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Culinary Food & Wine Adventure

on the Greek Island of Crete (greece)

with your personal Sommelier & Culinary Educator suzanne

& Cretan chef/guide Giorgio

6 nights/7 days from 21 to 27 September 2014

Far away from the noisy tourist spots and only limit to 6 people, Sommelier and Chef Suzanne is taking you on a unique and alternative holiday.

She prospected this trip last year and collaborates with a local Cretan guide to offer you an unforgettable experience on the most beautiful island of Greece. We will be staying in the serene and peaceful mountains and archeological site at Thalori Resort for a fabulous vacation of cooking with Georgio, our local guide and chef. Allow yourself a chance to completely immerse in the culture of Crete. We tour around the island, visit cultural historical sites, local producers and learn to cook authentic and delicious Cretan dishes. This vacation will allow you to steep yourself in Cretan local history, taste, and cook using the techniques of Cretan mothers and grand mothers. Absorb some of the most breathtakingly beautiful scenery that Crete has to offer and let the passion of the Cretan way of life take you to a whole new food and wine haven and put your body and mind to a tranquil mode as nothing else matters on this island. This is not a vacation for the faint of heart as we are located in a serene and spiritual location surrounded by mountains but ample luxury in the restored authentic village houses of Thalori, where sheep and goats will be our neighbors for a week, living with the locals and reconnect with the simple essentials of life. We will be touring with a private van and Georgios bubbly personality will guide you around in some unusual villages and places, and happily accommodates your requests.

Worldchefs intl. LLC is taking you on another alternative culinary adventure to the beautiful island of Crete. An unforgettable vacation awaits! Steeped with traditions and history, our native chef and guide teamed up with Suzanne to offer you A food & wine experience that will make you fall in love with the island and its people.www.worldchefs.net email:[email protected]

Food&Wine travel to crete

Accommodation at the Thalori Traditional Complex in a twin/double room house for 6 nights

Return transfers to/from Heraklion airport

A welcome drink and snack on arrival at the airport

Cretan cookery lessons on day 2,3,4 and 5

A visit to archaeological sites of Gortys, Phaestos and Knossos (guiding/entrance fees are extra)

A visit to the womens co-operative work shop of Marathos and work with them

A visit to producers vineyard with picnic lunch

A visit to Argyroupolis natural springs and Matala caves and Zaros lake

A gastronomic walking tour of Heraklion

A visit to local bee-keeping honey producers and tasting of produce

A visit to local wineries and tasting of wine and raki

All transport to and from the excursions

All cooking materials and ingredients

Breakfast with Greek or regular coffee or healing mountain herb tea, Lunch, Dinner

accompanied by water, local wine and raki

Sommelier services by Suzanne. Every night you will be introduced by your personal

sommelier to a new delicious indigenous wine/grape varietal from the island of Crete and enjoy a tasting while she will educate you about Cretes wines.

*Flights to Crete, Personal expenses and shopping are participants responsibility

*For travelers that want to arrive earlier and spend extra time on Crete with Suzanne, she can accommodate you at another resort on Crete to get some rest and relax time after the long flight. Extra fees are involved so let Suzanne know to give you an estimate.

Suzanne will be with you the entire time on Crete (before and during the program) to keep you company and comfortable.

*For people that are signing up for the trip, Suzanne will have a presentation night on

Friday 4/25 to answer all the questions and concerns and to view pictures of the trip and what to expect.

*Booking is first come first served based. A non refundable deposit of $300 per person, needs to be submitted by the end of April, to secure your reservation.

Please note that holidays are land part only and do not include flights.

Price: $2995.00 per person

(Double Occupancy based on 2 people) - Single use:+ $335.00

Limited to only 6 people to allow INTIMATE AND private travel experience

Contact Suzanne at Worldchefs for booking or info

[email protected] or phone:408-247 7351/408-6053200

Food&Wine travel to crete

TRAVEL PACKAGE INCLUDES

Georgios program outlined for us:

Suitability

Cretan cookery holidays are suitable for all levels from complete beginners to experienced cooks Your host is Greek but speaks excellent English so all cooking classes are taught in English

Travelling Solo?

