Program Overview - Italy May 2026

Program Overview: A Taste of Italy: Stepping Off the Beaten Path THIS SECTION IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION - WILL BE FINALIZED SOON

Amalfi Coast

Our base for the Amalfi Coast region will be Salerno. The program commences in Salerno with participants' arrival on ___________ at our highly-rated rooms and apartments near to the train station and ferry port. Salerno is an ideal base for 5 nights because of its convenient accessibility to the Amalfi Coast, and its vibrant yet less crowded atmosphere and authentic local life. Salerno is a "real town" without the touristy vibe of towns directly on the Amalfi Coast.

This location provides majestic views of the Acropolis and makes it easy to walk to it and other key sites and shops. Friday evening features a simple dinner of gyros or souvlaki at a popular spot followed by a leisurely stroll to orient you to the area. We will stop for the traditional Greek sweet loukamades or "chocolate soup". The next two days include more food tastings (e.g., spanokipita, Greek yogurt), group meals at great restaurants, and visits to iconic landmarks including the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Mars Hill where the apostle Paul preached. We will have our first cooking class, visit Athens central market and attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sacrament meeting with the local Athens branch on Sunday. You can also opt to visit the Acropolis Museum or other sites of interest in your free time..

aerial view of green and brown island during daytime

Cilento Coast

Next we go to further south to the Cilento Coastal area of Italy. This area has deep roots in the Mediterranean Diet and where people are noted for their high longevity.

Crete, regarded as the island where the Mediterranean Diet originated. The itinerary in Crete focuses on enjoying, savoring, and cooking delicious Cretan cuisine. Our day trips feature traditional ways of making cheese, bread, honey, herbal teas and more. One of the highlights is a cooking class with Eleni at her family's countryside home. You will enjoy this authentic farm-to-table experience with a tour of the farm, cooking with home-grown ingredients, and eating our delicious creations on a beautiful patio. One of these creations will be the scrumptious boureki, that originated in the Chania region.

Our visit to Crete includes learning about olive trees and olive oil production including a tour of a mill, an olive oil tasting session, a visit to the wide and sandy Falassarna beach, and a lunch overlooking the beach at a traditional Greek taverna. We will also stop to see the oldest olive tree in the world.

Our highly rated rooms and apartments will be located in the old town of Chania, a picturesque and charming city, perfect for leisurely strolls around its scenic harbor, and for shopping, snacking, and relaxing. A must-do is taking a short walk out to the harbor's light house to take advantage of fantastic views and photo ops.

A view of a path leading to a body of water

Santorini

The program culminates with three nights on the stunning island of Santorini. You will see the breathtaking cliffside villages of Fira and Oia, known for their iconic white and blue architecture. We will meander through narrow, winding streets with enviable photo stops around nearly every corner. Highlights include: a luxurious catamaran cruise with lunch and swimming stops in Santorini-blue waters; a meal at the outstanding Melitini restaurant which includes a traditional Greek (meze) meal served on its rooftop terrace; and a visit to a place most tourists miss-the the enchanting village of Pyrgos, with its panoramic views of the island.

Our accommodations will be in Oia at Pension The Flower (rated exceptional on booking.com). Oia is famous for its picturesque blue dome churches that overlook the Aegean Sea. You can walk along the caldera (created from a volcanic eruption), soak in the gorgeous views, watch the amazing sunset, duck into souvenir shops, relax by the pool and possibly take a hike. The program ends on Sunday May 11, with flight departures for returning home, or to embark on further travels in Greece or elsewhere in Europe. We are certain you will depart from this program with a deep sense of appreciation for Greek's unique charm; it's marvelous scenery, delicious food, warm hospitality, rich history, and insights on the Greek/Cretan way of life.