The Hellenic Odyssey

Company Description

Greek Food and Travel Experts
We are an Australian born couple with Hellenic heritage living in Melbourne. We are passionate about Greece, food and travel. When we think of our happiest moments we often reminisce on our wonderful travels or a delicious meal. This is how we know that food and travel is our passion project, our happy place.
In 2015, our travels took us to Greece once again but we spent a lot more time there; a year and a half to be precise, exploring the mainland and the islands at our own pace.
We settled in the town of Chania which is located on the western side of Crete and explored the whole island, literally from one end to the other. We immersed ourselves in the culture and we lived like the locals and even participated in cultural events including the parade for Greek Independence Day in full costume with our Cretan dancing group.
We wandered through 25 of the Greek Islands, each unique in its own way, drove along the coastal blue turquoise waters of the Peloponnese and ventured up the lush green mainland of the North.
Travel, food and culture have always been at the centre of everything we do as it allows us to see and to learn from the way in which others live. This in turn has enriched our lives. We noticed that food brought families together for both lunch and dinner, every single day. Sundays were reserved for a ‘special’ big lunch. Coming together over a meal created conversation and laughter, it brought joy to the elders and excitement to young children. Food made everyone happy.
We also noticed the differences in the way in which food was produced, harvested, prepared and consumed. In Crete, many households have their own fruit and vegetable gardens and even farm animals which are used for their own dairy production. Food is always prepared using local or regional ingredients and cooking is based on the seasons, which is optimum for health.
We hope that through The Hellenic Odyssey we can help bring people closer together.

We offer

Our tours are immersive cultural and culinary travel experiences. Transformative in nature and aimed at promoting connection with oneself, others and the world. Designed to provide an escape from the noise that can at times block clarity. The experience will allow you to leave behind your everyday routine so you get a proper chance to reset, recharge and reconnect. By travelling with likeminded people in natural surrounds, you can get inspired and focus on the things you truly want. You will leave with the energy and vision to go back and do what you love, whatever that may be.

Our ideal traveller is one who wants to explore Crete as a visitor, not as a tourist. One who is willing to become intertwined with the locals and who will immerse themselves in the experiences.

Our ideal traveller will understand that our small group travel tours are different.

Based on small group travel tour numbers, up to 7 people to create a more personalised experience.

Philosophy

With a proud Greek heritage, we are driven by philotimo (a Greek word translating to “filos” meaning friend and “timi” meaning honour). For us, it simply means to do the right thing and to give to others.

As the Greece Food and Travel Experts, our aim is to expose you to the parts of Greece which are off the beaten track. We focus mainly on Crete; with its authentic food, hospitable locals and rich culture.

We see it as our duty to add value, meaning and connection to the events and experiences that we offer you and a duty to ourselves to keep our heritage alive for future generations.

Vision

Our Vision: To position The Hellenic Odyssey as the premier tour provider while realising the true value of travel.

Mission

Our Mission: For The Hellenic Odyssey to provide cultural and culinary tour experiences based on authenticity and connection for every traveler.

Awards

Finalist in the Women in Travel awards 2019.