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Greece
From Athens to Tinos Island: A Greek Culinary Odyssey
Oct 01 - 07, 2026
Where
Greece
Group Size
6 - 12 Travelers
Duration
7 Days, 6 Nights
When
Oct 01 - 07, 2026
Price
From 4,500 USD / 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. In the early evening, we’ll meet for a welcome drink and introductions 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. 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.After a full dayg, the evening will be yours to either rest and relax, or continue exploring on your own.
Day 3
Off to Tinos!
We’ll check out of our hotel and transfer by private van to the port, where we’ll board a fast ferry to the island of Tinos. After arriving, we’ll settle into our hotel and take some time to freshen up before heading out to explore.
In the afternoon, we’ll venture inland to discover some of the island’s storied villages. We’ll visit Panormos, a seaside village known for its deep-rooted marble sculpting tradition, where artisans still practice their craft in small workshops. There, we’ll sit down for a relaxed, taverna-style seafood lunch and have the chance to meet some of the local sculptors.
The evening will be free to enjoy at your own pace.
Day 4
Farm to Feast
Day 5
Honey Trail to Hidden Beach
Day 6
Farewell Feast & Return to Athens
Day 7
Farewell
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
Antonis
Andreas
Ioannis
Where you'll stay
The Modernist 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 Modernist Athens, a stylish boutique hotel set in a former embassy building in the upscale Kolonaki neighborhood. Tucked on a quiet, tree-lined street, the hotel blends mid-century modern design with a more relaxed, residential feel, offering a calm base within easy reach of Athens’ museums, galleries, shops, and cafés. Inside, the aesthetic leans minimalist and design-forward, with thoughtfully appointed rooms and a rooftop terrace with sweeping city views. 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
<p>The total cost of this trip is $4,500 in 2026 and $5,000 in 2027. For travelers wishing to have single accommodations during the trip, an additional $950 supplement ($1,000 in 2027) 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.</p>
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
<p>For flights in and out of Athens International Airport (ATH), we suggest you 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 trip, and are more than happy to provide suggestions for things to do and see in the city on your own.</p>
Inclusions
<ul class="rich-bullet-list"><li><p>All accommodation throughout the trip in stylish, boutique hotels.</p></li><li><p>Professional guides throughout the entire experience.</p></li><li><p>A belt-popping experience, with all meals and drinks included in planned activities.</p></li><li><p>All activities and events as mentioned in the itinerary.</p></li><li><p>A hungry group of Culinary Backstreets travelers, excited to explore all that Greece has to offer!</p></li></ul>
Exclusions
<ul class="rich-bullet-list"><li><p>Transportation and flights to and from Athens, including airport transfers.</p></li><li><p>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.</p></li><li><p>If applicable, applying for a Greek visa.</p></li><li><p>Travel insurance (recommended).</p></li></ul>
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
<p>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, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://cb-server.fly.dev/safety-and-sustainability"><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="/safety-and-sustainability">read here</a>.</p></a>.</p>
Cancellation Policy
<p>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 <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" class="text-[#781e2a] underline" href="https://culinarybackstreets.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/culinarybackstreets/images_imported/For+CB+Trips_+Terms+%26+Conditions_updated2022.pdf">Terms and Conditions</a> for full details).</p>
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