Our tour begins with a guided walking tour of the temples, theaters, and monuments of ancient Athens. We will also enjoy a hands-on cooking lesson and lunch at one of Athens oldest and most acclaimed taverns, known for its modern interpretations of classic Greek dishes, such as taramosalata, as well as seafood. Our time in Athens includes a very special wine tasting dinner hosted by one of the world’s leading Greek wine experts, who will lead a tasting of the important indigenous grape varietals and wine regions of Greece and Crete. Accommodations: 5* luxury hotel in Athens City Center with Acropolis views. On Day 3, transfer by air to the island of Crete.

While in Crete, we will learn the principles of the island’s celebrated diet through daily cooking lessons with skilled chefs and visits to artisanal producers of honeys, cheeses, and olive oils. In Chania, we will tour the town’s Venetian harbor and food and spice market, and visit one of the top wineries on the island for a tasting and dinner. Guests will also have the opportunity to pick fresh mountain greens and prepare a delicious Cretan meal with these and other local ingredients. From Chania, transfer by luxury bus to the center of the island, where we will visit an important Minoan palace and tour the charming seaside town of Rethymnon. In Rethymnon, guests will have the opportunity to participate in a hands-on cooking lesson and wine tasting at one of Crete’s most acclaimed restaurants, known for its devotion to organic, locally sourced ingredients. Accommodations: Luxury boutique hotels in Old Town Chania and Arkadi.