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Up-and-coming wines and Mediterranean meals—the perfect pairing.
See how historic traditions and modern-day culture have swirled together to create Greece’s current food and wine scene. Start in Thessaloniki, the country’s culinary hub, before making your way down to Athens to explore some of the nation’s ancient wonders. Then, continue on to Crete where the area’s flavorful cuisine comes to life inside the local markets. From mainland wine regions to island vineyards, you’ll experience the wonders of Greek wine while indulging in locally sourced, fresh foods on this small group Food & Wine Tour.
Your tour package includes
9 nights in handpicked hotels
9 breakfasts
3 lunches
3 dinners with beer or wine
2 wine tastings
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Included highlights
Thessaloniki
Epanomi wine tasting
Acropolis
Palace of Knossos
Iraklio wine tasting
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Start planning today
An expert specializing in tours of this region is here to help.
Board your overnight flight to Thessaloniki today.
Thessaloniki3 nights
Day 2: Arrival in Thessaloniki
Included meal: Welcome dinner
Welcome to Greece! Meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers at a welcome dinner tonight.
Day 3: Sightseeing tour of Thessaloniki & wine tasting
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting, Wine tasting
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 Rotunda, which was 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
Stop to try some local olives
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
Day 4: Free day in Thessaloniki
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Thessaloniki or add an excursion
Ruins of Vergina & Naoussa Wine Tavern Lunch
From $125 per person
Athens2 nights
Day 5: Athens via Volos
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Michelin-Starred Dinner in Athens
From $149 per person
Day 6: Sightseeing tour of Athens
Included meals: Breakfast, Tasting
A local guide introduces you to the ancient highlights and traditional flavors of this bustling capital, home to the world's first democracy.
Set off on a guided walking tour of the Plaka District and the markets of Monastiraki neighborhood
Stop to sample a variety of cheeses and loukoumades, a type of sweet fried dough
See the Parthenon, Temple of Athena Nike, and Erechtheion on a walking tour of the Acropolis
Enjoy free time in Athens or add an excursion.
Athens Home-Hosted Dinner
From $69 per person
Heraklion1 night
Day 7: Flight to Crete & sightseeing tour of Heraklion
Included meals: Breakfast, Dinner, Tasting, Liquor tasting
Today, fly to Crete and take a guided sightseeing tour of Heraklion, the largest city on the island.
Enter the city’s Old Market to sample traditional cheeses from villages around Crete
Visit the ruins of Knossos, where King Minos imprisoned the Minotaur in a labyrinth, according to the myth
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.
Chania2 nights
Day 8: Chania via Iraklio wine country
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Tasting, Wine tasting
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
Sample some of their homemade jams and baked goods
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
Pass the Mosque Yiali Tzami as you walk along the old Venetian harbor
See the famous Egyptian lighthouse
Day 9: Cretan cooking class
Included meals: Breakfast, Lunch
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.
Crete Olive Oil Tasting & Dinner
From $95 per person
Athens1 night
Day 10: Flight to Athens
Included meals: Breakfast, Farewell dinner
Fly to Athens this morning. Tonight, gather with your group to celebrate your trip at a farewell dinner.
Flight Home
Day 11: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Transfer to the airport for your flight home or extend your stay to explore Santorini and Athens.
Extension to Santorini & Athens
Want another dose of Greece’s ancient history and laid-back lifestyle? Take a ferry to Santorini to see it all alongside a local expert. Then, fly to Athens and let the myth-filled streets call you back.
Santorini3 nights
Day 11: Ferry to Santorini
Included meal: Breakfast
Take a ferry to Santorini, then enjoy free time to discover the island’s charming culture and awe-inspiring landscapes.
Please note: For an additional cost, you can book a visit to the village of Oia through your Tour Director. The visit will either take place on the evening of day 11 or the morning of day 13.
Day 12: Sightseeing tour of Santorini
Included meal: Breakfast
Take in the local sights on a guided tour of Santorini, a volcanic isle known for its black-sand beaches, cliff-lined shores, and stunning whitewashed architecture.
Visit the prehistoric settlements that were unearthed during the archaeological excavations at Akrotiri
Ride to the top of Mount Profitis Ilias for panoramic views of the whole island
Stop in the small, picturesque village of Pyrgos
Spend a free afternoon and evening in Santorini or add an excursion.
