Naxos Discovery 5 Day Program

Welcome and transfer to the hotel in Naxos, centrally located in the Aegean Sea and the Cyclades Islands.
Check-in.Afternoon visit to the old historical center of Naxos City, the medieval castle dating from the 13th century, and the Portara, which is the main marble door of the temple of Apollo. We will get to know the life
of yesterday and how it meets today through the culture and the flavors of this city that continues to live uninterruptedly through the centuries. Transfer to the Hotel. Overnight

Breakfast, See and experience the real Naxos. History comes alive at the ancient temple of Demetra, in Sagri Village, dated 530 BC, and dedicated to the goddess of agriculture. Built on the edge of a fertile Naxian valley, as the 􀁷rst Greek temple constructed entirely of marble (its roof as well), it’s of even greater historical importance.
Be charmed by Chalki Village, where after a pleasant stroll, visit the hundred-year-old family distillery, which still produces Naxos’ well-known KITRON liqueur.
Visit ancient Panagia Drosiani, an Early Christian, trio-apsidal, domed church with its beautiful frescoes. The traditional and picturesque, marble mountain village of Apeiranthos is next, where you will enjoy sauntering along its winding paths, admiring its
charm. The views from nearby Stavros will offer you the island’s unique view of both its east and west sides, simultaneously.
Historic Koronos Village, once world-famous for its abundantly productive, highest quality,
emery mines. At this traditional mountain village, you’ll savor a fresh and delicious, homemade lunch at a characteristic, family-owned taverna; the meal is prepared almost entirely of their homegrown, raised and produced, products. And virtually ten steps from your table, you can drink from a mountain spring!
The small fishing village on the island’s northeast coast, Apollon Village. The highlight here is visit to the famous Kouros marble statue, dating to about 550 BC.
End your entertaining and informative day as you wind along Naxos’ scenic roads to your Chora hotel.
Overnight.

Breakfast .
Today incorporating Naxian cuisine, history, culture, and agriculture we experience the joy and richness of all Naxos has to offer, while learning just why Mediterranean cuisine has always been, and continues to remain, the best and healthiest in the world.
We visit a local farm, learn about Naxian agriculture and you will have the chance to gather your own seasonal vegetables, to be used in your cooking class.We will
meet a local housewife in her home and learn how to prepare a typical, traditional Naxian meal.While our food cooks, you will join an entertaining and informative tour on the area around.Following the tour, we will return to the local housewife’s home to savor the delicious Naxian meal we prepared together.Our tour will end with a visit to the renovated, family-owned olive oil factory in Eggares Village, where you can watch how this “liquid gold” was once painstakingly prepared, as well as sample its delectable olive oil products. Transfer to the Hotel.

Breakfast and transfer to our hike’s beginning point.
This hiking trail follows a circular route around of the olive grove and the Byzantine "park" of Tragea, passing through the traditional settlements of Halki - the old
commercial and administrative center - in the highlands of Naxos, Monitsia, Moni, Kaloxylos and Academic.
Following the northwestern direction from the exit of Chalki, a village with a rare neoclassical formation, we pass successively the churches of Agia Marina, with a short detour, Agios Georgios Diasoritis (with impressive frescoes), and Panagia Rachidiotissa.
The trail continues in a direction parallel to the gully and then climbs on an oak-forested landscape. An impressive watermill stands where the footpath meets the gully.The ascent continues on a stone-paved path leading to Panagia Drossiani. The church with the triplealcove, conical dome and the three adjoining chapels, adorned with frescoes in many layers dating between the 7th and the 14th centuries, is considered, along with Chalki’s Panagia Protothronos, the most important in the entire Cycladic region.
The trail terminates at Moni, farming, olive producing village which also has a notable tradition in weaving.
Moni village is called the balcony of Tragea valley, because of its magnificent view, and also the place we make our break.
We continue going down through a green patch with oak trees and maples. On our way we meet a folklore wood sculpture workshop and a traditional tavern.
Our path ends in the village of Kaloxylos.
A stone-built bridge and a fountain can be seen at the end of this picturesque village, which is set among the olive groves and the orchards.
A short stop could be at the Folklore Museum with a small entrance fee.
From there we head to Akadimi, meeting three consecutive monuments: the Markopolitis / Papadakis tower, the cruciform, vaulted church of Panagia Akadimiotissa (via a short detour) and Agios Nikolaos, which has a marble iconostasis.
In a few steps we are already in Chalki village, in front of the historic tower Barozzi / Gratsias / Fragopoulos and the church Panagia Protothroni, where we reach also the end of our hike.
Transfer to the Hotel and free the rest of the day.
Overnight.

Breakfast.
Early morning free at the hotel for relaxation.
Then transfer to the port for a ferry crossing to Athens.
Free lunch on board.
Arrive in Piraeus in the afternoon.