A 10-Day Culinary and Cultural Experience in Crete

Description

Highlights

Included

Not Included

Optional Services

Itinerary

• Day 1

  Heraklion-Arrival-Welcome Dinner

  Arrival at Heraklion airport. Check in to your room. Relax and explore your surroundings before dinner

  Meals included: Dinner

  Overnight Heraklion
• Day 2

  Heraklion – Archeological Museum – City/Food Tour & Pastry Lesson- Visit Pastry History Museum

  Enjoy a food and cultural walking tour suitable for all ages – it is an easy 1.5-mile walk, so you can explore the heart of Heraklion city while learning about its unique history and culture. On this tour, you will try local “mezedes”, Greek coffee with bougatsa, while enjoying the city of Heraklion. The images and the flavors that take you on this journey.

  Then, visiting Heraklion Archaeological Museum was founded in 1908 to house the first collections of Cretan antiquities, which were rapidly enhanced. Its cultural riches cover seven millennia, from the Neolithic period (7000 BC) to Roman times (3rd cent. AD). Following the restoration work of the past few years, completed in May 2014, the exhibition is housed in 27 rooms.

  The next stop to the Unique Pastry History Museum. The museum opened its doors on 1-7-2021 and currently includes 400 rare exhibits, with 32 unique in the world!

  We will have a short tour of the production area. You see utensils, materials, and machines that our chefs need! We learn about the production, conditions, and specifications, and talk about the daily life of the confectioner-baker profession! We enter the specially designed space where the seminar will take place: on the subject of chocolate and its history! We show how we process it. We make chocolate eggs or filled chocolates! We learn to make our cornet out of paper! You write your name in “cornet” and make drawings on paper!

  Meals included: Breakfast – Food Tour

  Overnight: Heraklion
• Day 3

  Agios Nikolaos – Cheese Making – Cooking Class

  Experience hands-on cheese-making in Crete with our local shepherd. You’ll milk and feed the goats, help make two types of cheese, and learn the secrets of cheese-making. Enjoy a cheese tasting with famous Cretan cheeses and savor the freshly-made cheese with homemade meze and raki.

  After cheese making, you have a hands-on cooking experience. You have the opportunity, and with the guidance of a chef, to learn to make authentic Cretan plates using a wide range of fresh, organic ingredients from our garden. After the cooking class, you will sit down and enjoy the meal you’ve learned to cook, accompanied by local wine.

  Different from all other towns in Crete, Agios Nikolaos.

  The town’s graphic has a beautiful Lake and port. The lake (“Voulismeni”) is a folklore-inspiringly deep body of water connected to the sea by a narrow inlet.

  Meals included: Breakfast – Lunch with wine

  Overnight Heraklion
• Day 4

  Heraklion Knossos Palace – Cooking Class with Wine Experience – Wine and Olive Oil Tasting

  Today you will visit the Palace of Knossos, built 3500 years ago! The Palace of Knossos is one monument you must see in Crete.

  Discover and explore the History and Culture behind the Cretan diet with the company of our two executive hosts. Our chef will demonstrate and direct you in making four different Cretan dishes, and our certified sommelier will share with you our knowledge regarding winemaking on Crete. This experience will offer you expertise in making Authentic Cretan Dakos, Handmade Cretan Pasta, or Handmade Cretan Pies, a homemade recipe from scratch, and a traditional dessert. At the end of your experience, you will enjoy the recipes you made with wines from our Estate, which will pair harmoniously. You have a Cooking Class of four different dishes, lunch, followed by food and wine pairing with a selection of four wines.

  The Domaine Paterianakis is located in Melesses, in the Peza wine region, right in the center of Crete. The third generation of the Paterianakis family, Emmanuela and Niki, continues the wine tradition of organic farming, creating authentic Cretan wines with strong personalities. Winery, located within vineyards, is a pioneer facility built so that winemaking that done naturally, exploiting gravity. Guided wine tasting has five different select domaine wines. Taste our tsikoudia from a local grape. Tasting a virgin olive oil and accompanying tasting with a platter of selected Cretan cheeses, deli meat, and handmade marmalade.

  Meals included: Breakfast and lunch with wine.

  Overnight: Heraklion
• Day 5

  Heraklion – Pottery Workshop –Olive Oil and Honey- Rethymno

  The Olive Oil Tour: The quality of Cretan olive oil is known all over the world. At the olive mill, you have the opportunity to taste three different olive oils. You see how olive oil was produced in the old days with manual tools and with the help of animals. Honey -Tasting & Tour: Taking part in the tour is an unprecedented experience for the history and production of Honey in Crete. The bees, these unpredictable alchemists, fly from flower to flower, finding hidden gems, the juices of fruit, and the nectar of each land. Pottery workshop: Margarites village is famous for its ceramic tradition. In our workshop, we receive visitors from all over the world to get to know Cretan Ceramic Art, to see how we make the pots on the wheel, how we decorate them, and how they are baked in the oven to reach their final form.

