WINE CLUB EXCLUSIVE TRIP
Join us for another unforgettable wine trip – this time, we are spending six days exploring mainland Greece, in the stunning region of the Peloponnese with our Linganore Wincellars Wine Club Members only! This journey offers the perfect balance of mountains and sea, history and culture. Plus, your Wine Club Manager, Wendy Smith, will be joining you on this adventure!
We will be based for all six nights in the charming coastal town of Nafplio, staying in two beautiful accommodations carefully selected for comfort and character.
The tour is all-inclusive, with the exception of airfare and optional trip insurance.
Impressions of Greece
• Did you know that 80% of Greece is mountainous?
• All Greek men are required to complete one year of military service
• Over half the population, more than 5 million people, live in greater Athens
• There are 227 inhabited Greek islands waiting to be discovered
• Greece is a country of contrasts — small and large, rich and modest, ancient and modern
CURRENT DAILY ITINERARY
Day 1 – Making our way to Nafplio via Corinth
A long day, for sure, but rich in culture, food, and wine.
Leaving Athens can be busy, with some stop-and-go traffic at the start. It will take about 30 minutes to reach the outskirts, where the road begins to open up. You’ll notice that Athens has no skyscrapers or tall buildings, just rows of low-rise structures, rarely more than seven stories high.
Culture – Once outside the city, we’ll make good time toward Corinth. Our first stop is the Corinth Canal. While bungee jumpers have added a bit of excitement to the view, the canal itself remains a true marvel of engineering.
Wine Focus – It’s almost a given that we’ll mispronounce a few Greek names along the way. Yiannis and his wife own Papargyriou, a small production winery producing around 90,000 bottles per year, with much of the work still done by hand. The winery is a bit off the beaten path, and at some point you may wonder where we’re headed, but once we arrive, it will all make perfect sense.
Food Focus – Yiannis is fortunate to have a seasonal restaurant on-site, where the chef cooks for passion rather than necessity, and you can truly taste the difference. The menu changes frequently, so we can’t say exactly what will be served. The chef, originally from Corfu, draws inspiration from both Italian and Greek cuisines. What we can promise is that the result is exceptional. To this day, nearly all of the clientele is local.
We’ll then continue on to our destination in Nafplio.
The drive to the hotel is approximately 60 to 70 minutes along a well-maintained motorway with beautiful scenery. The final 30 minutes take us off the motorway and down into town. Nafplio is charming, not too small and not too large, and was the original capital of Greece following independence from the Ottomans.
We will be staying in sister properties located within 100 meters of one another.
Day 2 – Mycenae
Culture – This is a place where having a guide truly brings everything to life, helping us grasp the magnitude of what this site meant to civilization. We are stepping back to 1000 BC and beyond. The Beehive Tomb, the Lion Gate, and the sweeping views are each, on their own, worth the journey.
The drive to Mycenae is easy, gradually climbing uphill most of the way. The road is lined with groves of orange trees on both sides, reminiscent of Southern California before development.
Wine Focus – After Mycenae, we’ll enjoy a tasting at a very small, family-run winery, where we’ll have the opportunity to meet the owner and winemaker.
Food Focus – The classic Greek taverna is very real. Pace yourself, as the appetizers alone could easily fill you up. We’ll sample three different main courses, each local and full of flavor. Don’t be surprised if lunch stretches into the late afternoon, close to 5:00 pm, with wine flowing throughout.
Day 3 – A boat ride on the Argolic gulf
You really need to spend a day at sea to fully appreciate the beauty of this region.
We’ll be aboard a comfortable catamaran, led by the ever-smiling Dino.
The sea remains warm this time of year, giving you plenty of opportunities to swim and enjoy the crystal-clear waters.
We’ll stop for lunch in a secluded spot accessible only by boat, making the experience all the more special.
Day 4 – Nemea, Greece’s Napa Valley
Nemea is arguably the most important wine region in Greece. It may remind you of Napa Valley before commercialization took hold in the 1980s and early 1990s.
The region is also steeped in Greek mythology, adding another layer of depth to the experience.
Wine Focus – Agiorgitiko is the signature red grape of Nemea, and at its best, it is truly outstanding. Spiros produces wines both here in Nemea and on the island of Santorini. His dedication shows in the elegance and quality of his wines.
Food Focus – After our tasting, we’ll head into town for lunch at a restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team, widely considered to serve some of the best food of the entire tour.
Culture – On our way into town, we’ll stop to visit the ruins of Ancient Nemea.
Day 5 – Olives, oil & the Peloponnese
Culture – Greeks are passionate about olive oil, and the famed Kalamata olives originate here in the Peloponnese. With hundreds of olive varieties produced across the country, olive oil is truly at the heart of Greek culture. Today, we’ll visit a local producer and enjoy a picnic while tasting some of her exceptional oils.
Food Focus – This evening, we’ll gather for a group dinner in Nafplio, a perfect way to enjoy the town’s atmosphere and reflect on the day together.
Day 6 – An organic farm, cooking demonstration and homemade lunch, plus, a Gre
Food Experience – Petros is the ultimate host and takes great pride in his organic farm, where he primarily grows oranges. After a tour of the property, his wife Panagiota will lead a short cooking demonstration featuring an easy-to-make Greek version of an empanada. We’ll then head upstairs to enjoy what can only be described as the ultimate home-cooked meal.
Culture – Afterwards, we’ll visit the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus. The setting and acoustics are every bit as impressive as advertised. It’s truly remarkable to imagine performances taking place here over 2,400 years ago.
Day 7 – καλό ταξίδι, (kaló taxídi)
We are going to head back to Athens at 9 00.
HAVE SOME QUESTIONS?
How much is the deposit?
A deposit of $1,000 per person guarantees your spot on the tour.
Here is the link to pay the per-person deposit. You can adjust the quantity in the link (a couple should choose two): https://buy.stripe.com/28E3cu1Ui4P08G51E46Vr1R
Payment for the balance of the trip should be made up to three months prior to the trip. Our primary concern is the exchange rate.
Do I have to update my passport?
Remember, your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of the flight.
Can I go on the trip by myself?
Single travelers welcome. If you prefer a single room, additional charge is $800.
Who do I contact with further questions?
Contact the team here at Linganore Winecellars at (301) 831-5889 or info@linganorewines.com and we would be happy to assist you!
We would love to go on this adventure with you!
We hope you join us and get ready to savor the finest wines, explore breathtaking vineyards, and immerse yourself in the rich traditions of winemaking.
