Cooking Cottage
DAY 1
Meet your group at the airport for your transatlantic flight to
Athens, Greece. Meals will be served in flight.
DAY 2
Welcome to Athens! You will be met at the airport and
transferred to your hotel.
The afternoon is at leisure to catch up with your jet lag. In the
evening a welcome dinner will follow at the Taverna
“Thespis” (a rare place that feels like the good old days in
the Plaka - Old Town). It is tucked away in a wonderful area
of the Plaka, just below the Acropolis. Dine on traditional
specialties like bekri meze — pork with spicy sauce. Overnight
at the hotel.
DAY 3
See the highlights of an extraordinary city, one that attracted
and encouraged the greatest minds of ancient times. Visit the
Agora, the public square that was the intellectual center of the
classical world. Then drive past great monuments to the city center
and Constitution Square, the Parliament House with the
monument of the Unknown Soldier guarded by the Evzones
(Palace guards) in their picturesque uniforms and the Panathenaic
Stadium where the first modern Olympic Games were held in
1896. Drive past the temple of Olympian Zeus with its Corinthian
columns to the Acropolis. The highlight is the ascent of Acropolis Hill
to view the architectural masterpieces of the Golden Age of Athens:
the Parthenon, the Propylaea, the Erechtheion, and the Temple
of Athena Nike. Visit the Food Market on Athinas Street and see
the herb and spice shops, the meat and fish markets and green
groceries. This covered market has the atmosphere of a bazaar and
a visit is always an interesting experience. Later visit one of the
most renowned pastry shops in Athens. A cooking class at the
hotel will follow. Learn from one of
the most famous chefs in Athens.
Dinner at the buffet of the hotel will
follow.
DAY 4
Travel to the Corinth Canal which connects the Aegean to the Ionian
Sea. Then continue to Corinth, the ancient cosmopolitan city. Then
proceed to Mycenae, the Homeric city of the Atreide, the city "rich in
gold" and the capital of Agamemnon. Visit the Lion Gate, Cyclopean
Walls and the Royal Beehive Tombs. After lunch on your own at
the famous taverna “Kolizeras” in Mycenas, start an interesting
winery tour. Visit the “Domain Skouras” near Mycenae. Enjoy
the "Premium Wine Tasting" experience, and taste four different
wines of very high quality "Moschofilero", "Viognier", "Grande
Cuver" and "Grand Red Wine" along with bread, various kinds of cheese and finger food (two kinds of local pies). Depart for Nauplia, a
picturesque town crowned by the mighty Palamidi fortress. Then, on
to Epidaurus. See the Sanctuary of Asklepius, God of Medicine,
which lies in a serene landscape along with the lions of the Asklepius,
the Altar and the temples of Artemis. Visit the amphitheater (4th
century B.C.) famous for its remarkable acoustics. Return to Piraeus,
the port of Athens, to board a modern overnight ferry to Crete
(Minoan Lines). (Double occupancy, private facilities).
DAY 5
After breakfast on board disembark ship in
Heraklion, the capital of Crete. Visit the Historical
Museum of Crete. Begin your day with a visit to
the outstanding Historical Museum of Heraklion, the
world’s finest storehouse of Minoan Art. Later, drive
to Knossos, the seat of the legendary King
Minos. The palace is connected with thrilling
legends, such as the Labyrinth with the Minotaur and the
story of Daidalus and Icarus. This is the largest and best
known of the presented Minoan palatial centers. Later visit the
“Pezas” winery. After the visit enjoy lunch at the
traditional village of Archanes. Drive to your hotel for
dinner and overnight.
DAY 6
After breakfast visit the picturesque village of Karousanos. There, you
visit a family taverna with the same name and get acquainted with
Cretan cuisine. Lunch and Cooking Demo: Get acquainted with
Cretan cuisine. You will be shown the fine details, help cook lunch
and then enjoy your meal. Visit a Ceramic Factory: A different
experience awaits you in the nearby village of Thrapsano, where
you will watch the local potters throw ceramic pots that have
made this village famous all over the island. Dinner and overnight
at the hotel Candia Maris.
DAY 7
Board on the high-speed boat for the volcanic island of Santorini, the
southernmost island in the Cyclades. Upon arrival, transfer to your
hotel in the capital town of Fira (or Thira). Drive to Oia: This
magnificent village is famous for its unique
sunsets. On the way there, you see the
characteristic vines of Santorini. Visit the
renowned “Santo” winery where you see its
various rooms and taste some of the best
Santorinian wines. A short film teaches you
about the special grapes and different wines
of the region. Free time in Oia and then back to the hotel in Fira.
DAY 8
Ferry to Caldera: At around 1500 BC the volcano of Santorini
erupted, and what remains are broken
pieces of its rim, encircling a deep lagoon.
Sail to the Caldera and visit the volcano, where you can climb to the top and see the gases that still emanate
from it. This is an experience you must not miss! Return to Fira.
Lunch & Cooking Demo: Enjoy a delicious meal at “Selene.” Here
you will have a cooking lesson and learn about the local specialties.
Dinner at the famous restaurant “Volcano View”.
DAY 9
Transfer to the airport in Santorini for your brief flight to Athens.
Upon arrival you will be met at the airport to be transferred to your
hotel. Ouzo Tasting: Some free time before you continue to the
Plaka for some ouzo tasting at one of the oldest ouzeris owned by
the Vrettos family. It is well-known because of its long history and
charming ambiance. Farewell Dinner at Geros tou Moria: This is
one of the most traditional and well-known tavernas in the Plaka (Old
Town) area, and very popular as well. Climb the famous steps of
Mnesikleous street to get to this very typical taverna known for its
fine cuisine. It is frequented by both tourists and locals alike.
DAY 10
Transfer to the airport for your flight back home. You bring
back wonderful memories of a great travel adventure and
culinary delight.
