A 4-Day Culinary Escape at Maria’s Residence, Syros

Arrive by morning or evening ferry to the dazzling port of Ermoupolis, where pastel mansions and marble streets await. If arriving early, take a dip at Vaporia, a scenic and tranquil swimming spot just a short walk from the villa, or wander through the town’s graceful alleys and café-lined squares.

In the evening, enjoy a relaxed welcome buffet dinner in the courtyard, where you’ll be introduced to Syros’ culinary treasures with a spread of local specialties and refreshing cocktails made with Greek spirits and herbs.

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Breakfast in the courtyard features homemade and organic delicacies: warm wholemeal bread, fragrant cakes infused with carob, orange and cinnamon, jams made from garden fruit (fig and rose geranium, lemon and lavender), local honey, rich yogurt, and our signature seed, fig, and nut granola.

At 10 a.m., join your first cooking class—a hands-on introduction to the secrets of the Mediterranean diet. Learn why Greek cuisine is considered among the healthiest in the world and master traditional techniques passed down through generations.

You’ll prepare and enjoy a feast of flavors:

• Handmade olive bread
• Parsley-garlic dip
• Beetroot and walnut yogurt salad
• “Ladenia” – a Cycladic-style focaccia
• Zucchini pie with goat cheese and mint
• Fava purée with caramelized onions and capers
• Stuffed tomatoes and peppers with bulgur, pine nuts, and currants
• Anchovies in vine leaves with lemon-fennel sauce
• Sweet milk pie and semolina halva for dessert

The afternoon is yours to enjoy. Explore the marble-paved streets of Ermoupolis, admire the Apollo Theater and grand Town Hall, or head uphill to the medieval village of Ano Syros for sunset views and bouzouki music in its timeless alleyways.

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Begin with another lush courtyard breakfast, then set off on a guided market tour through Ermoupolis. Sample and shop for the island’s most iconic delights:

• Fresh local fish and produce
• Loukoumia and halvadopites (Syros’ famous sweets)
• Artisan cheeses, wild capers, samphire, liqueurs, thyme honey, and hand-made pasta

Pause for a leisurely lunch at a local taverna, where you’ll savor traditional dishes prepared with love and local ingredients.

At 5 p.m., your second cooking session begins—this time with a focus on mezedes, the small, flavorful plates that are the soul of Greek social dining. As the dishes come together, enjoy a curated wine and cheese tasting featuring boutique wines and rare regional cheeses.

Sample creations like:

• Feta and egg “flour pie”
• Fig and goat cheese bites
• Aubergine rolls with herbed ricotta
• Smoked aubergine dip
• Zucchini herb salad
• Stuffed vine leaves with tahini sauce
• Black lentil and barley salad
• Almond figs poached in sweet wine

Enjoy your meal under the stars with wine in hand and laughter in the air—a true Greek celebration.

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After a final morning breakfast, you’ll have time to revisit your favorite spots in Ermoupolis, swim again at Vaporia, or browse local boutiques for edible souvenirs and artisan crafts.

At 4:00 p.m., bid farewell to Syros as you depart on the afternoon ferry—heart and suitcase full of new tastes, stories, and memories.

4-Day Culinary Escape

• Four-Day Culinary Programme: Experience four days of immersive culinary activities at Maria Residence — cooking classes, market visits, producer encounters, and meals celebrating the full breadth of Syros island cuisine
• Ermoupolis Cultural Heritage: Explore the extraordinary cultural heritage of Ermoupolis — Greece’s first capital, a city of marble streets, neoclassical mansions, and extraordinary food traditions shaped by trade, diversity, and sophistication
• Syros Food Culture: Discover loukoumades, halvadopites, imported delicacies, and the unique food traditions of a city that was once the most important commercial hub in the Aegean