Our journey begins at the very place where the rich Greek cuisine was born: the olive groves. The virgin olive oil, our liquid treasure, as we like to call it, is the (not so) secret ingredient behind every successful Greek recipe. The subtle yet rich, olive flavor adds to the mouth-watering explosion of aromas, lifting the food to a divine level. At the end of the day, all the ancient myths and legends illustrating the olive oil as a gift from the Gods, make their point: olive oil is of vital importance for the Greeks. The magic not only lies in the indescribable taste and the unbeatable health benefits of it but also in its harvesting. Olive oil harvesting is mostly a family business that brings us closer to our tradition and our family. We have good news for you: There are many olive oil tours in Lefkada, where you can participate yourself in its harvesting! The harvesting season is just around the corner, book a trip to Lefkada, and experience life as a local! Hurry up and be part of something meaningful!
The diverse land of Lefkada is the ideal place for the cultivation of vineyards, too! The locals collect the rich trodden grapes with care, love, and meraki to produce many kinds of wine. After some processing, you get the chance to experience the fragrant, sweet taste of our favorite drink- wine. Lefkada is actually endowed with a plethora of charming wineries and superb cellars that offer wine tours at very affordable prices. Stroll around the picturesque villages of Lefkada and see for yourself! Fterno, Nidri, and Platistoma, are some of the traditional villages where the wine production thrives. Blend with the local lifestyle, get tipsy on the indigenous grape “juice”- composed of Vardea and Vertzami grapes- and raise your glasses to the life’s great pleasure: a simple glass of Greek wine!
Do you know what suits with the indescribable flavor of Lefkadian wine? A couple slices of air-dried, spicy Lefkadian salami! The well-known delicatessen, adds up to the culinary experience, which is no longer just a complement to your trip, but the whole purpose of it! Its distinctive taste dances on your food palette and its unique smell “unlocks” all of your senses!
Next stop: Eglouvi! You can’t go on a food tour of Lefkada and miss visiting Eglouvi, the most mountainous village of the island. Eglouvi is renowned for its lentils production that has passed on many generations! In Evgouli, the significance of food doesn’t only come down to the sustenance. It’s about enjoyment, pleasure, and authenticity. Dine at a local tavern: order a warm dish of lentils, accompanied with feta cheese. Dip your fresh bread in the soup, take a sip of your red wine, and lose yourself in the vastness of the mountains.
The people of Lefkada are known for their rich tradition in making pies! We’re telling you, they’re artists! They can make a pie out of anything! From rizopita (sweet rice pie) to makaronopita (pasta pie), to even ladopita (oil pie). Ladopita, is baked with honey, sugar, raisins, and a… coin! You probably have a lot of questions, right? Well, Ladopita is also called the Cake of New Year’s Day! Lefkadians eat it in the evening of New Year’s Eve, but before taking a bite, they follow a strict rule: the first piece belongs to Jesus Christ, the second one belongs to the Virgin Mary, and the rest belongs to each member of the family. Are you lucky enough to “win” the coin? This kind of good luck will be with you, all around the year! Visit Lefkada around the Christmas holidays, visit a traditional tavern, or a pastry shop, and push your luck. May the odds be ever in your favor and flavor!
If you have a sweet tooth, but at the same time, if you’re concerned about your health, then the gastronomical adventure never ends in Lefkada! Stroll around the colorful city center of the island- bloomed with fuchsia bougainvillea, and treat yourself with the traditional Lefkadian pasteli and mantolato! Pasteli is a sweet snack, made of sesame and local, golden honey. Mantolato, a dessert that consists of almonds and honey, was the favorite snack of the aristocrats, so it’s no wonder that a bite of it makes you feel like a royal! These two sweet snacks make the best souvenirs to bring back home to your loved ones! Sharing means caring, so go for it!
Food is a universal language, and once you take a seat at a local café and order Soumada, you’ll feel as if you were born and raised in the mesmerizing island of Lefkada! Soumada is a traditional drink made of bitter almonds that accompanies Lefkadians on happy occasions, such as weddings and engagements. But in Lefkada, every day resembles a celebration, so treat yourself with Soumada, make small talk with the locals and dive in the ephemeral beauty of the moment!
Even though it’s not an exclusive Lefkadian experience, we couldn’t leave out the simple pleasure of dining at a fish tavern, by the shore. Choose among a wide range of seafood, from fried calamari to avgotaracho (botargo), a gourmet Lefkadian exquisite snack! Order a Greek salad, a cold beer, and get drunk on the melodic sound of the bouzouki. Get up and dance to the traditional dances! Watch the breathtaking Ionian sunset cast its spell on you and be part of the ultimate Greek experience. After all, nothing says traveling, like connecting to the culture of the people and the place!
Have the endless wandering through the Lefkadian landscape, the wine tasting, and the incredible food left you feeling a little bit of worn-out? There’s a cozy nest, with a dazzling, panoramic view, located upon Athani hill that might be the ideal getaway spot for your food adventures: Yades Villas! A top-notch complex of two luxury villas, with ethereal interiors, heavenly comfort, and a captivating view of the emerald Ionian Sea. Apart from that, our residencies have fully-equipped kitchens! Do you know what that means? You can have any groceries you might need delivered door-to-door and try making Greek recipes on your own.
Always remember, that every travel memory comes with a taste. Make it unforgettable, and make it Greek!