Ikarian secrets (of longevity)

A trip off the beaten path

Experience one of the most authentic trips in Greece. Visit one of the 5 Blue Zones of the world: the mythic island of Ikaria!

Full of diversity, 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 Blue Zone area with a high number of perennial inhabitants (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 stone-built houses in a luxury agrotourism farm & winery

–Cook with organic products from the farm and learn the 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 an ancient port

-Ceramics workshop

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

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

-Learn the secrets of the miraculous 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 liquors made from local fresh products

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

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

Why select this tour?

If you seek anything off the beaten path, if you enjoy originality, 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 abundance in fish and Anemoessa due to its wild winds.

A free state! The spirit of independence among inhabitants is notably sharpened. The Ikarians on July 17^th 1912 drove away the Turkish, 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.

Blue Zone is an area with a high number of perennial inhabitants (over 90 years old). Ikaria became famous from CNN’s documentaries about longevity and the best-selling book Blue Zones, by Dan Buettner.

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

Loukoumades 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 loukoumades (traditional donuts with honey) and then Nas, the temple of Artemis and the famous beach for the sunset. Ceramics Workshop and dinner with local delicacies & fresh seafood. Fresh ice cream made from goat’s 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 a local restaurant with ikariotikos music and evening at Christos Raches village tasting traditional sweets and liquors.

Day 4 – Agios Kirikos

A visit to 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 4-star hotels and boutique traditional guesthouses. Single accommodation is available at an extra cost of 710 euros per person

–Land Transportation with a 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 depending on the season & number of persons

Price Excludes

-Your travel expenses to Greece from the country of your departure and 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 personnel or the tour operators – guides at your discretion

-Entrance fees in archaeological sites & museums

Ikarian secrets (of longevity)

A trip off the beaten path