Reviews

We went on the best cheese and wine tour in Naxos. Five hours flew by with a visit and experience of cheese making,... read moreWe went on the best cheese and wine tour in Naxos. Five hours flew by with a visit and experience of cheese making, lunch and exploring and learning about island farming. Amazing property up on the mountains and our guide was incredible. Afterwards we traveled to a vineyard where we were hosted and taught about winemaking in the Greek islands. Fruit, veggies, and delicious wine fresh from the vine all of this was spectacular in every way! Highly recommend read less

Family Farm Tour of Naxos Family of four (12 and 9 year olds) had an amazing day exploring inner Naxos. This was truly a unique experience we never could... read moreFamily of four (12 and 9 year olds) had an amazing day exploring inner Naxos. This was truly a unique experience we never could have put together ourselves. The honeybees, Cheese making, and pottery studio may be the highlighted parts of the tour but the best part was really just seeing a little bit of Traditional Greek life at each stop. We felt like invited guests at private homes! Everyone was so lovely and the food delicious. Highly recommend and feel price is justified by how many people are involved in making the day so special. read less

Φοβερη εμπειρία , δοκιμάστε την👌👋

Great Tour My wife and son (age 10) and I did what was called the Philema 'Kids First" tour. We went to a small family farm... read moreMy wife and son (age 10) and I did what was called the Philema 'Kids First" tour. We went to a small family farm where they have sheep, goats, chickens, etc, and make cheese. Mrs Maria made us a great lunch and her husband showed us how to make cheese and let us help. Our son loved playing with the animals. Then we went on to the small beautiful village of Mili, where we met some beekeepers and tried their honey- it was a beautiful area and a nice short hike down to the village. Then on to see the expert potter at work - was hoping our son would get to make something but didn't happen- still very much enjoyed it and bought a couple of small pieces. Finished up with ice cream in Halki village. We were accompanied the entire time by our wonderful and knowledgeable guide, Depy. She was able to answer (in detail) pretty much any questions we had- plants, cheese, Naxos info.... she knew it!.... Her friendliness and knowledge(and excellent English) were much appreciated. We had a very nice day and would recommend this tour, with or without kids. read less

Best part of the trip- food tour The best! We had such an amazing time on this tour. We were taken to a small village to meet a... read moreThe best! We had such an amazing time on this tour. We were taken to a small village to meet a husband and wife who showed us everything about bees and honey. They had it set up in one of the best little areas along the cliff side of Milo. We ventured to a town where we sampled fresh local ice cream and walked around a little. To an amazing red clay 4th generation clay pottery place. They were so nice and ended up having them ship product home to the US for us. We loved it. Last- but definitely not least. We were treated to a farm that made goat cheese. From beginning to end with us. They shared the steps it takes to make the cheese. During that time the kids were given an opportunity to play with the goats/ sheep/ and peacocks. The wife made us a traditional Greek lunch- AMAZING. Depy was so nice and very informative on this tour. Such an amazing day read less

My husband and I took a half day wine and olive oil tour with Philema Food Tours, and had an incredible time. Eleni and... read moreMy husband and I took a half day wine and olive oil tour with Philema Food Tours, and had an incredible time. Eleni and Depy picked us up at our Airbnb and took us to an olive grove to meet Kostas and Stratos. There we learned about olive trees and harvesting olives. After the grove, we headed inside and got to tour Stratos’s state of the art olive oil press. We then sat down for an olive oil tasting/lunch with Kostas and Stratos. We learned how to taste olive oil, for instance when olive oil is fresh you should taste a spiciness in the back of your throat. We had a delicious salad with oranges, chives, olives and olive oil. We also got to try citrus infused olive oil over potatoes. We then drove to Konstantinos vineyard where we toured Konstantinos grapes, gardens and projects. Konstantinos showed us his grandfather’s garden and let us try herbs he picked out of the ground. Konstantinos passion and energy is truly remarkable. It was a pleasure to learn more about sustainable winemaking from him. After our tour of the vineyards and gardens we sat down to try wine. The wine was phenomenal, and each wine had its own story which Konstantinos shared with us. The wine was paired with two local cheese, olives and carrots Konstantinos had picked for us on our tour of the garden. We also got to try grape molasses and a try of liquor made out of grapes. Eleni’s knowledge and respect for Naxos and the artisans we got to visit made this a truly once and lifetime tour. Eleni and Depy were a delight to talk to, I would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Naxos, it is well worth the money. read less

Είχαμε μια μοναδική, γεμάτη εμπειρίες ημέρα. Η Ελένη μας ξενάγησε και μας έδειξε πράγματα που δεν θα είχαμε ανακαλύψει μόνοι μας! Ευχαριστούμε πολύ!!

