Lyndey Milan, known as the “TV food queen” of Australia, traveled throughout Greece’s Peloponnese in 2010 with her son, the actor Blair Milan. The limited series Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece filmed their trip. In 2011, Blair suddenly and tragically passed away from acute myeloid leukemia at just 29, before the series aired.
The show, which continues to be adored by fans of both Lyndey and Blair (as well as anyone who enjoys scenes of sun-dappled olive groves and ancient ruins), was a living testament to both the beauty of Greece’s places and people as well as the evident close bond between mother and son. With Insight Vacations’ new tour Lyndey Milan – A Greek Odyssey, fans of all kinds can now follow in Lyndey and Blair’s footsteps. We had a conversation with Lyndey about the journey that led to the creation of the tour, the kinds of experiences that guests can anticipate having, and her unwavering love for Greece, its cuisine, and its people. The Beginning of the Aegean Odyssey “Hello Lyndey,” Insight Vacations said. Can you tell us a little bit about how and why this tour is important to you?” “My son Blair and I did this TV series in Greece (Lyndey and Blair’s Taste of Greece), which was shot in 2010,” Lyndey Milan stated. He tragically passed away before it was broadcast, but it had been edited. We had done voice-overs and other similar work. Lyndey Milan – A Greek Odyssey’s itinerary is heavily influenced by the television series I co-produced with Blair. Although we were unable to visit every location in the television series, that trip served as a significant source of inspiration. IV: “Is it possible that Greece holds a very special place in your heart?” LM: “Yes. In fact, John, my partner, had a Masters in classics from Cambridge, and just lived and breathed ancient history. I divided John’s ashes into three pieces after his death. I gave a third to his kids, I took a third to Greece and I’ve still got a third here that I’m going to scatter here with his family. Nine of us went to Greece and we scattered his ashes and it was just fabulous.”
The Magic of Greece
IV: “Can you tell us a little bit more about what guests can expect from the itinerary of this tour?”
Absolutely, LM. However, I insist that this tour will be one of joy rather than of sorrow. I won’t sit around complaining. Sharing it with others will bring me great joy. “It was really important to me that guests on this tour have enough free time to experience Greece properly. So, with the exception of one night in Monemvasia, we won’t be staying anywhere for less than two nights. When they have free time, I will suggest places to go, such as the fantastic Komboloi museum in Nafplio or the worry bead museum, where Blair and I filmed. We are attempting to avoid obvious locations. The whole TV show was kind of “off the beaten path,” so that’s what we’re doing by traveling to the Peloponnese (region). The food’s great and the people are great. It isn’t like the Greek islands, which is great because it’s less crowded. IV: “The Peloponnese is the home of Kalamata olives, and what is considered to be a more authentic version of Greece – particularly when it comes to food. Did that genuineness matter to you? LM: “You know, a lot of places in Europe have fences around them. In Greece – and particularly The Peloponnese – it is so much more accessible. Around 700 B.C., Olympia, the site of the first Olympic games, can be explored on foot. You are not restricted to the perimeter; you are free to roam. “And the food is the kind of food that anyone from any age can eat and enjoy. I mean, fresh fish and Greek salad are two of my favorite things, and their lamb chops are unmatched. Additionally, I would assert that my tours are culinary tours rather than cooking tours. We do have some hands-on food experiences, like tasting olive oil, but it isn’t a cooking tour, which I think might put off some people.
The Insight Vacations Experience
IV: Now, Lyndey, what made you choose Insight Vacations as your tour partner? LM: Because I don’t know much about what Insight does, I only work with reputable travel companies that have experience in the field. Professionals are absolutely necessary when things go wrong, not when they go well. You have the staff, the infrastructure, and the guarantees that go along with it.
