Greek Adventure & Culinary Retreat, Sept '25

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Overview

Greek Adventure & Culinary Retreat, Sept '25
Thessaloniki, Greece
Sep 27 - Oct 5, 2025
Lazaros Fotopoulos image
Lazaros Fotopoulos
£1,161
Deposit: £400

About your trip

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FROM £1,935 -> Now only £1,161 !! 40% off
Deadline for applications Wednesday 17th September!

  • Experience the magic of Northern Greece on our Greek Adventure & Culinary Retreat.

  • Over 9 incredible days, travel through hidden mainland gems, wine-rich fields, and cultural monuments. From seaside dips and peach orchards to wild natural pool dips and centuries-old villages perched on stunning cliffs, crowned with unforgettable sunset views.

  • Small-group retreat blends cultural discovery, outdoor adventure, and authentic greek cuisine, fully organised for you.

  • Hosted by your trusted local expert, Lazaros Fotopoulos, this curated escape blends cultural discovery, culinary delight, and active adventure.

  • Head to the Itinerary section to read more information and a day-by-day schedule!

Retreat key points

  • This is a 9 day (8 night) adventure holiday in Greece fully organised, excluding flights!

  • The retreat starts and ends at the SKG Airport, Thessaloniki, Greece. 

  • The group size is from 4 and limited to 8 people!

  • Hotels, food and local guidance (myself) will be arranged for you!

  • Rooms will be shared between 2 people or request the single room option. 

  • Mountain refuge is a bunk bed facility with a mixed dormitory option, no option for single rooms. 

  • ALL culinary experiences cater for vegetarian and GF options!

  • ALL activities are customised to accommodate for beginners and intermediate adventure enthusiasts!

  • If anyone doesn't feel fit for hike, there is an option to stay at the local town/village centre and select smaller local activities to spend the day!

Hiking experiences and highlights!

Mount Olympus, it is a 6km path that takes 2-6 hours, depending on your fitness level, ascending a total of 1,000 meters in altitude. There is the option to stay at the local village instead of the hike for those prefer a more relaxed experience.

  • Starting the hike within dense beech, pine, and fir forests and views of Enipeas gorge will fill you with memories of wild mountain landscape!

  • Small mountain springs and rest points provide refreshing breaks, giving you a chance to hydrate and, why not, jump in the water to feel the tranquility of the forest!

  • The historic refuge at 2,100m feels like stepping into alpine tradition. Cozy bunk beds, warm traditional meals, and spectacular panoramic views over the Aegean Sea and surrounding peaks of Olympus!

Vikos Gorge, it is a 12km path that takes between 5-7 hours, depending on your fitness level, a slow and steady descent from 1,060 meter to 770 meters with about 600 meters of total elevation gain. There is the option to stay at the local village instead of the hike for those prefer a more relaxed experience.

  • Why you go to Grand Canyon when Vikos Gorge holds a Guinness World Record as the deepest gorge relative to its width!!

  • Refilling your water bottle from the natural springs will be a next level experience!

  • Wild swim in the water that's around 12 degrees in the summer and 4 degrees in the winter, will make you feel 20 years younger!

Culinary experience and highlights!

  • Every effort has been put in to make sure we will be visiting restaurants, taverns, bakeries and patisseries that add to your experience and feel of greek hospitality!

  • All those selected places are small businesses, run by local people that want to offer the most incredible experience to each and every of us!

  • We will be experiencing a variety of foods, from the most traditional Greek salad to a variety of cheese and dip dishes. Meat, fish, and vegetarian dishes will be plentiful. Gluten-free options will also be accommodated if needed!

Highlights (excluding lunch & dinner experiences that are going to be unique):

  • Jam tasting and jam making at a small business in Velvento!

  • Local cheese (Metsovone) experience in Metsovo!

  • Traditional bakery with handmade pastries in Zagorochoria!

  • Patisserie in Litochoro with local desserts!

