- Liberty (eleftherias) Square - Follow this four-hour Heraklion food and wine walking tour that will introduce you to the best food that Heraklion has to offer by treating your palate to traditional Cretan dishes and exceptional local wines! Being one of the healthiest and tastiest diets in the world and the base of the Mediterranean diet, the Cretan cuisine is so unique due to its strong tie with local culture, history and geography of the region. The best way to get to know a place is through its food and we will take you on an unforgettable tasty journey through Heraklion’s local neighbourhoods.
After meeting your local guide, you’ll start off with a traditional Greek coffee also known as ellinikós kafés. Learn why Greeks love so much coffee and see it brewed the traditional way in sand and yes, we will teach you “cup reading”, a centuries-old tradition that reads your future!
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Heraklion - Next, you’ll enjoy Heraklion’s well known bougatsa in a family-owned business that has mastered their bougatsa technique since 1922! Consisting of semolina custard, cheese, or minced meat filling between layers of phyllo, bougatsa is a must-taste pastry that you shouldn’t miss while being in the city.
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Heraklion 1866 - Passing through the historical center of Heraklion, you’ll continue the exploration to a local market where you’ll meet the local vendors and learn about their products. Here, you’ll have the opportunity to sample some of the basic elements of Cretan cuisine such as olives, rusks, and cheese
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Old Venetian Harbor of Heraklion - At our next stop, you’ll sit down for a local organic meat dish or if you want to show yourself how brave you are, you can sample a dish that is loved by most Cretans and it is
Moving on to our last stop, your Heraklion food tour couldn’t end without tasting some local Cretan wines in a family-run shop. Keep in mind that winemaking in Crete has a long history that dates back to the Bronze Age!
Before you go, don’t forget to ask your local guide for more tips on what else to see, do and eat during your stay.
- Local wine and spirit tasting
- Guidance from a local English-speaking guide
- Inclusive lunch
- Option for a private tour with hotel pickup
- Tea and coffee provided
- Additional food and drink
- Tips & gratuities for your guide
- Small group tour option excluded hotel pick up
Join us for a local’s tour of Heraklion and discover the highlights of the city. Engage your senses in the gastronomic culture and saunter through residential areas indulging in the genuine Heraklion experience.
High points:
• Venture off the beaten path and discover genuine Cretan cuisine at 8 locally treasured eateries.
• Get a taste of unique Cretan cheeses and learn to distinguish the best ones like a bona fide Cretan cheese connoisseur.
• Enjoy the traditional Heraklion delicacy, bougatsa, from a family business that has been operating since the 1920s.
• Try the globally renowned Cretan olive oil and understand why it’s hailed as one of the best worldwide.
• Savor a serving of the local wine and understand its Bronze Age origin winemaking process.
• Relish a freshly brewed Greek coffee in a neighborhood kafeneion.
- How you help the local community by joining this tour: - During this tour, you sample locally-sourced food from Crete’s villages, farmers, and stock-breeders. - On this tour, you meet a local greengrocer, cheesemonger, butcher, and fishmonger, and other family-owned businesses that sell their own Cretan-only products. - By joining this tour, you are supporting a 100-year-old local bakery so it can keep flourishing and serving authentic local delicacies.
- Food Allergies: Unless you suffer from multiple, combined food allergies, or unless you are a vegan, we will figure it out. Vegetarians are welcome on all tours. Please wear comfortable shoes for walking.
- In general, there are few dress restrictions in Europe and dress codes are similar to those you are used to at home. Please note though that in many churches modest dress is required; no shorts or skimpy tops are permitted.
- If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
