It is my pleasure to announce the Kalofagas Culinary Tour of Greece! Many of you follow this blog as a means of being transported to Greece via my travels, the food and breathtaking backdrop of Greece’s landscape and sea.
Now you have the opportunity to join me for what will be a Greek adventure steeped in Greek food, drink and that famous hospitality. It was decided that a tour would be best when the blazing Greek sun wasn’t so threatening – September is the month to mark on your calendars.
The Culinary Tour of Greece has been organized with the assistance of a Toronto travel agency located right on the Danforth (Greektown). Yanni Kakagiannis is the principal of National Travel, an agency that’s been in business for over 30 years.
I’ve had a friendship with John for 20 years. Both of our families are from northern Greece (Macedonia) and we’ve volunteered for many Greek community events and activities. John is also currently the General Secretary for the Greek Community of Toronto.
I get along well with Yanni, we see eye-to-eye on many things and I highly trust him for his prompt service and no BS demeanor.
I am not making any money whatsoever organizing this tour. My only compensation is free passage on the tour. John and I are keeping this tour small, intimate. The minimum participants required for this tour are 30 and we will not go beyond selling to more than one busload of food and drink enthusiasts.
The price of the tour? It’s not cheap but according to the independant research I’ve done on similar culinary tours in Europe – it’s the right price for the right tour. Our tour partner in Greece is finalizing the price based on the itinerary you will see below. I will have the final cost of the tour shortly.
In the meantime, think about your end of summer plans. Ever been to Greece or have you thought about going to Greece? The Kalofagas Culinary Tour of Greece combines the best of Greek cuisine with instruction in Greek cooking, visits to Greek wineries, cheese making facilities, Ouzo distilleries, always some free time left for independant exploration and the accomodations all selected to meet western standards.
You will have to arrange your way to Greece from wherever you may live in the world. The Kalofagas Tour is open to everyone around the world but you must know, the entire tour will be conducted in English.
Mark September 15th, 2010 on your calendars…we’re going to eat, drink and live Greece!
Kalofagas Culinary Tour of Greece
(commencing Sept.15, 2010)
- September 15th, all participants of the tour must arrive in Athens and check-in to the hotel where a meet and greet will take place along with registration and orientation. Accomadations provided by the centrally located Titania Hotel.
- The next day, we take a high-speed ferry boat to the jewel of the Mediterranean, Santorini. We will spend two nights with events that include cooking demos featuring dishes of the Aegean and wine tours. Guests will stay a the Andromeda Villas.
- After 2 days, travel back to the Greek mainland to the Nafplion area. We will visit a winery in Mycanae and then head to the city of Nafplion for an evening cooking class and dinner. Guests will stay at the Pension Marianna.
- The next day, the tour moves onto neighboring Arcadia where will visit the remote villages in the region. We will attend a pasta-making workshop in Vytina and spend a night in the Dimitsana area. Guests will stay at the Koustenis Village.
- The next day, travel onto to Patras, then a tour of the inland sea area of Messolonghi and the sea salt operations. Soon after, we head over to Nafpaktos for a tour and a cooking class provided by chef, restauranteur and cookbook author, Maria Loi. Stay overnight in Nafpaktos. Guests will stay at the Hotel Akti.
- Drive through Galaxidi and onward to Delphi for a tour plus an overnight stay. Possible cooking demo by another famous Greek chef, cookbook author and restauranteur. Guests will stay at the Hotel Acropole.
- A drive through the Roumeli part of Greece, Lamia and onto Kalambaka. A traditional Greek BBQ lunch will will be enjoyed plus a Tsipouro tasting and tour at a distillery. The evening will be spent enjoying traditional Greek dancing and dinner in Trikala. Head back to hotel in Kalambaka. Guests will stay at the Divani Meteora.
- The next day, we will head up to the awesome site of the Meteora monasteries, truly a wonder of the world.
- On our way towards Athens, we will stop off for a visit to a Feta cheese-making operation.
- Head back towards Athens and check into the hotel.
- The next day, a tour of Athens, a visit to an Ouzo distillery and then onto attend a cooking class in the Plaka district of Athens. Another night in Athens. Guests will again stay at the Titania Hotel…near all the tourist attractions.
- Visit another Feta & cheese making facility and then onto take in a tour of a Moustalevria and Moustokouloura factory where cookies and sweets are made from grape must, just like the ancients did.
- The trip ends with a wine tasting and a farewell dinner.
- The next day, check-out and end of the tour.
