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CRETE
A spot on a map in the midst of the Mediterranean. Inhabited by strange but warm , proud and friendly people.
You shall find the true picture of Crete not only in its magnificent monuments and tradition, but in its nature as well. The Cretan mountains are famous for their herbs and aromatic plants. Variety in landscapes, fertile plateaus, deep fabulous gorges, monasteries, villages, castles and lonely traditional houses and hill tops. Taste the healthy Mediterranean delicacies, savour the local snaps Raki and the fine Cretan wine. Feel the magic of the clear skies, the smell of the aromatic plants, the full moon nights. Feel the warmth of Cretan company.
ON THE PROGRAM YOU ARE HOLDING WE GIVE YOU A CHANCE TO ENJOY ALL THOSE WONDERFUL THINGS!!!
JOIN THE MAGIC
My name is Portokalakis George, born and lives in the island of Crete / Greece. I am a travel agent – tour operator and known of the Cretan traditional cooking. Since 1970 my main occupation is Tourism. In earlier years I worked for class hotel complexes and loved my work. I have studied hotel management and worked as head officer for the various departments of class hotels as bar - restaurant - kitchen - main courant - reception, (1970 - 1981). For two years I run my own traditional cuisine restaurant (1982 - 1983). Year 1984 in cooperation with two partners I established a general tourism office which is busy with everything concerning Travel and tourism at Sea - Land and Air, as well as international transports / cargo’s. Since 1987, I established the company G.PORTOKALAKIS Co www.portoclub.gr a general tourism office which is busy with everything concerning Travel and tourism at Sea - Land and Air , as well as tour operator for incoming and outgoing and the last 3 years is under management of the leading Greek company PALEOLOGOS.SA . In the last 11 years I am specializing in the field of special concepts of tourism with emphasis in Eco - Tourism. The suggested programs, routes, restaurants, farms, homes are always under close supervising by myself and my special relations with everybody concerned, guarantees the perfect service. Regardless of the size of the group there is always personal contact with the clients to give my special feeling of the individual service!!
 Traditional Cretan Cuisine OUR GOURMET HERITAGE
People world wide are seeking the ideal diet to promote health and prevent sickness.
The traditional Cretan cuisine since ancient times summarizes all those characteristics which proclaim it excellent. The old Cretans were following a simple and healthy way of nutrition. Their diet was consisting mainly of virgin olive oil, cereals, vegetables fruits, red wine and to a lesser degree eggs, cheese milk, meat and fish.
Cretan traditional cuisine contains more than 800 vegetarian dishes and 180 – 200 absolutely VEGAN.
Invitation
With the present page we send an invitation to those people who care about such gourmet experiences, the special tastes in combination with tradition and culture.
We would like to introduce you to one, of the most tasty and healthy cuisine’s in the world but also to a magnificent ancient civilization.
In other words we invite you to
THE WELL - BEING.
We offer you the luxury of enjoying your meal in the famous Herb scented countryside of Crete in the company of warm feeling and joyful people with the sense of hospitality inherited and not dictated by the icy politeness of commercialized tourism.
Cretan cuisine doesn’t depend on expensive dishes and glassware or silverware. But your, sometimes earthenware plates will contain valuable fresh wild greens from the mountains , aromatic herbs , garden fresh fruits and vegetables ,virgin olive oil and the famous thyme Cretan honey.
WELCOME TO CRETE
10 days - 9 nights
Price per person :
Based on minimum 4 persons
FOR JUST148O€ PER PERSON
Transportation: All transportation airport-hotel the day of arrival and hotel - airport the day of departure
Accommodation: 9 nights hotel accommodation / double occupancy at a 5***** hotel resort. (all breakfasts and some of the dinners will be taken at the hotel)
Tours; 9 DAYS EXCLUSIVE CHARTERED vehicle with English speaking driver known the Cretan traditional cuisine, Culture and land. Daily excursions / visit of archaeological - historical sites / religious areas / countryside exploration / wine - raki distilleries.
All entrance fees.
Customized professional guide.at the spots: KNOSSOS PALACE + GORTYS / PHAESTOS
Meals + drinks: All meals - lunch , dinner , snacks ( we call it meze ), traditional cookies , sweets , drinks ( home wine ,old home made wine , raki - Cretan snap , refreshments , fruit juices , bottled water - according to the program during your visit to the Cretan traditional gastronomic area .
