Wine & Culinary Experiences
DAY 1
You arrive at the airport of Athens, where our representative will meet you and transfer you to your
hotel. In the evening, cocktail party and dinner at the hotel. Overnight in Athens.
DAY 2
Today you get acquainted with the classical monuments and the modern flavors of Athens. Follow your
guide to the world-renowned Acropolis to see the architectural miracles of the Golden Age of Pericles:
the Propylea, the Erectheum and, above all, the Parthenon (temple of goddess Athena). Afterwards,
board your coach for a bus tour in the center of the city and see the Old Olympic Stadium, the
Temple of Olympian Zeus, Constitution Square with the House of Parliament, the Tomb of the
Unknown Soldier and more. Continue with a cooking lesson in a traditional restaurant in the area of
Plaka (the Old city of Athens), just beneath the Acropolis. After you make some of the famous Greek
appetizers, you will sit down and have your included lunch at the same restaurant in order to try also
its main courses. The afternoon is free. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 3
Your experience of ancient and modern Athens continues as you visit this morning the archaeological
site of the Agora (marketplace) with the remains of the ancient public buildings, temples, workshops
and shops. A number of interesting cooking utensils were found there, all of them now on display in the
lovely Agora Museum, which is not to be missed. From there, walk to the present-day food market of
the city and enjoy its atmosphere (like a bazaar), as you stroll around the meat market, the fish
market, and the vegetable and fruit market. Your included lunch will be served at a typical taverna
again in Plaka and you can try more of the delicious Greek dishes. In the afternoon, take the
opportunity to visit the workshop of one of the most famous pastry shops in Athens to see how they
make their special sweets and cakes. For your dinner tonight you will be taken to the suburb of Kareas
to try the local speciality “stifado” (rabbit or veal with onions). Overnight in Athens.
DAY 4
The three-day expedition in the mainland of Greece begins. Follow the coastal road to the legendary
Canal of Corinth and make a short stop there for pictures. Drive to the region of Argolis, to the
Homeric city of Mycenae, to see the remains of this prehistoric Acropolis, its Palace, the Grave
Circles and the impressive beehive Tombs. This was the kingdom of Atreus and his son Agamemnon,
the leader of the Greeks in the Trojan War. In the exquisite Museum, the wonderful collection of
artifacts includes a number of objects from the private houses and shops like pots, cups, plates etc.
Your lunch will be served in a nice local restaurant. Afterwards, you will visit a well-known winery near
Mycenae, where you will taste a variety of high quality wines they produce. Later, drive to Epidaurus,
the site of the most popular Sanctuary of Asclepius (god of medicine), to find the best-preserved
ancient Theater in Greece, test its perfect acoustics and learn more about the cult of Dionysus (god of
wine) and the origins of Drama. Finish your day in Nafplion, the first capital of our country, with dinner
and overnight at the hotel.
DAY 5
The first half of the day is dedicated to the journey from Nafplion to Olympia, through the mountains
of Arcadia and the plains of Elis, which are two of the regions of the Peloponnese. Arrive at the area of
Olympia and have lunch at a well-known winery. After the tour and the winetasting that will precede
your meal, take the opportunity to explore the splendors of ancient Olympia. Wander around the
archaeological site to see the highlights of the athletic (the Gymnasium, the Palaestra, etc.) and the
religious edifices (Temple of Hera, Temple of Zeus, etc.) and, of course, the unique Stadium where
the Olympic Games were held every four years in honor of Zeus. These games were a symbol of
Greek unity and peace because of the “Sacred Truce” that was honored by all the Greeks during the
contests. Don’t forget the amazing Museum, with its new display of beautiful works of art, including
bronzes, weapons, architectural fragments, ceramics and sculptures. The prides of this Museum are the
Statues from the Temple of Zeus, whose absolute perfection is something you have to see to believe.
After this great experience, drive to the area of Patras for dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
Leave the Peloponnese (Southern Greece) and travel to scenic Delphi. On the way, drive over the
spectacular “hanging” bridge, that connects this region to the next one. Delphi is a breathtaking place,
which was considered to be the “navel” (omphalos) of the world and Apollo’s most important and
famous oracle was there. Follow the Sacred Way to the Temple, where the priestess Pythia delivered
his oblique prophecies, marvel at the beauty of the landscape and view the millions of olive trees in the
area. In the Museum, admire the rich collection of votive offerings, all masterpieces offered by the
ancient pilgrims who came to consult Apollo. The life-size bronze “Charioteer” is the pride of the
museum. Your included lunch will be served at a restaurant close by. Later, you will later visit a local
olive press in Delphi to taste the excellent extra virgin olive oil on the way to Athens. Overnight in
Athens.
DAY 7
In the morning, get acquainted with the Attica inland and visit the third Greek winery of your itinerary,
where a visit will take place followed by winetasting and light snacks. Then continue to Cape Sounion,
the southern most extremity of Attica. It’s a magnificent headland, well-known for its strategic
importance in antiquity and the impressive marble columns of Poseidon’s Temple. Your included lunch
by the sea comes next at a seafood restaurant, where you will savour some of the Greek “mezedes”
and fish, along with ouzo or retzina. In the afternoon, a cooking lesson will take place at the hotel.
Overnight in Athens.
DAY 8
Today, experience the charm of the Greek islands by visiting three of the most attractive isles near
Athens; Aegina, Poros and Hydra. Aegina has a lovely town full of neoclassical buildings and a well-
preserved ancient Temple dedicated to the local goddess Afea, at some distance from the town. This
island is famous for its tasty pistaccchio nuts and the special sweets the locals make with them. During
the time you’ll spend there, you can try some of the specialities. Poros is a small green island, closer to
the Peloponnese than to Attica, which offers a pleasant walk on the promenade near the little shops.
Finally, Hydra (Ydra) is an extremely picturesque place because of the unique architecture of its
fortress mansions, which belonged to the shipowners of the period of Ottoman rule. As far as local
delicacies go, this isle is known for the almond desserts (made of almond paste) that you can taste
during your visit. Return to Athens in the evening and have your farewell dinner at a distinguished
restaurant of our city with a wonderful view of the Acropolis. Overnight at the hotel.
DAY 9
Fly back home full of pleasant memories from your journey.
