Beyond the Tourist Trail: Your Ultimate Guide to Authentic Local Living in Rural Greece
For ancient Greek myths and Mediterranean culture, it’s hard to beat Greece. Now imagine living there like the locals do, with full access to local wine and olive oil, a farm villa to reside in, and day trips to Athens and the Aegean Sea among other legendary locales. All this and more is waiting for you on this weeklong sojourn to rural Greece, where you’ll walk, bike, and sail before retiring to your rustic villa home for the evening. Seize the opportunity to live the Greek way and make memories that will last a lifetime.
This is not a typical vacation. It is an invitation to step into the rhythm of Greek island life, far from the crowded hotspots, and into the heart of authenticity. This is the essence of our Local Living philosophy at Evia Private Tours: a meticulously curated experience for the discerning traveller who seeks not just to see, but to belong.
Why “Local Living”? The Quest for Authentic Travel
The modern luxury traveller is evolving. The new luxury is not defined solely by thread count and champagne flutes, but by connection, authenticity, and unique experiences that resonate on a deeper level. It’s about the story you bring home, the skill you learn, the connection you make with a place and its people.
Our Local Living product is designed for you—the couple seeking a meaningful retreat, the family desiring educational immersion, the group of friends hungry for genuine adventure. It is for those who dream of living like a local in Greece, immersing themselves in its Mediterranean culture through its flavours, traditions, and breathtaking landscapes.
Why Evia? The Undiscovered Heart of the Aegean
While the world flocks to the Cyclades, the true soul of Greece thrives on Evia (Euboea). As Greece’s second-largest island, yet remarkably undiscovered, Evia offers a rare blend: unparalleled natural beauty, profound ancient history, and a living, breathing cultural tapestry that even locals from other parts of the country are not aware of
Here, you are not a spectator; you are a participant. You will stay in a handpicked, private farm villa, your secluded haven nestled amongst olive groves and vineyards. This is going to be your base for exploration, a place where the line between guest and honorary local begins to blur.
Crafting Your Unforgettable Journey: A Tapestry of Tailor-Made Experiences
We specialise in tailor-made trips that reflect your personal interests. Your journey is a collection of moments, woven together by our deep local expertise. Every detail, from your private transfers in premium vehicles to your personally guided private tours, is orchestrated for seamless elegance.
Connect with the Land: Olive Oil & Ancient Trails
- Explore some of South Evia’s finest olive groves with a local producer. Learn the art of cultivating and pressing olives into liquid gold, the glorious extra virgin olive oil. This is more than a tour; it’s a masterclass in one of the Mediterranean’s oldest traditions.
- Familiarize yourself with applications of olive oil beyond the kitchen. Participate in a natural soap-making seminar, creating your own souvenirs using ancient recipes and local ingredients.
- Go biking on ancient trails once walked by Greeks millennia ago. Feel the history underfoot and the sun on your skin as you traverse landscapes that have inspired myths and legends.
Savour the flavour: Wine, Cuisine & The Art of Opa
- Taste locally grown wines from boutique micro-vineyards. Discover old local varieties unknown to the international market, each bottle telling a story of the island’s terroir. Our wine tasting experiences are intimate, educational, and deeply connected to the land.
- Enjoy a Mediterranean cooking class in a traditional village home. Learn from passionate local ladies who are keepers of culinary heritage. Master the art of Greek cuisine using hyper-local, seasonal ingredients, perhaps even from your own villa’s garden. This is the heart of living like a local.
Nurture Body and Soul: Wellness & The Aegean Blue
- Enjoy revitalising yoga and meditation sessions inside the serene olive groves of your accommodation. Find your center surrounded by the whispering leaves and ancient energy of the Greek countryside.
- Go sailing in the Aegean Sea on a private caique. Discover hidden coves, swim in crystal-clear waters, and feel the legendary meltemi breeze. This is the freedom and luxury of the Mediterranean, perfectly personalised for you.