One Day Cretan folklore live music
Souvenir - gift from Crete.
Information - maps - daily service of our office from 08.00 h to 21.00 h including Saturdays and Sundays.
Price does not include:
Tips, drinks out the program, anything not mentioned above
Program based on minimum 4 persons and it’s valid for periods:
April 1st – June 20 & October 1st - October 31, 2012
SCHEDULE
Day 1. Arrival in Iraklion. Reception at Airport, transportation to the Hotel. Settlement, Presentation of the program. Rest of the day free to enjoy the facilities of the hotel. Dinner at the hotel. (Dinner)
Day 2. Central Crete. Visit to the historical museum of Iraklion. It contains all the culture and history of Crete. After tasting the culture we’ll proceed to taste the Cretan cuisine. In a nearby village, the local women will be welcoming us with their home made delicacies they will prepare for us. Will dine on tablecloths done on hand by themselves and will drink the wine they have prepared, as well as local pastries.... dipped in RAKI (the local Cretan drink). Those dinners are enriched by the famous local virgin olive oil and the tasty olives usually unobtained in the market. After lunch a visit to the women convent of Paliani, (the black lady) and return to the hotel for the afternoon rest. A date for later on for the evening supper at Malades. A small tavern with clear environment and tasty food.
Day 3.North central Crete. Lassithi plateau where will visit the cave where mythology put Zeus to be born hidden by his mother to avoid the notoriouss Crones his father. Will have lunch at Plaka with fresh sea food and why not have a break for a swim at the clear waters. Early afternoon back to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4.Central mountain Crete. A chance to use your camera. The Cretan mountains offer excellent scenery. Enjoy the aroma and the scent of the famous Cretan aromatic herbs. You also meet the mountain inhabitant of Crete. Different bread all over. Friendly, warm and welcome. Will continue to the villages of Anogia , Axos , and down to the monastery of HALEPA. Monk Nikolaos will welcome us and will join us for lunch which will be at that point with potatoes in the ashes , olives , onion, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, wild greens, traditional dishes and sweets made by the housewives of the shepherds and lots of raki and wine, with the company of a local well known and famous from the TV Lyra player who will sing for us in private as a friend and not professionally. Return via the old country road to Iraklion . Will stop at Drossia for dinner, in company of locals. Late in the night return at the hotel.
Day 5. West coast - Chania. Going west with first stop at the medieval city of Rethymnon. Then to Georgioupolis for fresh made special bread, and a stop at Platanos tavern. Different roasts prepared in a villager’s oven (wood ) will be consumed amongst the trees and the spring of the tavern. After lunch and a rest will continue to the city of Chania for overnight. Will walk the narrow streets of Chania with its bars, and ouzo taverns. Dinner at Chania`s old port.
Day 6. Prefecture of Chania again . Visit of Omalos plateau and the entrance of the famous Samaria gorge, then south to Paleochora where will lunch and late in the afternoon return to Chania. Dinner at Armenous and in for a gastronomically fiesta. Overnight in Chania.
Day 7. South west . After breakfast drive southeast direction IMBROS - Chora Sfakion and finally the famous monastery of Preveli. We’ll end up at Kokkinos Pyrgos where will lunch with fresh sea delicacies. On the way back to Iraklion will visit Phaestos palace and Gortys.
Day 8. Sitia . The east. Arriving at Sitia will visit the imposing Venetian fortress of Kazarma and then down to the village of Lithines where we will meet the old church of PANAGIAS. (Virgin Mary) Inside there is a fabulous wall painting since 14th century. Lunch at the near village of Sikia at a splendid small family run tavern with fresh natural and organic products. Nothing special the tavern but the food, FANTASTIC. Will drop by the Kapsa`s monastery and will return to Heraklion. Dinner at Latsida, in a small tavern where everything is prepared by the two grand oldies that run the place. Everything there is delicious and abundant, and the old couple friendly and merry. Wine, beer and retsina are also abundant and of quality.
Day 9. Heraklion. The palace of Knossos, the traditional village of Archanes where we lunch. Few hours to spend at the city of Heraklion and back to the hotel. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 10. Last day. The last taste of Crete. Loukoumades & honey puffs with sesame.Transportation to the airport. End of services.
PORTO CLUB & PALEOLOGOS S.A TRAVEL SERVICES
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