Rethymno Gastronomy Tour

Our first stop will be to a picturesque "kafenio", to have a Greek coffee exactly as the locals do, with the traditional extra thin handmade cheese pie "sfakianopita" with thyme honey on top, the perfect way to begin your day. There is nobody, either Cretan or not, who is not going to visit the oldest "phyllo" workshop while in Rethymno and won't try his baklava! In the old town of Rethymno, a Venetian mansion houses the workshop of Mr Hatziparashos, the last traditional phyllo master, making traditional pastry. Just give it a try! Discover the narrow streets and stone-built old magnificent traditional houses in the alleys on our way to "mezedopolio''. One of the first of its kind in the city, learn how a local enjoys a homemade raki with the appropriate mezedes. Following stop, a stone-built bakery with the most crunchy, scrumptious loukoumades with honey, in the whole city! They will surely accompany you till the last stop at Fortezza castle as we will finish our gastronomic trip.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Kimolia, Xristou, Makri 11, Rethymno 741 00, Greece

Starting off, we will visit a beautiful "kafeneio” located in a unique spot inside the old town of Rethymno. This small, unfrequented square with its running fountain will be our first stop. 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 historical imposing monuments, 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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: earth flavors, Eth. Antistaseos 15, Rethymno 741 00, Greece

After a short walk, we will head to a small shop with Cretan natural products so as to try the taste of genuine Cretan thyme honey and learn the history as well as the process of collecting honey. Mr Matheos, who owns this little traditional shop, will assist us in his own kind way. We can taste some types of honey, while we are in the shop; keep in mind that it is produced in the mountains; this element makes the taste so much different from the other kinds. Especially when these mountains belong to a truly unspoilt environment, away from the urban pollution, in a local ecosystem of extremely dense aromatic flora of endemic, self-sown flower plants, trees and shrubbery.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Handmade Traditional Philo Workshop, 30, Vernardou, Rethymno 731 33, Greece

Travelers will be able to see in the old town of Rethymno, a Venetian mansion of 17th century where is Giorgos Chatziparaschos traditional philo Workshop, the oldest of its kind for making ''kantaifi'' and ''baklava'' philo for 63 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.

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Rethimno 741 00, Greece

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.

Duration: 1 hour