A Taste of Living Well

11 nights · Athens, Ikaria & Samos · All meals included · Private rooms or twin share

Spend a week in one of the world’s original Blue Zones, welcomed into the food, friendships and everyday life of Ikaria, before continuing to Samos for three nights of village exploring, Greek lunches and swimming.

Hosted throughout by Lisa Marie Staab, this small-group journey brings together local connections, practical mindfulness and time to enjoy being somewhere.

A Welcome Evening in Athens

We meet on 29 June 2027 at Oniro City, settling in over dinner before travelling to Ikaria together the following day.

Seven Nights with Thea on Ikaria

Our home is Thea’s Inn in Nas, overlooking the Aegean. Thea and her family welcome us into their kitchens, farm and community, sharing the traditions that make this island so special.

Her connection with Dan Buettner and the Blue Zones research adds depth to our stay. But it’s breakfast in a local home, cooking with seasonal ingredients and lingering over a shared meal that brings the experience to life.

Across the week, we’ll visit a winery and beekeeper, enjoy nature walks and explore the island’s hot springs. There’s also time for the beach, a quiet afternoon or another conversation on the terrace.

Lisa will weave in gentle mindfulness practices and discussions about nourishment, natural movement, rest and connection—with space to consider what feels useful to take home.

Thea’s Inn is simple and welcoming. Its appeal lies in the hospitality, the setting and the opportunity to spend a week with people who call Ikaria home.

Three Nights on Samos

We continue by ferry to Samos, staying at Ino Boutique Hotel & Suites.

We’ll explore the mountain village of Manolates, wander through Pythagorio and gather for lunch in Koumeika, with beach swims and coffee stops along the way. Kokkari or the wine museum may also feature if time allows.

Our journey finishes after breakfast on 10 July 2027.

Your Room, Your Choice

Private occupancy gives you your own room throughout. Twin share is available by arrangement for friends or partners who would like to share and save.

There will be a maximum of seven guests in Athens and Ikaria. We may welcome additional guests on Samos who are joining Lisa for the onward Turkey journey.

Before You Book

All meals are included, from our welcome dinner in Athens to breakfast on our final morning on Samos.

Flights—including Athens to Ikaria—are additional. Please check with Lisa before booking flights so we can coordinate travel arrangements.

The itinerary is an example of how our days might unfold. Activities may change order to suit our hosts, ferry schedules and weather.

Want to stay a little longer? The Complete Greece & Turkey Journey continues from Samos to Kaş, seven nights aboard Feyyaz Bey and a final night in Antalya. Please select the separate complete-journey listing if you’d like to join both.

• Experience Blue Zones living firsthand — seven nights on Ikaria exploring the food, movement, rest and community connections associated with living well.

• Stay with Thea and her family — enjoy their hospitality at Thea’s Inn in Nas, overlooking the Aegean, with local connections that make the week personal.

• Cook, taste and gather around the table — breakfast with a local family, a farm visit with cooking, and meals prepared with seasonal ingredients.

• Meet local producers — visit a winery and beekeeper to discover the flavours and traditions of Ikaria.

• Hot springs, nature walks and sea swims — enjoy time outdoors, with space to rest and take the days at an unhurried pace.

• Explore Samos for three nights — wander through Manolates and Pythagorio, enjoy lunch in Koumeika and leave time for the beach.

• Mindfulness you can take home — gentle practices and conversations with Lisa about bringing nourishment, rest and connection into everyday life.

• Your own room and all meals included — private occupancy as the main option, twin share by arrangement, and Lisa hosting you throughout.

29 June – 10 July 2027 | 11 Nights

This is an example itinerary. Accommodation dates are fixed, while activities may change order to suit our local hosts, ferry schedules and weather. We’ll leave room for spontaneous stops, leisurely meals and swimming.

Day 1 · 29 June | Welcome to Athens
Arrive at Oniro City, settle in and meet Lisa and your fellow travellers over our welcome dinner.
Overnight: Oniro City, Athens

Day 2 · 30 June | Athens to Ikaria
Travel to Ikaria and transfer to Thea’s Inn in Nas. Meet our hosts, unpack and enjoy our first meal together overlooking the Aegean.
Overnight: Thea’s Inn — our base for seven nights
Athens–Ikaria airfare is not included.

Day 3 · 1 July | Breakfast, the Ikarian Way
Share a traditional breakfast with a local family and explore the everyday habits associated with Blue Zones living. Enjoy a relaxed afternoon with time for the beach and a swim, conditions permitting.

Day 4 · 2 July | From Farm to Table
Visit the family farm and prepare a meal together using seasonal ingredients. Afterwards, rest on the terrace or join Lisa for a gentle mindfulness practice before dinner.

Day 5 · 3 July | Hot Springs & Island Exploring
Head out to explore Ikaria’s thermal waters, with lunch along the way and time to enjoy the coast. Return to Nas for an easy evening together.

Day 6 · 4 July | Honey, Village Life & the Beach
Meet a local beekeeper and learn about the island’s honey. Leave the afternoon open for swimming, reading or a quiet café stop.

Day 7 · 5 July | Nature Walks & Local Wine
Enjoy a morning nature walk before the heat builds, then visit a winery to discover another side of Ikarian food and tradition. Take the remainder of the day slowly.

Day 8 · 6 July | A Little More Ikaria
A flexible final day for a favourite beach, a village wander or simply enjoying our surroundings. Reflect on the week with Lisa before our farewell dinner with our hosts.

Day 9 · 7 July | Across to Samos
Say goodbye to Thea and travel by ferry to Samos. Settle into our hotel and welcome anyone joining the onward Samos & Turkey journey. Depending on arrival time, enjoy a wander or swim before dinner.
Overnight: Ino Boutique Hotel & Suites — our base for three nights

Day 10 · 8 July | Manolates & the North Coast
Explore Manolates, with time for its village lanes, small shops and a coffee stop. Head towards the coast for beach time and swimming, with a possible stop in Kokkari if time allows.

Day 11 · 9 July | Pythagorio & Lunch in Koumeika
Wander through Pythagorio’s harbour and streets before continuing to Koumeika for an unhurried lunch. Bring your swimmers—we’ll leave room for a beach stop along the way.

Day 12 · 10 July | Farewell from Samos
Our Greece journey finishes after breakfast. Say goodbye to new friends before heading home or continuing your travels.

Guests booked on the separate Complete Greece & Turkey Journey continue with Lisa to Turkey.