These cookery holidays make great singles holidays and singles are welcome to join an existing group. Solo travelers will be allocated their own house in the complex and a compulsory single supplement applies

It may be possible to share a house with another guest or guests and avoid a supplement but this depends on availability, contact Suzanne to check availability for shared options

What Will I Learn?

Your week in Crete will be as much a hands on cooking experience as a cultural one- Your host George will introduce you to the philosophy of local cooking and its traditions- You will learn about the history of Cretan cuisine and how it was influenced by its occupation for more than 2000 years - You will learn the inspirations behind the Cretan dishes- The methods employed by local producers- How to make a variety of Cretan dishes from simple ingredients you can find back home- How very few ingredients can be the basis for 6 or 7 dishes?- How to prepare traditional Cretan dishes adapted to anyones requirements but never compromising on flavor- The cooking techniques and methods used to create the dishes

Sample Menus

- Dishes vary according to the season and what food is available but may include:- Various Moussakas- Stuffed peppers, tomatoes, courgettes and Aubergines (Papoutsakia)- Dolmadakia vine leaf wraps stuffed with sorrel, pumpkin flowers- Ladera- Casseroles- Saganaki cheese (fried cheese), shrimps, feta cheese in oven, - Sfakiani (stuffed pitta)- Soups- Kalisounia (traditional Cretan pies)- Sweet and savoury pastries- Please note that dietary requirements (including allergies) must be written at the time of booking including what type of diet you follow

Holiday itinerary

Kapetaniana is a small village perched at an altitude of 800 meters on the Asteroussia range.This little known haven of tranquillity lies west of Kophinas peak, commanding magnificent views over the Libyan sea and surrounded by mountain wilderness. Kapetaniana is the glorious setting where you will combine your Cretan cooking holiday with an outstanding traditional Greek cultural experience.

This is why this Cretan cooking holiday is one of a kind. Your cookery school offers an all-encompassing cultural cookery experience. In the mornings you will sit down to a lavish breakfast before heading off to visit sites of cultural interest specifically chosen so that you can immerse yourself in local Cretan history and tradition.

The area is steeped in history and intrigue and you will visit many interesting places, including the Basilica of St. Titus, the valley of Messaras, the city of Rethymnon and the waters of Argyroupolis.You will see the awe inspiring frescoes at the monastery of Odigitrias, which has a rich history dating back to the Turkish occupation, and visit local wineries with a chance to try your hand at making raki.

Your host andcook, George, believes it is important for you to fully experience the Cretan passion for food and each day he will take you around the island and show you the local traditions, historical and archaeological sites of interest and then you will share lunch with the locals before returning for your hands on, custom made cookery class. Under the careful guidance and tutelage of cook George, you will be taught the traditional Cretan way of creating and transforming simple dishes into something wonderful to be shared with friends and loved ones. You will learn to cook in an informal and sociable environment, with lessons custom built around your tastes and preferences. The focus is on learning to be creative with traditional and local ingredients taken fresh every day from the fields and markets.

This really is the best of both worlds. A really unique experience, combining local visits in a beautiful tranquil setting with learning the skills and passion of Cretan cuisine, this unique 6 nights/7 days Cretan cooking holiday is truly a magical experience.

Cretan food, wine and Cooking Holiday Start Days- All arrivals are on Sundays on set dates - Arrival will depend on your flight but times can be flexible- Cretan cooking holidays are for 6 nights/7 days

Cretan food, wine and Cooking Holiday ItineraryThe itinerary is for guidance only and is subject to change depending on the groups needs and wishes but is typically as follows:

Day 1- Sunday - Arrival and traditional Cretan welcome dinner - After arriving at Heraklion airport, you will be met by English speaking Cretan host George - If youre arriving in the morning youll head somewhere for lunch before being driven to the Thalori Resort via transfer- For guests arriving after lunch, George will meet you at the airport and offer you a coffee, snack and water for the 70 minute transfer to the Thalori Traditional Resort- Check into your house, relax and explore your surroundings before joining your fellow guests for a welcome dinner made up of a variety of local Cretan foods your first taste of the flavors of Creteand to get introduced to your travel partners.

