My Greek Odyssey

The island of Thassos is the northernmost major island in Greece, with the mainland only about seven kilometers away. It's a mountainous landmass known for its natural marble, with the towering peak of Ipsario standing at its heart. It's not a highly developed tourist hub and its fertile interior and coastal areas away from the big towns are a perfect escape from the crowds.

This episode sees Peter finishing up his time on Thassos, before heading to the Holiest place in Greece, Mount Athos, where 20 monasteries sit on a 300 square kilometer peninsula. It's a location Peter has long wanted to visit, to see what all the mystery is about. His stay deeply moves him and changes him. From there, he makes his way to Samothrace or Samothraki as the Greeks call it.

This episode continues Peter's time in Samothrace. It's an island frequented by adventure and nature lovers. It's where they unearthed the famous winged goddess statue of Nike. It's known for its thermal springs, running waters and adventure sports, like mountaineering, hiking, diving, and canyoning. After finishing his time on Samothrace Peter heads to the much larger island of Limnos.

In this episode, Peter explores 7,000 years of Greek history, from one of the earliest settlements in Europe to a modern-day air force base. He learns about the local cuisine and the landscapes of Limnos that make it so special where crops like wheat, barley, and sesame are grown. He also visits the tiny, quiet island of Agios Efstratios - the only island in Greece without tourists.

Mia Zoi heads across to the island of Lesbos, just off the coast of Turkey, where there are obvious influences from its neighbor. Like any Greek island, it has a truly unique personality, which Peter discovers during his time there. Lesvos is the third biggest island in Greece, with a rich and varied landscape, extraordinary history and fascinating wildlife, above and below the water.

In this episode of My Greek Odyssey, Peter makes his way to the capital of Lesbos, Mitlini. It's quite the contrast to the rest of the island, rich in architecture, tourists and motorbikes. From there he heads south, where he briefly visits the remote fishing island of Psara, before making his way to Chios, the birthplace of Homer.

Peter's exploration continues as he goes both above and below water to discover the sights, sounds, and tastes of Chios. Famous for its mastic production, there's also a lot more to the place, including a fabulous fireworks festival. Departing from the southern end of Chios Peter cruises north, arriving at Inousses, a tiny island that has been called the cradle of the Greek shipping fortunes.

Having traveled through the Northern Aegean, Peter heads into the second leg of the journey, to the Western Cyclades. It's a region of the Mediterranean that doesn't often have a light shined on it, which is all the more reason he was keen to check it out. The first port of call is Syros, home to old-world charm, amazing scenery and loukoumi, better known as Turkish Delight.

The island of Kythnos is only 100 kilometers from Athens, which makes it a popular destination for mainland Greeks. Go there in Summer and it's really busy, but late in the season, you'll discover a peaceful and ruggedly beautiful island, dotted with secluded beaches. It's the kind of place you go to relax, away from the crowds, where little has changed throughout the centuries.

In this episode, Peter journeys to Serifos and experiences everything this little island has to offer. It's a place where you can make your own adventure and enjoy a taste of Greek culture. Peter eats like a local, learns about the island's ancient past, and explores every inch of the place, from the hilltops and bays to the seafloor and even underground. Peter then heads to beautiful Sifnos.

In this episode, Peter explores the tiny island of Sifnos where he gets a cooking lesson from a master - the grandson of Greece's famous chef Nikolaos Tselementes, father of the traditional moussaka. He travels around the island and visits its churches, walking trails and ancient watchtowers. He also pops over to the island of Polyegos, home to a shepherd and his flock.

Peter finishes his time in the Western Cyclades by exploring the islands of Kimolos and Milos. Despite their close proximity to one another, they're in stark contrast. Kimolos is small, sparsely populated and relatively flat, while the much better-known Milos has a mountainous landscape and many tourists. Peter explores the appeal of each island.