WORLDWIDE CULTURAL AND CULINARY VACATIONS
Marriott Vacation Club®
888-682-4862
Vistana Signature Network™
800-239-2197

Epicurean Adventures in Eastern & Central Crete

(This Tour has a 2 Person Minimum and 8 Person Maximum) Sunday Arrivals

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Call now to book
Marriott Vacation Club®
888-682-4862
Vistana Signature Network™
800-239-2197
From17,000
Club Points *
(For Two People, Double Occupancy)
* Tours sold on an availability basis.
From9,750
Club Points *
(For One Person, Single Occupancy)
* Tours sold on an availability basis.
7 days | 6 nights

An Adventure into the Soul
of Mediterranean Gastronomy and Culture

This is everything you are hoping for in a Greek Island destination. Picturesque villages, archaeological sites, beautiful mountains, valleys and plenty of lovely beaches all combined into an exclusive experience on the Greek Island of Crete. The largest island of Greece represents one of the oldest, healthiest and most beloved gastronomic traditions in the world. The Mediterranean diet is refined as the Cretian Diet. It is the synergy of tradition, philosophy of life, a heartwarming hospitably of its people and the richness of the island’s naturally grown products. From Homer’s Odyssey “liquid gold” olive oils to excellent cheese and one of the world’s oldest winemaking regions, Crete’s heritage is undeniably linked to its cuisine. Follow this culinary adventure guiding you to immerse yourself in a melting pot of unique flavors, aromas and ingredients that will unfold the richness of the Cretan “Miracle” cuisine with its secret of longevity.
Itinerary Accommodations Map FAQ
VACATION HIGHLIGHTS
Please note: Tour inclusions can change depending upon seasonality and weather conditions.
Round-Trip Crete Airport Transfers
Breakfast Daily
Welcome Dinner with Wine
Three Cooking Classes with Wine
One Pastry Class with Chef
Multi-label Wine Tastings
Olive Oil Tastings
Cheese Making
Pastry Museum Tour
Archaeological Museum
Walking Foodie Tours & Heraklion City Tour
Tour of Agios Nikolaos
Tour of Palace of Knossos
Free Morning to Explore
Farewell Dinner with Wine
While our tours are designed as soft adventure experiences, walking, climbing stairs, and in rare cases mild hiking may be required. If you have mobility issues, you should speak with one of our culinary travel specialists to determine if this tour is appropriate for your situation.
AVAILABLE DATES
This tour runs from April through to the end of October with Sunday arrivals. Click the orange "Check Pricing & Dates" button above to see all available dates. To inquire about private departures, please click the blue "Ask Us a Question" button above.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
Please note: Actual itineraries are subject to change due to seasonality.
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Day 1
Airport Transfers to Hotel
Welcome to Crete. The English speaking private driver will meet you at Heraklion airport. Just a short drive to your hotel where you will feel at home for the next 2 nights. You can relax and explore your surrounds before dinner.
Welcome Dinner with Wine
After you settle into your room a Welcome Dinner based on top Cretan products and authentic homemade recipes. A variety of wild greens, Cretan pancakes with cauliflower, smoked lean pork, escargot, meats and pasta and many more specialties. You will be welcomed by your tour hostess who will overview the week, answer any questions and give you all the detailed information to make this your best vacation ever.
Day 2
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day's activities. Daily fresh ingredients include a variety of products such as homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Wine and Cheese Tasting
After a tour of the winery premises, a Tasting of 5 wines including Whites, Rose and Reds will be accompanied with Cretan rusk, Cretan gruyere and Cretan anthotiros.
Traditional Crete Cooking Class with Dinner and Wine
The cooking class will take place at the Villa. All seasonal products from local producers will be featured as well as products from the owners farm. You will make 3 courses and enjoy dinner with wine after your work in the kitchen.
Day 3
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day's activities. Daily fresh ingredients include a variety of products such as homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Depart Villa Kerasia and Check in to Hotel in Heraklion
After breakfast, you will depart Villa Kerasia and be transferred into the city of Heraklion. You have left the countryside to be in walking distance of historical landmarks, a fabulous foodie scene with shopping and markets that you will love.
Visit Archaeological Museum | City Food Tour | Evening and Dinner on your own
Meet our local escort in front of the archaeological museum who will have your name on a sign to identify him and wander charming Heraklion, starting with iconic sights such as the open-air market find a lot of food local products. In this food tour to explore also, the historic Venetian Loggia and the majestic Cathedral of Agios Minas or the Church of Agios Titos, The Venetian Castle of Heraklion "Koules," the Castle is a massive fortress that used to guard the entry to the port. Then enjoy the culinary journey: Bougatsa with Greek Coffee: Start with the classic Cretan pastry, Bougatsa, paired with rich Greek coffee. Indulge in flaky layers of puff pastry filled with sweet or savory delights. Tavern Experience: Enjoy a feast of flavors in a traditional mezedopoleio (tavern), where the table overflows with Cretan food, mezes. Enjoy lively food dishes such as Eggplant Salad: A delicious mix of eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, herbs, and olive oil. Roast goat or mezes Bekri: Slow-roasted goat or pork in red wine sauce, highlighting the richness of Cretan meat dishes. Sausage: Enjoy delicious Cretan sausages, either with vinegar or as delicious meatballs. Raki accompaniments: Complete your meze experience with a taste of raki, the traditional Cretan spirit.
