Greece Culinary Tours
Greece's Gourmet Tapestry: From Mountains to Mediterranean
No single part of Greece is truly like another. The wild and rugged nature of its countryside splits the mainland Greece into a series of valleys, separated from each other by steep mountains, which are watered by torrents that rush down from the heights when the winter snow starts to melt. When you add in the thousands of Greek islands, with their diverse ecosystems and maritime heritages, it isn’t an exaggeration to say that you can come to Greece again and again and never fail to discover something new about this country.
Mainland Greece is scattered with archaeological wonders, from historical Athens and the Acropolis to Mount Parnassus and Delphi, home to the Temple of Apollo. Cross the narrow Isthmus of Corinth to explore the Peloponnese, a land of myth and legend with ancient Olympia and the ruins of Mycenae. Sail away to islands offering endless discoveries, with the iconic blue-domed churches of Santorini and the paradise beaches of Mykonos, and the dramatic gorges and lush valleys of Crete.
Greece's rich traditions come alive in its festivals and celebrations. Witness the exuberance of traditional Greek dancing, the vibrant music of bouzouki, and the colourful processions during Easter. These events offer a glimpse into the heart of Greek culture, where the joy of life is celebrated with fervour.
Greek cuisine is a celebration of simplicity and freshness. Each dish is infused with the flavours of olive oil, herbs, and the Mediterranean sun. Fresh seafood, feta cheese, and vibrant salads are staples, and no meal is complete without a drizzle of local honey or a sip of ouzo. The climate is ideal to grow grapes for delicious wines such as white Savvatiano and red Xinomavro, as well as the refreshingly fruity Debina and the juicy red Kotsifali. Discover other national treasures such as olives from Kalamata, pistachios from Aegina, or local cheeses anevato, kopanisti, and ladotiri. Dining in Greece is a sensory experience, where the colours, aromas, and tastes of the cuisine reflect the warmth of the people.
Take a look at some of our favourite experiences in Greece:
Discover
Let yourself be transported to another world in Athens’ spice market on Evripidou Street, where sellers have been trading herbs, spices, nuts, fruit, olives, vegetables, and more every day since 1886. Here, alongside Greek staples of oregano, mint, thyme, basil, cinnamon, cumin, and coriander, you’ll also discover mastic from Chios and highly prized red saffron from Kozani in Northern Greece—both of which have a PDO designation.
Gather
Experience the wild nature of Crete as you hike through the Amari Valley, fertile land on the foothills of Mount Ida and Mount Kedros that is largely untouched by modern development. You will learn all about the local herbs of the region, including sage, oregano, and thyme, as you wind through the landscape with a mountain guide.
Craft
Find out more about the ancient art of apiculture on a honey farm close to ancient Olympia in the Peloponnese. Here, you’ll meet Klio, a beekeeper who will introduce you to the world of bees and show you how honey is made. Try your hand at collecting from the honeycombs before tasting some of the homemade specialties, including diples—a traditional Greek pastry smothered in fresh honey.
Feast
Indulge in a traditional feast of delicious Greek meze in an authentic taverna. Choose from dolmades (stuffed grape leaves), bekri meze (pork cooked in wine with spices), htapodi xidato (octopus marinated in oil and vinegar), or feta saganaki (fried feta cheese).