Day 2 Monday 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 youll visit Gortys, the ruined capital city of the Roman province which included the island of Crete - Youll see the impressive amphitheater 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 youll 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 specialties or freshly caught seafood for the pescatarians- After lunch youll head back to the Thalori complex and head to the kitchen for your first cooking class-This evenings 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 color and flavor- After the class sit down as a group and enjoy the meal youve learned to cook accompanied by local wine

Day 3 Tuesday Arkadi monastery, city of Rethymnon, Argyroupolis natural springs- After breakfast at the Thalori houses where you will be staying, take a drive through the vineyards and small villages of the Rethymnon region- Visit the 16th century monastery of Arkadi, and Margarites a small village famous for producing ceramics- Next, youll visit the city a Rethymnon a city seeped in history and an attractive place to wander through its narrow streets and marvel at Venetian and Turkish architecture that house its restaurants, cafes and shops- After browsing the shops and a coffee break where you can mingle with the locals, youll drive to the natural springs of Argyroupolis a site boasting attractive cascades and an idyllic setting for lunch where youll enjoy Cretan grilled meats, vegetable and cheese specialties- After lunch youll return 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.- After the class youll enjoy the fruits of your labor with the group along with some raki and local wine.

Day 4 Wednesday Matala caves, wine tasting, producers visit at vineyard and casserole cooking class- After breakfast youll be driven to the caves of Matala and its beach which is known to be the best in the region where youll learn about the ancient history of the caves and the more modern history and how it was mentioned in songs by Bob Dylan, and Joni Mitchell amongst others- Spend some time at Matala and leave the place driving north for a pleasant experience visiting a small family run winery producing special small quantity good quality organic wines. The winemakers know their product and share their knowledge.

An exceptional experience a 'producer visit' visiting one of George's friends-cousin's farms for lunch. Hand picked produce from the garden straight to your table and meat sourced locally, chicken, lamb and of course goat served on rustic tables, spread out on brown paper covers, eating like the farmers do! Great atmosphere and ambience.The simplicity of the setting will be part of the enjoyment and the various meats cooked accompanied by homemade wine. Late afternoon drive back to begin this evenings cookery class-Tonights cooking class is based around the mageirefta or ladera and youll use several types of wild greens, green beans, broad beans and other ingredients to create adelicious dish to enjoy with the other guests of local wine and raki

Day 5 Thursday Zaros lake, beehives visit and art of pastry making at the womens co-operative work shop of Marathos and final cooking class-Enjoy breakfast at your accommodation before driving north and discovering the beautiful lake of Zaros- Here you can admire the scenery and stop for coffee before heading to Marathos to visit the womens co-operative work shop at the village of Marathos where the residents make unique and incredibly artistic pastry breads called Xompliasto- You will see how the pastry is made and the delicate work needed to create such stunning breads and spend an hour working together and learn their technique- Ending the visit, youll visit a bee keeper and learn about traditional methods of bee-keeping employed here to make organic, additive free local honey- The owners are two brothers who have been bee-keepers their whole lives, inheriting the business from their father- Youll take a short hike to reach the location of where the bees are kept before strolling to the local cafe which is run by the owners- At the cafe, you will have the opportunity to take honeycombs straight from the beehive, learn about the bees and beekeeping as well as having lunch and enjoying the local pancakes known as tiganites served with honey and cheese pies along with raki and local wine- On arrival back at the resort, you will begin your final cooking class which features special traditional pies which are roasted and fried in the pan- Youll enjoy dinner accompanied by wine and raki with your fellow guests