  • Local baklava experience in Ioannina!

  • Wine tasting experience in Velvento!

  • Lazaros's mum's handmade spinach and feta cheese pastry!

Who Should Join?

  • Travellers on their own or with their partner/friends who are looking for a guided tour to hidden gems in Greece. Essentially, those who want to avoid mass tourism, mainstream destinations and waiting in line for an "instagram" photo!

  • Those who want to experience Greece as it really is with all the lovely and kind hearted people, small restaurants and local hotel businesses!

  • Adventure seekers looking for a balance between hikes/mountain trails and seaside relaxation!

  • Culinary lovers looking to try authentic Greek recipes made from the purest locally sourced organic ingredients, to the most amazing peach jams that are crafted over years!

  • Wine & culture enthusiasts eager to taste and learn about regional wine specialties and Greek traditions!

Pricing

Transparent Pricing for Peace of Mind.

  • The final price includes a 5% service fees.

  • The fees goes directly towards the secure payment processing, refund policies and platform operational costs.

  • Priority is to protect you as a customer and us as a business, so you can book with complete confidence!

*We show the full and final price up front — no hidden extras, no surprise charges at checkout. This approach keeps us fully compliant with UK consumer protection law and ensures that both your booking and your money are safeguarded.

Why Book With Us?

  • Your local guide (Lazaros), has been personally running trips for friends and family for over 8 years now! Benefit from insider access, via your local host, who brings each day to life!

  • He has knowledge and expertise in the areas that are visited, is experienced on mountain Olympus, skilled in navigation in Greece, familiar with local customs and knowledgeable about practices in Greece. Characteristics that are highly advantageous for you can learn and understand the real hospitality in Greece.

  • Thoughtfully crafted itinerary that balances relaxation, culinary experience and adventure!

Sustainability

  • The trip is designed to enable small local businesses to showcase their products and gain recognition and exposure to an international audience.

  • Taverns and restaurants we visit use high-quality ingredients, produced locally with a significantly low carbon footprint.

  • The route and places we are visiting are designed to minimise travel time while still maximising the experiences.

  • We are offering every participant the option to donate a 2% of the final price for the carbon offset programme, and our promise is to match with an extra 2% contribution for each and every customer opting into the program!

What's included

Boutique Hotels(+hut)

x7 Mid to High-end Boutique Hotels + 1 night at the Olympus mountain traditional hut!

Breakfast (+ coffee)

x8 Selection from pastries or continental options depending on the location!

Lunch (+ drink)

6 out of 8 days including restaurants and taverns for lunch selected for authenticity and quality!

Dinner (+ drink)

7 out of 8 days including restaurants and taverns selected for traditional recipes and innovation!

Wine tours

x2 Full experience tickets - Including vineyard tour, vineyard history, cellar tour, wine tasting from 3 to 5 labels in each vineyard, option to buy products at wholesale/discounted prices!

Peach orchard/Jam Factor

x1 Full experience ticket - Including jam factory tour, history and facts, jam tasting, options to buy products at wholesale/discounted prices!

Transport/Fuel/Tolls

From start to finish transportation with luxury-van! Fees, fuels, tolls included.

Sustainable water bottle

x1 personalised water bottle with your name!

Sustainable t-shirt

x1 athletic fit t-shirt, to stand out in public!

What's not included

Flights to/from SKG

Surplus drinks

Souvenirs

Day 1 - Litochoro

Day 1 - Litochoro image

Saturday, 27 Sep - SKG Airport & Litochoro

Welcome to Greece! We’ll meet you at Thessaloniki Airport (SKG) by midday (12 pm) and set off for the charming town of Litochoro, the gateway to Mount Olympus (114 km, ~1 h 30 min). Our first stop is a relaxed beach bar by the Aegean Sea, perfect for a refreshing welcome swim or just soaking in the sunshine (2 – 4 pm).

