Ecoholidays and Cooking in Crete - Responsible tourism, ecoaccomodation, sustainable holidays/places to stay

Crete’s Culinary Sanctuaries Cultural Adventures

Discover the secrets of Crete's wild nature, culture and cuisine during visits to historic sites, organic farms, villages off the map, tranquil beaches, and walks in the majestic countryside.

Journeys change with the seasons and are planned throughout the year. Our all-local network of dedicated chefs, sustainable organic farmers, botanists, eco-lodge owners, archaeologists and outdoor adventure specialists work together to present an invaluable and memorable experience for our visiting friends. CCS is bona fide sustainable tourism-in-action program.

Each glorious season in Crete holds something new. Every trip highlights:

History: We’ll visit historic sites on the island to bring the magic of Crete to life.
Nature: We’ll explore the majestic and dramatically gorgeous countryside and coast.
Local Life: We'll get to know the people of Crete, especially organic farmers, winemakers, beekeepers, bread bakers, cheese makers and olive oil producers.
Cuisine: Chefs will present the main ingredients used in healthy Cretan cooking. We’ll also learn by doing...that is eating!
Agriculture: We'll visit sustainable organic farmers to learn about local food from the ground up, and how farmers weave ancient and modern techniques together.
Botany: We'll take botanic hikes to discover Crete’s vast array of wild plants and their healing properties in ancient and modern medicine.
Accommodation: We’ll stay in villages off the map, tucked into the mountains, gorges and coastline, at fantastic lodges or lovely bungalows nestled among olive groves.

Join Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries on a Journey of Discovery

In the springtime, Crete's countryside is a kaleidoscopic blur of vibrant red poppies, delicate purple irises and yellow chamomile. Wild artichokes, dandelion and nettle also await their fate in our braising pots.

Wild herbs and vegetables are an integral and delicious part of Cretan cuisine, herbal medicine and sustainable organic agriculture. Come see for yourself!

CCS is an all-local network of experts in their fields that are actively involved in conservation, sustainable organic agriculture, and cultural heritage preservation projects.

Simply Food...and Wine, Naturally!
6-day tours

Highlights:

We’ll visit some of the best organic
farms in Crete to eat, drink, enjoy
fantastic scenery and do a little
gardening, cooking and light hiking
along the way.

Travel very light...watches should
be the first thing you leave behind.

Tours of Historic Sites including
the Minoan Palace of Knossos

Organic Gardening Basics
(harvesting dinner is optional)
Winery Tour & Tastings
Olive Grove Tours & Overview
Botany (medicinal herbs)
Healthy Cooking Demos
Hiking in the countryside

Tour Dates:

April 10 - 15
May 22 - 27
July 10 - 16

June 19-28
(special 10-day tour)

Trips are limited to 8 people. Contact us for space avavailability. Check out our website for more information and other seasonal programs. CCS is a sustainable tourism-in-action program (a/k/a green travel, responsible travel, eco-agritourism, cultural heritage tourism).

Making a Difference: Our mission is to preserve cultural-culinary traditions and promote sustainable development and organic agriculture. Our local partners are actively involved in working toward this goal. Visitors have a rare opportunity to experience the wonders of rural Crete as we do, and work with us to help keep these traditions that are respectful of nature alive, both in Crete and any pocket of the world in which they live. For pro chefs, our program is approved by the American Culinary Federation for continuing education credit.

About CCS: Nikki Rose, CCS Founder & Director, is a Greek-American living in Crete. She is a professional chef and graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in New York. Nikki has organized professional culinary arts preservation seminars since 1997, in Crete and the United States, featuring internationally respected chefs and producers. She is also a noted writer, covering cultural, culinary and environmental issues. Most of her work is published in Slow Food.

Kostas Bouyouris, M.Sc. Ecological Agriculture, is CCS program co-designer. He is founding member of the Mediterranean Association for Soil Health. For over 10 years, Kostas has implemented innovative community organic farming projects and training programs that also directly link farmers to relevant businesses. Kostas was a guest speaker at Slow Food’s Terra Madre Conference in Italy, where 5,000 people gathered to exchange ideas and information.

CCS is an active member of several international conservation, sustainable organic farming and culinary organizations. Their work has been featured in National Geographic Adventure, The Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, Greek Circle Magazine, Islands Magazine, Greece Magazine (UK), The Guardian (UK), and Lonely Planet. CCS will be featured in Television New Zealand’s “Taste Takes Off” culinary travel series to be aired in early 2006.

contact us for further details:

eMail: info@cookingincrete.com

www.cookingincrete.com

if you are traveling somewhere remote, or to a country with an unstable political climate, please check the travel advice section first