Traditional Cretan Walking Food Tour

Traditional Cretan Walking Food tour

• Food tasting

Embark on an unforgettable gastronomic journey through Crete, where the island’s rich history, deep-rooted traditions, and authentic flavors come together in a sensory experience like no other. Choose from three distinct locations—Heraklion, Rethymno, or Chania—each offering a unique blend of delicious local specialties, fascinating cultural insights, and picturesque surroundings.

This tour is not just about tasting food— it’s about immersing yourself in the stories, people, and traditions that define Cretan cuisine. You’ll sample an array of traditional delicacies, from the island’s famous cheeses, honey, and extra virgin olive oil to freshly baked bread, homemade pies, premium local wines, and the beloved raki. Experience firsthand how the flavors of Crete have been shaped by its mountainous terrain, fertile valleys, and Mediterranean climate, making Cretan cuisine one of the healthiest and most flavorful in the world.

As you explore your chosen location, your local guide will lead you through historic streets, hidden alleyways, and lively markets, sharing captivating tales of ancient civilizations, Venetian and Ottoman influences, and the island’s enduring culinary traditions. Along the way, you’ll pass by iconic landmarks, including Venetian harbors, medieval fortresses, Byzantine chapels, and Ottoman quarters, offering you a glimpse into Crete’s multicultural past and vibrant present.

Each destination presents a different side of Crete’s culinary identity:

Heraklion: Wander through the historic heart of the island’s capital, sampling local delicacies, finger foods, and raki while admiring the city’s most important monuments. Learn about the Mediterranean diet and its impact on Cretan culture, all while enjoying a leisurely walking tour that feeds both body and mind.

Rethymno: Travel through time and taste as you walk the charming streets of the Old Town, where the influences of Romans, Byzantines, Arabs, Venetians, and Ottomans come alive through architecture and food. Enjoy hand-picked authentic specialties from one-of-a-kind specialty food shops, while visiting historical landmarks like the Porta Guora, Rimondi Fountain, and the Venetian harbor.

Chania: Stroll through the picturesque Venetian quarter and the lesser-known Ottoman district, stopping at hand-selected locations to enjoy Greek coffee, local cheeses, and honey, while chatting with a local sheepherder about the timeless traditions of Cretan farming. Cap off the experience with a traditional Cretan lunch by the sea, indulging in dishes that highlight the island’s farm-to-table philosophy.

Whichever location you choose, this carefully curated food tour offers an unparalleled opportunity to connect with local producers, uncover hidden culinary gems, and gain a deeper understanding of Crete’s food culture. It is the perfect experience for food lovers, culture seekers, and travelers eager to taste the soul of Crete through its most cherished flavors and traditions.

Pick your preferred destination and embark on a mouthwatering journey that celebrates the very best of Crete’s food and heritage!

Inclusions:

• Official experienced local guide
  Food & Beverage samples (coffee, rusks, olives, cheese, pastries, traditional sweets, local wine/spirit tasting, meats)

Crete Island:

Crete, the largest of the Greek islands, has a long and diverse history influenced by Minoan, Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman civilizations. Each city—Chania, Heraklion, and Rethymno—has played a significant role in shaping Crete’s culture, architecture, and gastronomy. Their culinary traditions reflect the island’s rich past, blending Mediterranean flavors with Middle Eastern, Venetian, and Ottoman influences, creating a unique and world-renowned cuisine.

Chania:

Chania, located on the western coast of Crete, is one of the island’s most beautiful and historically significant cities. Originally built on the ancient Minoan city of Kydonia, Chania flourished under Greek, Roman, and Byzantine rule before coming under Venetian control in the 13th century. During the Venetian period (1205–1669), the city developed into a major commercial hub with impressive fortifications, elegant mansions, and a picturesque harbor.

In 1669, Chania fell to the Ottoman Turks, marking a new era of architectural and cultural influences, including the construction of mosques, Turkish baths, and narrow alleyways lined with Ottoman-style houses. In 1913, Crete officially united with Greece, and Chania remained the island’s capital until 1971, when Heraklion took over the role.Chania’s cuisine is a blend of local, Venetian, and Ottoman flavors, heavily influenced by the abundant natural ingredients of western Crete. The region is famous for its mountain herbs, high-quality olive oil, cheeses, and fresh seafood.

The city’s open-air markets, including the famous Chania Municipal Market (Agora), offer a sensory journey through local cheeses, olives, herbs, and freshly baked bread—a tradition that dates back centuries.

Heraklion:

Heraklion, the capital of Crete, is the island’s largest and most populous city. Its history dates back to the Minoan period (c. 2000–1450 BCE), when the famous Palace of Knossos was built, serving as the center of the Minoan civilization—the earliest advanced society in Europe.

During the Byzantine and Venetian eras, Heraklion grew into a major trading and cultural center. The Venetians (1204–1669) fortified the city, constructing massive walls and the Koules Fortress to protect it from invaders. Under Ottoman rule (1669–1898), the city, then called Kandiye, saw the introduction of Turkish culinary and architectural influences.

Today, Heraklion is a modern metropolis, rich in historical landmarks, museums, and a vibrant food scene deeply rooted in its Minoan, Venetian, and Ottoman heritage.Heraklion’s cuisine is heavily influenced by agriculture and the Mediterranean climate, making it a culinary haven for lovers of fresh, natural ingredients. The Minoans were known for cultivating wheat, olives, figs, honey, and wine, many of which remain staples in Cretan cuisine today.

Heraklion’s local markets and tavernas offer an authentic experience, where visitors can sample regional products, traditional cheeses, and fresh seafood, all deeply connected to the island’s agricultural and maritime history.

Rethymno:

Rethymno, located between Heraklion and Chania, is a city that reflects a harmonious blend of East and West. The Minoans first settled here, but Rethymno flourished under Venetian rule (1204–1669), transforming into a city of grand mansions, picturesque harbors, and elaborate fortifications.

The Ottomans (1669–1898) introduced Turkish baths, mosques, and a distinct eastern influence, which blended with Venetian architecture and traditions, giving Rethymno its unique character. Today, its Old Town, with its cobbled streets, historical fountains, and bustling tavernas, is one of the best-preserved Renaissance cities in Greece.

Rethymno’s gastronomy is a fusion of Venetian, Ottoman, and traditional Cretan flavors, influenced by traders, invaders, and settlers over the centuries. The region’s fertile lands and coastal location allow for a diverse culinary repertoire, incorporating local seafood, meats, cheeses, and spices introduced by past civilizations.

Rethymno’s vibrant tavernas, specialty food shops, and street markets offer an authentic experience, where centuries of culinary traditions are still very much alive.

All cancellations must be confirmed by Olive Sea Travel.

Regarding the Day Tours:

Cancellations up to 4 days before your service date are 100% refundable.

Cancellation Policy:

• Licensed Tour Guides and Hotels are external co-operators & they have their own cancellation policy.
• Apart from the above cancellation limits, NO refunds will be made. If though, you fail to make your appointment for reasons that are out of your hands, that would be, in connection with the operation of your airline or cruise ship or strikes, extreme weather conditions or mechanical failure, you will be refunded 100% of the paid amount.
• If your cancellation date is over TWO (2) months away from your reservation date, It has been known for third-party providers such as credit card companies, PayPal, etc. to charge a levy fee usually somewhere between 2-4%.
• Olive Sea Travel reserves the right to cancel your booking at any time, when reasons beyond our control arise, such as strikes, prevailing weather conditions, mechanical failures, etc. occur. In this unfortunate case, you shall be immediately notified via the email address you used when making your reservation and your payment WILL be refunded 100%.