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2009
Culinary Travel Adventure
11
May–29 May
(19 days/18 nights)
BOOK NOW: 1800 770 599
Join me, Maria Benardis for the ultimate
culinary adventure to Greece. We travel back in time
and visit places where food and Gastronomy - an Ancient
Greek word signifying the relationship between food and
the senses, all began. Familiar with the rich azure blue
and white images of the Greek Islands? Now, match the
food to the imagery, with my exclusive exploration of
authentic Greek dishes and local ingredients.
Live life as the Greeks; with freshly caught
seafood enjoyed by the crystal blue waters of the Ancient
Mediterranean Sea. Investigate and indulge in “true
to the source” regional cuisine and wine, only
available in Greece.
Experience a journey of luxurious culinary
indulgence, traditional Greek culture and Mediterranean
lifestyle, as only a local would.
Designed for lovers of food and cooking
enthusiasts, our adventure will uncover the secrets of
Greek cuisine and joys of cooking delicious local food;
in fun, relaxed and friendly places.
The expedition will commence in Athens,
where we go back in time to experience the ritual of
shopping at the agora (the marketplace), uncovering all
the essential ingredients of a Greek pantry. A visit
to the Parthenon temple built on the mountain of Acropolis
for the Greek goddess Athena, and other ancient and fascinating
archaeological sites, also await.
 Then
to Chios, island home of the magical masticha - the clear
crystal chewing gum used in Greek cuisine, which only
grows in this special place. Indulge in the ritual of
ouzo making and traditional spoon sweets; and view the
huge variety of products made from masticha – revered
in Greece for its healing properties.
Next, a nostalgic journey to Psara, the
island of my childhood. Freshly caught seafood devoured
on the shores of a crystal blue sea. Gentle breezes carrying
the sweet aroma of wild herbs from nearby mountains drift
past; and the last rays of a setting sun to warm the
body and the soul. Known for the best lobster in the
world, Mr. Barella the pasta owner travels to Psara for
the local food – especially the pasta, thyme infused
honey, and cheese. Join me and my family cooking some
of these favourites using organic ingredients from local
farms.
Days later, match the blue and white island
imagery to the food; with the dishes of Santorini. Experience
the most amazing sunsets and sample the juiciest tomatoes
in the world! Investigate local produce and indulge in
the freshest cuisine and wine in full view of the caldera
- a place of unmatched romance and beauty.
Then to mystical Crete (Iraklio and Chania),
home to the superior Minoan civilization and organic
farming, where we explore foods with mythical and magical
powers. Discover why the Cretan cuisine endows its people
with longevity and sound health. Explore wineries and
a monastery that makes the finest organic wine, olive
oil and vinegar.  And visit one of the largest organic
farms in Greece, where we will cook using these freshest
ingredients. Learn how tsikoudia, wine and olive oil
are made - the traditional way, and we visit a friend
who is the last surviving producer of the most amazing
hand-made filo pastry - a soon to be lost art; and delectable
baklava.
In Kalamata home of sfela cheese, the “Greek salad”, and so much
more; we will see why Kalamata olives and pastelli sweets are the best in the
world! And if you’re adventurous, dance the “Kalamatiano” -
the local dance, with me. On the way to Kalamata visit the famous Ancient City
of Corinth and rest in stunning seaside places such as Koroni in Messenia,
renowned for its beautiful fortress, port and food.
Experience all this and so much more on
Greekalicious’ unique journey of gastronomical
indulgence.
The package aims to incorporate luxury,
Greek tradition, and culinary and cultural pleasure you
will not find or experience anywhere in Australia. Including
some luxury hotels serving only organically grown produce
and unique experiences not offered by other tour providers
operating in Greece. Complimented by plenty of “free-time” for
your maximum relaxation and enjoyment.
I hope you can join me for this amazing
experience. And look forward to seeing you there!!
Listen to Maria Benardis discussing her Greek culinary adventures with Julie McCrossin in an interview for QANTAS: Q Radio - Up and Away (MP3 audio = 3.4 MB).
Guests from outside Australia are
also welcome to join the expedition. A few introductory
Greekalicious videos can be
viewed on YouTube website.
General
travel information can be found at Greek
National Tourism and Greece
Guide.
Brief Itinerary
| DAY |
DESTINATION (click
on links to visit Official Greek Tourism sites) |
| Day 1-3 |
Athens.
Tour of Athens, the market place, Greek music and
folklore show and more. Accommodation at the luxury
Athens Acropol Hotel. |
| Day 4 |
Fly to Chios.