A custom Naxian food & wine pairing evening in a local vineyard, put together by Eleni and her business partner Konstantinos from the CAVA... read moreA custom Naxian food & wine pairing evening in a local vineyard, put together by Eleni and her business partner Konstantinos from the CAVA WINE - OINOCHOROS wine bar in Naxos town The occasion: A significant birthday for me! A group of 10, incl. older teens. This was a standout experience from my celebration of a significant birthday with family & close friends here in Naxos. Normally, such an experience is done at full moon, but the winds were too high then, so we were able to do it a few days later. Kostantinos was also gracious in working with my budget for the evening. The vineyard is called the Tranampelo Vineyard, near Glynado - Κτήμα Τρανάμπελο - and we learnt all the family history behind the site. Winegrower Konstantinos is a fount of knowledge, and guided us on a tour of the various plantings after a welcome glass of sparkling wine. We also got to see the original vines planted by his grandfather. Everything is as organic, biodynamic etc as possible. Herbs & plants which discourage pests are grown near the vines. And the majority of the vegetables & fruit came from the organic garden on site too! Plate after plate arrived to pair with different wines - natural, organic, unusual. The food quality & love gone into the preparation of each dish was only fantastic. And more than generous - the famous Greek hospitality in action! We even had to ask for takeaway boxes, and let me tell you, the Greek Dolmades (vine-leaf rolls) & Spanokopita (spinach pie) was utterly tasty next day too. Everyone said how special the experience was. It was also lovely to meet at a pick-up point and be taken by the Philema tours minivan up to the vineyard. Could not recommend this experience more if you are lucky enough to happen upon a time when Eleni & Konstantinos can put it together for you. If not, I have no doubt that Eleni's food or marble tour would be equally outstanding. And if you can't make that, you HAVE to pay a visit to Konstantinos' wine bar as mentioned above, where you might have the good fortune to run into his very distinguished-looking Chemist Dad - who of course brings that expertise to bear in the vineyard! read less

Eleni created a full-day CUSTOM CHEESE and food tour for our family of 4: 2 parents, 1 child (age 8), 1 grandparent, and each... read moreEleni created a full-day CUSTOM CHEESE and food tour for our family of 4: 2 parents, 1 child (age 8), 1 grandparent, and each stop was more exceptional than the next! We began the day visiting 6,000-year-old olive tree (perhaps the oldest in the world) and the spot had an almost mystical quality. Next we visited a cheesemaker farmer couple who create some of Naxos' best PDO cheese using traditional methods and had the pleasure of joining the process. Our daughter was enthralled with all of the adorable farm animals, playing on the covered porch swings, not to mention becoming absolutely smitten with the farm dog, Harry. We were also served a wonderful spread of homemade food, wine, and treats. At our second cheesemaking stop we experienced a different type of Naxos cheese being made and had a chance to see tools that have been passed down through the generations of a family. Naxos is an ideal place for bee keeping and we were able to get up close to a queen bee with glass enclosure protection followed by out-of-this-world honey splashed donuts and gooey sesame treats. Our final stop was with an organic olive oil producer in one of the most idyllic settings we have ever seen. We took a lovely stroll to follow a natural spring down stone terraces to a grove where we discovered a wood table laden with all the components to put together a rustic potato and olive salad feast. It was an incredible day and Eleni and her team are top notch! read less

Top notch. This was one of the best tours I've been on in Europe. Highly recommend! Loved the quaint settings and personal... read moreTop notch. This was one of the best tours I've been on in Europe. Highly recommend! Loved the quaint settings and personal touches. Elani is fabulous! read less

