ITINERARY
Day 1- Sunday May 25, 2014
Arrival and traditional Cretan welcome dinner
After arriving at Heraklion airport, you will be met by your driver and English speaking Cretan host George and you’ll being driven to the Thalori Resort via transfer
Check into your house, relax and explore your surroundings before joining your welcome dinner made up of a variety of local Cretan foods – your first taster of the flavours of Crete
Day 2 – Monday May 26, 2014
Explore south-central Crete, visit to archaeological sites of Gortys, and Phaestos, Kokkinos Pyrgos village and first cooking lesson
Enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out to explore the south-central part of the island with your host George
Today you’ll visit Gortys, the ruined capital city of the Roman province which included the island of Crete as well as parts of North Africa
You’ll see the impressive amphitheatre and the Basilica of St Titus before driving west to the archaeological site of Phaestos – the second most significant site of the Minoan civilisation
Phaestos is an ancient palace and you’ll also see the site of the ancient city is was located in offering a detailed insight into ancient life
Stop off in the fishing village of Kokkinos Pyrgos for lunch and enjoy local vegan specialities
After lunch you’ll head back to the Thalori complex and head to the kitchen for your first cooking class
This evening’s hands-on class focuses on fish and sea food and George will teach you preparation techniques that transform basic ingredients into the stars of the table, full of richness colour and flavour
After the class sit down as a group and enjoy the meal you’ve learned to cook accompanied by local wine
Day 3 – Tuesday May 27, 2014
Knossos, walking tour of Heraklion, art of pastry making at the women’s co-operative work shop of Marathos and bee keepers
After breakfast, today’s excursion takes you to Knossos, an ancient palace and must-see archaeological site of Crete
After visiting the 3500 year old site of Knossos, you’ll head to Heraklion and take a walk through the city taking a gastronomic tour of all the best local food places and vendors
Next you’ll explore the central market and stop for an ouzo with meze at one of the traditional mezedopolion (restaurants)
A light lunch will be served accompanied by chilled white wine before ending your gastronomic walking tour
After lunch drive North West to a place 20 km far from the city of Heraklion; Beautiful virgin nature is perfect pasture for bees. Old traditional bee-keeping methods ensure ecological, clean and free from any additives honey and other bee products. First honey of the season is collected from spring thyme blossoms this golden yellow honey is perfect source of nature’s ingredients. We do a short hike and reach the place the bees located. Later walk down a small local café / restaurant run by the owners since 1949. The owners (two brothers) have been beekeepers since all their lifetime taking the business from their father, Therefore, we taste 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 to your body and soul. A visit to a women cooperative work shop at the near village of Marathos where they make the very special – unique art pastry small and bigger round breads – called XOMPLIASTO KOULOURI – and drive back to the Thalori houses and prepare for your second cooking class with George this time focusing on stuffed peppers, courgettes, aubergines and tomatoes as well as Dolmadakia – stuffed wraps with vine leaves, sorrel and pumpkin flowers.
You’ll enjoy dinner accompanied by wine and raki with your fellow guests
Day 4 – Wednesday May 28, 2014
CRETE / SANTORINI: Boat rip – Santorini Island and wine tour
Breakfast at 7:00 AM and departure at 7.30 AM. Need 70 minutes drive to Heraklion port. Embarkation and boat trip to Santorini. Arrival. Reception at the port and transportation to the hotel. 3.30 PM will come and pick you up for the wine adventure: The tour around the island starts, under the continual guidance of an expert Sommelier. During this tour you will visit 3 wineries. There, you will be introduced to 15 different styles of wines. It is a wine tasting experience in the wineries you will never forget. The Sommelier, in collaboration with each wine producer, will provide you with all the knowledge and expertise you need, on a series of fine wines along with the correct way of tasting them. They will initiate you into the magical, artistic process from grapes to bottle! Enjoy the full flavour of the Santorinian traditional goodies.
Starts: 3.30 PM to 7:30 PM Duration 4 hours
You will be back at the hotel 7.30 – 8 PM. Accommodation Santorini.
Day 5 – Thursday May 29, 2014
SANTORINI: Boat rip Santorini / Piraeus - Athens
Morning free to explore the city of FYRA and do shopping therapy. Early noon transportation to the port for the trip to Piraeus. Embarkation and ferry trip to Piraeus. Arrival Piraeus. Reception at the port and transportation to the hotel. Accommodation Athens.
Day 6 – Friday May 30, 2014
ATHENS / METEORA / KALAMBAKA
Your private driver will come and meet you at the hotel lobby at 9.00 AM and leave for Meteora for a tour of the cliff-top monasteries Meteora built on top of rock towers and providing fantastic views over the plain. Meteora is included on the UNESCO world heritage monument list. The monasteries are perched on top of towers of sandstone, which for centuries provided totally inaccessible retreats for the monks. Meteora is considered one of the most beautiful areas of mainland Greece, and its monasteries are one of the country's most unique attractions. Break for lunch on the way. Arrive Kalambaka early afternoon. Accommodation Kalambaka.
Day 7 – Saturday May 31, 2014
METEORA / DELPHI
After breakfast our drive takes us to the famous Meteora Monasteries, precariously perched unbelievably high (some over a thousand feet) on gigantic rocks weathered by years of erosion, each standing unique and alone in space. Since the 11th century a sanctuary for Monks and Ascetics - and in Byzantine times an important centre for art -the Monasteries are still occupied by Religious Orders. An opportunity will be given to visit the monastery of Agios Stefano’s where some of the ancient Church treasures and priceless art works can be seen. Visiting the Monasteries is a fascinating and memorable experience. Drive south across the mountains to Delphi having break for lunch on our way and arriving in Delphi early afternoon. Accommodation Delphi. (Breakfast / lunch / dinner)
Day 8 – Sunday June 01, 2014
DELPHI / ATHENS
We spend the morning in Delphi, visiting the museum and the ruins. We shall be able to see the City Treasuries, the Castalian Fountain and the Temple of Apollo. In the museum is the delicate 5th century statue of the Charioteer and other priceless art treasures discovered nearby. Early noon we leave the ancient Delphic Sanctuary and continue to Athens, the capital of Modern Greece arriving late afternoon. Break for lunch on our way. Accommodation Athens. (Breakfast / lunch)
Day 9. Athens: City tour / Acropolis Accommodation Athens
Our morning in Athens begins with the ascent of the Acropolis where the full splendour of fifth century (BC) Athens comes to life: the Propylaia (Gateway), the Temple of Athena Nike (Victory), the Parthenon, the Erechtheion. As we descend, we come to Mars hill. The whole of Paul's famous sermon is inscribed on the rock at its foot, and the expansive Agora of Athens, where former philosophers had counselled and taught, lies below us. A tour of the modern city follows. (Break for lunch at Plaka. The afternoon will be at leisure. Accommodation Athens. (Breakfast / lunch)
Break for lunch, shopping in Plaka and walking the city
DAY 10 Athens – Flight back home
After breakfast we leave our hotel for Athens Airport and our return flight home (Breakfast)