Free Afternoon to Explore | Dinner on Your Own
Time to enjoy all that your idyllic setting and your hotel has to offer. Heraklion is a vibrant place that combines the pleasures of today and the beauty of yesterday in a unique manner. The city is filled with open spaces and pedestrian streets. All you need to do is walk around and discover the beauties it has to offer.
Day 4
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day's activities. Daily fresh ingredients include a variety of products such as homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Garden Tour | Cretan Cooking Class | Tour Picturesque Agios Nikolaos
With guidance from a local chef, you will learn to make a variety of Cretan dishes using a wide range of fresh, local, organic ingredients from the garden. The menus vary, so make sure to indicate if you have any allergies. After the class, you will enjoy the meal you have mastered, accompanied by local wine, raki, and soft drinks. Next, you will visit the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos - one of Crete's most unique and beautiful locations.
Day 5
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day's activities. Daily fresh ingredients include a variety of products such as homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Heraklion Knossos Palace | Cooking Class with Chef | Sommelier led Wine and Olive Oil Tasting
A visit to the Palace of Knossos was built 3500 years ago is a must see in Crete! Discover and explore the History and Culture behind the Cretan diet, with the company of our two executive hosts. Our Estate's Ms Chrysi will demonstrate and direct you into making 5 different Cretan dishes, and our certified sommelier will share with you our knowledge regarding Wine Making in Crete. This experience will offer you an expertise in making a traditional homemade recipe from scratch. At the end of your experience you will enjoy the recipes you made with wines of our wineries which will pair harmoniously. In the Peza wine region, right in the center of Crete is Domaine Paterianakis and was founded in 1988 with a focus on quality Cretan wine. Now the third generation of the family continue creating organic wines with a strong personality.
Day 6
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day's activities. Daily fresh ingredients include a variety of products such as homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Free Morning for Exploring Heraklion or More of Crete
Take advantage of the central location of your accommodations as a perfect base to explore what Crete has to offer. Heraklion is the largest city in Crete and it flourished under multicultural influence throughout the centuries...with a plethora of Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman structures to enjoy. Admire the ancient treasures, relax on one of its glorious beaches, immerse yourself in unique tranquil locations, and explore magnificent mountain ranges, fertile valleys, and steep gorges as this southernmost island in Europe simply has it all. Your host will be happy to give you additional suggestions on how to make the most of your time.
Pastry Museum and Chocolate Designing
You'll visit the Pastry History Museum. Museum opened its doors on July 1st, 2021 and currently includes 400 very rare exhibits, 32 of which are unique in the world! We enter the specially designed space where the seminar will take place on the subject of chocolate and its history! You will see the process of making filled chocolates or cookies! You try you hand at making your own cornet out of paper and practicing writing and drawing.
Traditional Farewell Dinner
By preserving and developing old family recipes, we offer you a unique opportunity to taste the authentic taste and quality of Cretan food, now in the heart of Heraklion. We only use locally selected high quality raw materials from the best producers and breeders of Crete. This meal will be your fond farewell to Crete until you return again.
Day 7
Mediterranean Breakfast
Each morning, relax and enjoy a Cretan style breakfast filled with delicious and nutritious local products that will get you ready for day’s activities. Daily fresh ingredients include homemade breads, breakfast cakes, and yogurt with honey, local handmade cheese, toast, eggs, coffee, tea and juice.
Check-Out | Transfer to Airport
After breakfast, say good-bye to the lovely Crete Island. Transportation is arranged from the hotel to Heraklion International Airport
Heraklion, Crete, GreeceVlahiana, Crete, Greece
Winner
OUTSTANDING
CULINARY TRAVEL
Category
Member of ASTA Member of ATTA Member of GSTC

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Access to the Culinary Tours is made available through the Abound by Marriott Vacations™ exchange program and is subject to the terms and conditions as outlined in the applicable Abound documents. Actual experiences will be provided via contractual arrangements with third-party providers and may require the payment of additional fees. The experiences described herein are examples of potential vacation opportunities and are subject to change.

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