The Odyssey: Premium travel blending gastronomy and sailing worldwide

FINEWISE, the marketing and communication agency specialized in the premium products and services segment, announces the launch of The Odyssey, an exclusive travel & leisure concept that combines navigation, culinary art, and the discovery of local cultures in a series of memorable experiences, which will take place in Europe, wherever navigable waters, fine gastronomy, and splendid places worthy of exploration exist.

The first destination of The Odyssey is Greece. The concept offers tourists the opportunity for a memorable exploration of Athens and the Saronic Islands, in a journey where catamarans will depart from the port of Athens and will stop, one by one, in Hydra, Poros, and Aegina. Here, those present will have the opportunity to discover the spirit and local products.

Each The Odyssey event will benefit from the involvement of an award-winning chef, who will curate elements of fine, local gastronomy. The first journey will feature Chef Bogdan Alexandrescu, known as Chef Dexter, who will oversee the culinary aspect of the Greek experience. Chef Dexter is the winner of the Best Hotel Chef Romania 2023 award, a talented professional, esteemed in both local and international gastronomic scenes.

Chef Dexter will delight guests with refined dishes and will select the most interesting elements from the islands visited. Travelers will have the opportunity to enjoy the uniqueness of Greece, discovering authentic experiences and living memorable moments. From selecting fish directly from fishermen at a picturesque local market to outdoor lunches on catamarans, each moment becomes an immersion into the heart of Greek culture. Dinner on the beach in Poros under the starry sky, surrounded by unforgettable landscapes, offers a remarkable culinary experience. Travelers will enjoy celebrating the richness of Aegina Island with special tastings of pistachios and local wines, exploring the unique flavors of this region. Each day will be sprinkled with unexpected surprises, adding an extra touch of magic and depth to the journey through Greek culture.

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“I am happy to join this project, to fully enjoy the local Greek products, and to cook alongside a chef whom I admire and respect. It is always a pleasure to create different experiences for those who appreciate gastronomy and who allow me to guide them on memorable culinary journeys,” declared Chef Dexter.

The climax of this cultural and culinary journey is a spectacular four-handed dinner organized at a renowned Greek restaurant. Here, participants will have the privilege of experiencing the refinement and sophistication of local Mediterranean dishes, made from the freshest ingredients, the result of the carefully managed collaboration between the Romanian chef and the restaurant’s resident chef. Thus, in the Greek spirit, The Odyssey becomes a meeting of two gastronomic titans, an ode in itself to the professional and culinary journey of each chef. From the encounter of these two worlds will result a unique, memorable experience.

“The Odyssey is a journey of legends, in which we, the founders, engage with open hearts, to curate the remarkable elements of vibrant cultures. Inspired by the Odyssey and the literary genius of Nikos Kazantzakis, the first experience aims to illustrate our passion for art, cuisine, and the tranquil azure waters of Greece. We are delighted to launch this project and we know, from now on, that it represents only the first in a comprehensive series, where we will explore the waters and culture of Europe,” declared Marilena Istrătescu, the founder of FINEWISE Agency and The Odyssey.

The Odyssey is a project realized in collaboration with Pikasea, the Romanian agency specialized in organizing experiences on vessels of various sizes, in the seas and oceans of the world.

“Vacations on the water are completely different from what tourists experience in conventional destinations, where they stay in hotels. First of all, the entire experience is enveloped in a context of celebration and excitement because every moment, from departure to return, represents an opportunity to discover new places, islands, and bays with stunning views. I am always thrilled to see travelers joining us for the first time and being fascinated by how they can personalize their experience and how deeply and differently they come to know the proposed destinations. The first edition of The Odyssey will certainly be a revelation for those present because it will offer a memorable opportunity where freedom, fun, and safety blend together,” stated Marius Clain, founder of Pikasea.

The price of The Odyssey expedition starts from 1990 Euro per person and includes the entire experience – accommodation and travel on the catamaran, curated food and beverage menus on board and on the visited islands by Chef Bogdan Alexandrescu, and last but not least, the four-handed dinner organized at the restaurant in Athens. Those interested can choose from one of the two periods, May 25th – 29th or May 29th – June 1st.