Taste the Greek History
Share what makes rural Crete so specialJoin us on a journey of flavours through time. Discover the gastronomic heritage of Greece and learn how the local food culture has changed from the Minoan times to today.
Join this week-long cooking holiday in Crete and we promise to introduce you to the authentic cuisine and local culture of this unique Greek island. Share what makes rural Crete so special – the welcoming people, wonderful food and wine, the history of food since the ancient times and long meals among friends and family. Your base for the week will be The Olive Farm in the district of Apokoronas in the north western part of Crete, a 30 minute drive from Chania.
- Region: Crete
- Destination: Chania
- Duration: 8 days / 7 nights, or as per request
- Activities: cooking, walking or cycling, making natural olive oil soap, visiting local food producers
- Difficulty: easy
- Price per person: Get in touch and we will give you a quote depending on your preferences and exact requirements. Children receive up to a 30% discount.
- Single supplement: from €250
Day by day – A Sample Itinerary
Day 1 | Arrival
Airport pick up – Drop off to accommodation
Small reception with drinks, meze and info on the schedule of the week.
Free evening to explore the village – bikes are available
Meals: Snack |
Day 2 | Introduction to Cretan Gastronomy – Central Market Visit
Visit the central food market in Chania along with our chef – buy provisions for our workshop and identify the products that have their roots in ancient Greece.
Visit the Venetian harbor of Chania and walk round the old part of town
Cooking workshop – Dinner at the Olive Farm – The menu also includes ancient Greek dishes.
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner|
Day 3 | Honey bees – Olive oil Soap
Cycle to the local apiary. Learn about the local flora combinations and the types of honey produced in the area. We will sample honey and buy supplies for our cooking workshop (protective hats will be provided). Option for car transfer is available.
Al fresco lunch at the local “kafeneio” (café) or at the beekeepers garden with wine and raki, herbal tea and honey sweets.
Olive oil soap workshop, learn to make your own handmade soap using olive oil. We have revived the original ancient Greek recipes.
Evening free to spend as you like
Meals: Breakfast | Lunch | Cycling or walking: 40 min| Difficulty: easy
Day 4 | Day excursion
As per request day excursion to nature sites, hiking trails or archaeological sites.
Early dinner in one of the best restaurants in the area serving traditional Cretan food.
Meals: Breakfast |
Day 5 | Local Winery
Visit the local winery – spent some time at the vineyard and enjoy cheese and wine tastings during lunch at the winery. Crete is famous for the wine and goat’s cheese, you should never leave the island without having tasted both!
Cooking workshop and dinner at the Olive Farm – we will revive ancient Greek recipes and cook in clay pots as it was done during the Minoan civilization.
Meals: Breakfast | Light Lunch| Dinner | Cycling or Walking: 40 min Difficulty: easy
Day 6| Farewell Dinner
Greek Pies Workshop
Our final cooking workshop at the Olive Farm with a farewell BBQ party. By now you are an expert and have grasped the true spirit of Greek gastronomy.
Meals: Breakfast | Dinner |
Day 7 | Departure
Breakfast and Departure for the airport or the city center of Chania depending on further travelling arrangements
Location
Highlights
- A full-on experience of every aspect of the local gastronomy and its evolution since the Minoan times
- Greek cookery workshops, so you learn and take home new skills
- Visits to artisan producers here will really get you under the skin of life in rural Crete and help you appreciate why it is so centred around food and socializing.
What’s included
- Accommodation in traditional guest houses
- Carefully selected meals with top quality traditional ingredients
- All workshops and activities fees
- Cheese, wine and honey tasting sessions
- Visits to artisan producers and any entrance fees
On Request
- Specific accommodation requirements
- Meals adopted to specific allergies
- Bicycles and bike equipment
- Car rental although we encourage biking
- Private driver
- Specific dietary needs at your accommodation
- Extension of visit in Crete
- Cultural tours in Chania or Rethimno
