We introduce ourselves to the sights, sounds, and tastes of Greece as we take a guided walking tour of the temples, theaters, and monuments of ancient Athens and enjoy mezédes at one of the city’s many outdoor cafes. Next, you will live the experience of a private gourmet wine dinner hosted by a Master of Wine, the foremost expert on Greek wines. You will learn about the important indigenous grape varietals and major wine regions of Greece. Transfer by air on Day 3 to Naxos.

Tour to Naxos the greenest and most fertile of the Cyclades islands and the mythological home of Dionysus, the God of the vine. We will discover the island’s prized local products as we visit cheese makers, farmers, and the citron distillery. We will also tour the capital’s Venetian castle and explore its picturesque alleys and harbor. Hands-on cooking lessons with acclaimed local chefs. You will spend one day fishing in the Aegean, and then prepare your launch from the catch of the day, cooked in a traditional recipe of the island. For those guests who wish to end their tour in Naxos, transfer to Athens by air the morning of Day 6.

On Day 6, we depart lovely Naxos for a short ferry ride to the volcanic island of Santorini, where we will discover its magic as we tour island wineries producing some of the best white and sweet wines in southern Europe, walk the caldera rim, visit black and red sand beaches, sail into the dormant volcano, and watch the magnificent sunset. We will also learn to prepare Santorini specialties such as fava, smoked white eggplant and tomato fritters from some of the island’s best chefs, and tour Akrotiri (the “Greek Pompeii”), before transferring by air on Day 10 to Athens, where the second part of our tour ends.