I am super excited to be leading culinary tours this coming June in Greece. My husband Tim and I have been leading culinary tours in Italy since about 2009. We have had the great pleasure of taking travelers to many regions in Italy, Puglia, Sicily, Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Veneto and Lazio (Rome). Several of our travelers have been asking about Greece. Well you asked and I have listened.
Beginning June 3rd 2023 we will have four back to back culinary tours on the Greek islands of Paros and Antiparos. These Greek islands sit in the heart of the Aegean Sea, and make up part of the Cyclades Island group. How did we decide on the islands of Paros and Antiparos? Not without making a mistake first.
Last August Tim and I were on a culinary expedition of Greece before our tours in Puglia began. We visited Athens which I loved, it reminded me so much of Rome. We also visited the Ionian Greek islands of Corfu and Lefkada. We ran ourselves non stop by plane, ferry and rental cars, and I know I am not getting an ounce of sympathy from any of you.
Corfu and Lefkada were absolutely stunning islands. Beautiful beaches, charming towns, wonderful food and wine. As we were sitting in a little taverna on the beach, and I was eating one of my daily Greek salads I had an announcement for Tim. I said I have made a mistake with this research, I think he was just so happy that I admitted to being wrong he didn’t care what I was going to say next.
These islands reminded me very much of the Italian islands and coastline towns Italy. Which don’t get me wrong are absolutely beautiful. But many of my travelers have traveled several times with me to Italy and now they want to experience Greece. If I asked you to close your eyes and dream of Greece. How would you describe Greece? White washed sugar cube buildings, enchanting blue water, stone streets, bright colored bougainvilleas.. yes the Mamma Mia Greece we all think of. We enjoyed my mistake of visiting the Ionian islands and knew we needed to be planning our Greek culinary tours on the Aegean Sea where the Cyclade islands are located.
Now this looks like the white washed sugar cube buildings we dream about. I have enjoyed following businesses of Antiparos and Paros on Instagram. Currently many of the businesses are posting photos of the people putting a fresh coat of white paint on their businesses getting ready for the summer travelers to arrive.
I hope you have enjoyed this post, I have so many people asking me about Greece and it sure seems to be the hot spot for summer 2023. My next post I will tell you about my villa research and finding the perfect place we will call home for a month.
Signing of for now,
Chef Shelly