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Culinary Crete Tour

Join local restaurateur Stelios to celebrate the food, wine and culture of a very traditional Crete.

You’ll find his passion for this island is irresistible as you taste gastronomic delights, take part in a cookery lesson, learn about local produce and experience the local way of life. 

This adventure isn’t just for foodies but for anyone with a love of all things Greek.

From

£1,949

per person

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what’s included

At A Glance

  • The Travel Editions Experience
    Our tours are thoughtfully crafted and meticulously planned, with every destination, hotel, excursion and stop along the way having been selected to form a truly memorable experience.
  • Meals Included
    All breakfasts, three lunches and three dinners.
  • Handpicked Accommodation
    Seven nights’ accommodation at the Sunny Bay Hotel, based on shared occupancy of a twin room.
  • Discover Culinary Crete
    From olive groves and family-run cheese dairies to traditional villages and hearty local tavernas, let passionate local guide Stelios unveil the authentic flavours, timeless traditions, and unspoiled landscapes of western Crete.
  • Your Tour Manager
    Tour manager throughout.
  • Transfers & Recipes
    All transfers included, with a recipe book to take home.
  • Flights from the UK
    Return flights from London Gatwick to Chania.
itinerary & excursions

Your Itinerary

Explore this incredible tour in detail and discover what makes each day so special. Below, you’ll find a full day-by-day breakdown of your journey, from the moment you arrive to your final farewell. Learn more about the highlights you’ll experience, the unforgettable places you’ll visit, and the unique moments that bring each destination to life. Whether you’re drawn by rich history, stunning landscapes or unforgettable cultural encounters, this itinerary gives you everything you need to picture your adventure and look forward to every step of the way.

Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Chania

On arrival, transfer by coach to Kissamos (approx. 30 mins). Tonight there will be a welcome dinner at the Cellar Taverna, situated right on the seafront. This well-established, family run taverna of over 20 years has an excellent reputation with locals and tourists alike.

Day 2: Morning Cookery Lesson

This morning we will have a cookery lesson at the Cellar Taverna, with hands-on preparation of traditional Cretan dishes such as tzatziki, Greek salad, delicious cheese and spinach pies made with local cheese, yemista and dolmades (stuffed vegetables) and kleftiko (lamb stew). Lunch will be at the Cellar Taverna, enjoying the food that you help prepare.

This afternoon is at leisure giving you time to explore the town and to visit the interesting archaeological museum. Evening at leisure.

Day 3: Morning Visit to a Rural Village

Today’s visit to Stelios’ parents’ house and their small farm in a tiny village in the hills, provides the opportunity to learn about traditional Cretan life and how it is still possible to be almost self-sufficient when you grow all of your own produce and keep some livestock.

There will be some wine tasting, from Stelios’ own barrels, cheese tasting and the chance to taste some of his mother’s produce which she continues to make, grow, or prepare: these include Greek spoon sweets, walnuts, olive oil, raki (a strong Cretan spirit), honey, lemonade and even snails!

Lunch today will be at a local taverna in the hills and the afternoon is free to spend as you wish before dinner at the Cellar Taverna.

Day 4: Morning Visit to Local Producers

This morning we will visit a winery, a cheese maker, sweet maker and an olive oil factory where you will learn about the cultivation and production of these local products that play a huge role, culturally and economically in Cretan life.

Lunch today will be in a taverna in the picturesque village of Deliana, which is also home to a beautiful 13th-century church, which we have the opportunity to visit. This evening will be at leisure.

Day 5: Visit to Chania

An atmospheric Venetian harbour town, Chania is set against a spectacular backdrop of majestic mountains and aquamarine seas. A turbulent history saw its occupation by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks and Egyptians, but this has left behind a rich and captivating architectural heritage.

We will wander the streets and alleyways of the old town to get a real feel of the atmosphere of this lovely historic town. This afternoon will be free for you to explore Chania further at your leisure. Lunch and dinner are not included today, giving the opportunity to stay and enjoy a meal in Chania harbour if you wish.

Day 6: Full Day to Relax or Explore at Your Leisure

A day at leisure, giving you the opportunity to explore further afield if you wish, or just relax in Kissamos.

Day 7: Morning Visit to Crete’s Botanical Park

Strolling through the wonderful scenery of the botanical park we will learn more about plants, herbs, fruit, vegetables as well as plenty of fascinating local knowledge. There will be an opportunity for lunch (not included) at the Botanical Park followed by the afternoon at leisure before a farewell dinner at the Cellar Taverna.

