Day 1. ATHENS-ARRIVALArrive in Athens. Reception at the airport, and transportation to your hotel. Dinner at the hotel. Accommodation Athens (Dinner)
Day 2. ATHENS: ATHENS CITY TOUR- CRETE
You will be picked up from your hotel in the morning and taken on an Athens city tour, which includes Acropolis and the new museum of Athens. Break for lunch around 1 pm, then transportation to the airport and flight to Heraklion, Crete. Upon arrival at the Heraklion airport, you will be met by your Cretan host and driver George, then driven for a 70-minute transfer to the Thalori Resort. On the way, you will sample some delicious local food at a local restaurant for dinner.
Accommodation Thalori resort
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 3. CRETE: GORTYS-PHAISTOS-KOKKINOS PYRGOS-1th COOKING CLASS
Enjoy a delicious breakfast and get ready to explore the south-central part of the island with your host George. Today we will visit Gortys, the ruined capital city of the Roman province. This includes an impressive theatre, the Basilica of St. Titus – the eponymous saint who converted the island of Crete to Christianity and was the first bishop, the Odeon, and the Law code. Ending the visit, we will drive west to the palace of Phaestos the second most significant archaeological site of the Minoan civilization. Phaestos is located in the southern region of Heraklion in the valley of Messaras. The site of the ancient city is very impressive and the palace compound, although not as extensively restored as the compound of Knossos, offers a detailed insight of the everyday life of such a historically remote period. According to mythology, the king of Phaestos was Radamanthes, the brother of King Minos of Knossos, and superior judge of the underworld.
We will stop off in the fishing village of Kokkinos Pyrgos for lunch, and enjoy local specialties or freshly caught seafood at the seafront restaurant. On the way back we buy fresh fish and seafood that will be used for our cooking class and dinner tonight. After lunch, you will return to the Thalori resort and head to the kitchen for your first cooking class. Today’s cooking class will be based on the fish and seafood that was purchased earlier in the day. The menu will include fish soup with rice with an egg and lemon sauce, the famous KAKAVIA (fisherman’s fish soup), baked fish with tomato and onion sauce, shrimp saganaki – shrimp cooked in a tomato sauce with wine and feta, cuttlefish in a pot with fennel, or octopus stew with tomato and onion. We will create a delicious dinner to be enjoyed with the other guests, and it will be accompanied with homemade local wine and raki.
Accommodation Thalori resort
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 4. CRETE: MONASTERY-MATALA-2th COOKING CLASS
After a full breakfast, we will take a slow drive to the monastery of Odigitrias or Xopateras. Steeped in rich history and dating back to the Turkish occupation, it was the center of revolutions against conquerors. You will see some beautiful frescoes. Next stop the beach and caves of Matala, by far the best-known beach in Heraklion province. The caves are believed to be ancient tombs first used by Romans or early Christians – more recently inhabited by a sizeable hippie community. Modern artists such as Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens, and Joni Mitchell, amongst others have visited here. Lunch in Matala amongst the locals at a seafront restaurant with local specialties.
This evening’s hands-on class will be based on preparing a variety of vegetables and minced meat with techniques that transform basic ingredients into a full table of color, flavors, variety, and richness. Moussaka, aubergines “papoutsakia,” fried vegetables in tomato sauce, smoked eggplant and pastitsio (the Greek version of Mac and Cheese). After the class, you will sit down as a group and enjoy the meal you’ve learned to cook, accompanied by local wine.
Accommodation Thalori resort
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner)
Day 5. CRETE: ZAROS-WINERY -DOXA-MARATHOS-3th COOKING CLASS
After a full breakfast, we drive north in the direction of the lake of Zaros, a beautiful environment. Have a break for a while and enjoy a Greek coffee, then drive northeast to Sivas a village near Heraklion.
We visit a small, well-known family winery. Depending on the season we may have the chance to see the way they produce the Cretan rake. We will taste homemade wines and their rake and spend a few hours with the locals, joining them in their daily life, and trying various home made plates.
After lunch, we will drive north-west to enjoy beautiful virgin nature that is perfect for bees. Traditional beekeeping methods ensure honey and other bee products are ecological, clean and free from any additives. The first honey of the season is collected from spring thyme blossoms and this golden yellow honey is a perfect source of nature’s ingredients.
