Authentic Food Walk, Athens

Bring your appetite along as you meet your knowledgeable guide and the rest of your small group in Syntagma Square. Depending on the time of day, you'll either kick the morning off with a cup of strong, thick Greek coffee or toast the start of your evening with a tasting of traditional Greek spirits. Then, prepare to spend the next 3.5 hours tasting your way around Athens, starting with a chewy-centered koulouri (a sesame-coated bread ring) or popping into a historic bakery for a syrupy baklava made with walnuts, honey, and orange flower water.

Continue through the capital's cobbled streets to a specialty food store to sample local olive oils, savory spreads, and other surprises, then stroll over to Evripidou Street, where you'll step into an aromatic shop to discover the uses of Greek oregano and krokos kozanis (Greek red saffron). You might also swing by a pastry shop and treat yourself to a bougatsa (a traditional cream-filled phyllo pastry), visit a tiny deli to snack on a selection of Greek meze dishes, or refuel at a popular street food spot with an authentic souvlaki with a side of fried potatoes.

If your walk takes place in the morning, you'll also get an insider's look at the heart of the city's culinary scene at the Varvakios Market, Athens' largest and busiest hub for fish, meat, and vegetables. Soak up the lively atmosphere as you watch locals do their daily shopping, and listen to the banter of butchers and fishmongers. By the end of this immersive (and flavorful) experience, you'll part ways with your guide with a full stomach and a newfound appreciation for Greek cuisine.