$2,950 per person based on DOUBLE occupancy
Airfare tickets is NOT included on above rate
$800 single supplement
Schedule of Payments
- deposit of $300.00 Cdn. with application form
- Payment of $2,650.00 Cdn. on or before July 31, 2010
Cancellation Policy
- prior to July 31, 2010, all money will be refunded minus a $100.00 administration fee
- after July 31, 2010, NO MONEY will be refunded
You may contact Yanni Kakagiannis to make your booking at yannis@flynationaltravel.com or +1-416-461-0815
Click Here for ———> Kalofagas Culinary Tour of Greece REGISTRATION FORM
Inclusions
Ø 2 night accommodation in Santorini
Ø 2 night accommodation in Nauplion
Ø 1 night accommodation in Dimitsana area
Ø 1 night accommodation in Nafpaktos
Ø 1 night accommodation in Delphi
Ø 1 night accommodation in Kalambaka
Ø 4 night accommodation in Athens
Ø Welcome dinner in Santorini
Ø 1 dinner with traditional Greek music in Trikala
Ø Farewell dinner in Athens
Ø 3 cooking classes (Santorini – Nauplion – Athens)
Ø 3 winery visits (Santorini – Argolis – Athens)
Ø 1 ouzo distillery visit (Athens)
Ø 1 tsipouro distillery visit (on the way to Meteora)
Ø 1 Cheese factory visit
Ø 1 Feta cheese factory visit
Ø 1 Moustalevria & Moustokouloura factory visit
Ø 1 traditional pasta making workshop (or something similar) visit
Ø Ferry ticket (HighSpeed) to/from Santorini to Athens
Ø English speaking professional guide
Ø Private deluxe motor-coach for all transfers and touring as per itinerary
Ø Entrance fees, meetings, porterage
Ø Our personalized services throughout the tour
There you it have it folks. There may be some minor changes to the tour but I think there’s enough info and activities to attract you to this culinary tour of Greece.
If all goes well, future tours will be organized with the hope of organizing a new and unique tour that will explore other parts of this small yet vastly diverse and ancient land.
If you are not reading this post in a feed reader or at https://kalofagas.ca then the site you are reading is illegally publishing copyrighted material. Contact me at truenorth67 AT gmail DOT COM. All recipes, text and photographs in this post are the original creations & property of the author.
© 2007-2009 Peter Minakis
Wow! That sounds great Peter! Is it a 2 week tour? Or 11 days? What a wonderful opportunity for people to see Greece through your eyes!
Wow the tour sounds really exciting. With such a intresting itenary you all will have a fab time.
Oh i do wish i can join in. But i know i won’t be able too.
Good luck with the culinary tour.
oh this is SO tempting…and I’ve always wanted to visit greece!!
What a fabulous trip! Oh how I wish I could go. Have so much fun Peter!
Oh, wonder if I can talk Matt into this
bravo peter – this sounds like quite an adventure!
I would love to, but if all the stars align I will be doing 4 months of culinary school starting in Sept!
Sounds like a complete dream, Peter. What a super idea!
Oh my! Will this be a regular thing? Like do again in upcoming years kind of thing? This fall I’m going to Paris (first time) as a treat for the 11th anniversary of my 29th birthday. The following year SPP and I are heading to Italy in the fall for our 10th anniversary. But if you’re still doing Greece in 2012, I’m so there! (Finances permitting of course)
Wow what a fantastic tour! I wish I could go – if only it was during the summer!
Sounds like you’ve been busy planning! This is a wonderful idea – I hope you get max capacity – I’m sure everyone will have a great time.
I always knew that with all your traveling and food stories you would be an excellent person to explore Greece with!!!
THIS IS WAY COOL, Peter! I think this would be the best way to see Greece – with a person you know and who’s blog you love! I really hope this becomes a regular thing – as I would love to join you on one of these!
Very exciting and what a hoot to go taverna-hopping in Greece with Kalofagas. I can’t wait to read the stories!! However, I’ve already committed to extensive travel to So America this year. Boo hoo.
So exciting Peter and congratulations!!!!As previously mentioned there is nothing like travelling with someone who knows the language including the language of food.
Again, I will have to visit everything through the wonderful pictures and recipes that you bring back.
Sounds heavenly!
It has been a dream of mine to go to Greece since I was about 12 years old. I think visiting with you would be an amazing, unique experience.
I’ll see what I can do…
Peter – This sounds fantastic. You’d be the PERFECT tour guide. I’d love to keep informed on final price, etc.
Wow Peter -t his really sounds fantastic…I’m going to need to consider this.
What a wonderful tour! Your group will have a fabulous time. And the weather in September is usually fabulous. Congratulations on putting it together! Great opportunity!
Awesome trip! Keeping up n learning the Greek Traditions! Ya kai Hara 2 u n 2 Yanni 4 organizing the trip! I wish u n every1 who’s joining u a fantabulas time! KALO TAXIDI! ;-P
Sounds like a dream trip, Peter… So wish I could go!
