Food & Wine: A Taste of Greece

Board your overnight flight to Thessaloniki today.

Welcome to Greece! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner tonight.

Set out on a guided tour to get to know Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of the former Byzantine empire and a modern-day hub for Greek culture.

• View the Arch of Galerius and Rotunda, which were built for Roman Emperor Galerius in the 4th century
• Pass by the Hagios Demetrios and Hagia Sophia churches
• See the Roman-style city walls that were constructed during the early 3rd century
• Walk along the seaside promenade to view the White Tower of Thessaloniki, one of the city’s central landmarks
• Visit the Ladadika district and enjoy free time to explore at your leisure

This afternoon, head south to the Epanomi wine region and visit the Ktima Gerovassiliou winery.

• Follow a guide on a short walk through the vineyard to see Malagousia and Assyrtiko grapes that are used to create the winery’s signature red and white Epanomi wines
• Tour the production area
• Explore the on-site museum to see well-preserved artifacts that are essential to the history of Greek winemaking including bottles, barrels, and corkscrews
• Sample some of the wines during a tasting

Enjoy a free day in Thessaloniki or add an excursion

Travel from Thessaloniki to the seaside city of Volos. Located on the Pelion Peninsula, this area is known for its culinary scene. During an included lunch, you’ll try mezedes, or small plates, and tsipouro, an anise-flavored brandy.

After, continue on to Athens and spend a free evening in the city or add an excursion.

A local guide introduces you to the highlights of this bustling ancient capital, home to the world’s first democracy.

• Pass by the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, and the Arch of Hadrian
• View the sixth-century Temple of Zeus
• See the classically inspired Old Royal Palace, home of the Hellenic Parliament, and drive through the Plaka district
• Set off on a walking tour around the ancient Acropolis, site of the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion

Enjoy a free afternoon in Athens or add an excursion.

Today, fly to Crete and take a guided sightseeing tour of Heraklion, the largest city on the island.

• Visit the ruins of Knossos, where King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth, according to the myth
• Step inside the Heraklion Archaeological Museum

Tonight, sample some of Greece’s most well-known liquors including Ouzo, Metaxa, and Raki. Then, enjoy an included dinner of Cretan specialties and regional wine.

Travel through the Iraklio wine country on your way to Chania today, and make several stops along the way.

• Pay a visit to the village of Archanes and step inside a workshop where local women prepare traditional baked goods and preserves
• Tour a Cretan vineyard and enjoy an included lunch and wine tasting featuring varietals produced from Kotsifali, Mandilaria, and Malvasia grapes

Then, continue on to Chania where you'll take a guided tour.

• Step inside the Chania Cathedral Trimartiri and Etz Hayyim, the only synagogue on the island and a symbol of the city’s ages-old Jewish community
• Walk through the city’s indoor market, stopping to try local herbs, cheese, and olive oil
• Pass the Mosque Yiali Tzami as you walk along the old Venetian harbor
• See the famous Egyptian lighthouse

Today, head to a local cooking school where you’ll prepare regional dishes alongside a professional chef. Then, enjoy drinking Greek wine and eating the foods you cooked for lunch.

Later, enjoy a free evening in Chania or add an excursion.

Fly to Athens this morning. Tonight, gather with your group to celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner.

Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Santorini and Athens.