Vouryia’s Food & Drink Tours – The Best Athens Layover Experience
If you have a layover at Athens Airport and want to experience authentic Greek cuisine, Vouryia’s handcrafted food and drink tours in Mesogaia are the perfect way to explore local flavours before your next flight.
Let’s have a wee blether about layovers. A necessary evil of long-haul travel, they can range from a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it two hours to a full ten-hour shift of airport wandering. And let’s be honest, not every airport is a dream to spend time in (we can’t all be Singapore, now can we?). More often than not, you find yourself stranded in a less-than-inspiring terminal, staring longingly at duty-free whisky you can’t justify buying or scrolling endlessly through your phone in search of something—anything—to pass the time.
Now, if your layover is long enough to nip into the city, that’s grand. But how often is that city conveniently placed right next door? Instead, you’re faffing about with trains, taxis, or the never-ending shuttle bus saga, only to realise you’ve spent more time getting in and out of the city than actually enjoying it. So, what’s the best way to tackle a layover without losing your will to travel? Let’s get into it…
WHY CHOOSE VOURYIA FOR YOUR ATHENS LAYOVER?
And here’s where things start to look up. Enter Vouryia—the brainchild of the wonderful Marina, an Athens local who knows the airport inside out after years of working there. Instead of watching weary travellers shuffle from one café to the next in a desperate bid to kill time, she decided to shake things up and offer something far better: proper visitor experiences in Mesogaia, the stunning region surrounding Athens airport.
Think less aimless airport wandering, more cultural deep-dive—whether it’s exploring charming local villages, tasting Greek delicacies that go far beyond the standard airport spanakopita, or sipping on a glass of proper Greek wine, all within easy reach of your departure gate. Marina has turned layovers into an opportunity rather than an ordeal. If Athens was just a stopover on your itinerary before, Vouryia might just make it a destination in its own right. Let’s have a closer look at what’s in store…
Vouryia is all about embracing the true taste of Greece—literally. These hand-picked, authentic experiences revolve around food and drink, with private tours designed just for you and your travel crew. Whether it’s just you, a group of friends, or a full family affair, each tour is tailored to your preferences, time constraints, and appetite for adventure.
And the magic happens in Mesogaia—also known as Middle Earth. This lush, fertile region wraps itself around Athens airport, meaning you’re never too far from your next flight. Whether you’ve got a fleeting two-hour window or a luxurious full day to spare, there’s a Vouryia experience waiting to make your layover less about clock-watching and more about sipping, tasting, and immersing yourself in local culture. A detour worth taking, wouldn’t you say?
WHAT TO EXPECT ON A MESOGAIA FOOD AND WINE TOUR
A few weeks back, I took an experience with Marina, and before I knew it, she had whisked me away on her Athens Layover Wine Escape—a far cry from the dreary airport waiting game. We met right at the airport, and within minutes, we were cruising through Mesogaia in her sedan, heading straight for our first stop: a local dairy shop.
Now, I’ve tasted many things in my time, but they have a cold rice pudding?! An absolute game-changer. Creamy, indulgent, and impossible to put down until the very last spoonful. And the cheese selection—well, let’s just say it was the kind of stuff that could make you rethink your entire approach to snacking. A pistachio hard cheese that packed a nutty punch, and barrel-aged feta so rich and tangy it was practically singing. There’s something about Greek feta—it’s got this unmistakable depth of flavour, a kind of salty, creamy magic that just hits differently.
With bellies full of dairy delights, we were back in the car, winding our way into the countryside. This part of Greece is bursting with life—fig trees, sprawling vineyards, pistachio orchards, and olive groves stretching as far as the eye can see. And here’s a fascinating little nugget for you: farmers tie stones to the branches of fig trees to encourage the limbs to open up toward the sky, while also keeping the branches hanging low so the fruit is easier to pick. Who knew figs had a knack for drama?
This was already shaping up to be one of the best layovers ever—and we’d barely started. Next stop? A vineyard where Greek wine flows as freely as the conversation. Welcome to Gikas Vineyard.