Incredible Tour with Eleni! Our family of 6 adults spent an incredible 10 hours with Eleni on a custom tour. We didn't know what to expect. I... read moreOur family of 6 adults spent an incredible 10 hours with Eleni on a custom tour. We didn't know what to expect. I had requested a full day to visit and experience non-touristy Naxos. Wow! She exceeded our expectations. Our family spent a memorable day visiting parts of Naxos and people that we will never forget! Incredible! Thank you again, Eleni! We wish you continued success and health! read less

The best day ever The tour allowed us to glimpse the life of the real Naxos. It was the first thing we did when we arrived, and it... read moreThe tour allowed us to glimpse the life of the real Naxos. It was the first thing we did when we arrived, and it was all we talked about for our remaining 5 days on Naxos. Do not eat breakfast before you go, as there is a plentiful amount of food throughout. We had the most amazing day with Eleni. We got to hold & feed a 5 day old goat & help make cheese. We drank wine & enjoyed exploring the organic farms of Naxos. It gave us a great appreciation for the work involved. Truly unforgettable. read less

Mandatory Naxos Experience Eleni just blew us away with our custom tour. I can only describe it as the perfect tour. We have been all over Europe... read moreEleni just blew us away with our custom tour. I can only describe it as the perfect tour. We have been all over Europe and taken many tours, and an overwhelming majority of them have been excellent, however this was a step above what any of those were able to provide. Part of it is due, of course, to the magnificence of Eleni, another part of the equation is her amazing partners that she works with, and the last part is Naxos itself. Philema really just knocks it out of the park from every angle. I would suggest doing the exact tour we did, as I cannot imagine a better experience. Ask for details on the tour that Richard and Laura did and you will be rewarded with a once in a lifetime experience. I think the thing that stands out most to me is that we never had that inevitable slump in the tour where we are starting to get slightly tired or bored and you give your spouse that Ughh look. We had a blast the whole time, the day absolutely sped by and then we hung out at Konstantinos's wine bar who owns the vineyard we toured until the wee hours of the morning. Just a lovely man, who happens to own the best wine bar in Naxos.In sum, it is absolutely worth every penny, and I highly suggest taking a customized tour. read less

An unforgettable evening of food & wine in a sunny vineyard - with a most passionate & knowledgeable winemaker The event : A custom Naxian food & wine pairing evening in a local vineyard, put together by Eleni and her business partner Konstantinos... read moreThe event : A custom Naxian food & wine pairing evening in a local vineyard, put together by Eleni and her business partner Konstantinos from the CAVA WINE - OINOCHOROS wine bar in Naxos townThe occasion: A significant birthday for me! The group of 10: My family, incl. husband Sam, 2 older teens ( 16 & 19 ) plus old friends from Vienna with their boys of 19 & 11, and one couple from Cyprus. This was a standout experience from my celebration of a significant birthday with family & close friends here in Naxos. Normally, such an experience is done at full moon, but the winds were too high then, so we were able to do it a few days later. Kostantinos was also gracious in working with my budget for the evening. The vineyard is called the Tranampelo Vineyard, near Glynado - Κτήμα Τρανάμπελο - and we learnt all the family history behind the site. Winegrower Konstantinos is a fount of knowledge, and guided us on a tour of the various plantings after a welcome glass of sparkling wine. We also got to see the original vines planted by his grandfather. Everything is as organic, biodynamic etc as possible. Herbs & plants which discourage pests are grown near the vines. And the majority of the vegetables & fruit came from the organic garden on site too!Plate after plate arrived to pair with different wines - natural, organic, unusual. The food quality & love gone into the preparation of each dish was only fantastic. And more than generous - the famous Greek hospitality in action! Everyone said how special the experience was. It was also lovely to meet at a pick-up point and be taken by the Filema tours minivan up to the vineyard. Could not recommend this experience more if you are lucky enough to happen upon a time when Eleni & Konstantinos can put it together for you. If not, I have no doubt that Eleni's food or marble tour would be equally outstanding. And if you can't make that, you HAVE to pay a visit to Konstantinos' wine bar as mentioned above, where you might have the good fortune to run into his very distinguished-looking Chemist Dad - who of course brings that expertise to bear in the vineyard! read less