Afterwards, we’ll share a delicious welcome lunch at a local taverna (included) while we go through the retreat briefing (4 – 6 pm), get to know each other and set the tone for the days ahead. We’ll then head to our cosy hotel (Check-in by 7 pm) for some downtime, followed by a light meze dinner (included) in Litochoro’s town centre.

Travel time: 114 km, ~1 h 30 min

Overnight stay: Litochoro

Day 2 - Olympus Hiking

Day 2 - Olympus Hiking image

Sunday, 28 Sept - Olympus hiking experience

Meet at reception by 8:00 am, join us for breakfast (included) at the hotel or a local bakery and Group 1 participants be ready to depart at 9 am. Group 2, take the day slow and choose from a range of activities for the day!

Group 1: After a quick stop for trail snacks and hiking essentials by 10 am, we will begin an exhilarating hike up the slopes of Mount Olympus by 11am. Will be mostly surrounded by pine forests and breathtaking views, so have your camera charged! The journey takes around 3 hours, with arrival at the mountain refuge by afternoon. Enjoy free time in the peaceful alpine setting, with dinner available at the refuge (not included).

Group 2: Stay in Litochoro for a relaxing free day — perhaps wander the pretty streets, visit local cafés, or join an optional guided activity (options to follow)

Travel time: Local < 30 min

Overnight stay: Group 1 Spylios Agapitos refuge (2100m), Group 2 Litochoro hotel (300m).

Day 3 – Meteora & Zagori

Day 3 – Meteora & Zagori image

Monday, 29 Sept - Meteora & Zagori

Group 1: Wake up and breakfast (included) from 7 am. At 8am we will begin the scenic descent from the Mount Olympus, reaching the base by 11 am. At the base, we’ll pause for a refreshing wild swim at a hidden waterfall location, a real taste of Greek mountain bliss! By 12 we will be back in Litochoro!

Group 2: can enjoy a leisurely free morning in Litochoro and breakfast at the hotel or at a local bakery. Be ready for departure by 12 pm. We then all reunite for the next adventure.

Our first stop is the world-famous Meteora (153 km, ~1 h 50 min), where 24, centuries-old monasteries, perch atop towering rock pillars. We’ll explore one of these incredible monasteries and the observation deck offering breathtaking 360 views! Then we will sit down for a traditional Greek lunch at a nearby tavern (included).

In the afternoon, we continue our journey into the UNESCO protected Zagori region (135 km, ~2 h 20 min), stopping at the crystal-clear Voidomatis River for a quick dip in nature’s most refreshing waters. We’ll end the day with a hearty tavern dinner and meze (included) before settling into our traditional hotel in Monodentri.

Travel time: Longest driving day today but I promise that the views, a few greek freddo espresso, frequent stops for pictures will make you forget! 153 km, ~1 h 50 min, 135 km, ~2 h 20 min

Overnight stay: Monodentri

Day 4 – Vikos Gorge

Day 4 – Vikos Gorge image

Tuesday, 30 Sept - Vikos Gorge Adventure

Start your day early, meeting at reception by 7:30 am. Enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery, then we will grab some snacks for the day’s adventure by 9am. We’ll transfer (less than 30 mins) to the trailhead in Monodendri for an unforgettable Vikos Gorge hike (approx. 6 hours), with a refreshing wild swimming stop along the way.

After our trek, we will probably have time for another wild swim spot and then return to the hotel. We’ll gather for a delicious late lunch/dinner (included) with spectacular views. The rest of the evening is yours to relax and enjoy.

Travel time: Local driving under 30 minutes

Overnight: Monodendri

Day 5 – Ioannina&Metsovo

Day 5 – Ioannina&Metsovo image

Wednesday, 1 Oct - Ioannina Castle & Metsovo cheese tasting

Meet at reception by 8:00 am for a relaxed start to the day. Enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery by 9:00 am that we need to set off. As we leave Zagori we will endeavour to do a last wild swim dip along the way! We’ll then head to the vibrant city of Ioannina (40km, 45m) for a lakeside lunch (included) by the castle and a leisurely stroll around its charming old city district. In the afternoon, we’ll transfer to the picturesque mountain village of Metsovo (54km, 50m). As night falls, we’ll explore its traditional streets, enjoy a local cheese-tasting experience, and gather for dinner (included) in the heart of the village.

