Flavours of Greece - a food and wine tour

Overview

The hotel was built in 1874 and is full of old-world charm. Each of its 320 rooms and suites are beautifully styled, with antique furnishings, chandeliers and traditional tiled floors.

With such spectacular views, you’ll want to head up to the rooftop pool and bar. Seeing the Acropolis illuminated at night is a truly spectacular sight so make sure you try one of their signature cocktails and enjoy the sparkling lights of the city.

There’s also plenty to draw you inside, including the bright and airy Winter Garden Lounge, an extension of the hotel’s beautiful lobby. The cellar is filled with over 3,000 bottles of wine and it’s well worth enjoying a drink at Alexander’s Bar which features an original 19th-centuty tapestry depicting Alexander the Great entering Gaugamela.

For when you need to relax and unwind, make a beeline for the spa and fitness centre, complete with indoor pool.

Overview

In a fine location in the centre of Athens, the 1930s King George Hotel is an updated classic.

There are 102 spacious rooms and suites, topped of on the ninth floor with the sprawling Penthouse and its incredible private rooftop pool with views out over the city to the Acropolis.

This vista can also be enjoyed from the Tudor Hall Restaurant, a grand venue which serves authentic Greek seasonal dishes with a modern twist.

As well as the ancient wonders of Acropolis, other famous sites and sights within walking distance include the Agora, Plaka district and Thissio neighbourhood, as well as many upmarket boutiques, world-renowned museums, and the city’s vibrant business district.

Overview

Located moments from Constitution Square and within walking distance to the city’s main attractions, the NEW Hotel provides one of Athens’ most modern lodgings with playfully cutting edge design in a place otherwise synonymous for antiquity.

There are 79 rooms and suites, all of which feature their own art installation and surrealist custom furniture, as well as comprehensive soundproofing, fine beds and blackout blinds. The Penthouse Suite is particularly noteworthy for its fine views to the Acropolis.

The rest of the hotel is strewn with bold design features and art, some made with remnants of the original hotel that once occupied the 50s modernist building, with the restaurant perhaps the most striking space. Open from breakfast until midnight, it serves new takes on Mediterranean cuisine, and oven-fresh bread and pastries from the bakery. There’s also a fabulous rooftop lounge, a bar and wellness area with a gym and spa.

Overview

Sat atop a hill surrounded by undulating olive groves, Amanzoe is a 21st-century neoclassical temple with incredible panoramic views over Argolis and down to bustling Porto Heli below.

There are 38 pavilions dotted along the hillside, each private and elegantly luxurious, opening onto terraces with private plunge pools and views of the surrounding land or sea. Each pavilion is accessed via a stone-walled courtyard, leading to a living area and king-size bed in a marble alcove. For friends and family groups, there are a collection of spacious four to nine-bedroom villas with their own chef and host.

Colonnades lead to serene garden courtyards, a vast pool and an amphitheatre, as well as the restaurant where you’ll find simple, contemporary Greek and Mediterranean dishes that emphasise locally sourced fresh ingredients delivered daily.

The Amanzoe’s expansive spa combines diet, gymnastics, exercise, massage and sea bathing with modern natural products and treatments. A gym is also available, and studios host yoga and Pilates sessions

Just ten minutes away, and easily accessed by complimentary transfers, the Amanzoe’s private beach club is set beside the azure Agean, with four swimming pools, small spa, casual eatery and overnight cabanas providing all the comforts of the pavilions. Sunbathe on the terrace, swim in the sea or discover the bay by kayak, paddle-board or snorkel. You can also charter a boat from the Aman fleet to sail to nearby islands, such as Spetses aor Hydra, or venture to off-shore diving spots. Porto Heli’s tavernas and countless ancient ruins, from the Sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidaurus to Byzantine monasteries, are also all within easy reach.

Overview

The Nafplia Palace Hotel & Villas sits atop the ancient acropolis of Akronafplia with fabulous sea views over the rooftops of Nafplion below.

The hotel has 51 rooms and 33 individually designed villas, many with private heated pools or outdoor Jacuzzis on terraces, looking out to the Bay of Argolis. While exteriors blend into fortified city, the style inside is decidedly modern and airy. If you don’t happen to have your own pool, the Nafplia’s dramatic infinity pool more than makes up it.

Dine on gourmet prepared with fresh local products at Amimoni Restaurant or take the elevator down through the rock to the waterfront Circle Restaurant the sister Amphitryon hotel. You can also choose to dine in private.

Overview

The Domus Renier Boutique Hotel has an enviable position on the sweeping waterfront of Chania’s Venetian harbour, the building itself the former home to the Reniers, one of Venice’s leading noble families.

There are just nine rooms and suites, each a unique blend of period features and modern comforts. Most enjoy views of the harbour and Egyptian Lighthouse while a couple have  jacuzzis.

You couldn’t be better placed to explore Chania’s old town, either on foot or on the Renier’s bicycles. You can also take boat cruises out to Crete’s hidden beaches or (between October and March) learn the secrets of Cretan cuisine on cooking lessons and market tours with the restaurant’s wonderful chef.