Day 6 Friday Knossos, walking tour of Heraklion and farewell dinner-After breakfast, todays excursion takes you to Knossos, an ancient palace and must-see archaeological site of Crete- After visiting the 3500 year old site of Knossos, youll head to Heraklion and take a walk through the city taking a gastronomic tour of all the best local food places and vendors- Youll visit the best pastry shop in the city and sample filo pastries in syrups, with cheeses before heading to a coffee shop and tasting coffee roasted the traditional way in hot sand- Next youll explore the central market and stop for an ouzo with meze at one of the traditional mezedopolion (restaurants)- Youll also have the opportunity to see the cathedral of Saint Minas, the Morozini fountain, Venetian church turned art gallery before heading towards the seaside- A light lunch will be served accompanied by chilled white wine before ending your gastronomic walking tour to taste the famous loukoumades Cretan style doughnuts sprinkled with honey and sesame- After the walking tour, youll head back to the Thalori resort to relax before a farewell dinner which tonight is your day off from cooking and a chance to enjoy a meal cooked by the chefs at the complex- Dinner is a chance to sample yet more local dishes and compare them to the dishes youve learned during the week and discuss the sites, tastes and sounds of your holiday with new friends over wine and raki.

Day7 Saturday Departure day- After a leisurely breakfast, them guests are asked to check-out of their rooms and be ready to be taken back to the airport taking home leaving you with an in depth insight into Cretan life, new friendships and unique culinary and cultural memories that will stay with you long after the holiday is over and wanting you to come back to taste more of this friendly island.

About Your host - Your Greek host and cook for the holiday is George - George has been working in the travel industry for over 40 years but has always had a love and interest in food and the food industry - George has had two experiences running his own restaurants and has catered for Cretan weddings as well as running cookery holidays on the island- He began offering cooking holidays in response to guests request whilst working in travel and has run the holidays for a number of years- Georges interest and expertise in vegetarian and vegan cuisine as well came in response to some guests comments that Cretan and Greek food is heavily meat focused- He took it upon himself to prove to his guests that Crete and Greece was the perfect destination for vegetarians and vegans, and over the years he has worked extensively with the International Vegetarian Society, and Vegan Society

- George is well rehearsed in vegetarian and vegan diets and hopes to show visitors the richness of Cretan food that he believes can be accessible and enjoyed by all, whatever your dietary requirements - Georges style is friendly, informal, and relaxed and cooking is often accompanied by by a glass of wine or raki- He thinks cooking should be a fun activity to be shared with friends and there are no strict rules to his cooking- He believes the freshness of the ingredients make the dishes and uses only local ingredients- George is passionate about the island of Crete and so as well as taking you on a culinary journey to discover the islands cuisine, it will also be a cultural one.

Accommodations

Your accommodation is set in the village of Kapetaniana, in the Heraklion region of the island of Crete- Kapetaniana is a small village perched some 800m above sea level, with magnificent views of the Libyan Sea- Youll stay in the Thalori Resort which is made up of a cluster of 14 traditional houses and boasts a central restaurant, kitchen and recreational area - Each house has been built with an emphasis on traditional, locally sourced resources- Local rocks and stones make up the walls of the properties, local marble and wood for the interior and traditional fireplaces and embroidered carpets make for a warm and welcoming stay- All houses are equipped with central heating, fireplace, fully equipped kitchen, mini stereo system, Satellite TV with 20 LCD screen, Chess table, board games, orthopedic mattresses, and complimentary bathroom products- Houses vary in size and accommodate from 1-5 people- There are 4 double bedroom houses, 5 triple room houses, 1 four bedroom property and 4 five bedroom houses- Bathrooms are shared withineach house- If you are travelling solo, stay in a double room house for sole occupancy for a small supplement or you may be able to share a house with other guests but this is subject to availability (to check availability please contact us- Houses are allocated according to availability, where possible your group will be offered their own house- The thick stone wall and central heating make the houses a comfortable temperature year round- There is an infinity swimming pool with beautiful views over the area. The restaurant is built in a similar style to the houses and set over two floors- There is also a professional kitchen and separate meeting room with terrace within the restaurant building- Your cookery lessons will take place either in the kitchen, side meeting room with terrace, or in the restaurant itself - The imposing windows of the restaurant offer panoramic views to the Libyan Sea- Accommodation is included for 6 nights / 7 days- Check in anytime after 2 pm on day 1 and check out by 10.30 am on day 7 (subject to flight times)