Travel time: 40km, ~ 45min, 54km, ~ 50min

Overnight: Metsovo

Day 6 - Velvento

Day 6 - Velvento  image

Thursday, 2 Oct - Velvento vineyards, waterfalls & peach orchard

Meet at reception by 8:00 am, enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery by 9:00 am. We’ll then set off to Velventos that we arrive by 11:00 am (135 km, 1h40m). Next are the wine experiences (included) from 12:00–1:00 pm, where you can taste award winning wines at Vogiatzi vineyard and at Kamkouti Vineyard. Around 2:00 pm, we’ll stroll through a fragrant peach orchard or jam factory visit (based on availability) followed by a visit to the scenic 40m tall Velventos waterfalls for a dip at 3pm.

We’ll then enjoy a late lunch/dinner (included) in Neraida, overlooking the beautiful lake before settling in for the night at the local hotel.

Travel time: 135km, ~ 1h40min

Overnight stay: Velventos

Day 7 – Chalkidiki

Day 7 – Chalkidiki image

Friday, 3 Oct - Seaside Escape to Chalkidiki

We’ll meet at reception by 8:00 am, enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery by 9:00 am. We then set off for Thessaloniki (120km, 1h10m) and stopping at the scenic White Tower of Thessaloniki for a stroll, a freddo espresso and a cup of gelato (included)! We then set off and arriving in Chalkidiki hotel check-in at 1:00 pm (100km, 1h20m).

The afternoon is yours to enjoy, relax with some free time by the beach and find your own spot for lunch (not included). Later, take a refreshing swim in the sea as a group, and we’ll gather at a sunset viewpoint for some golden-hour magic dinner (included).

Travel time: 120km, ~ 1h10min, 100km, ~ 1h20min

Overnight stay: Chalkidiki

Day 8 - Chalkidiki II

Day 8 - Chalkidiki II image

Saturday, 4 Oct - Sun, Sea & Farewell

Enjoy a slow morning — wake up whenever you like and have breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery. We’ll then (at 10am) head to a nearby beach to swim in the crystal-clear waters and soak up the last of the Greek sunshine.

The day is going to be very relaxed and you will have plenty of free time to do your own schedule, time to relax, shop for souvenirs, or top up that tan* (*please use sunscreen).

In the evening, we’ll come together for a special farewell dinner by the sea, followed by a Greek Pub/Tavern quiz with questions from the holidays and an awards ceremony to celebrate our adventures!

Travel time: Local <30min

Overnight stay: Chalkidiki

Day 9 – Departure Day

Day 9 – Departure Day image

Sunday, 5 Oct - Departure Day

We’ll meet at reception by 8:00 am, enjoy breakfast (included) at the hotel or at a local bakery by around 9:00 am, featuring traditional bougatsa. After breakfast, we’ll head back to Thessaloniki Airport (SKG), arriving at around 12pm.

Please book flights departing from 2pm onwards to allow enough time for check-in and security.

Travel time: 90km, ~ 1h10min

Location

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1. Thessaloniki, Greece

Thessaloniki, Greece

About your organizer

Laz grew up in Greece exploring mountains, rivers, and villages; adventures that shaped who he is today. Living in the UK for 15+ years gives him an international view to design unique trips. With a PhD in stem cells, his curiosity and attention to detail shine in tours crafted from years of planning for/with friends. Perfect for curious travellers who a) love the outdoors, food, and culture but lack time or local ties and b) are bored of standard holidays to mainstream destinations. Laz handles the details; you enjoy the adventure!

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