Santorini Wine Tasting & Dinner
From $85 per person
Day 13: Free day in Santorini
Included meal: Breakfast
Enjoy a free day in Santorini or add an excursion.
Santorini Caldera Cruise & Dinner
From $145 per person
Athens1 night
Day 14: Flight to Athens
Included meal: Breakfast
Fly back to Athens today. Sip a farewell drink with your fellow travelers as you celebrate your trip.
Flight Home
Day 15: Departure
Included meal: Breakfast (excluding early morning departures)
Assigning a grade to this Food & Wine Tour, I consider this tour C+.
Scheduling a tour over Greek Orthodox Holy Week was a mistake. If I had known a wine bar owner planned for only her patrons to be on this tour (didn't find required 12), in addition to it being over Holy Week, my husband and I wou...
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EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 5/8/23
Thank you for your review. A member from our Custo...
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5.0 star rating
Best Tour-Highly recommend
10/3/21 by 4th-time traveler Donna
We had a fantastic tour guide and the tour was nicely paced. Great mix of food, history, wine and olive oil.
EF Go Ahead Tours replied on 1/3/23
Hi Donna. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed...
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5.0 star rating
Wonderful Greece Food & Wine Tour
10/9/22 by 1st-time traveler Donna
This was my first EF Go Ahead tour and it was everything I had hoped for and more! Our guide, Sylvia, was truly wonderful and did so many extra things for us. The excursions were really wonderful, too. This was the perfect balance between the interesting history of Ancient Greece and the fabulous fo...
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Hotels, flights & FAQ
Here's the nitty-gritty—where you’ll stay, how you’ll get there, and what to know about your destination before you go.
Hotels
We handpick every hotel to strike the balance of comfort, location, and local charm. Specific accommodations will vary based on your departure date, but these are frequently used hotels for this tour and we're confident you'll be satisfied.
City Hotel Thessaloniki
This stylish hotel is located in the city center of Thessaloniki. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness center, and a restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find Tsi...
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Airotel Stratos Vassilikos
This stylish hotel is located downtown Athens near the Megaro Mousikis metro station. Guests enjoy an on-site restaurant, fitness center, and hammam s...
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Galaxy Hotel
This sleek hotel is located a short walk from the Old Town. Guests enjoy a fitness center, pool, and restaurant. Nearby, you’ll find the Heraklion Arc...
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Kydon Hotel
This comfortable hotel is centrally located in Chania. Guests enjoy free Wi-Fi, a restaurant, and a bar. Nearby, you’ll find the Agora, or covered mar...
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MAR n MAR Santorini Hotel & Suites
This sophisticated hotel is located in the Kamari Village on Santorini island. Guests enjoy the outdoor pool, views of the Aegean Sea, and spa lounge....
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Flights
Round-trip flights are one more thing we handle to make your journey as smooth as possible. Our team of travel experts will find the best flight itinerary for you at a competitive rate, thanks to our partnerships with top airlines.
Add our airfare package and you'll get:
Round-trip flight for your tour
Airport transfers at your destination
A great price locked in today
24/7 support from our dedicated service team
Options for arriving early, staying longer, or requesting an upgrade
Flexible rebooking options if your tour itinerary changes
In order to enter Greece, U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport with an expiration date extending at least six months beyond the date of reentry.
We recommend having at least one blank passport page for entry stamps.
There is no visa required for U.S. or Canadian citizens.
If you are not a U.S. or Canadian citizen, you must contact each country’s consulate for your specific entry requirements.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TGO.
You will walk for at least 1.5 hours daily across uneven terrain, including paved roads and cobblestone streets, with steep hills and stairs.
Travelers should be healthy enough to participate in all included walks without assistance. Adding optional excursions may increase the total amount of walking on your tour.
You should feel comfortable managing your own baggage at times, as well as getting in and out of boats.
Go Ahead Tours and the Tour Director who accompanies your group are unable to provide special, individual mobility assistance to travelers on tour. The responsibility of the Tour Director is to ensure the group as a whole enjoys a relaxing and informative journey, and he or she cannot be relied upon to provide ongoing, individualized assistance to any one traveler.
If you have any mobility concerns or physical restrictions, please contact our Customer Experience Team.
Round-trip flights booked through Go Ahead Tours arrive in Thessaloniki and depart from Athens. A representative from Go Ahead Tours will meet you at the airport and take you to your hotel. Please remain in the arrival lounge, as the representative might be escorting one of your fellow travelers to the bus at the time of your arrival.
