HERBS IN HER
POCKETS
POCKETS
I’ve spent years walking remote mountain paths and coastal trails across Greece, seeking out hidden landscapes, heirloom ingredients, and the artisans who still craft food with tradition and soul.
What began as a personal passion soon became a calling — friends asked for my “secret spots,” and I realized that sharing these discoveries brings me as much joy as making them.
If you’re looking to experience Crete through its most intimate flavors and stories — beyond the guidebooks and tourist routes — I would love to host you on one of my upcoming culinary journeys.
Prefer something private and fully tailored? I can curate a bespoke experience designed exclusively for you.
Six days inside the Cretan food culture that most visitors never get to experience
After years of research in Crete’s remotest villages, I will take you straight to the people and places worth discovering. We will wander through ancient olive groves and along iconic coastlines, forage for wild greens, and join the olive harvest to discover the secrets of exceptional extra virgin olive oil. We will explore the sophisticated culinary world of the Minoans, dating back almost 4,000 years, and cook alongside village women who have kept generations of traditional recipes alive.
And that’s just the beginning.
Will you join us?
Α handcrafted culinary journey to Greece’s tastiest island. When it comes to food, Cretans know best: they know how to grow it, how to cook it and, above all, how to enjoy it.
What’s new in 2027?
Two days at the newly opened House of Handcrafted Crete, a cultural space dedicated to the art of making by hand.
To request more information, please contact at [email protected].
Day 1
Heraklion
Arrival at Heraklion International Airport and group transfer to Episkopi.
An optional stroll through this beautiful traditional village, renowned for its Byzantine churches and distinctive Cretan character.
In the evening, we gather for “How Far Would You Go for Food?” – a food-storytelling welcome dinner celebrating Crete’s culinary heritage through exceptional artisanal products, traditional recipes and the stories behind them.
Day 2
Heraklion
Longevity Secrets Breakfast – a special introduction to the foods, habits and traditions that have shaped the Cretan diet and its reputation for longevity.
A morning of foraging among olive groves and vineyards, followed by a hands-on cooking experience with local women. We will prepare traditional dishes using wild greens and seasonal ingredients, before sitting down to lunch with a specialist who cultivates three of Crete’s most distinctive native herbs.
In the afternoon, an introduction to the art of making at the House of Handcrafted Crete, with a ceramics workshop where you will create your own plate or bowl.
Dinner at a traditional village kafeneio, where local life unfolds around the table.
Day 3
Heraklion
A journey back almost 4,000 years to discover the sophisticated food culture of the Minoans. A guided exploration of selected exhibits at Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum reveals the ingredients, utensils, rituals and culinary traditions of Europe’s first great civilization.
Free time to explore Heraklion, with my personal recommendations for interesting places to visit and enjoy lunch.
In the evening, a hands-on cooking experience around a traditional wood-fired stove. We will discover the magic of aged graviera, Crete’s proud answer to Parmesan, before sharing dinner with a wine producer who has helped rescue and revive ancient Cretan grape varieties.
Day 4
Chania
We leave Heraklion and head west, stopping in Rethymno.
Free time to explore its atmospheric old town, where Venetian and Ottoman influences have left their mark on the architecture, food and everyday life.
A relaxed lunch of small plates and reinvented Cretan classics.
We then continue to Chania and check in at our boutique hotel.
The afternoon is yours to discover the old town, with my personal recommendations for independent art, craft and design shops that are easy to miss.
Dinner at a restaurant celebrating the farm-to-table philosophy and the richness of local produce.
Day 5
Chania
A hands-on olive-picking experience at one of Crete’s outstanding olive farms. Get involved in the harvest and discover what it takes to produce exceptional extra virgin olive oil.
An olive-oil tasting and a special lunch hosted by a poet-chef, bringing together gastronomy, literature and the flavors of the Cretan landscape.
A guided visit to the olive mill known for producing one of the world’s pioneering high-phenolic olive oils, certified for use as a food supplement.
We will also stop to admire one of Crete’s monumental ancient olive trees – a living witness to the island’s agricultural history.
Dinner is deliberately casual: a proper Greek souvlaki experience in Chania.
Day 6
Chania
We explore the ancient city of Aptera with a specialist who knows its history, legends and hidden stories inside out.
At the ancient theatre, we play a little game of gastronomic storytelling and recitations, bringing together food, history and the pleasures of the spoken word.
A leisurely seaside lunch with a taste of summer, in a charming spot that was once an old bus-station café.
In the evening, a farewell dinner to remember at a family winery, discovering some of Crete’s rare wines made from pre-phylloxera vines.
Day 7
departures
An optional visit to the Chania Archaeological Museum, subject to departure schedules.
And, before we say goodbye, one last surprise: a little Zorba-style Cretan farewell before our group transfer to Chania International Airport.
* The Cretan Kitchen Confidential tour starts at Heraklion international airport and ends in Chania international airport.
Where we stay
For the first three nights, we stay in restored traditional houses and village villas in Episkopi, surrounded by the authentic character of rural Crete.
In Chania, we move to a beautiful boutique hotel, ideally located for exploring the old town.
For those who prefer a more luxurious accommodation option, upgrades can be arranged at an additional cost, including Pnoe Breathing Life in Heraklion and Hilton Chania Old Town or Domus Blanc in Chania.
Pricing
€5,250 per person, sharing a twin room.
Founding Guest Price: €4,750 for the first six bookings.
Single-room supplement: €750.
Deposit upon registration:
Please consult our full terms and conditions before registering.
Travel Information & Tour Details
Crete is easily accessible with just a one-hour flight from Athens. A group transfer from Heraklion Kazantzakis International Airport (HER) is scheduled for approximately 3:00 PM on arrival day. On the final morning of the tour, a group transfer will be arranged from our hotel in Chania to Chania Daskalogiannis International Airport (CHQ). Finalized transfer times will be confirmed in early July.
This curated journey is tailored for food professionals and for passionate lovers of Greek cuisine. If you have any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please inform us at the time of registration.
Participants should be prepared for daily walking of 1 to 3 miles. The itinerary may be subject to change due to weather or unforeseen circumstances; however, any adjustments will be thoughtfully planned to maintain the quality and integrity of the experience.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
PAYMENT INFORMATION
To avoid additional processing charges, payments should preferably be made by bank transfer.
Credit card payments incur an additional 3% processing fee on the deposit amount.
By registering, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to all terms and conditions.
To request more information, please contact us at [email protected].
To be announced in early 2027