Loved everything about the Cheese & Wine Tour — definitely a highlight of our entire trip. Eleni is awesome: so fun to... read moreLoved everything about the Cheese & Wine Tour — definitely a highlight of our entire trip. Eleni is awesome: so fun to learn from, to learn about, very easygoing and made us feel right at home. The farm was so great to see, really got a view in to life in Naxos. And the wine was fabulous :). Don’t miss this tour! Thank you Eleni, read less

Best tour in Naxos! We had the absolute best experience on our Cheese & Wine tour with Eleni! She went above and beyond to show us everything we... read moreWe had the absolute best experience on our Cheese & Wine tour with Eleni! She went above and beyond to show us everything we needed to see during our short stay in Naxos. She is very knowledgeable about the island and its history and knows all of the best local spots to visit that we wouldn’t have known about had we toured the island alone. It was such a unique and immersive experience that we will remember for years to come! We highly recommend you take a tour with Eleni during your stay in Naxos!! read less

Naxian Hospitality Eleni was a great guide. Communication prior to the tour was prompt and superb. The tour was well thought out and structured.... read moreEleni was a great guide. Communication prior to the tour was prompt and superb. The tour was well thought out and structured. It is a must to understand the “food culture” of Naxos. Highly recommend the full day full tour. read less

A must-do for those wanting a truly authentic local experience (+ amazing food and wine!) Put simply, there’s a reason this tour is rated 5.0 – it is one of THE best tours we have done anywhere in the... read morePut simply, there’s a reason this tour is rated 5.0 – it is one of THE best tours we have done anywhere in the world (and we travel internationally several times per year). If you are considering this tour, stop what you’re doing now and book this before it fills up…you will not be sorry!! My extended family of 5 has people of varying generations (from ages 20 to 60), including two picky professors, and we rated all the tours we took in Greece and unanimously gave this tour an A+ (even those of us who are stingy with high grades! )Eleni, who started this company with the “Philema” name (roughly translated from Greek to mean “highest form of love”) absolutely wants to offer something special, unique, and truly authentic, and she accomplishes her goals with flying colors. Nothing about the tour is “cookie cutter” or can be found with another tour. As a local Naxian, she has curated a tour that gives you a daily glimpse into the lives of locals—accompanied by food and delicious wine. First, there is a visit to a lovely farm where an adorable, hard-working couple (non-English speaking; Eleni translates so you can communicate with them), Mr. Yannis and Maria, open up their home and kitchen to show you how to make cheese and so you can enjoy Maria’s homemade delights (some of the best food we ate in all of Greece, including a variety of rice and herb-stuffed vegetables, farm fresh eggs, their own homemade feta, “arseniko”, and “mizithra”—all to die for…I’m afraid I won’t be able to appreciate any cheese after having theirs!), home-made tzatziki, cheese and spinach pie, and more. Other highlights include a demonstration of their cheese-making process, a cuddle with their adorable collie, and the opportunity to feed their very enthusiastic goats! Not only was the food amazing but it felt like a real “family” gathering. Next was a visit to a small vineyard run by a father and son. We have toured many vineyards in the United States and other countries, and Costos (the son) gave us the most engaging tour of his small vineyard, explaining in depth his grandfather’s techniques and all the experimentation (e.g., planting vegetables in between rows of grape vines, creating) he does in order to make the process the best it can be (both for wine taste and for the land itself). His knowledge of all things chemistry and agriculture was incredible, and his passion was infectious—it was one of the best, most informative vineyard tours we had ever taken. After, he let us taste several of his wines (including his own homemade “moonshine”) while we also tasted some veggies from his garden, and had a wonderful time. Like with Maria and Mr. Yannis, we felt like we genuinely got to know Costos and to see a slice of his daily life.We connected so well with Eleni and Costos (both of whom were such intelligent, passionate, charming individuals who clearly love and appreciate their island) that we later that evening went to try out his wine bar in Naxos (Oinohoros—I highly recommend you stop by for a visit; they have great wines at a reasonable price, and Costas built everything inside himself, which is a marvel to see). Eleni joined us for a drink, and we continued our fun chats from earlier in the day about Greek life, family, relationships, and much more. We learned more about Greek culture from Eleni’s tour that anything else we did during our entire visit!We cannot thank Eleni, Costas, Maria, and Mr. Yannis for this wonderfully authentic Naxian experience. We will be back!!! read less