Greece Wine - Culinary Food Vacation
Crete, Greece
August 10 August 17, 2011
$1599*

Come and really enjoy a relaxing time on Crete, Greece. A perfect combination of fine Greek and Cretan wines complimented with the very best of culinary cuisine to bring wine and food dishes together. Dating back to the Minoan period 5000 years ago, wine has been produced in Greece. Many fine wines are produced from mountain village vineyards and during August the wine festivals commence. Twenty percent (20%) of the Greek wine production comes from Crete.

The vineyards in Crete have a surface approx 50.000 hectares and the wine production amounts to 950.000 hectoliters. Seventy percent (70%) of the wine production of Crete comes from the Peza area in Heraklion prefecture

Day 1 - Arrive Crete, Greece
Arrival Day at Heraklion Airport in Crete and transfer to hotel. - Introduction to Crete Wine's.

Day 2 - Knossos History Wine Tour
Starting at the beginning from the Minoan period a guided visit to the National Museum and Knossos palace, investigating the oldest recorded wines in Greece. Tour of the local market discovering local wines lunch traditional market taverna.

Day 3 - Peza Vineyards Winery Tour
Traveling to into the Peza heartlands of the wine producers of Crete visiting the 2 famous wineries. Walking tour of the vineyards grape harvesting techniques, wine pressing, including a lecture and tour of the cellars. Wine sampling and a chance to buy some wines in the wineries shop. Traveling inland to sample Cretan cuisine and locally made village wines.

Day 4 - Day Greek Night Wine Festival
Daytime visit to one of Crete’s cheese producers. Guided tour of the goat and sheep’s milk cheese production. Collecting some local cheeses, we travel to one of the vineyards to enjoy some rural wines and cheeses. Evening festival traveling to the festival of wine and food including traditional. Dancing in the village square of Avdou.

Day 5 - Archanes Wine Festival Visiting 2 Wineries
Traveling to into the Archanes rural village visiting the village square for coffee. This famous regions grapes produce some of the noted wines from Crete, Guided tour visiting 2 wineries sampling wines from this years wine production. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the cellar, the production area, and the rest of the estate and they can enjoy the impressive multimedia show, which has gained major awards at international competitions. Lunch in one of the famous regions tavernas noted for their village wines.

Day 6 - Mohos Village Festival
The villagers are hospitable people that know the secrets of good life. The visitor will enjoy the many traditional tavernas offering a selection of traditional Cretan dishes in the central square of the village. The market hosts all types of locally made goods. The wine festival is included within the main festival. Traditional Cretan music, dancing, good local wine and delicious traditional food.

Day - 7 Free Day
Options Scuba Diving Horse Riding Golf Day Car Hire.

Day 8 - Departure Day
Transfer to airport from hotel.

Staying in Gournes just 15 minutes transfer from the airport of Heraklion. The holiday is on a half board basis. Based on 2 sharing a twin room.

Accommodation 3 star apartments with swimming pool and pool bar are surrounded by a sub tropical garden. The apartments can sleep 2 - 6 persons per room, with air conditioning kitchenette and balcony. The apartments are only 15 minutes from Heraklion airport.

Includes

* Accommodation 3 star apartments with swimming pool and pool bar, surrounded by a sub tropical garden.
   The apartments have air conditioning, a kitchenette and a balcony.
* Breakfast Daily
* All Admissions and Transportation per itinerary
* Airport to hotel transfers on day 1 and day 7

Not Included

* International Airfare
* Entrance fees to National Museum Knossos 6.00 Euros per person.
* Alcoholic drinks and soft drink; wine is included in 2 festival nights

For More Information

877 848-7477

Greece@bestsingletravel.com