GASTRONOMY AND GREEK HIGHLIGHTS TOUR 14 DAYS.

Embark on a 14-day culinary and cultural odyssey in Greece’s enchanting Peloponnese region. This immersive adventure promises to tantalize your taste buds, immerse you in history, and offer relaxation and exploration in captivating Greek destinations.

Savour a wine-tasting experience at the prestigious Semeli Estate, which provides insight into Greek winemaking.

Explore the mythical past at several UNESCO heritage sites, including Ancient Mycenae and the Treasury of Atreus, Ancient Olympia, Mystras, and Epidavros.

Participate in cooking classes, led by Executive Chef Chris Koumantos, and visit apiaries to learn about beekeeping practices and indulge in honey tasting.

Delve into the world of olives through activities such as harvesting, olive oil tasting, and a visit to the Museum of Olive and Greek Olive Oil.

Venture into the lush forests of the Taygetus mountains for a thrilling mushroom hunting expedition, followed by a scenic drive along the captivating Mani coastline to Kardymili for a sumptuous lunch. Explore Areopoli, renowned for its stone-built houses and rich history.

Discover the walled city of Monemvasia and its history through an educational wine tasting experience.

The Luxe Sailing gastronomy tour offers a multifaceted experience that combines Greek history, breathtaking landscapes, and exquisite flavours. It is a journey that promises to leave you with lasting memories of Greece’s culinary and cultural treasures.

The gastronomy and cultural tour of Greece’s Peloponnese region will be a delightful blend of history, cuisine, and relaxation. Here’s what to expect:

• Wine Tasting at the Semeli Estate enroute to Nafplio and the Dereskos Estate, where we’ll savour a lunch prepared by our Executive Chef, Chris Koumantos.
• Explore UNESCO World Heritage-listed sites such as Ancient Mycenae, including the iconic Lion Gate and the Treasury of Atreus; Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games; and Mystras.
• Enjoy hands-on cooking classes, including the use of fresh produce from Chris Koumantos’ garden.
• Gain knowledge about Olive Oil through education, harvesting, and tasting at the Filiatra, Eumelia, and Melas estates. Visit the Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil in Sparta, followed by a scenic drive through the spectacular Taygetus mountains for a wild mushroom hunting expedition and a barbecue lunch.
• Visit Bee Farms in Kalamata and Ermioni to learn about beekeeping and savour honey tasting experiences.
• Embark on a Coastal Drive to the Mani Peninsula with stops at traditional villages, ancient ruins, and the charming town of Kardamyli on our way to Areopoli, renowned for its stone-built houses.
• Explore the secrets of the Byzantine walled city of Monemvasia and enjoy an educational wine tasting session featuring the Malvasia grape.
• Delight in sumptuous meals at traditional Greek restaurants.

Your itinerary promises an incredible journey through Greece’s rich culture and culinary heritage.

This tour will take in the best of what Greece has to offer gastronomically, culturally and historically. With ample time to relax, swim and enjoy the many walks and hikes in the destinations that we visit.

Day 1: Athens to Nafplio – Nemea, Semeli Estate Wine Tasting Tour
Your journey begins in Athens, where you travel to Nafplio. En route, you will visit the renowned Semeli Estate for a wine-tasting tour. Explore the lush vineyards and learn about the art of winemaking while enjoying the flavours of exceptional Greek wines. Afterward, you will continue to Nafplio and check in to your accommodation.

Day 2: Ancient Mycenae and the Treasury of Atreus
Exploring Ancient Mycenae, a UNESCO World Heritage monument, is like stepping into the distant past. The imposing Lion Gate welcomes you to a city once ruled by the mythical hero Agamemnon. Inside, marvel at the cyclopean walls and the awe-inspiring Treasury of Atreus, a massive beehive-shaped tomb, a testament to the grandeur of this ancient civilization.

Day 3: Nafplio
Today you have will have time to enjoy the wonderful city of Nafplio prior to moving on to Kyparissia.

Day 4: Ancient Olympia and evening cooking class and dinner
From Kyparissia, you will journey to Ancient Olympia, the birthplace of the Olympic Games. Explore the historical site and fantastic museum.
In the evening visit Faki Taverna for a hands-on cooking class, creating traditional Greek dishes using fresh local ingredients.

Day 5: Kyparissia – Filiatra Olive Oil Experience
Immerse yourself in the world of olive oil at the picturesque Filiatra estate. Explore the olive groves, learn about olive oil production methods, and indulge in an olive oil tasting session.
Visit Dereskos Estate Winery for a wine tasting and lunch prepared by Chris Koumantos.
We then travel to Kalamata.

Day 6: Kalamata: Honey tasting and educational session on queen bees and cooking class with Executive Chef Christos Koumantos
Today we will visit a bee farm and don apiary suits to see the bees hard at work in their hives and learn about the breeding programme for queen bees, complemented with a honey-tasting session.
In the evening we will meet with Chef Chris Koumantos who will discuss Greek food and wine and guide us through his garden to select fresh produce for the cooking class, which will culminate in a feast for you to enjoy with selected wines from a local vineyard.

Day 7: Museum of the Olive and Greek Olive Oil, Mystras Medieval town, Mushroom Hunting and BBQ lunch in the spectacular Taygetus mountains
You will visit the Museum of Olive and Greek Olive Oil where you will gain a deeper appreciation for this integral part of Greek culture and cuisine.
This visit will be followed by a visit to the UNESCO Archaeological Site of Mystras.
For lunch, we will travel along the breathtaking old road from Sparta to Kalamata for a guided mushroom hunt and lunch prepared by our chef.

Day 8: Kalamata to the Mani Peninsula
Today you will travel from Kalamata along the coast Areopoli in the Mani peninsula known for its breathtaking views and distinctive architecture. You will visit traditional villages, ancient ruins, and enjoy panoramic views, including a stop at the charming old town of Kardamyli.
Our destination Areopoli is a charming Greek town, known for its stone-built houses, narrow alleys, and rich history. It serves as a gateway to exploring the rugged landscapes and historic sites of the Mani region.

Day 9: Areopoli
Choose between unwinding in the picturesque town of Areopoli or explore the charming destinations of Geroliminas and Vathy.

Day 10: Areopoli to Monemvasia
We take a scenic drive to Monemvasia, where you can spend the afternoon exploring the enchanting Byzantine city or go for a swim just outside the walls of the city.
In the evening we visit Byron’s wine bar, where our host will introduce you to the history of Monemvasia and the Malvasia wine, as well as an enjoyable wine tasting.

Day 11: Monemvasia
Inspired by Byron’s knowledge of Monemvasia, spend the day exploring the walled city.

Day 12: Monemvasia to Ermioni
Today we will journey from Monemvasia to our Ermioni, where you can choose to indulge in a refreshing swim or simply unwind and explore the picturesque seaside town. Later enjoy dinner at a local taverna by the sea.

Day 13: Bee and Honey Museum
Today you will visit the family-run Baiktaras apiary, which includes a Bee and Honey Museum and Olive oil Museum. During the tour you will receive information about the bees, hives, and honey processing followed by a lunch of favourite local dishes. The tour includes the olive oil museum which houses traditional equipment for olive oil processing throughout the ages.

Day 14: Olive oil factory tour and tour of the Ancient Theatre of Epidavros
On the last day of your tour, we will visit the Ancient Theatre of Epidavros, renowned for its acoustics and still in use today.

Our final visit will be to the Melas Olive Oil Estate, where you will see the lifecycle of the olive oil process and enjoy a lunch in the garden.