
10 months ago
Our time with Odyssey of Wine tours was one of the most magical experiences we've ever had. The island of Ikaria is an underrated, hidden gem of natural beauty, ancient culture, and welcoming people. I loved the slow pace of the island, the ancient temple of Artemis, and the hot springs. Mary Kate was an incredible guide. You can tell she has a deep connection to the island and Afianes family who own the winery on the island. She is welcoming and deeply knowledgeable about the winemaking process and the role of wine in culture and art. It was fascinating to learn about their ancient winemaking process, with natural wines buried in amphoras beneath the earth for months. We also enjoyed learning how to make fresh cheese from a local cheesemonger. The tour was a perfect balance of relaxation and unique adventures and learning experiences. I would definitely recommend this tour to those who are tired of crowded tourist destinations and want an opportunity to connect authentically to an ancient paradise! We will be back!! Thank you Mary Kate!

9 months ago
Hands down one of the best experiences Ive ever had. The island of Ikaria: magical. Our hostess MaryKate: so knowledgeable and personable. Afianes Wines: beautiful. I’ve never visited a blue zone before and was enchanted with the culture, weather and people of the Island. Thank you Odyssey of Wine Tours for curating such a enchanting experience. I had the perfect balance of relaxation and activity, structure and free time. Will be using Odyssey if Wine Tours again. Thank you!

11 months ago
Explore Ikaria with Mary Kate and her partners. I cannot believe how beautiful the people and the land were during our visit.
The food, the wine, the friendliness of the people, and the natural beauty of the island are outstanding.
Everything is taken care of for you and there is a perfect mix of activities and free time to explore this beautiful place frozen in time. How many questions

1 year ago
Wow! An authentic experience in a Blue Zone where there is unmatched beauty and amazing food. Our guide was personable and knowledgeable and brought us into the community to learn and enjoy Ikarian tradition. We ate, we danced, we swam, we drank awesome wines, we met awesome people. Can’t wait to go back!

11 months ago
Absolutely unforgettable trip to Ikaria in June 2025! Our guides, Mary-Kate and Nikos, made this experience incredibly special. Mary-Kate was outstanding—funny, knowledgeable, and such a joy to be around. She felt like family by the end. Nikos introduced us to his friends, family, and the local community, which made the trip feel truly authentic and personal.
Nikos is also a winemaker, and visiting his beautiful winery was a highlight. The views were breathtaking, the wines were fantastic, and we even got to learn about their traditional winemaking process—they still stomp the grapes! It was such a memorable and hands-on experience.
The island itself is stunning. The weather was perfect, and even though I had some mobility challenges due to neuropathy, everyone was so kind and helpful. I was even carried into the healing waters—an inspiring and moving moment I’ll never forget.
We also learned about the Ikarian way of living: fresh, clean food, high-polyphenol olive oil, unfiltered wine, and their delicious local honey. Meals were always made with whatever had just been caught or harvested—so simple and so flavorful.
This trip exceeded every expectation. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful, beautiful, and truly enriching travel experience.

11 months ago

11 months ago
Prakash and Praveena's Unforgettable Odyssey of Wine Tours: From Athens to the Heart of Ikaria
Mary Kate Fitzgerald masterfully arranged an absolutely fantastic, customized journey with Odyssey of Wine Tours, beginning in the vibrant city of Athens and culminating in the serene, captivating island of Ikaria. For us, Prakash and Praveena, it was truly an unforgettable experience.
Mary Kate's vision for slow travel was perfectly realized. We weren't just tourists; we were deeply immersed in the authentic Ikarian way of life. Every moment felt intentional, allowing us to truly connect with the island's unique rhythm and its legendary longevity. A highlight was experiencing the thermal hot springs, a perfectly relaxing and rejuvenating counterpoint to our explorations.
The focus on natural wine was a revelation, beautifully complemented by Mary Kate's incredible storytelling. Her passion and deep knowledge brought the history and mythology of Ikarian wines to life, making each tasting a rich narrative. Nikos from Afianes Wines spent almost every day with us alongside Mary Kate, sharing his unparalleled insights. His wife, Maria, delighted us with her fantastic goat curry, fava beans, Greek salad made with fresh herbs from her garden, a true taste of Ikarian hospitality. We even had the joy of Anna teaching us a Greek dance, adding a wonderful cultural dimension, and Constantino, Nikos's son, made us feel genuinely part of the Afianes family.
The beautiful weather throughout our trip only added to the magic, making every vineyard visit and cultural exchange even more enjoyable. This wasn't just a wine tour; it was a holistic journey for the senses and the soul, filled with genuine connections.
For anyone seeking a deeply authentic, enriching, and beautifully curated travel experience that connects you to history, culture, and exceptional natural wines, we wholeheartedly recommend Mary Kate Fitzgerald's Odyssey of Wine Tours. It's a trip that will stay with us forever. Prakash and Praveena

2 weeks ago
Had the most amazing trip and wine tastings with Mary Kate from Odyssey. We traveled from Spain and were amazed with the quality of everything that was set for the trip: from welcoming us to Ikaria, to the hotels we stayed and all the delicious food and wine we had. The local partner nikos is extremely knowledgeable and as Mary Kate is fluent in spanish she was able to translate many details about the wine making and history that made my family’s experience truly remarkable. This trip felt like the best vacation I have ever had. Truly recommend this to anyone that enjoys wine or simply wants a real vacation to Greece.
Basing our tours around the island of Ikaria, a region world-renown for its longevity, rural beauty, and authentic experiences, our
Ikaria is a place that will awe you in its rugged beauty, and delight you in its unexpected warmth. Time seems to stop; slow, honeyed days give way to one another. Authentic and pure, raw and real, it is a place that invites you to search for the same aspects within yourself. Join us for this adventure of a lifetime.
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This blog post will go into more detail about our tours, and what to expect when you join us for the ultimate wine and wellness tour on the gorgeous island of Ikaria.
Ikarian wine has been acclaimed throughout the centuries, and appears in some pivotal scenes in both The Iliad and The Odyssey.
Discover why Ikaria, Greece is one of the world’s five Blue Zones.
Welcome to our blog! We are thrilled to officially launch this space that will act as a way to connect with our community, sharing in our love of the island,
Most people hope they’ll live a long, healthy, and happy life, but few are able to travel the world in an attempt to
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