Tour of the Masticha towns of Armolia, Pyrgi, Mesta,
Emporios and more. Accommodation at the luxury Chandris
Hotel. |
| Day 5 |
Chios.
Hands-on cooking class on a private estate and organic
farm in Kambos, spoon sweet & ouzo making and
more. |
| Day 6 |
Boat to Psara -
Join me and my family cooking some of these favourites
using organic ingredients from our family and friends
local farms. |
| Day 7 |
Plane to Santorini via
Chios. |
| Day 8 |
Santorini.
Visit some wineries and the wine museum. Sweet tomato
spoon sweet and fava tasting, sunset tour of OIA
and more. Accommodation at the luxury Rocabella Hotel. |
| Day 9 |
Santorini.
Visit to the local markets, discovering the dishes
and ingredients that Santorini is famous for. Hands-on
cooking class at a five-star restaurant on the caldera
and more. |
| Day 10 |
Santorini.
A day of leisure. |
| Day 11 |
Boat to Iraklio,
Crete. Accommodation at the Astoria Capsis. |
| Day 12 |
Iraklio,
Crete. Visit to the Palace of Knossos and archaeological
museum followed by a visit to a local winery for
wine tasting and meze. Visit to the local markets,
bougatsa making, and more. |
| Day 13 |
Iraklio,
Crete. A day of leisure. |
| Day 14 |
Coach to Chania,
Crete. Wine and olive oil making at a local monastery
with the monks, visit of Rethymno, traditional baklava
making, and more. Accommodation at the Kydon. |
| Day 15 |
Chania,
Crete. A visit to one of the largest organic farms
for a cooking class, tsipouro making, wine and olive
oil making. |
| Day 16 |
Plane from Chania,
Crete to Athens then coach to Kalamata stop Ancient
Corinth. |
| Day 17 |
Kalamata.
Tour of the local museum, walking tour of Kalamata
and the local growers markets, indulging in the sweets
at the infamous local cake shop, discover how to
make the local lalagia and pastelli and more. Accommodation
at the luxury Filoxenia Hotel. |
| Day 18 |
Kalamata, visits
to Pylos and
Koroni. |
| Day 19 |
Kalamata.
Departure by bus for Athens airport. End of the services. |
For
locations see the map of Greece
below: |
 |
Pricing & Details:
Twin Share - $10,900.00 AUD
Single supplement - $1,985.00 AUD
Bookings & Information:
Donna Kranas
TRAVEL CONCEPTS GROUP
Tollfree (within Australia) 1800 770 599
Tel: (07) 3368 3733
Web: www.travelconcepts.com.au
The itinerary will include the following:
- 18 Breakfasts / 10 Lunches / 10 dinners
- The trip includes: airfares, ferry/jet
cat travel, and accommodation within Greece, coach
travel and local guides, meals specified above, entrance
fees, chef and cooking class charges, experienced
local English speaking guides in each place we visit,
all activities incorporated in the schedule including
some additional food component and some alcoholic
beverages for certain set activities which will be
clearly outlined during the tour.
- The trip does not include: incidentals
charged to your accommodation account for laundry,
phone calls, baggage handling, and other associated
costs for activities, meals, tips etc you undertake
in your free time. It also does not include your
airfares to and from Australia, associated taxes,
excess baggage and travel insurance. It is each individual’s
responsibility to purchase their own return ticket
to Greece and to join the tour in Athens on the commencement
date. Please arrive at least 1-2 days before the
commencement of the tour.
Other details:
- A non-refundable deposit of $1,000.00 AUD per person
is required to secure your reservation. Final payments must be made 60 days prior to departure, ie; 10 March 2009.
- All prices are current to date. If there is an
unexpected and unusual increase in the price of services
provided which is beyond our control then we reserve
the right to adjust our prices. Notification will
be provided in writing.
- If final payment is made a
cancellation fee of 100% will be applicable if cancelled
on or after each specified due date. Your travel
insurance may cover you for this. Please refer to
your individual travel insurance.
- The prices quoted on this web site are for payment
by cash, cheque only. Credit card payments will incur an additional surcharge fee.
- No transfers can be made from this tour to another
tour.
- Please note that if you get motion sickness it
is crucial that you bring with you motion sickness
pills as we will be traveling by coach and boat.
- Please also note that Greekalicious services in
conjunction with Travel Concepts Group consist of organizing
and co-ordinating the accommodation, tours and transfers,
making bookings. We take extreme care to ensure that
we have selected creditable tour operators, airlines
etc. We are not responsible for any liability in
respect of death, personal injury, delay and loss
or damage of baggage and other associated occurrences
beyond our control.
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