Transfers to and from the airport at your destination are included for travelers who have purchased their flights through Go Ahead Tours. Travelers who purchase their own flights may request airport transfers with Go Ahead Tours for an additional cost.
Flights from Athens to Heraklion and Chania to Athens are included in the price of your tour. A ferry from Athens to Santorini and a flight from Santorini to Athens is included in the price of the tour extension.
All other included transportation is by private motor coach.
Please note that our travelers are limited to one checked bag and one carry-on bag per person due to storage limitations on motor coaches and other transfers, which may include train connections or flights.
Contact your airline(s) for baggage size and weight restrictions for your flights, which may include on-tour flights in addition to your round-trip flights to and from tour. Please note that your included on-tour flights may have more restrictive baggage limits.
Some airlines may impose additional charges if you choose to check any baggage or exceed baggage size and weight restrictions. Be advised that you are responsible for any baggage fees incurred on all flights.
Make sure you label your baggage and keep valuables, medication, and documents in your carry-on bag.
We recommend packing lightweight, loose-fitting clothing that can be easily layered to accommodate varying temperatures, as well as a light jacket or rainwear.
A sturdy pair of walking shoes or sneakers is recommended for sightseeing.
You may want to pack dressier attire if you plan to visit a high-end restaurant or attend a special performance.
It is preferable not to visit churches or other religious sites with bare legs and shoulders (and entrance may be denied on this basis).
At least 60 days prior to departure, check with your doctor or healthcare provider for the latest updates and entry requirements, or visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website at cdc.gov.
If you have medication that you take daily, be sure you have enough for each day of the tour as well as any possible delays encountered.
If you have dietary restrictions and/or food allergies please notify Go Ahead Tours at least 30 days prior to departure by logging in to your account and updating your traveler info. To update this information closer to your departure date, please call our Customer Experience Team.
You can see the most up-to-date entry requirements for the destination(s) you’ll visit on tour by going to goaheadtours.com/entry-requirements and searching the code TGO.
Greece’s warm climate ensures a constant supply of fresh, high-quality fruits and vegetables. Salads served with aromatic olive oil, feta cheese, and oregano are plentiful. Simple grilled fish and meat are integral to Greek cuisine, as well as squid and octopus. Don't miss the spinach and cheese pies, called spanakopita.
Sea breezes, mineral soil, and coastal climate all greatly influence the flavors present in popular Greek wines. Acidic and dry, Assyrtiko is one of the country's most well-known wines and thrives in the Macedonian region of Greece. Located outside of Thessaloniki, wine makers in the town of Epanomi are responsible for the resurgence of the fruity, full-bodied Malagousia wine. The dark red Mandilaria grape benefits from Crete's dry land and warm weather and is often blended with Kotsifali grapes to build a deeper color and complexity in the wine.
Greece operates on the European standard 220-240 volts and use Types C, E, or F plugs with two or three small, round pins.
We recommend packing a universal adapter, as well as a voltage converter if you plan on using your own hairdryer or other electrical device without a built-in converter.
The strength of the air conditioning in European hotels is often not as strong or as cool as what you might be used to in the U.S. or Canada. When air conditioning is available, it is usually regulated seasonally and controlled centrally by the hotel.
Hotels may provide hairdryers, irons, and other small appliances, but these amenities cannot be guaranteed.
Better rates of exchange are usually available overseas, although it’s worth ordering some currency from your local bank to use when you first arrive.
We strongly advise that you take debit/bank cards and credit cards, which can be used to withdraw cash at local banks as needed.
You can use most debit/credit cards at ATMs on the international networks Cirrus and Plus, but make sure to check with your home bank about withdrawal fees.
Inform your bank and credit card company of your travel plans so that they won’t confuse your international purchases for fraudulent charges.
International banks and businesses primarily accept debit and credit cards that work with the EMV chip system. If you do not already have at least one debit or credit card with a chip in it, we strongly recommend requesting one from your bank prior to your tour.
At the conclusion of your tour, it’s customary to offer your Tour Director and driver a gratuity in local currency. Please keep current exchange rates in mind.
We recommend tipping the equivalent of $8USD to $10USD per person per day for your Tour Director and the equivalent of $3USD per person per day for your driver.
If applicable, we also recommend the equivalent of $2USD per local guide.
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