12 Days of Food, Culture, Wellness and Fun in Ikaria,
I am super excited to share with you our new, exclusive culinary and cultural adventures in Greece, expanding on the Ikaria experience a few times a year to include Athens and less traveled places around the country, all with a rich and fascinating food history and cultural depth.
Together with a small group of like-minded fellow travelers, not more than 15 people in all, we will enjoy a magical combination of urban sophistication, exquisite antiquities, Blue Zone wellness, and cosmopolitan excitement! In other words, the very best that Greece has to offer!
Depending on the time of year, the trip starts either in Athens or Ikaria, and from there explores the food cultures beyond Ikaria’s shores.
Together we will explore and experience the Greek capital in all its glory, both ancient and modern, then segue to Ikaria, my native island, for an immersive experience in one of the world’s Blue Zones, where people “forget to die.” The last leg of our journey will take us to worldly Syros and dainty, delicious Tinos, where we’ll see both the cosmopolitan and traditional sides of these Greek island gems.
Itinerary at a Glance (subject to changes):
- 3 Nights in Ikaria
- 2 Nights in Syros
- 3 Nights in Tinos
- 3 Nights in Athens
IKARIA – SYROS – TINOS - ATHENS
2026 dates:
Details About This Tour
Events and Scheduled Subject to Change Depending on Weather, Ferry Schedules and Other Factors Beyond Our Control
October 5 — Ikaria / Monday
Arrival in Ikaria.
Welcome dinner in Armenistis.
October 6 — Ikaria / Tuesday
Morning: Cooking class at Diane's home — an introduction to Ikarian longevity. Afternoon: Free time. 4:45 PM: Pickup for a visit with the beehives. Dinner: TBAOctober 7 — Ikaria / Wednesday
Morning (option A): 8:45 AM pickup — morning with the goats. Morning (option B): 9:00 AM — cooking lesson at Diane's home. Afternoon: Free time. 4:45 PM: Naturopathy walk. Dinner: TBAOctober 8 — Ikaria to Mykonos / Thursday
9:00 AM: Pickup.
Visit Theoktisti Monastery.
Noon: Arrival in Agios Kyrikos and visit to the Archaeological Museum.
Lunch in Agios Kyrikos.
3:15 PM: Walk to the port. 3:40 PM: Ferry departure from Agios Kyrikos to Mykonos.
Evening: Dinner in Mykonos — TBA.
October 9 — Mykonos to Syros / Friday
Breakfast at the hotel.
Group cruise to Delos and private guided tour
Walk to the "Delos Tours" kiosk next to the Town Hall at the Old Port to exchange your voucher and board the passenger boat to Delos (about an 8-minute walk).
Delos is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy a private guided tour of the archaeological sites, market, and residential areas.
*Please have your passport, or a photo of the ID page, on your phone.
Return to Mykonos.
Ferry to Syros
Afternoon ferry departure to Syros; private transfer on arrival to the hotel.
Hotel: Semeli Hotel — Mykonos Town
October 10 — Syros / Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel.
Syros History & Culture tour (6 hours)
- Cathedral of St. Nicholas, in the Vaporia district
- Apollon Theater (built 1864, inspired by La Scala di Milano)
- A Neoclassical mansion
- Miaoulis Square and the Town Hall (designed by Ernst Ziller, 1898)
- Ano Syros, the medieval hilltop settlement, and the Cathedral of St. John
- A drive through Syros's historic villages, with a stop at a loukoumi factory
- Lunch and wine tasting at Para Kopis Winery
Hotel: Diogenis Hotel — Port of Hermoupolis, Syros
October 11 — Syros / Sunday
Cooking class at Villa Maria's — Flavors of the Cyclades
A hands-on class exploring authentic Greek recipes rarely found in restaurants, led by Elisa, who has spent years researching regional Greek cuisines, forgotten recipes, and traditional techniques. Walk to Villa Maria.
October 12 — Syros to Tinos / Monday
11:15 AM: Private transfer to Syros port.
12:00 PM: Ferry departure to Tinos; arrival 12:35 PM. Private transfer to the hotel.
