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Greece
From Athens to Tinos Island: A Greek Culinary Odyssey
October 13 - October 19, 2025
April 23 - April 29, 2025
October 01 - October 07, 2025
Where
Greece
Group Size
6 - 12 Travelers
Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
When
Oct 13 - 19, 2025 April 23 - 29, 2026 Oct 1 - 7, 2026
Price
From 4,500 USD per person
The thriving urban foodways of cosmopolitan Athens and the deeply held culinary traditions of the island of Tinos provide for a striking and delicious contrast and one that’s even better experienced during certain seasonal moments. It’s at these times of the year when already delicious local dishes and flavors seem to be amplified: a true celebration of the Eastern Mediterranean’s culinary bounty.
Join us for a movable feast that begins in the modern metropolis of Athens with its ancient backdrop and then sails on to Tinos, where we’ll explore this idyllic island and its unique cuisine. Together, we’ll tour historic and religious monuments, visit local farms, meet local artisans and take part in the preparation of seasonal specialties.We’ll get out for short scenic hikes to experience the enchanting landscape and track down secrets that can only be discovered on foot. With our time in Athens providing a perspective on contemporary Greek life, our sojourn in Tinos will serve as a deep dive into the traditional culture and cuisine of Greek island life. Tinos is known for its rugged landscape, sprinkled with sugar-cube houses and palatial birdhouses. A quiet retreat from its crowded and glitzy island neighbors, it’s a place where local village life is well-preserved. Neighbors still cook for each other, preserving unique culinary traditions and adhering to the strict Greek Orthodox calendar of feasting and fasting. Tinos is also home to one of the most important religious pilgrimage sites in Greece. When the season’s feast time arrives, the Tinos table—creaking under the weight of spring lamb, artichoke pies, sheep and goat’s milk cheeses, sizzling kokoretsi, minerally and fresh white wines, salads laced with foraged herbs, almond cakes and much, much more – might make you want to get up and dance, as the locals often do.
Learn
Taste
Trek
Meet
Step
Your itinerary
Day 1
Athens Arrival & Welcome
We’ll arrive in Athens in the afternoon and settle into our group’s hotel, located in the hip heart of town. In the early evening, we’ll meet for a welcome drink and introductions at a bespoke cocktail bar and then take a stroll to our first dinner together at a local neighborhood restaurant with a menu of elevated classics. Over several courses of traditional Athenian cuisine, accompanied by local wines, we’ll learn about the Greek kitchen’s classic ingredients – many of which we will encounter first hand during our trip – and we’ll also start to get to know each other and discuss what the coming week holds in store.
Day 2
Exploring the Diversity of the Greek Kitchen
On our first full day, to put the week and the cuisines we’ll taste in proper perspective, we’ll spend a day in downtown Athens, the Greek cultural melting pot. Here we’ll discover an array of regional cuisines, hailing from the Greek islands to Asia Minor and even the Eastern Black Sea. We’ll visit Athens’s Central Market, where we’ll taste olive oils from small Peloponnese producers, as well as Greek charcuterie, varieties of feta and a producer of wild honey. We’ll enjoy a long lunch “tour” with many stops at charismatic yet lesser-known backstreet restaurants. We’ll finish the day being led on a tasting of Greek wines with one of the city’s top sommeliers. After much eating and strolling, the evening will be yours to either rest and relax, or continue exploring on your own.
Day 3
Off to Tinos!
In the morning, a local historian will take us on a walking tour of some of Greece’s most famous historic sites, including the Acropolis, as well as some of its lesser-known treasures. Together, we’ll enjoy a belly-filling lunch at one of Athens’s iconic old-school taverns. We’ll then check out of our hotel, hop into a private van, and head to the port. From there, it’s off by fast ferry to the island of Tinos, a picturesque island of whitewashed villages, rugged landscapes and rich farmland. Thankfully, Tinos is far less popular than its neighbor Mykonos! Once we arrive, we’ll check into our hotel, grab a quick bite, and then enjoy some rest before a busy day ahead.
Day 4
Farm to Feast
This morning, we’ll head out to the village of Ktikadi. Along the way, we’ll stop by an artichoke farm and join the farmers in the fields to learn about one of the island’s heritage crops. Here we’ll be welcomed into the home of a local farmer in whose kitchen Tinos traditions are kept alive – drying, preserving and jarring just about anything that springs from the land, including, of course, artichokes. Led by Carolina, we’ll roll up our sleeves and join a hands-on cooking session starring seasonal ingredients fresh from the farm followed by a feast which we made together. In the late afternoon, we’ll visit a passionate winemaker who is committed to preserving the indigenous grape varieties found on his stunning property. We’ll tour the grounds with him and enjoy an in-depth tasting of his wines.
