit the nearby museum, then continue to Damalas Village, where you'll visit a pottery shop and see live demonstrations of pottery-making.

From here, you'll visit a traditional Greek farm for a guided tour and the chance to try out your own farming skills, learning how to make kefalotiri (traditional Greek cheese) via centuries-old methods. Enjoy a cheese and wine tasting afterward, with wines from the farm's own vineyard and local Naxos cheeses. 

Next is the village of Halki, where you'll visit the island's oldest citron distillery. Sample some of this unusual drink, then make your way to the paleochristian church of Panagia Drosiani, which has what is considered one of the oldest naves in the Balkans. See the marble village of Apeiranthos, with architecture that has remained relatively untouched since the time of the Venetian Empire, walking the narrow, marble-paved mule tracks. Finish the day at Melanes village and the Kouros or Apollo statue, left "sleeping" in a garden for centuries until its dramatic discovery. 

Day 11: Sailing Excursion Around Naxos & Small Cyclades Islands

Today's adventure takes you out on the turquoise blue waters of the Aegean Sea as you embark on a private sailing tour around Naxos and the nearby Small Cyclades Islands. Otherwise known as the Lesser Cyclades, this group of 32 islands is located just southeast of Naxos and is home to secluded beaches and coves, as well as excellent opportunities for snorkeling and swimming. 

Depart from the port in the morning, cruising around Naxos while your expert guide points out local landmarks and shares legends and stories about the island's history. Then, head to the Small Cyclades, where you'll explore the pristine beaches and clear waters. Afterward, enjoy a sumptuous repast prepared by the crew, which includes local dishes, desserts, and refreshing beverages. 

Day 12: Explore the Beaches & Villages of Naxos, Traditional Naxian Dinner

Make the most of your last day in Naxos with a self-guided tour of some of the local beaches and historic sites around town. Start with a visit to Agios Georgios Beach, which is close to the city center and easy to get to on foot. Or, head to the popular Agios Prokopios if you didn't get there earlier, a lovely stretch of sand with shallow waters. If you want something a little wilder, visit Agiassos, a large beach with minimal services and a quiet atmosphere, or for a lively afternoon, stop by Plaka Beach, where you'll find amenities that include equipment rentals and restaurants nearby. 

After you've had your fill of beach time, head to the Portara for incredible views, then spend some time in Old Town, shopping for souvenirs or grabbing a snack. For a deeper understanding of Greek history and Naxos in particular, visit the Archeological Museum of Naxos, which is housed in a 17th-century Venetian building and has five floors of artifacts, or the Mitropolis Museum, an open-air museum that was the original site of Naxos town. 

Later tonight, explore the depths and flavors of Naxian cuisine at a local restaurant. You'll have the option of dining seaside or in a traditional village café, with consideration taken for your personal tastes and preferences. Sample Naxian potatoes, meats, and cheeses from nearby farms, as well as the delicious olive oils and fruity wines produced right on the island. 

Day 13: Return to Athens, Excursion Along the Athenian Riviera & Dinner 

Take a private transfer to the airport this morning, where you'll catch a flight back to Athens for your last full day in Greece. You'll be transferred to your 5-star hotel, the opulent Cape Sounio Grecotel Resort, which overlooks Sounio Bay and offers tastefully appointed bungalows with their own pools and restful views of the sea. You can grab a bite at their gourmet restaurant or relax on the private beach before heading out on a driving tour of the Athenian Riviera. 

This tour takes you along the 30-mile (48 km) coastline of the Athenian Riviera, which runs from Athens all the way to Cape Sounion and offers everything from glitzy city suburbs to hidden lagoons, not to mention one of ancient Greece's most famous monuments, the Temple of Poseidon. This fifth-century archaeological site overlooks the Saronic Gulf and its islands, dominating the southernmost tip of Attica. Walk the grounds, taking in the immense columns and ancient remains as your guide shares stories and legends about the people who built a temple to honor the god of the sea. 

The day ends with an indulgent dinner at one of the Riviera's premier restaurants. Choose from dishes including the "catch of the day" prepared two ways, traditional Greek appetizers and delicious local desserts, all paired with various wines. Afterward, your driver will return you to your hotel.

Day 14: Depart Athens

Sadly, the day has come to say farewell to Greece. At the appointed time, your driver will collect you from your hotel this morning and transport you to the airport for your flight home. Safe travels!

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