My Greek Odyssey

The journey begins where most Greek odysseys begin, in the capital, Athens. One of the oldest cities in the world, it features some of the most recognizable ancient ruins such as the Parthenon and Roman Agora. Peter explores its hidden secrets and meets the people who make it so extraordinary. He also delves into the foundations of the Orthodox religion and the importance of Easter.

On Spetses, My Greek Odyssey joins the festivities of the annual Spetses Classic Yacht Regatta, established to honor the boat builders of the island and the seafarers who fought in the 1821 Greek War of Independence. Peter then cruises to Hydra where all the houses are 200 years old, as no new buildings are permitted by law, and the only means of transport are mules, horses, and water taxis.

My Greek Odysseys journey through the Aegean continues, as Peter heads deep into the Argolic Gulf to the port of Nafplio on the Peloponnese. He then visits one of the oldest settlements on earth, Argos which has been inhabited for over 7000 years. His final stop is the medieval castle town of Monemvasia, founded around 550 AD.

Peters journey takes him to the island of Kythira, his family home. In this episode, he digs deep into his heritage and discovers his roots go back to the 15th century. He also learns the simple and ancient process of harvesting salt by hand and visits a hillside cave that houses frescos painted during the 13th century and a stalactite which is four million years old.

In this episode, Peter visits the Turtle Sanctuary at Kalamaki on the island of Zakynthos where their work is crucial to the survival and protection of the loggerhead turtle species. He also visits the Museum of Underwater Archaeology on the island of Pylos and dives in the Shipwreck of Columns. Then My Greek Odyssey heads for the island of Kefalonia, home to more than a million olive trees.

Peter travels to Ithaki to see the 3000 year remains of the palace, where according to Homer, Ulysses started and finished his Odyssey. He then indulges in a local seafood specialty - red mullet preserved in oil, vinegar, and herbs, and finally visits Lefkada and the village of Englouvis which produces the best lentils in the world.

The last episode in the series sees Peter head to Paxoi and the largely abandoned, Antipaxoi. He then explores the very popular island of Corfu to learn the secrets to making local white cheeses and Corfiot smoked pork fillet (noumboulo fumicado), also called Corfiot prosciutto. His very last stop is the northernmost island in the Ionian Sea, the cosmopolitan Othonoi with a population of 90.

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. Its 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.

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.

In this episode of My Greek Odyssey, Peter makes his way to the capital of Lesbos, Mitlini. Its 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.

Having traveled through the Northern Aegean, Peter heads into the second leg of the journey, to the Western Cyclades. Its a region of the Mediterranean that doesnt 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.

In this episode, Peter journeys to Serifos and experiences everything this little island has to offer. Its a place where you can make your own adventure and enjoy a taste of Greek culture. Peter eats like a local, learns about the islands 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.

Peter finishes his time in the Western Cyclades by exploring the islands of Kimolos and Milos. Despite their close proximity to one another, theyre 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.

In this episode, I’ve arrived on the island of Kalymnos. It’s one of the biggest islands in the Dodecanese, famed for its rock climbing. Now, I’m not exactly an extreme sports athlete, so yeah, I’ll show the adventurous side of this place, but I’ll also delve into the culture of it and the incredible story of the sponge divers that put Kalymnos on the map. When you learn about what they went through, you’ll think they’re more out there than the rock climbers!

In this episode I’m headed for Lipsi, a peaceful little gem that’s well and truly off the mainstream tourist radar. Here I’ll be getting my hands dirty as I learn about the island’s unique history. I’ll be meeting some researchers protecting the marine environments, and headed to a farm that’s unlike any other I’ve come across. Plus I’ll be getting a taste of the local cuisine and showing you how to make one of my favourite dishes. But before getting to Lipsi, there’s a spectacular island group called Macronisia that I just have to show you. Wait ‘til you see the water!

In episode six I’ve arrived in Fournoi, and I know what you’re thinking “Where in the Mediterranean is that!?” Well, it’s a gorgeous slice of Greece, hidden between Ikaria to the west and Samos on the northeast. My plan is to take in the sites, from the mountaintops to the seafloor. I’ll be showing you that this is one of those destinations, where if you want to get the most out of the place, you have to not only get your hands a little dirty, but be prepared to pop on a wetsuit and take the plunge!

In the final episode of the series we travel to a place that holds special memories for both Helen and I. It’s one of the first islands we visited together, when we were young and seeking adventure. The trip put our relationship to the test. I dragged her up mountains, we crawled through tunnels and lived like backpackers. But it was an incredible time and those memories have kept us coming back, again and again. The island I’m talking of, is Samos!