Peter, sounds amazing. You’ll be a perfect host.
Wow That sounds absolutely amazing Peter! Really! Wish I could come… make it a tradition and maybe someday I’ll be able to join you!
What an impressive job of putting this whole thing together and creating an itinerary that would send any foodie into orbit.
This is Great idea! We will be in Crete that time.Please inform us about the cost.
Exairetiki apofasi. Kali epitychia Peter.
can we join the group even if we are coming from the philippines? please inform me about the cost. my friends and i are very much interested.
Aniadelle, yes you may. The tour is open to all. The tour’s cost will be announced shortly. You will have to arrange a flight from RP to Greece on your own.
note to self–stop wasting money and start saving up immediately! what a great idea, peter!
P,
This sounds amazing…..I am going to seriously consider this trip, I have never been to Greece and would love to go with you!
Fantastic idea Peter! Very good lateral thinking and a great way for people to come and experience some of the great culinary side of Greece.
As for the tour, sounds like a fun time. Maybe if this is successful, you could do even more specialized tours in the future within Greek cuisine. Good stuff indeed.
Its just a shame you have to miss out on Thessaloniki and its great bougatsa, but really theres only so much Greece that can be done on one tours so I understand.
Cheers and best of luck with this.
Greg, I’ve tried to limit transport as much as possible on this tour. There are other tours that can be planned…Makedonia and Thrace, Crete, Aegean, etc. Thanks for your well wishes.
Wish I could come along too :(
All sounds good to me – what a great time you will have!
great idea, peter! you’ll be a great host. i wish i could go!! everyone will most certainly eat well on that trip.
This sounds wonderful Peter, I wish you lots of success in planning this trip. What a trip of a life time. I still have little ones at home and cannot get away at this time in my life. Some day!!
This sounds great. Unfortunately I will have just started back work after the 3-summer break.
Much success with the tour.
Sounds like a lot of fun! I am probably going to be in Beirut starting in late May so a little jaunt to Athens would be a nice break! I will keep it in mind until my plans are finalized and hopefully there will still be availability!
That’s great! Ok, will wait for your advise regarding the cost. Thanks you :)
Wonderful idea! I hope you have a great time!
Great idea. Can’t wait to read all about it! I’m sure you’ll all have a blast!
LL
Wow – that sounds incredible! And what a perfect excuse to visit Greece. Will be interested to see the final price – and then I’d better start buying my Lotto tickets ;-)
I wish you all the luck in the world with this Peter! It sounds like everyone would have an amazing time on this tour.
Wow!!! First of all Happy New Year darling! Second of all… Can’t shut my mouth… you are getting so professional here!!!! Very good idea Peter! The Itinerary looks great and the activities sound more than super :D
I would love to be the first one in that list of 30. I’ll keep an eye on this!
A culinary tour of Greece certainly sounds like a lot of fun!
Waouh Peter, einai yperoho !
Ti katapliktiki idea !
Efhomai kathe epitihia !
Filia apo tih Athina !
I’m a little late but first off I raise my hat to you for getting something like this off the ground! A great idea Peter! I’m sure this is going to be very successful!
What a fantastic idea to organize this Peter! If I had not already made holiday plans for this year (Italy and France) I would for sure be very interested in joining, but as I understand it; if it is successful you will repeat it possibly so maybe next year!
This is a great idea! If my immigration situation is resolved by that time I really really would love to join you. It’s been a long dream of mine to visit Greece. What a wonderful tour!
Hi Peter,
I didn’t know you were a tour operator too! You are like an octopus! Is this your job?
How many tours have you operated in the past? Do you have any references? Sorry for asking but $2,950 plus airline ticket, is a pretty hefty chunk of change to spend on a “firsttime” thing.
Mary, I do know Greek food and drink and I’ve partnered with those that know their way around operating tours…namely National Travel and their partner in Greece. I sought assistance from quality people operating with impeccable reputations.
Good time to use those frequent flyer miles!
What is the weather like in Greece in September usually? Are people going to be swimming?
Joumana, Greece in September is wonderful. The big crowds have left, prices normalize and the weather, low high 20’s – low 30’s by day and the evenings comfortable. The sea is still very warm for swimming.
What do you mean by single supplement?
How cool! I so wish I could do this tour. Incredible.
Oh man! Of all the various Greek tours I’ve seen, I would take this one in a heartbeat. But alas, I will be in your country then – Manitoba, to be exact — chasing grouse, ducks and snipe. Bummer.
Greece has such beautiful and diverse hotels. This will be an incredible mulitfascitated tour Peter.
Greece is the most pretty country in the World, cool winter and hot summers, springs to open your heart. In Greece we have a piece of paradise. Corfu, Ionian Islands. There you can travel your senses. Great blog admin. Congratulation