We visit a small local cafe/ restaurant, run by the owners since 1949. The owners (two brothers) have been beekeepers all their lives, carrying on the business from their father, therefore, we are tasting honeycombs straight from the beehive and learn everything about bees and beekeeping as well as having a kind of pancakes we call them –tiganites – deep in honey and small cheese pies with honey in company with local wine and the Cretan snap – Raki -. You will definitely feel the positive effect on your body and soul.
The visit to a women’s cooperative at the nearby village of Marathos where they make the very special – unique art pastry small and bigger round bread – called XOMPLIASTO KOULOURI – and the forgotten monastery of Halepa. Break for lunch at the small village of Drossia and drive back to Thalori for the 3rd cooking class. This hands-on class will take you through the process of making stuffed tomatoes, peppers, courgettes, and aubergines…as well as Dolmadakia (little-stuffed wraps) with vine leaves, sorrels or pumpkin flowers. These all will be enjoyed as our dinner and will be accompanied by copious amounts of pure, homemade local wine and raki. Accommodation Thalori resort. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 6. CRETE: KNOSSOS-WALKING HERAKLION-4th COOKING CLASS
Today we visit the palace of Knossos. When visiting the island of Crete someone must see the ancient palace of Knossos, built 3.500 years ago. Ending the visit of Knossos drive to Heraklion. A walk in the heart of the city of Heraklion with stops at small shops, tasting special cheeses with a shot of raki and having lunch at a small Mezedopolion is a wonderful way to round out your week on the Island of Crete. We will walk the streets of the city and meet nutritional wanderings elevating the palate to heaven!! Will explore unique tastes on this walking tour of Heraklion.
Will join the real daily lifestyle the people of Heraklion live. The day will start from the best small pastry shop in the city. Gloria: Artistic feeling+ imagination+ pure fresh ingredients = fascinating for your palate. We taste the “Galaktoboureko” custard cream and filo dough pastry in syrup and “trigonal” cheese cream and filo dough pastry in syrup. Incredible taste never has to taste anything like that!! Walk the central market and stop for an OUZO with MEZE (Small bites accompanies the spirit) at one of the traditional Mezedopolion of the street. We will be part of the people walking/ talking/arguing. Visit the cathedral of the city Saint Minas, and then the Morozini fountain at the heart of the city, the Venetian church of Saint Marcos / now a gallery, the church of Saint Titus.
Break for lunch at the city center with a variety of local specialties and drive back to the resort. Get ready for the last cooking class which is Pork bites in tomato sauce in the oven with orzo, and Drunken Pork bites cooked in wine and oregano are wonderful appetizers paired with Raki. Boneless pork with celery and egg and lemon sauce, Oven baked pork or Lamb with potatoes called pesto, Cretan sausages in tomato sauce and chili type hot Cretan peppers also on the menu. Dinner will be accompanied by copious amounts of pure, homemade local wines. Accommodation Thalori resort. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 7. CRETE-ARCADI MONASTERY-ARGYROUPOLIS-RETHYMNON
After a rich breakfast, you will enjoy a slow drive through the vineyards and small villages of the region. You will visit the 16th-century monastery of Arkadi, the small village of Margarites popular for the ceramics they produce and a slow drive to the Water of Argyroupolis where lunch will be served with a variety of Cretan vegetable and cheese specialties and abundance of grilled meats.
After lunch, drive back to the city of Rethymnon where every street will take you on a journey through history. Venetian and Turkish buildings have become small restaurants, cafés, and shops. Your walk down the narrow streets will take you to small tourists’ shops and coffee houses where you can mingle with locals. We accommodate at the beautiful restored 16th-century palazzo turned to one of the most beautiful small boutique hotels in Crete and we dine at the famous restaurant of the hotel. Accommodation Rethymnon (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 8. CRETE: NIGHT FERRY TRIP TO PIRAEUS – ATHENS
The bread of Georgioupolis and region of Chania Culinary tour and city walk
After a full breakfast buffet, you will depart direction Chania. First break at the small seafront village of Georgioupolis where they are baking a special smoked taste bread for last 100 years every day including Saturday, Sunday and Holidays, and depending on the season, Winter or Summer they making between 600 to 1000 loaves per day with a consistent quality, definitely not the supermarket sliced loaf but proper bread in the old tradition. We buy and taste this bread.
