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Rethymno Walking & Gastronomy Tour: Discover Local Cuisine and Historic Sites
4.9
86 Ratings
Rethymno
Embark on a walking and gastronomy tour in Rethymno to discover the local cuisine and historic sites. Enjoy traditional Greek coffee, explore the historic center, taste renowned desserts, learn about local products, and indulge in a full meal with a modern twist.
Duration:
4 hours
Cancellation:
1 day
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Highlights
- Rethymnon - Starting off, we will visit a beautiful “kafeneio” located in a unique spot inside the old town of Rethymno. There, we will enjoy an authentic Cretan breakfast, which consists of a traditional Greek coffee or juice and a handmade cheese pie (as we called it “sfakianopita”) covered with organic thyme honey. We will start by discussing the main points of our visit; an introduction to the traditions, customs, and the connection to Cretan Gastronomy will follow, as we all enjoy our Cretan breakfast in the calm atmosphere of this quiet cafe.
- Bricks Beers & Tales - Time to taste some local products. Olive oil…Tsikoudia… and honey offcourse
- Handmade Traditional Philo Workshop - Travelers will be able to see in the old town of Rethymno, a Venetian mansion of 17th century where is Giorgos Chatziparaschos traditional philo Atelier, the oldest of its kind for making ‘’kantaifi’’ and ‘’baklava’’ philo for 65 years now. While the ingredients are simple - flour, water and some salt - the proportions according to Hatziparaschos took years of testing. Traditional philo is an essential ingredient for traditional syrupy sweets dipped in honey, such as kadaifi and baklava. If you are lucky, you will watch the master on the job. A fluid mixture falls into a special machine at the back room that butter aromas are spreading in space and a hot copper pan doesn’t stop turning. Above the flames, hundreds of thin and baked strings of kadaifi are created. Sprinkled with the right balance of cinnamon and chopped walnuts, kadaifi is one of the most favorite sweets.
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Rethimno - ALI VAFIS GARDEN
Our next stop will be a “tavern” based on a building from the Venetian era that was occupied by the Ottomans. At this stop we will taste the best Cretan “mezedes”, a small traditional dish of the Cretan and Ottoman cuisine, on the menu: Salad with tomato, cucumber, artichoke and bread crouton, White, red and rosé wine, Black beans with smoked trout, goat cheese Graviera, organic sausage sheet accompanied by raki. It is a small and friendly bar with a unique atmosphere where you can relax and drink delicious cocktails in the evening. Until then, you will be fully informed about the history of our city. If you wish to visit the fortress of Fortezza after the end of the tour our guide will be happy to help you and accompany you to the entrance of the fortress.
What's Included
- Lunch
- Unlimited raki and laughter
- All taxes, fees, and handling charges included
- Intimate small group experience
- Tea and coffee provided
- Expert local guide fluent in English and French
What's Not Included
- Extra charge if the pickup is not in Rethymno district
- Fortezza entrance ticket
Additional Information
Start your day with a cup of traditional Aromatic Greek coffee alongside a cretan breakfast in the most beautiful and peaceful square of the city. Walk the narrow streets of the historic center and discover the most important places of interest through the eyes of a local guide. Witness a master of baklava and kataifi fyllo and taste this renowned deserts in their most traditional and tasty version. Learn all about local products, the secrets of their production and how to always get them in high quality in a complete tasting of Honey, Raki and olive oil. Relax under the lemon and orange trees of the hidden Ali vafi’s garden and enjoy a full meal cooked in a way that combines the traditional Cretan cuisine and the modern gastronomical approach. Share your impressions, knowledge and views in the most Greek way: over a glass of local wine.
Location
Church Of Four Martyrs
Gerakari
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Customer Ratings
4.9
(86 Ratings)
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Hilary_t
Jul 27, 2024
A wonderful introduction to Cretian history and cuisine. - Nora was an excellent guide, so friendly and knowledgeable. We learned.so much about Cretian food and the history of Crete. Breakfast in the park was a treat sitting under the cool shade of the trees. We learned how to recognise authentic olive oil and honey in one stop over, and at lunch we got to sample a range of delicious dishes in an old venetian courtyard. A highlight was visiting the bakery where we saw how the dough is made and prepared for baklava. We also learned the significance of raki as part of the Cretian hospitality. The tour was a great introduction to Crete and has made our holiday experience all the richer.
Review provided by Viator
Brittany
Jul 20, 2024
Great experience! - Had a wonderful experience on this tour, great history, food and company. We drove an hour from Chania for this and definitely thought it was worth it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jordan_y
Jun 13, 2024
Rethymno's Remarkable Culinary Revelry - Kostas took us on a culinary journey through time in the old town of Rethymno. His passion for the city, the area, and its culture is a joy to behold. Every food spot was delicious, showcasing different elements of Cretan cuisine. Learning about the rich history of this city was both eye-opening and enthralling. Highly recommend!
Review provided by Viator
Philip_j
Apr 28, 2024
Great tour! - Kostas was a great guide, very knowledgeable and engaging. He provided suggestions for additional places to go, name & number for taxi driver, etc. We saw beautiful things and ate delicious food. Would book again!
Review provided by Viator
Alexev92ko
Oct 19, 2023
Definitely worth it for the price and time. - Michael was an excellent guide around the town. He is extremely friendly and well spoken. Definitely worth the time if you want a taste of Old Town. 5/5.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Companion752003
Sep 20, 2023
Rethymno Tour and Gastronomy - The tour was really interesting and we learnt a great deal about the local cuisine. The food was delicious. Our host Vincent was very knowledgable and polite. I highly recommend the tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Culture30497376742
Aug 9, 2023
Excellent history and very tasty food - Guide was exceptionally friendly and informative. Learn lots about the history of the town as well as Cretan food. With a very varied set of tastings but all of exceptional quality and taste.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Finmika
Jul 25, 2023
Authentic time with food and laughter - Experienced guide who truly gave us value for the money. Tour was modified on the fly based on any wishes we had. Specially memorable visit to the authentic bakery. Michalis provided also good tips for the rest of our trip in mind including restaurants that the locals go and some small cities worth visiting by a car.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Troy_v
Jul 19, 2023
Bite sized cultural facts and yummy food! - Really enjoyed this tour. Our guide was fantastic, knowledgeable, and very passionate about sharing the culture. We had a great time, and may book another tour when our travel companions arrive next week.
Review provided by Viator
Robertalp1175gs
Jul 17, 2023
Great way to see Rethymno - Our guide, Michael, was incredibly knowledgeable. In addition to terrific food and drinks, he pointed out important historical landmarks and gave us a lot of history about Crete and Greek. My whole family loved it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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