All along the drive, Marina keeps you entertained with a treasure trove of historical tidbits, cultural insights, agricultural secrets, and mythical lore, turning your layover into something that feels less like a rushed stopover and more like a road trip with an incredibly well-informed friend. Every twist and turn comes with a new anecdote—whether it’s about Greek gods, ancient farming techniques, or modern-day viticulture—and before you know it, you’ve arrived at the Gikas Wine Estate.
Your first glimpse? An imposing, grand structure—their bottling house—standing proudly against the backdrop of meticulously maintained vineyards. But it’s not just about aesthetics; every part of this place has a purpose, a story, a function. And here’s a little-known viticulture secret—planting roses at the beginning and end of each row of vines isn’t just for show. Those delicate blooms act as an early warning system for the health of the vineyard. If the roses start showing signs of disease or distress, chances are the vines will soon follow suit, allowing winemakers to step in before any real damage is done.
After a whirlwind tour of the estate—learning about the winemaking process, peeking into the bottling house, and admiring those vine-lined landscapes—we finally arrive in the grand tasting room. And let me tell you, this is where things get properly indulgent.
Five wines await, each with its own story, its own personality. Whether you’re a casual sipper or the type to dive deep into the notes, tannins, and mouthfeel, there’s something here to suit every level of appreciation. And, of course, to keep things interesting, there’s a charcuterie board piled high with rich cheeses and cured meats, perfectly paired to complement each pour.
The best part? This isn’t one of those stiff, over-explained tastings where you feel like you have to nod sagely and pretend you understand every single nuance. Relaxed, easy-going, and entirely on your terms, you can sip, swirl, or even gulp it down (no judgment here). No rush, no pressure—unless, of course, that looming departure gate is calling your name. But hey, if you have time to linger, why not savour every last drop?
And just like that—three hours have disappeared, swallowed up by good food, great wine, and even better company. Whether you're heading straight for your departure gate or hopping on a train to explore Athens further, Marina makes sure you’re sent off in true Vouryia style.
As a parting gift, you’re handed your very own Vouryia, a handwoven backpack with deep roots in Greek tradition. Once carried by shepherds and farmers in rural Crete, these bags were stocked with essentials—bread, wine, and a knife—ready for a long day in the fields. But this one? This one’s filled with something a little more special.
Inside, you’ll find a Tourtoulaki, a simple but meaningful ring made from hardened flour and water, symbolising an invitation—a little nod to the warm hospitality you’ve just experienced. And tucked alongside it, a handful of Moustokouloura cookies, made from grape must, rich, sweet, and deeply tied to the land that’s just treated you to the perfect layover escape.
It’s a thoughtful little package—a taste of Greece to carry with you, a reminder that layovers don’t have to be dull stopovers but can be unexpected adventures, packed with food, history, and local charm. And if you weren’t already thinking about coming back for more, well, that little Tourtoulaki might just be the nudge you need.
Yamas!
THINGS TO NOTE ABOUT VOURYIA EXPERIENCES
There are currently 10 excursions/experiences listed on the website including my Athens Layover Wine Escape, Greek Cooking Class, Olive Oil Tasting Experience and Fig Orchard Tour and picnic.
Greek and English are spoken
If you have mobility issues, please check with Marina who can inform you which experience would suit best
Wear comfortable shoes, bring a hat and wear sunscreen. It gets hot even in the air-conditioned car.
Prices vary per experience depending on number of people
Vouryia, Athens, Greece www.vouryia.com
My Spoon Award : Tartan Spoon 10/10
I was invited by Vouryia to review their experiences.
Food and drink were complimentary but the views are very much my own.
TartanSpoon is an Award-winning blog that brings you reviews and recommendations on the very best places to eat, drink and stay in Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond.
Adele is a writer, reviewer and judge living in Edinburgh. She sits on the Committee for the Guild of Food Writers (Scottish Events), is a Great Taste Judge for the Guild of Fine Food, Scottish Bakers, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards and a Judge for the Gin Co-operative awards. Should you wish to work with, invite or collaborate with TartanSpoon, please email tartanspoon@yahoo.co.uk