Immerse in Deeper Connections: Culture & Community
- Explore off-the-beaten-track villages where time seems to stand still. Familiarize yourself with the island of Evia through the eyes of those who call it home.
- Visit some of South Evia’s finest fig farms. Learn about harvests, sample incredible produce, and understand the deep connection between the land, the food, and the local culture & way of living.
Who This Is For
- Discerning Travellers who seek meaningful connections and unhurried immersion over curated spectacle.
- Couples desiring slow-moving moments of discovery, woven into the fabric of local life.
- Families wishing to trade crowded attractions for engaging, off-the-beaten-path interactions and shared learning.
- Culture Lovers & Foodies curious to step beyond the menu and into the kitchen, meeting the growers and tradition bearers behind the flavours.
What’s Included (Fully Customisable)
- Return luxury private transfers Athens ↔ Evia.
- 7 nights in a private countryside villa (multiple bedroom configurations available).
- Dedicated trip designer and on‑call local host.
- Curated experiences: olive groves, wine tasting, cooking class, soap making, yoga & meditation, hiking, biking, private sailing.
- Licensed guides and activity specialists as required.
- Daily breakfasts, select hosted meals and restaurant reservations
- All local arrangements, timings, and gratuity guidance.
Exclusions: international flights, travel insurance, discretionary gratuities, certain à‑la‑carte activities
Why Book with Evia Private Tours
- Local roots, international standards: Our on‑the‑ground team designs tailor‑made trips with global best practices.
- End‑to‑end control: We operate our own vehicles and coordinate every moving part—no hand‑offs, no guesswork.
- 5‑star reputation: Guests consistently praise our discretion, reliability, and warm hospitality.
- Access you can’t Google: Doors open to private estates, small‑batch producers, and time‑honoured craft studios.
- Safety & comfort first: Meticulous planning, vetted partners, and customised services at every step.
Practical Notes
- Seasonality: April–June and September–November are ideal for temperate weather and harvest experiences; high‑summer sailing can be arranged with early or late hours to avoid heat.
- Pace & Fitness: Experiences can be gentle or active. We adapt hiking/biking distances and sailing durations to preference.
- Young Travellers: Tailored activities—farm visits, foraging, simple cooking, treasure‑hunt walks in villages.
Frequently Asked Questions
How private is the experience?
Your villa is exclusively yours. All activities are private for your very own group.
Can you accommodate dietary requirements?
Absolutely. From vegetarian to gluten‑free, our cooking classes and restaurant picks are adapted with ease.
Is Wi‑Fi available?
Yes, reliable Wi‑Fi at the villa and most venues.
What about travel logistics?
We handle everything, from luxury private transfers to timing each day so it flows naturally.
Answer the Call of Authenticity & Live Like a Local
If “local living” is your travel love language, Southern Evia is your canvas. Greece is waiting to share its true self with you. It’s in the taste of freshly pressed olive oil, the warmth of a home-cooked meal, the silence of an ancient trail, and the vast blue of the Aegean.
This is more than a holiday. It is a transformation.
Ready to move beyond the brochure and live the story? Contact Evia Private Tours today to begin crafting your personalised Local Living experience. Let us show you the Greece you’ve been dreaming of.
Tell us your dates, travel party, and must‑haves—wine terroirs, private tours, sea days, spa time—and we’ll design a customised itinerary that feels effortlessly yours.
Important notice
For your own personal safety & peace of mind be extremely aware of very low cost tours and offers. The companies offering them may be operating illegally. Make sure that the tour company you select is registered under the Greek National Tourism Organization & Ministry of Tourism. All legally operating tour companies are mandatory to carry a license number.
GNTO number (MHTE) is: 1351E70000037401.
IATA/TIDS code is: 96182774
DUNS is: 52-521-0744
Responsibility & Sustainability Commitment
Evia Private Tours e-Service is a family owned & run business. Since August 2023, we are committed to take action to achieve nearly zero emissions status and eventually make travelling as responsible & sustainable as possible. We are TourCert Qualified and we offer CARBON NEUTRAL trips with the assistance of Sustainable Travel International.