Day 8: Return to London

Transfer by coach back to Chania airport for your return flight to London Gatwick.

our guests say

Recent reviews

“Great hotel especially as we had booked a room with sea view. Whole trip was really enjoyable helped by good weather. Stelios and Vangelis from Cellar Tavern were brilliant along with tour guide Yianni. Hotel in great location and very relaxing. Time of year being late September probably preferable as limited number tourists.”
Morgan, September 2024

“This tour stayed in a lovely small hotel. The staff were all very good and the cleanliness was fine. The bathrooms need updating! The tour leader Gianna and driver Vangelis were both friendly and knowledgeable adding to the enjoyment of the tour. The two hands-on cooking experiences were great fun and informative. The other trips were interesting. Chania was a good opportunity for shopping. The included Dinners at ‘The Cellar’ were delicious and authentic. The cookbook was a welcome bonus. Kissamous is a quiet, laidback town with interesting culture.”
Mellanby, September 2023

“We have had the most amazing holiday. Everyone was so friendly and helpful. We certainly hope to try another trip.”
Rushton, September 2023

Availability

Choose Your Departure

Date
Departing From
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Availability
28/09/2026
London Gatwick
£1,949
Last Few Places
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12/05/2027
London Gatwick
£2,075
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29/09/2027
London Gatwick
£2,075
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Solo Traveller Supplement From: £150
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HOTELS

Tour Accommodation

Sunny Bay Hotel 

Our base for the week is the Sunny Bay Hotel situated on Kissamos’ small promenade, right next to the sea. It has simple comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, air-conditioning (extra charge payable locally if required), TV, and balcony.

Sunny Bay Hotel Website

our regular tours

Mobility Information

A more relaxed-paced itinerary, with time to enjoy visits at a comfortable rhythm. There may still be some walking between sites, periods of standing during guided visits, and occasional steps, slopes or cobbled areas, particularly in historic towns, gardens and older buildings.
 
You should be comfortable walking for around 30 minutes at a steady pace and standing independently during visits.

Mobility Information
Your questions answered

Tour FAQ

If you have a question, we are more than happy to answer it via email or phone, but you may find your answer below more quickly.

Simply complete our online booking form or give us a call on 020 7251 0045 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday where you can speak to a real person. A 20% deposit per person is required at the time of booking, to book your place. Payments by debit card or credit card incur no charge. 

You must pay for the balance of your holiday at least 12 weeks before departure. Please note: no reminder for balance payments is sent to you and are not receipted unless requested. If you book your holiday within 12 weeks of departure, full payment is required at time of booking. Please note that some tours may require final payment to be paid earlier than 12 weeks, due to financial commitment with suppliers. The exact date will be notified to you at the time of booking. Final joining instructions and documentation will be dispatched approximately 10 days before travel.

In almost all cases, the price includes your accommodation, meals as described in the itinerary, all excursions shown in the programme, and travel arrangements from the UK. Excursions are taken by private coach exclusively for Travel Editions guests. If anything is ever excluded from the price, it will be clearly marked as optional and payable locally, you won’t find any hidden extras on your final bill. Travel Editions operates a firm no-surcharge policy, so the price you are quoted is the price you pay.

The specifics vary by tour and are set out in your individual itinerary, but most of our tours depart from London, either by Eurostar from St Pancras International or by air. For rail tours, we advise allowing at least one hour before the Eurostar departure when planning your journey to London. For flights, all costs are based on economy class unless otherwise stated, and all times shown are local time. For tours in the UK, these often start at the hotel in question.

Flight upgrades and connections from regional airports are available on request and subject to availability, contact us on 020 7251 0045 or at tours@traveleditions.co.uk for details. We strongly recommend not booking non-refundable connecting travel until you have received your final joining instructions, which are sent around 10 days before departure and confirm all timings and meeting points.

Yes, and you’re very welcome. Single room supplements apply on most tours, reflecting the fact that single and double rooms are generally priced similarly by hotels. If you would prefer to share with another solo traveller of the same gender, we are happy to arrange this, simply let us know at the time of booking. Sharing is subject to another traveller in the same situation being booked on the same tour.

Each tour is accompanied by a dedicated tour manager, who in most cases will travel out from the UK with the group. On some tours, the tour manager will meet you at your destination station or airport, with full details being confirmed in your joining instructions 10 days before travel. Many of our tours are also led by expert lecturers or specialist guides whose knowledge brings each destination to life; details of who will be accompanying your particular tour are included in the individual tour pages and itineraries.

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