Overview

This seaside resort and spa is a beautiful Mediterranean escape where you can relax beneath the bright Aegean skies and gaze out at inviting blue seascapes. Find yourself surrounded by an oasis of tropical vegetation, banana, and palm trees. Set above the beach, the reception offers uninterrupted views of Chania town, thick bamboo fields and beyond. It’s the perfect place to call home while you explore Chania and its surrounds.

The 102 rooms range from lavish villas to well-appointed family bungalows. While away the hours beside the pool or head down to the resort’s private beach. The buildings have been designed to appear woven into their natural surrounds. The charming bungalows, inspired by a traditional Greek village, boast private gardens and have been built around a central gathering agora. The decor has been handcrafted using organic materials and textures reminiscent of those you’ll find in the tropical oasis outside.

Domes Zeen Chania offers an array of culinary options inspired by the wealth of flavours, colours and textures of Greece and Crete. Discover creative local and fusion dishes, prepared using freshly-picked ingredients.

Overview

After a day of exploring the island, sit back and enjoy a spectacular sunset while sipping a refreshing cocktail at Grace Santorini.

Contemporary design and traditional artworks and pieces of furniture make each of the 22 rooms unique and inviting. The bathrooms are large and luxurious. Make yourself at home in a sea view suite, or drink in the views of the caldera from The Villa. For a touch more privacy, opt for a suite with fragments of volcanic rock arranged across the windows, creating something of a “one-way” effect.

Whether you’re on honeymoon, or simply on holiday, Grace Santorini is the perfect place from which to experience what the village of Imerovigli has to offer.

Discover Mediterranean fusion at the Santoro restaurant where the menu is inspired by the flavours and produce of the Cycladic islands. Or enjoy evening drinks under the stars at the pool bar. The new Champagne and Cocktail Lounge has an extensive list of bubbly to choose from as well as exciting cocktails paired with dishes by the chef.

Treat yourself to an in-room spa treatment, or make use of the hotel’s boutique gym.

Overview

Décor in the 26 spacious suites is sophisticated and minimalist, playing off the iconic architecture of the region. Modern touches make for a comfortable stay, while views out over the caldera and the Aegean Sea and private pools allow for ultimate relaxation.

The white buildings and the fresh blues of the sea and pools make for a tranquil place to unwind. Freshen up in a luxurious rain shower, laze on a private veranda, take a dip in a private infinity pool, or enjoy a meal in an open-air dining area.

Whether you’re looking for a delicious breakfast to start the day, or a romantic meal under the night sky, Petra Restaurant serves an array of authentic Greek and Mediterranean dishes. Enjoy fresh fish at the poolside, while sipping on a refreshing cocktail.

The Canaves Oi Spa menu offers a selection of signature treatments to make your stay truly relaxing. The space was once a 17^th century wine cave and hasn’t lost any of its charm, the perfect place to treat yourself.

Overview

Escape to the charming retreat Vedema, in the medieval village of Megalohori. What started out as a 400-year old wine cellar and a century-old mansion has been transformed into a luxurious getaway for travellers looking to experience all Santorini has to offer in extreme comfort.

The 59 suites and villas are spacious and offer views out over the garden, vineyards, village or Aegean sea. Some suites include terraces, pools and outdoor Jacuzzis, so that guests can enjoy both the luxury of their suites and the outdoors in privacy.

Follow a sunken pathway to Alati Restaurant which is housed in the old winery cave. The menu features fish and seafood as well as traditional Greek flavours. Or, for a taste of the region’s wines, dine on Mediterranean dishes at the romantic Canava Wine Bar.  Make the most of the views as you enjoy a modern Greek breakfast at the Pergola Pool restaurant, or savour a cocktail or two at Black Rose down on the resort’s private black sand beach.

Embark on a sensory journey at the Elios Spa where there is a wide range of holistic healing and pampering treatments to choose from. And make use of the fitness centre where there are personal trainers on hand to make sure your exercise regime isn’t overlooked while you’re on holiday.

Overview

This sophisticated retreat offers elegance, luxury and exquisite views. Whether you opt for a stylish suite or private villa, Mystique is the ideal place to soak up the beauty of Santorini and recharge your body and mind.

The cliff-side resort’s 41 suites look out over the water towards the Aegean Caldera and volcano. Décor is island-inspired with gentle hues and soft textures. Wood and stone accents in the cave-styled rooms make for a natural, understated and calming atmosphere. Private Jacuzzis, fitness rooms and spacious terraces offer guests a comfortable haven.

Follow a cobblestone pathway to the plunge pool, or laze in the refreshing infinity pool and admire the view as you sip on a cocktail. Dining is an important part of your stay at Mystique, whether you’re more partial to traditional dishes or fusion flavours. Charisma Restaurant specialises in regional flavours and local ingredients, while Asea Lounge Restaurant’s menu features sushi and Japanese specialities. For a lighter bite, take a poolside table at Aura Bar, or sample the resort’s extensive wine collection at the Secret Wine Cave.

The natural focus that runs through Mystique is also incorporated into the design and treatments at the Elios Spa. The focus is on synchronising the body, mind and spirit with nature in a tranquil environment.