Guest Arrival

• Guests arrive to Ikaria and are picked up and brought to our boutique hotel. You will have time to relax and refresh before meeting the rest of the group in the evening. 

Evening Wine Tasting

• You are greeted by your tour guide and sommelier, Mary Kate, who will guide you through an incredible tasting of wines of the Aegean. 

Welcome Dinner & Blue Zone Introduction

• After the tasting, we head to our welcome dinner, featuring an array of fresh and local cuisine paired with more Greek wine. We will introduce the Blue Zone concepts that we will experience more throughout the week. 

Thermal Springs

• After a relaxing breakfast at the hotel, we will visit the nearby village of Therma, known in antiquity for its healing thermal waters. You are welcome to soak in the springs, swim in the sea, and have free time for lunch.

Free Time

• You are free to swim, nap, and explore as you please.

Beach-Side Dinner

• In the evening, we head to the nearby village of Faros for a beautiful beach-side dinner. In ancient times, this village was called Drakano, and was considered to be the birthplace of the Greek god of wine, Dionysus.

Archaeological Museum of Ikaria

• We will receive a guided tour of Ikaria’s impressive Archaeological museum, learning all about the history, mythology, and lifestlye of this special island. 

Hotel Check-in and Relax

• We are transported to the other side of the island, where we will be staying for the remainder of the trip. You are given time to refresh and relax before dinner.

Wine Tasting & Dinner

• Guests are brought to Afianes Wines, where we will meet with the winemaker, Nikos, who will showcase the biodynamic and ancestral practices of their winemaking. Afterwards, dinner highlighting local Ikarian cuisine will be served under the stars.

Mountain Village Visit

• After breakfast, we will explore the mountainous region of Raches, with time to meander through the cafes and shops in this charming mountain village.

Cooking Class & Lunch

• You will learn about traditional Ikarian herbs, recipes, and how to incorporate more Blue Zone concepts into your diets at home. Afterwards, we will enjoy our lunch together!
  

Free Time in the Evening

• You are free to swim, nap, explore, and eat dinner as you please.

Visit to a Local Cheesemaker

• We will visit a local cheesemaker on the island, and learn about the traditional methods they use. We will sample an array of delicious cheeses and indulge in this local culinary delight!

Free Time

• You are free to swim, nap, explore, and eat lunch as you please.

Panagyria Celebration

• When available, we will join one of Ikaria’s epic village parties, called panagyria in Greek. The night is spent eating, drinking, and dancing into the wee hours of the morning! This is a unique cultural experience that truly brings you into the community lifestyle of the island. 

Free Time in the Morning

• You are free to swim, nap, explore, and eat lunch as you please.

Guided Hike

• After breakfast, those interested in joining a guided hike will enjoy the rustic and wild beauty of Ikaria’s mountains. 

Dinner at Typical Taverna

• We are transported to the village of Nas, where you will have the option to walk down to the beach to visit the ruins of the Temple of Artemis. We share a sunset dinner overlooking the sea at a typical Ikarian taverna.

Free Time

• You are free to swim, nap, explore, and eat lunch as you please.

Pre-Phylloxera Vineyard Visit

• We head back to the Afianes Wines estate, where Nikos will guide us on a nature walk through an incredibly rare pre-phylloxera vineyard. Phylloxera was a devastating disease that wiped out most of Europe’s grapevines in the 19th century. It resulted in the loss of their original, ancient vines. Most European vineyards today have American rootstock, which was resistant to the disease and re-planted after the devastation. There are very few pre-phylloxera vineyards in the world, and the wines made from them result in a unique taste and a special connection to the past.

Older Vintage Tasting & Dinner

• We return to Afianes Wines for an elite tasting of older vintages. We will share a sunset dinner together and enjoy local music at the Afianes amphitheater after! Guests depart the next morning.