Meals

All breakfasts are included and taken in the restaurant- Breakfast consists of bread, honey, eggs, local pancakes, cheese, yoghurts, fresh fruits, and fresh juices- Lunch is always taken out on excursions at local villages and restaurants- Dinner is the food that youve learned to cook and the first on Sunday and last dinner on Friday is prepared for you by chefs at your accommodation - All meals are suitable for vegetarians and can be adapted to vegans for celiac and gluten free followers as well- Dietary requests must be communicated to us at the time of booking

Free Time In Crete

This Cretan food, wine and cookery holiday is packed with cultural trips, culinary delights, and cooking lessons but if you want to explore the area there is plenty to do- From the Thalori houses you can take a mountain path to trek to some of Cretes most beautiful beaches - There are numerous cultural and archaeological sites nearby, as well as chapels and monasteries which are decorated with distinct murals- Ravines and caves are scattered through the mountainous area surrounding the complex which can be explored- Several sandy beaches frame the Heraklion Countys coast which are often deserted

This is a food, wine and cookery holiday that is about so much more than simply learning to cook. It is a holiday that will awaken your senses, enliven your passion, invigorate your intellect and teach you how to cook meals from the heart.

About the location

With spectacular views over the Libyan sea, Kapetaniana is a cosy village and the perfect location for your Cretan food, wine and cookery holiday experience. This characterful location, in the heart of Asteroussia, has at its center an ancient building that has long been associated with myth and legend. It is now the unique and atmospheric location of your cookery school.You will cook and dine on traditional dishes chosen specifically from fresh, local ingredients that are in abundance around you, giving you that feeling of living from the land and letting you indulge in the beauty that nature provides. The Asteroussia area is a favorite destination for anyone seeking the tranquility of the mountains or breathtakingly beautiful walks along the secret beaches of southern Crete.You will stay in the Thalori resort which has been designed and furnished to offer memorable experiences. The Thalori is a complex of traditional stone built houses which have been beautifully restored to reflect the ancient traditions of the area. The houses are constructed from stone and rock, with traditional fireplaces and embroidered carpets that create a gloriously warm atmosphere. The houses are equally functional and relaxing. There are 14 houses in total and these are allocated so that each person or group stay within their own house and share a bathroom. There is also a stunning swimming pool boasting beautiful views over the area.All meals and cookery classes are taken as a group hosted by cooks George who is also your host for your tours around the island. Its easy to see why Chef George is so successful in teaching cookery courses. He has a warm and friendly disposition, full of character with a great sense of humor. He has worked internationally in the hospitality industry for more than forty years and has managed his own restaurants but he loves nothing more than communicating his passion for the Cretan food and traditions. And for more than ten years now, he has been teaching others how delicious and healthy traditional Cretan cooking is. George is a member of the Vegetarian Society International and is committed to raising awareness of the diversity and variety of traditional Cretan food in vegetarian cooking and that it is not just a cuisine for meat eaters.

Features

Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty 68km from Heraklion- The beach is about 7km away so within walking distance- A restaurant with a unique atmosphere where you can share and enjoy the best of Cretan cuisine- Beautifully restored accommodation with all amenities geared towards your comfort and enjoyment, including LCD and satellite TV, orthopedic mattresses and central heating- Swimming pool with stunning views- Inspiring tours around the island to sample and learn about the Cretan way of life- The wilderness of the mountains and spectacular views and inlets to the secret beaches of Southern Crete- Expert hands-on tuition and a warm, casual and relaxed learning environment- An opportunity to travel to interesting places out of tourist zones and see local people at work- Learning at your own pace using the techniques of traditional Cretan Mediterranean cuisine following the old methods- Learning how to transform your vegetarian dishes and being creative to make authentic and delicious dishes you will want to share with family and friends

7

Culinary Food and Wine Adventure on the Greek Island of Crete

with your personal Sommelier and Educator

& Cretan chef/guide Giorgio.

6 nights/7 days

21-27 September 2014

WORLDCHEFS INTERNATIONAL LLC

3874 Pruneridge Ave.Santa Clara, Ca95051

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