Ikarian secrets (of longevity)

A trip off the beaten path

Experience one of the most authentic trips to Greece. Visit one of the 5 Bluezones of the world: the mythic island of Ikaria!

Full of diversities, Ikaria is a place that will steal your heart and take your breath away. Original in every way: its people, its products, flavors, nature and surroundings are all one of a kind. The island is a Bluezone area with a high number of perennial habitants (over 90 years old). The secrets to longevity are hidden in gastronomical treasures such as delicious organic plant food, traditional cheese and olive oil, mineral spas well known since antiquity, and of course the famous Ikarian wine (Homeric pramnios oinos). Adopt a loose tempo, enjoy a scenery of wilderness with caves, rivers, forests and crystal blue seas and bring back home the wisdom and the keys to living a relaxed, full of joy and health, life!

Highlights

-Stay in traditional stonebuilt houses in a luxury agrotourism farm & winery

–Cook with organic products from the farm and learn gastronomic secrets for healthy living

–Wine tasting and tour in a traditional winery

–Visit Theoktisti, one of the most breathtaking chapels in the world, built under a gigantic rock formation in a cave

-Sunset at Nas, the temple of Artemis and ancient port

–Ceramics workshop

-Dinner at a majestic place at Nas, tasting local delicacies, fresh fish and seafood

–Hiking at Raches, meeting Ikaria’s rare and precious herbs

-Learn the secrets of miracle Ikarian honey

-Evening at Christos Raches, the village that never sleeps! A picturesque village with 3 stone gates, different than anything you
have ever seen!

-Taste handmade traditional sweets and liquoirs made from local fresh products

-A tour at the archaeological museum of Agios Kirikos, with unique findings of Artemis and Dionysus worship on the island

-A day in Therma, the world known miracle therapeutic spas & hot springs since Asclepius times!

Why select this tour?

If you seek anything off the beaten path, if you enjoy originalities, if you are the adventurous type, then this is a tour you should definitely experience.

History & Glossary

Ikaria during ancient times was called Dolihi (meaning “a worm’’) due to its oblong shape, Ichthyoessa due to its abudance of its fish and Anemoessa due to its wild winds.

A free state! The spirit of independence among habitants is notably sharpened. The Ikarians on July 17^th 1912 drove away the Turks, created their own flag, printed their own money and named the island “Free State of Ikaria”!

Ikarian wine. Ikaria is the homeland of god Dionysus, the greek god of wine. Ikarian wine, also called Pramnios Oinos, is well known from the Homeric poems and was named after Pramnos, the mountain of Ikaria where grapevines develop.

Bluezone is an area with a high number of perennial habitants (over 90 years old). Ikaria became famous from CNN’S documentaries about longevity and the best seller book Blue Zones, by Dan Buettner.

Ikarian feasts, also called panigiria, take place during summer on main squares of all villages, with violins, lyra and bagpipes playing the famous ikariotikos dance, giving the chance to locals and visitors to celebrate together.

Loucoumades, are a type of small greek donuts with honey.

Rasko, is local wild goat meat served at feasts and weddings.

Soufiko is a local ikarian vegan dish, made from vegetables and herbs from gardens.

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival Day

Settling down at Farmhouse & Winery on the North side of the island. Cooking with organic products and tasting wine.

Day 2 – Theoktisti chapel & Nas

Visiting Theoktisti Chapel for loucoumades (traditional donuts with honey) and then Nas, the temple of Artemis and famous beach for the sunset. Ceramics Workshop and dinner with local delicacies & fresh seafood. Fresh ice cream made from goats milk, at Armenistis village.

Day 3 – Raches hiking, herbs & flavors

Hiking on wonderful paths with rare herbs, learning about their secrets. Then visiting a honey producer. Dinner at local restaurant with ikariotikos music and evening at Christos Raches village tasting traditional sweets and liqoirs.

Day 4 – Agios Kirikos

A visit at the archaeological museum and walking around the island’s capital town.

Day 5 – Therma

Rejuvenation at the thermometallic springs of Ikaria, on the Southeast side.

Day 6 – Returning to Athens

*You will receive a detailed itinerary after booking this pack!

Image Gallery

Video

Important Information

Price Includes

–Accommodation (Double room sharing) all 4stars hotels and boutique traditional guesthouses. Single accommodation is available at an extra cost of 710 euros per person

–Land Transportation with luxury mini bus and a professional driver

-All meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner and a picnic. Local wines, soft drinks and water.

-Cooking lessons

-Historical Guided tours

-Food and Wine tastings

-Tour Guides

** Prices may be changed depends season & number of persons

Price Excludes

-Your return travel expenses to Greece from the country of your arrival,

-Travel and medical insurance.

-Personal charges such as hard liquor, laundry, telephone charges, room service, tv on demand, mini-bar, souvenirs.

-Private excursions not mentioned in the itinerary

-Gratuities to the hotel personal or the tour operators -guides at your discretion

-Entrance fees in archaeological sites & museums

Ikarian secrets (of longevity)

A trip off the beaten path