Day 5
Honey Trail to Hidden Beach
After a lazy morning, we will brunch in a charming spot in the village of Agapi, fueling up on cheese pies, home-made yogurt, seasonal fruit and Greek coffee before a short hike through the forest to Volax, a village known for its hand-painted doors bearing messages of love. A stroll through the village will bring us to a picnic with a local bee-keeper who will introduce to us his work and treat the group to his freshly harvested honey. We’ll enjoy the late afternoon light snack at one of the island’s hidden beaches where we may swim in the crystal blue sea and relax. Then in the evening we’ll meet up for dinner at a lively taverna, which happens to be run by one of the island’s best cooks. There we’ll be treated to a bountiful feast of Tinos specialties, including local artichokes and roasted doves.
Day 6
Farewell Feast & Return to Athens
Before we say goodbye to Tinos, we’ll make a morning visit to the island’s cathedral, a pilgrimage site and one of the most important churches in Greek Orthodoxy. Our final meal together will be at a special restaurant on the Island where inventive chef Antonis Ghion takes traditional Tinos cuisine into the contemporary realm. After a restful ferry ride back to Athens and checking into our hotel for the night, perhaps a farewell nightcap toasting an unforgettable week is all that’s left to do. Until next time!
Day 7
Farewell
Our trip done, group members will either head home or continue on their onward journeys. But maybe there’s still time for a last breakfast of Greek yogurt and local honey…
Meet the Crew
We are firm believers in the power of local knowledge. Our guides and the culinary masters and other artisans who are part of our trips all deeply reflect that. Meet some of Greece’s finest:
Carolina
Xenia
Constantinos
Antonis
Andreas
Ioannis
Where you'll stay
Ergon House Athens
This week’s focus on deeply local experiences and places are also well reflected in our choice of accommodation. We always select boutique and independent places, ones inspired by international standards while staying loyal to the area’s local heritage – that’s the balance we seek for more than a good night’s rest.
Our group will first be staying at the Ergon House, located in the heart of Athens. The hotel is in a neighborhood which sits at the foot of the Acropolis, and is called “The Golden Triangle”, having earned this nickname for the breadth of activities and sites you can visit nearby. Ergon’s contemporary interiors were designed in collaboration with leading local designers and artists. Guests have access to communal kitchens and lounges, a gym and panoramic rooftop terrace.
Vincenzo Family Rooms
Vincenzo Family Rooms is a cozy and charming spot in Tinos, perfect for relaxing after a day of exploring the island. With its friendly staff, comfortable rooms, and super convenient location, it’s easy to feel right at home here. Plus, you’re just a short walk away from all the shops and restaurants in Tinos town.
Hear what travelers are saying
Tinos will blow your mind! Besides the culinary experience, learning about the people and culture will stay with you forever
Michelle R
It opened up experiences I would not have found on my own. I will try to return to the many memorable places with my own family.
Daniel T
A magical culinary tour with the feeling of being an insider not a tourist. Food meets education meets cultural experience.
Olivia D
Know before you go
Pricing and Accommodation
The total cost of this trip is $4,000 for 2025 and $4,500 for 2026. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $800 ($950 for 2026) supplement will be due at the time of the final payment. A $500 non-refundable deposit per traveler is required to secure space on the trip. The balance is due 90 days prior to the start of the trip.
Activity Level
Travelers should feel comfortable walking three to five miles each day and remaining on their feet for long periods of time. Be prepared to roll up your sleeves and get hands-on during a couple cooking workshops.
Arrival and Departure
For flights in and out of Athens International Airport (ATH), we suggest you arrive anytime arrive by 3 p.m. on Day 1 and depart anytime on Day 7. We’ll provide the option of booking additional nights at our Athens hotel before and/or after the tour, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.
Inclusions
• All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels. • Professional guides throughout the entire experience. • A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities. • All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary. • A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Greece has to offer!
Exclusions
• Transportation and flights to and from Athens, including airport transfers. • Food and drink outside of Trip offerings, including one dinner, some alcoholic beverages, and any snacks during the day, as well as any personal expenses. • If applicable, applying for a Greek visa (not required for U.S. citizens). • Travel insurance (recommended).
Dietary Restrictions
We encourage an adventurous palate! We try our best to accommodate dietary restrictions. Though pork, seafood and lamb are common, the Greek diet is filled with other options. We can accommodate a vegetarian and pescatarian diet. Please contact us about any specific restrictions or food allergies.
Notes on Itinerary
Itineraries and daily schedules are subject to change. We expect to do everything listed in the itinerary, though the order may be rearranged based on weather or other local conditions.
Safety and Sustainability
We have reinforced our commitment to sustainability and safety with new guidelines to assure maximum safety of our guests on our trips while maintaining the quality of the experience. All of our experiences are designed to have minimal impact on the community and environment. For more details on our precautions, read here.
Cancellation Policy
You may cancel 90 days before the start of the trip and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after 60 days before the start of the trip there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after 30 days there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).
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