Leisure time in Tinos — wander the main town and visit the Church of Panagia Tinou, home to the miracle-working icon of the Virgin Mary.
Hotel: Vincenzo Family Rooms — Tinos Chora
October 13 — Tinos / Tuesday
Breakfast at the hotel.
Full day exploring Tinos
9:00 AM pickup with local guide Victor Romagnoli.
- Church of Panagia Evangelistria, home to the island's miraculous icon
- Landscapes beneath Mount Exomburgo, once the seat of Venetian power
- Volax village, known for its basket weavers, set among boulder-strewn hills
- Seaside lunch in Panormos
- Pyrgos village, renowned for marble sculpture — visit a local sculptor's studio
Early evening return to the hotel.
October 14 — Tinos to Athens / Wednesday
10:15 AM: Pickup — bring down luggage.
Tinos cooking class
A class and demonstration of Tinos specialties with renowned local cook Nikoletta Foskolou, followed by lunch on her terrace.
Ferry to Athens
1:45 PM: Transfer to Tinos port. 2:35 PM: Ferry departure to Rafina Port (arrival 6:25 PM), then a private transfer (about 40 minutes) to the hotel in Athens.
Hotel: Perianth Hotel — Athens
October 15 — Athens / Thursday
Breakfast at the hotel.
Private guided tour — Acropolis, Acropolis Museum, city highlights
A morning walking tour of the old town and Acropolis Hill, crowned by the Parthenon, followed by a driving tour of the city's highlights — the Cathedral, Parliament, the Columns of Zeus, the Panathenaic (Marble) Stadium, and the central food market.
October 16 — Athens / Friday
2:00 PM — Diane's Food Tour of Central Athens
Meet in the hotel lobby to taste your way through central Athens — regional confections, savory pies, cheeses, charcuterie, honey, olive oil, and Greek yogurt — with an optional final stop at Karamalidika on Evripidou Street. Comfortable shoes recommended.
4:00 PM — Farewell cooking class and dinner, Psyrri neighborhood
A final hands-on cooking class with the hotel chefs, followed by dinner on the rooftop under the glow of the Parthenon, in the Psyrri neighborhood — once a district of leather and metal artisans, now one of the city's liveliest spots for dining and nightlife.
October 17 — Farewell / Saturday
Private transfers to Athens Venizelos Airport.
FAQ
01. How long is the drive from the Athens Airport to the center?
About 45 minutes, depending on traffic.
02. What hotel do we stay in in Athens?
We stay in either a four- or five-star hotel near Syntagma, such as the M Gallery or Electra Palace or Metropolis, depending on availability. We work with a number of the best hotels around Syntagma.
03. For the Nafplion Excursion: How long is the drive from Athens to Nafplion?
About 1 ½ to 2 hours.
04. How long is the Athens - Ikaria flight?
35 minutes.
05. Which airline will we take to fly to the island?
06. How long is the ride from the airport to the hotel?
1 hour and 20 minutes.
07. How do I get from the airport to the hotel?
We will arrange for that, either by taxi or jitney.
08. How long is the ferry from Ikaria to Syros?
The ferry boat takes about 4 hours.
09.What is the name of the hotel on Ikaria and where is it?
We usually house people at the Cavos Bay, in Armenistis.
10.Where do we stay on Syros and Tinos?
We usually house our guests at the Hermes on Syros and the Favie in Tinos.
11.What is the dress code for the classes and excursions?
Dress code is casual and comfortable. Bring layers, as the weather can get chilly at night. Make sure to have one pair of closed walking and/or hiking shoes, long socks, and one pair of long pants, preferably light colored.
12. What is the tipping policy?
Most people tip the kitchen assistants and hotel personnel, i.e. cleaning person. Taxi drivers are generally not tipped. It is customary to leave a 10% – 15% tip in restaurants.
13. How many people are on each tour?
Our maximum capacity is 15.
14. It is common to travel solo?
Absolutely. We have many single guests and everyone feels at home and very comfortable.
15. Are children welcome?
This would be a hard trip to make with young children. Young adults over 15 are welcome.
