This Culinary Tour of Greece Is a Triumph of Joy Over Tragedy

In 2010 Australia’s “TV food queen” Lyndey Milan took a trip with her son, the actor Blair Milan, around the Peloponnese region of Greece. Their trip was filmed for the limited series Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece. In 2011, Blair suddenly and tragically passed away from acute myeloid leukemia at just 29, before the series aired. 

The show was a living testament to both the beauty of Greece’s places and people, as well as the obviously close bond between mother and son – and remains jointly beloved by fans of both Lyndey and Blair (as well as anyone with an appetite for scenes of sun-dappled olive groves and ancient ruins).

And now, fans of all persuasions can walk in Lyndey and Blair’s footsteps with Insight Vacations’ new tour Linda Milan – A Greek Odyssey. We sat down with Lyndey to chat about the journey behind the creation of the tour, what kind of experiences guests can expect to enjoy, and her enduring affection for Greece, its food and its people.

Lyndey Milan, known as the “Queen of food TV” in Australia.

A Greek Odyssey: The Beginning 

Insight Vacations: “Hi Lyndey. Can you tell us a bit about how this tour came about, and what it means to you?”

Lyndey Milan: “My son (Blair) and I did this TV series in Greece (Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece), which was shot in 2010. He sadly died before it went to air, but it had been edited. We’d done voice-overs and all that sort of stuff.

“The itinerary (of Lyndey Milan – A Greek Odyssey) is very much based on the TV series I shot with Blair. I mean, we’re not able to go everywhere we went on the TV series, but it’s very much inspired by that trip.

“The version of this trip I did with Blair had less food in and more archaeology because he just took to it. John, my partner, had a Masters in classics from Cambridge, just lived and breathed ancient history.

“When John died, I took his ashes and divided them in three. I gave a third to his kids, I took a third to Greece and I’ve still got a third here that I’m going to scatter here with his family. Nine of us went to Greece and we scattered his ashes and it was just fabulous.”

The Magic of Greece

IV: “Presumably Greece holds a very special place in your heart? Can you tell us a little bit more about what guests can expect from the itinerary of this tour?”

LM: “Absolutely. But one thing I’m at pains to say is that this is going to be a tour of joy, not of sorrow. I’m not going to be moping around. I’m going to take great joy in sharing it with people.”

“It was really important to me that guests on this tour have enough free time to experience Greece properly. So we’re not staying anywhere for less than two nights, and when they have free time I’ll have suggestions of where they can go – like in Nafplio, they might want to go to the Komboloi museum, the worry bead museum, which is fantastic and where Blair and I filmed.

“We’re trying not to go to obvious places. So the whole thing with the TV series was that it was sort of ‘off the beaten track’, so that’s what we’re doing by going to the Peloponnese (region). The food’s great and the people are great. It’s not the Greek islands – but that’s great because it’s not as crowded.”

IV: “The Peloponnese is the home of Kalamata olives, and what is considered to be a more authentic version of Greece – particularly when it comes to food. Was that authenticity important to you?” 

LM: “You know, when you go to a lot of places in Europe, they’re fenced off. In Greece – and particularly The Peloponnese – it is so much more accessible. You can walk through ancient Olympia, where the Olympic games were originally held, in around 700 BC. You can just stroll through, without a queue, without a ticket.

“And the food is the kind of food that anyone from any age can eat and enjoy. I mean, what’s not to love about fresh fish and Greek salad or, oh my God, no one cooks lamb chops like they do.

“I would also say that my tours are culinary tours, they’re not cooking tours. We do have hands-on food experiences like tasting olive oil, but it’s not a cooking tour – I think that could put some people off.”

The Insight Vacations Experience

IV: So Lyndey, why did you decide to partner with Insight Vacations for this tour?

LM: My expertise is not in the things that Insight does, so I only ever work with reputable travel companies who are experienced in the area. It’s not when things go right, it’s when things go wrong you absolutely need professionals. You guys have the staff, have the infrastructure and the assurances that come with that.

5 Greek Experiences We Think You’ll Love

1. A Taste of Athens

“In Athens a visit to the Central Market is essential – and even better with tastings”, says Lyndey. “That’s my highlight but no visit to Athens is complete without seeing the  Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, Hadrian’s Arch and fabulous modern Acropolis Museum.

“Lunch in Corinth just looks like a normal taverna – but walk through and up onto the roof and you have an unfettered view of Old Corinth which is just there – it’s not a noted site to visit but it is amazing.

Then cruising up the Corinth Canal, which now divides the Peloponnese from the mainland (though there is a bridge), where Blair bungee jumped to my consternation, is magic. 

We will see the ancient relief carving of Hercules left by workers attempting to dig a canal in 1 AD under Emperor Nero. It is surprisingly small but definitely visible.”

The Corinth Canal and suspension bridge, from which Blair bungee jumped in the series.

2. Epidaurus and Nafplio Surroundings

“Nafplio is a beautiful Venetian city on the coast and was the first capital of modern Greece,” Lyndey tells us. “Influenced not only by Venetian but also Ottoman and Greek cultures you can wander down the pedestrian-friendly streets, marvel at the neoclassical museums and visit the Komboloi Museum (worry beads).

“It has fortifications high above the 18th Century Palamidi Fortress and the Bourtzi Castle, is a small fortified islet in the harbour, built in the 15th C. We will certainly cruise around it and hope to visit it as well. 

“From here it is only a short trip to UNESCO World Heritage site Epidaurus, important in both Greek & Roman times. The amphitheatre has amazing acoustics so drop a coin in the middle and it can be heard all around the perimeter. We might be lucky enough to hear a choir as Blair & I did.”

The rest of the evening is free for you to dine in your own time, and Lyndey has some great recommendations for you.

The incredible Ancient Theatre at the Asklepieion of Epidaurus.

3. Mycenae and Wine

“Realising they could not compete on price for grape varieties like chardonnay, Greek winemakers are now applying modern winemaking techniques to indigenous varieties”, explains Lyndey. 

“One of my favourites is Agiorgitiko, a red wine, which means St George’s grape. In Nemea it is nicknamed ‘blood of Hercules’ because of the legend that the Greek hero slayed the Nemean lion. Did he drink it to celebrate or before he killed him, for fortification? The famous Lion gate is also at Mycenae which we visit.  We will be visiting a winery to taste this wine and others and have a lovely lunch.”

You can look forward to sampling fresh and authentic local food and wine throughout the tour.

4. Kalamata Markets, Cooking

“Kalamata is a foodie paradise. The markets are amazing and I am hoping my friend who was the researcher on our TV series, who lives in Greece, can join us.  This is home to a shop which stuffs fat dried figs with nuts then enrobes them in chocolate. Mind-blowing.”

The narrow streets of Kalamata Old Town make for an atmospheric stroll.

5. Olympia

“Olympia is moving – where the Olympic flame is lit every 4 years. Here we will also have an immersive cooking class and learn about Greek produce and traditions.”