Keep driving west to the city of Chania. The town market of Chania dating back to the 1900’s is a cross-shaped gallery that houses over 65 food stores, presenting fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy products, bread, legumes and anything else you may want such as cafés, restaurants, and shopping. Lunch will be in Spaltzia (Turkish quarter during the Turkish occupation) at an old harbor restaurant featuring a variety of local specialties and seafood. Later in the afternoon we drive to the port of Souda (port of Chania) and embark the ferry for the night ferry trip to Piraeus. Check in our cabins (DLX or A2 as per boat availability. Dinner or board. Accommodation on board (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 9. PIRAEUS-MYCENAE -EPIDAURUS–NAFPLION
Arrival port of Piraeus early in the morning. Break for breakfast on our way and departure direction Peloponnese. First stop for a coffee break at the Canal of Corinth. The tour will continue to Epidaurus for visiting the Ancient Theatre. Break for lunch. Our next stop will be at Mycenae for visiting the famous Palace, the Lions Gate and the Tomb of King Agamemnon. Passing by the Bay of Nafplion, we will arrive in the picturesque town. Dinner and overnight in Nafplion. Accommodation Nafplion at a 4**** hotel (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 10. NAFPLION-AGIA THEODORA- OLYMPIA
Driving through the central Peloponnese, Arcadia, as well as the town of Tripoli and Megalochori. A visit to the little village of Vasta to visit the little church of Agia Theodora. This little church was built somewhere between the 11th and the 12th century. This church has 17 trees on the roof, each tree weight over 1000 kg.
The ground isn’t solid enough for those trees to be placed.
Another unexplained phenomenon is the underground water which flows from the church and beyond. But the most interesting part is that nowhere you’ll find a root from the trees inside the church. Many types of research have been made, even with X rays to find wherever the roots are inside the walls of the church, but it’s not. Additionally, the trees heights are almost 30 meters! Now imagine a tiny church not more than 3×2 meters having 17 trees on the roof of each weights 1 ton (or maybe more if you calculate also the weight of the leaves for each season, and weather conditions such wind and storms), 30 meters height, since 12th century, without any physical explanation or damage. That’s got to be a miracle!!
Keep driving west an hour later arrive in Olympia, the cradle of the Olympic Games. There you will have the opportunity to visit the Sanctuary of Olympian Zeus and the museum. Dinner and overnight in Olympia. Accommodation Olympia (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 11. OLYMPIA – PELOPONNESE / NAFPAKTOS / GALAXIDI / DELPHI
Departure from the hotel for Delphi through Patras, the capital of the Peloponnese. Cross by the bridge from Rio to Antirion and passing by Nafpaktos (Lepanto) and having a break for lunch at a seaside small beautiful restaurant. Keep driving and make a stop at the seaside areas of the beautiful Galaxidi. Arrive in Delphi. Dinner and overnight at Delphi. Accommodation Delphi (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 12. DELPHI / METEORA – MAINLAND
Delphi was truly a Pan-Hellenic site for the ancient Greeks; they all gathered here to celebrate Apollo and to get practical advice from the Pythia, the priestess. Aside from its historical importance, Delphi is a wondrously beautiful place. Morning visits the museum and the ruins of Delphi. Drive north direction the holly rocks of Meteora. Arrive afternoon. Accommodation Kalambaka the little city at the slope of Meteora. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 13. METEORA-ATHENS
Meteora is a must-see on any trip to Greece. Here are some of the most ancient, active monasteries on all of Greece, perched miraculously atop the mountains along the Pinios River. Their history goes back to the 14th century when the monks sought refuge in the Cliffside caves then fled higher to build the original wooden shelters, later transformed into monasteries. They are veritable Byzantine museums exhibiting superb icons, old manuscripts and unique mosaics and frescoes. Visit the women monastery of St. Andreas. Break for lunch and drive directly south to Athens. Arrive late afternoon. (Breakfast – Lunch – Dinner)
Day 14. ATHENS: FLIGHT BACK HOME
Breakfast and transportation to the airport for the flight back home (Breakfast)
