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Rustle up Greek dishes in a traditional taverna and taste Crete’s best food and wine

Discover the best of Greek food and drink on this seven-night guided tour of western Crete. You'll be based at a modern beach hotel in the pretty town of Kissamos, from where you'll venture out and taste Crete's delicious dishes and fresh produce under the expert guidance of your host - a charismatic local restaurateur, Stelios. At a special cooking class at his sought-after seafront restaurant, Cellar Taverna, you'll learn how to create some of Greece's most famous food, including zesty tzatziki and delectable kalitsounia - famous Cretan sweet cheese pies.

The Greek islands are amongst the most charming destinations in Med, as evidenced by movies such as Mamma Mia and Shirley Valentine. On this trip to Crete, you'll spend time in hillside villages, meeting producers of bold red and aromatic white wines, local cheeses, sweet treats, and - of course - sensational olive oils freshly pressed from the groves. Long lunches and dinners in traditional Cretan tavernas allow you to relax and savour every bite and sip of the Greek table.

It's a busy week, with plenty included to explain the culinary roots of Cretan cuisine and how, to this day, some rural communities remain almost entirely self-sufficient, from growing their own produce and rearing livestock.

This trip also takes you further back into Crete's history on a visit to Chania, a 14th-century port city that's been hotly contested in years gone by and influenced by its countless occupations. You'll also spend a morning at the beautiful Botanical Park & Gardens amid scented herb gardens, abundant vineyards, and glorious citrus orchards.

On days out and over meals together with your group you may strike up lifelong friendships - or at least a shared appreciation for excellent food. Time with your group is balanced with time to spend as you wish, whether taking a stroll along the beach of Kissamos or taking time to explore the island's towns.

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Price includes

  • Return flights from London Gatwick to Chania including all payable taxes (Manchester and other regional flights may also be available, a supplement will apply)
  • Seven nights' accommodation on a bed and breakfast basis at Sunny Bay Hotel in Kissamos
  • Three dinners and three lunches
  • A recipe book to take home
  • A bottle of wine in your room on arrival, exclusively for readers
  • Transfers on arrival and departure
  • Cookery lessons at Cellar Taverna
  • Stelios' wine, cheese and Greek spoon sweet tasting
  • Visits to a winery, a cheese maker, sweet maker and an olive oil factory
  • Day trip to Chania
  • Tour manager throughout
  • Entry to the Botanical Park & Gardens

Availability

From
Tue, Tue, May 7, 2024
To
Tue, Tue, May 14, 2024
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,595*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

From
Tue, Tue, Sep 24, 2024
To
Tue, Tue, Oct 1, 2024
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,595*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

From
Mon, Mon, Sep 25, 2023
To
Mon, Mon, Oct 2, 2023
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,485*
Sold out

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: TST CULINARYCRETE
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Itinerary

  1. Day
    1
    Fly from Gatwick to Chania
    Chania ,

    On arrival, you'll transfer to Kissamos, around 30 minutes away by coach, where you'll check into Sunny Bay Hotel - your base for the next seven nights.

    Tonight, you'll meet Stelios - your local guide and restaurateur - for dinner at his Cellar Taverna restaurant on the seafront.

    Meals - Dinner
  2. Day
    2
    Cooking class in Kissamos
    Kissamos,

    After breakfast this morning, you'll have a cooking lesson at Cellar Taverna, preparing a traditional Greek lunch. You'll have the chance to try making Cretan dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad and cheese and spinach pies. You'll also learn to make yemista and dolmades - Cretan stuffed vegetables - and a local lamb stew known as kleftiko.

    The rest of the day is yours to enjoy at your own pace, with time to explore the town and to visit the archaeological museum.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch
  3. Day
    3
    Tastings in a hillside village
    Kissamos,

    This morning, you'll join Stelios on a visit to a rural village where his parents live on a small farm in the hills. It's an opportunity to learn about traditional Cretan life, taste wine from Stelios' barrels, and sample local cheeses. You'll also try some of Stelios' mother's produce which she makes, grows, or prepares, including Greek spoon sweets, walnuts, olive oil, honey, lemonade, and even snails!

    You'll have lunch at a local taverna in the hills and the afternoon is free to spend as you wish before joining your group for dinner at Cellar Taverna.

    Meals - Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
  4. Day
    4
    Tastings and lunch in Deliana
    Deliana, Greece

    This morning, you'll visit a winery, a cheese maker, a sweet maker and an olive oil factory to learn about the cultivation and production of these local products.

    Lunch today will be in a taverna in the village of Deliana, which is also home to a beautiful 13th-century church. Your evening is at leisure.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  5. Day
    5
    Chania
    Chania ,

    An atmospheric Venetian harbour town, Chania has a backdrop of majestic mountains and overlooks a shimmering sea. A long and turbulent history saw its occupation by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks and Egyptians - leaving behind a rich and captivating architectural heritage. You'll explore the streets and alleyways of the old town to get a feel of the atmosphere here.

    This afternoon allows you time to explore Chania further at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are not included today, giving you the opportunity to stay and enjoy a meal in Chania harbour if you wish.

    Meals - Breakfast
  6. Day
    6
    Day at leisure
    Kissamos,

    A day at leisure to explore further afield if you wish, or just relax in Kissamos.

    Meals - Breakfast
  7. Day
    7
    Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete
    Fournes, Greece

    There's a morning visit to the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete, and as you stroll through the beautiful scenery, you'll learn more about plants, herbs, fruit, and vegetables that are grown here.

    The final afternoon is yours at leisure before joining your group for a farewell dinner at Cellar Taverna.

    Meals - Breakfast, Dinner
  8. Day
    8
    Return to London
    Chania ,

    Transfer by coach to Chania airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.

    Meals - Breakfast

Brought to you by

TS Tours as agent for Travel Editions
This tour is operated solely by TS Tours
TS Tours Ltd, which specialises in bespoke and expert-led tours, is working in partnership with Travel Editions which was set up 29 years ago to offer a range of cultural short breaks and extended tours which would appeal to ‘travellers’ not ‘tourists’. TS Tours Ltd is acting as an agent for Travel Editions ABTA V3120, ATOL 3525.

For general information, click here.

To view TS Tours as agent for Travel Editions’ supplier’s terms and conditions click here.

This tour is protected by the following:

Availability

From
Mon, Mon, Sep 25, 2023
To
Mon, Mon, Oct 2, 2023
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,485*
Sold out

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

From
Tue, Tue, May 7, 2024
To
Tue, Tue, May 14, 2024
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,595*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

From
Tue, Tue, Sep 24, 2024
To
Tue, Tue, Oct 1, 2024
Duration
8 Days
Price per person
£1,595*

* From price is per person, based on two people sharing a room, subject to availability. Price and itinerary correct at time of print but may be subject to change. Single supplement £90. Deposit £250. Local charges such as tourist tax may apply. Travel insurance is not included but required for most of our overseas trips, and should be taken out at time of booking. Images used may not reflect your actual tour experience. This holiday may be sold through other selected brands. Tour is operated by and subject to the booking conditions of Travel Editions Group Ltd, ABTA V3120 and TS Travel Limited (ATOL bonded).

Call now to book 02039934304
Quote ref: TST CULINARYCRETE