  Meals included: Breakfast 

  Overnight: Rethymno
• Day 6

  Rethymno Free Day

  You can explore the picturesque streets, savor delicious local cuisine, and bask in the warm Mediterranean sun without a care in the world. Whether you choose to wander through the historic Old Town, relax on the stunning beaches, or simply people-watch at a cozy cafe, Rethymno’s free day is all about unwinding and soaking in the laid-back vibes of this enchanting Cretan town. It’s the perfect opportunity to recharge your batteries and create unforgettable memories in this magical place!

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Overnight: Rethymno
• Day 7

  Rethymno – Chania- Cooking Class

  Enjoy the convenience of being picked up by a private driver from your hotel and transferred to the charming town of Chania. Your driver will then assist you with the check-in process at your hotel.

  Departure time: approximately 15:30-16:00 (depending on the meeting point). Duration 4-5 hours

  In the evening, you have a cooking class. Join us for an unforgettable culinary experience at a traditional estate in Kissamos, just 500 meters past the port. Our cooking classes and tastings will take you on a journey through the flavors of Crete.

  We’ll start the day with a sweet welcome treat of homemade spoon dessert before diving into the world of Cretan products. You’ll cook alongside us, learning about local ingredients and traditional cooking techniques.

  Afterwards, we’ll take you on a tour of our small farm, exploring our olive groves and orchard. You’ll taste our freshly pressed olive oil and see where our vegetables, herbs, and grapes are grown. We’ll introduce you to our chickens and sheep, giving you a glimpse into our farm life.

  Back at the house, we’ll prepare a delicious dessert together before sitting down to enjoy a dinner made from the dishes we created. Our meal will be accompanied by our wine, adding to the authentic experience.

  To end the evening on a sweet note, we’ll serve dessert along with our homemade raki. It’s the perfect way to unwind and savor the flavors of the day.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

  Overnight: Chania
• Day 8

  Chania – Become a Shepherd for a Day 

  Shepherd for a day and immerse yourself in the rich culture of Crete with this authentic and unique experience! Your adventure begins with a convenient pick-up at the port, after which we embark on a scenic drive through the breathtaking landscapes of western Crete. As we journey toward the farm, you’ll have the opportunity to take in stunning views of rolling hills, olive groves, and the vibrant countryside. Upon our arrival at the farm, you’ll be warmly welcomed by the gracious family who runs it. They will share their stories and traditions, giving you a personal glimpse into rural Cretan life.

  You’ll have the chance to participate in the daily activities of a shepherd, a hands-on experience that includes: 

  • Feeding the Animals: Getting up close and personal with a variety of farm animals, and learning about their care and feeding routines.
  • Collecting Fresh Eggs: Experience the joy of gathering eggs from the henhouse and learning how to identify which eggs are freshly laid.
  • Harvesting Organic Vegetables: Wander through the garden and pick seasonal vegetables that are completely organic.
  • Milking Goats: Under the guidance of the shepherd, you’ll have the chance to milk the goats. This offers insight into traditional farming practices while connecting with these gentle animals. The highlight of the day comes when the family prepares a delicious lunch using the fresh ingredients you’ve collected.
  • You’ll be led through the process of making kaltsounia, a traditional Cretan pastry. This involves rolling out the dough, creating a delightful filling, and then shaping the pastries. Once the kaltsounia are ready, you’ll gather around the table with the family to savor the meal—a truly communal experience.
  • The lunch features traditional dishes typically enjoyed by shepherds, such as chilopites served with fresh goat milk and homemade cheese. This meal is not only nourishing but also a taste of authentic Cretan cuisine that you won’t find in any tavern. This entire experience emphasizes respect for the environment, sustainable farming practices, and support for the local economy. It showcases how traditional methods of farming are preserved in modern times.

  Meals included: Breakfast –Lunch with wine

  Overnight: Chania
• Day 9

  Chania Free Day- Farewell Dinner

  In Chania, you can wander through the charming old town, admiring the Venetian architecture, the colorful alleys, and the local shops. Enjoy delicious local cuisine at the bustling open-air market or relax on the sandy beaches, soaking up the warm Mediterranean sun. Don’t forget to take a selfie at the picturesque Venetian harbor or get lost in the lively atmosphere of the local markets.

  Meals included: Breakfast, Dinner

  Overnight: Chania
• Day 10

  Chania – Departure

  Meals included: Breakfast

  Transportation to the airport for the flight back home.