Arrival & Welcome Dinner in Athens. Athens Sightseeing
Cooking Lesson Under the Acropolis – Greek classics
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A spectacular culinary and cultural journey through Athens, Epirus, Meteora, Mount Olympus, Thessaloniki, Istanbul, and optional Ephesus, exploring the foods, wines, histories, and traditions of the Eastern Mediterranean.
This is a journey I’ve wanted to lead for years — from the grand antiquities of Athens, partly along the ancient road the Romans called the Via Egnatia, into the mountains and monasteries of northern Greece, and on to Istanbul, where Greek and Ottoman kitchens have always shared a border.
We start in Athens, where I’ll take you through the city’s best food and restaurant scene before we drive to Ioannina, capital of Epirus, for stone-cobbled villages and shepherding traditions that feel untouched by time.
Nearby is Dodoni, seat of one of the most important oracles of the ancient world, on our way to the monastic community of Meteora.
From there, it’s Mount Olympus for a farm stay, then Thessaloniki — one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, and one of the most delicious, with its layered culinary history of wine, meze, and multicultural cooking. Along the way, I’ll introduce you to the artisan producers and chefs I’ve come to know over thirty years of working this region, and we’ll hear the stories that don’t make it into guidebooks.
We close with a final feast for the senses in Istanbul, a city that straddles two continents and two great culinary legacies. And for those who want to go further, I offer an optional add-on to Ephesus — one of the most extraordinary ancient sites in the world, and home to remarkable food traditions and carpet weaving I’ve long admired.
Experience the real Greece through its food, people and traditions. A thoughtfully curated journey through islands and city, with hands-on cooking. local stories and unforgettable moments.
Cock, taste, and learn directly through curated food experiences.
Meet producers, artisans, cooks and people connected to each destination.
Discover the island's traditions, people and way of life.
Personal attention and meaningful connections.
Arrival & Welcome Dinner in Athens. Athens Sightseeing
Cooking Lesson Under the Acropolis – Greek classics
Visit the quiet stone villages of Zagori, the Papingo Gorge, Explore Shepherds’ Cooking Demo and Lunch
Overnight in Ioannina
Depart for Thessaloniki
Visit Vergina and Aiges
Arrive Salonika in the afternoon
Relax
Dinner in Thessaloniki
Thessaloniki - Tour the City
Markets, Museum Visit:
Morning Museum Visit
Wine Roads of Naoussa
Lunch Locally in Naoussa
Evening Free
Early Morning Flight to Istanbul
Sail to Visit Delos - Guided Tour of Sacred Ancient Site of Delos.
Sail from Delos to Tinos
Late afternoon cooking demo/class in Tinos.
Evening dinner at a great local restaurant.
Exploring the City’s Culinary Legacy: Grand Bazaar & Egyptian Spice Market
Cooking Class & Lunch
Afternoon & Dinner Free
Departure for Home OR
Ephesus Add-On
Visit the great sites of the Ancient City of EphesusMorning:
Explore Ephesus Ancient City (Library of Celsus, Great Theater, Temple of Hadrian, Terrace Houses)Midday:
Afternoon:
Evening:
Dinner at a traditional Aegean taverna; sample meze platters with roasted eggplant dips like patlıcan salatası.
Morning:
Midday:
Afternoon:
Evening: Dinner in Şirince or Selçuk featuring regional cuisine, with
a focus on seasonal vegetables and eggplant dishes
This tour is available on request on the following dates:
Share your preferred tour date and guest details. Our team will confirm availability, pricing, and the next steps for your booking.
Diane Kochilas is one of the world’s foremost experts on Greek and Mediterranean cuisine.
Diane hails from the Blue Zone Greek island of Ikaria and New York City and brings a combination of innate Blue-Zone wellness and result-oriented NYC spirit to everything she does.
She is an award-winning author of more than 18 books on Greek-Mediterranean Cuisine.
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