Event Details
From the moment we land on the island of Ikaria you feel like you are not in this century any more. This is the famed island of longevity where people live happily and independently well beyond 100. We spend time exploring the food, wine and traditions of this beautiful island with its soaring granite cliffs and hidden bays of turquoise water; visiting locals in their homes as well as dining in some absolute waterfront spots. We are joined by the charming guide, chef Tina Germanos, Ikarian Australian who is passionate about her island and keen to share its delights.
Then we travel to the island of Lemnos in the north east Aegean where we visit a private estate for lamb cooked in the big woodfired oven, gather fresh figs from their trees and a glass of ouzo. We stay in the stylish main town of Myrina and enjoy local specialties like lobster flomari.
We then journey to Lesvos with more “never find it on your own” experiences, including a day with a wonderful group of women who prepare lunch for us using classic recipes that have been handed down through the generations. We finish in five-star luxury on the cliffs at jaw-droppingly beautiful Santorini for days of sailing and sun, great restaurants and shopping.
Each day is a perfect little jewel and the trip constructed so you have a range of the best regional produce and meet all our favourite Greek characters, including a day spent with a women’s cooperative in Lesvos where we feast on dishes you’d never find in restaurants. One day we may be at a market, the next wending our way down a cobblestoned alley to find the best little hidden restaurant, the next in an olive grove with a view of that magic blue water…our guests have loved exploring great local “finds” and having their days planned so they can immerse themselves and not to worry or think about what’s happening next.
Please note:
You don’t need to have ever cooked a single thing in your life to love this trip. The cooking classes on the first island work at every level and the ease of the dishes mean that they are easy to reproduce again back home. We hope you’ll come back inspired by this magic country
H&J –
Maeve, the Greek Islands 2024 Safari was brilliant, full of fun, good company and amazing food. Your experience and love of the islands is evident every day, together with those special relationships with local people that produce money-can’t-buy experiences and memories. Thank you. Heather & Jim
JO –
Our Greek Islands 2024 experience was an incredible insight into Greek food and culture. Maeve’s special relationships and knowledge of the islands means that you could not find these experiences on your own. Maeve is a fabulous host. We had a fabulous group of people on the tour – never having met them before, we found a group of like minded and down to earth people whose company we really enjoyed. JO&CB
LD –
I couldn’t have wished for a better group of people to share this amazing experience. Maeve you are marvelous! Lynda Dean
DN –
With Maeve’s many years of friendships with local people it has unlocked for us a marvellous exposure to the food and culture of this beautiful and welcoming country. So many memories we take with us, the tour represents great value…Just do it! Diane Nolan
A&MJ –
What better way for a mother and daughter, who both share a love of food, than to spend time with Maeve on her Greek Gourmet Safari tour. From the rustic charm in the mountain tops of Evia with our own personal chef/tutor, Peter Conistis, to the land of the olive groves in Lesbos. Then onto being welcomed by amazing locals in Lemnos and finally to the stupendous luxury of our villas in Santorini. What a journey, what beautiful memories. Maeve’s beautiful charm and extensive knowledge of all the places and the people who have opened up their homes to welcome us as their personal guests. We both thank you. Anna and Melissa Johnson
CHC –
What an amazing journey this gourmet safari trip to Greece has been. Maeve has shown us so many places that spark joy. Having the opportunity to visit homes of lovely people that live on the islands has been like visiting family. The abundance of delicious food is been a foodies paradise. Unveiling new treasures each day, making new friends and creating special memories is what this adventure been about. Carolyn Hadju Campbell
SO –
Dear Maeve, you curated our Greek Safari with so much warmth, love & caring kindness not just to your guests but to your local friends & communities. Very humbling memorable experience indeed. 11 out of 10. Sueki Owen
CK –
The fabulous food and seeing stunning places with some new friends is just so special. Wouldn’t be possible without Maeve’s amazing friendships with the wonderful locals who we would never meet otherwise.Chris Knott
Gail –
The Safaris are a great way to learn of the cultures of different countries through food, history and customs, and through the amazing people Maeve has sought out.
A truly memorable way to immerse yourself into different worlds with wonderful taste sensations!!
Our Greek Safari was great, like-minded people enjoying fabulous food and wine. Every day totally different, meeting people who love growing, preparing and sharing their wonderful food. Maeve has made this Safari so memorable for us all!! Gail
MBT –
Our group got along famously brought together by the love of food, and Maeve! We were welcomed into homes of Maeve’s friends on the islands and got a real insight into their life and love of their heritage and why the preparation and eating of food together is so important. We can’t wait to join another Safari! Michele Bell Tavares
RP – Sept 2023 –
Maeve, you served us quintessential Greece on a platter. What an experience we have had. Wonderful people, Outstanding locations, Great variety of the local cuisine, Incredible host and team leader, beautiful group of people. Absolutely fantastic, will talk about this for years to come. Richard Patterson
CC –
The Safari really was fantastic and met my expectations and more. Maeve is an absolute treasure, her boundless energy, spontaneity and positive spirit are intoxicating. With so many highlights on the tour it is hard to pick out a favourite, everyday was filled with fabulous food experiences and great adventures.
Sharon Butler –
2022 Gourmet Safari Greece
What can I say except wow! This is a carefully curated 12-night adventure where the whole truly is more than the sum of it’s parts. Each day holds multiple adventures from market shopping and cooking with our personal chef – the wonderful, generous and talented Peter Conistis, to taking the waters in an ancient grotto on Lesvos, to sharing the extraordinary hospitality of wonderful people via visits to their own homes – such a privilege – to cooking lessons in a women’s cooperative, and my favourite – spending a day sailing the caldera in Santorini. Each experience (these and more) in and of itself is fantastic, but under the warm-hearted, generous and knowledgeable guidance of Maeve and the team, the total experience becomes something unique, generative and truly the experience of a lifetime. This is not your usual tour – this is something that is felt, not just a list of places to visit. Thank you Maeve, Suzy, Peter and my travelling companions for a fantastic experience.