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Find out more about the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes fam trip to Naxos in ‘This island has the aesthetics of Santorini but is blissfully serene’.

Video transcript

Madeleine Barber, TTG Media:

Kalimera from Naxos! I’m on this stunning Greek island with four of our 2024 TTG Sustainable Travel Ambassadors in Training. We’re staying at the brand-new Princess Luxury Suites and as guests of Visit Greece we have experienced traditional cooking classes, we have done cheese, olive oil, honey and local spirit tasting, we have visited some of the gorgeously picturesque inland villages and we’ve explored life on the coast as well as heard from some of the island’s animal protection experts. We’ve also visited the city of Chora. Let’s see what agents have to say about their experiences as well as their top selling tips, so you too can recommend Naxos as an inspiring alternative to some of the other Greek islands.

Marietta Maidman, Travel Better With Marietta:

I loved the Naxian Experiences cooking class. I think it was probably the highlight of the trip for me. I love the fact that it was so immersive – it’s like you’re sitting with your favourite grandmother and she’s teaching you how to cook. It was absolutely wonderful. We got to prepare it, cook it, and then eat it, and we felt like we were a part of the family. It’s great for the whole family, you know, the kids can get involved as well, or friends and groups of friends, and it’s a great way to sort of differentiate yourself from other agents because it’s such a special experience. The fact that you can offer it to your clients – they’ll absolutely love you for it.

Emma Andrews, The Holiday Village:

The distillery was in a really nice small village, really pretty, and the lady that showed us around talked through all of the various things they’ve done in the past, how they distilled kitron, and we also got to try a little bit. The olive oil tasting was in another really pretty village and again they talked through all of the different ways they’ve done the olive oil production in the past, and are really proud of what they’ve done to restore the building it was in. And obviously the olive oil was really tasty! I loved the Naxos Bee Farm – they were a really lovely family, really open, they showed us the hive and talked through what happens in the hive and then we got to try some straight out of the hive, which was a bit nerve-wracking because the bees were all there, but it was really, really cool. Then we got to sample some of the honey and some of the products, as well as a bit of home cooking from the beekeeper’s mother.

Lourdes Huelgas, Not Just Travel:

I was surprised about how well organised the walking trails are, but having a guide I think is essential because it makes the experience much more interesting and engaging, and every village has its own personality. I love a city walking tour. A highlight I have to to say was walking by the harbour to Portara – it’s just impressive. It was an easy, great experience, no crowds. There’s something for everybody there’s lots to do. 

Jayne Lomax, Travel Counsellors:

The Princess Luxury Suites are brand-new suites. They have been open since July, so they’re all very, very new, very clean. They’re modern inside but with a traditional twist, which I thought was really nice. They’ve all got either a small plunge pool, private plunge pool or a Jacuzzi. It’s an adults-only hotel so it’s perfect for for couples. And what I really did like about it was that breakfast is served to your room every morning.

Marietta Maidman, Travel Better With Marietta:

From the moment I set foot on the island it was a different vibe and I’ve been really inspired to promote it, especially for foodies. The thing I love most about it is the fact that it has lots of small hotels – you don’t see the international hotels so you know that all of your spend is staying in the country.

Jayne Lomax, Travel Counsellors:

I would recommend Naxos over other Greek islands. What I really loved about it is there’s a great mix of beach and inland villages for you to discover. It’s very authentic, very traditional, and the public transport system is regular and convenient so you can easily combine time on the beach with time spent up in the villages inland.

Lourdes Huelgas, Not Just Travel:

If anybody comes to you to say ’I want something different, I’ve done Greece before but I want something that’s authentic’, Naxos is the place to go.

Learn more about the TTG Sustainable Travel Heroes agent training programme at ttgmedia.com/sustainabletravelheroes.