Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries

Seminars Celebrating Biodiversity

Sample Program
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CCS Seminar Celebrating Biodiversity
May 1 - 7, 2012, Crete, Greece

A 6-day program designed for enthusiasts of botany, outdoor adventures, archaeology, culture, and cuisine.
Explore Crete's cultural and natural treasures with resident specialists. Fresh and local cuisine (organic
whenever possible) is on the menu. Our tours, presentations and hikes are private --tailored for our small
group of 12 attendees.

Program Highlights :

Archaeology and History:  Tour Minoan Palace of Knossos and other historic sites with resident historians
Traditional Cuisine:  Dinners and demos featuring regional specialties from wild and cultivated sources
Organic Wine:  Visit gorgeous organic vineyards for a tour and tastings
Botany and Geology:  Explore Crete's beautiful and wild countryside with resident specialists


Days 1 to 3:  North-Central Crete
A taste of Minoan culture, unique geology, wild plants, organic food and wine

Our program begins in a village inhabited since the Minoan era (over 4,000 years) and renowned for olive oil
and wine production. Resident ecologists-mountaineers will guide us on a journey of discovery of Crete's
culture and nature. Crete is home to over 2,000 plants, 10% of which are endemic to the island. Spring is the
perfect time of year to enjoy a vast array of wildflowers in bloom in the countryside.  Superb organic wine and
cuisine featuring the bounties of the season are on the menu.

Days 4 to 6:  Central Mountains, Idi Mountain Range (Zeus was here)
Botanical hike through a plateau, explore magical historic sites

We'll hike along Nida Plateau, a magnificent mountain region steeped in history, where there is an amazing
array of flora and geological formations to discover.  We'll stay in the village of Anogia that has a rich history of
resident artists, musicians, shepherds, and war heroes. From this base, we can relax under the brilliant
star-filled skies and explore the area at our leisure. We'll visit tranquil villages and historic sites nearby.
Throughout our adventures, we will meet resident-specialists to discover more about Crete's unique cultural
heritage, music, biodiversity, and traditional-sustainable agriculture, while enjoying local culinary bounties.

Day 7:  Travel day.

Seminar Fee Per Person:  From 2,330 Euros. Contact us  to make reservations.

Seminar Fees include: Accommodation, expert guide fees, site entrance fees, transportation to/from scheduled
tours, all scheduled food and wine tastings, daily breakfasts (continental), lunches and most dinners. Lunch
and dinner menus are preplanned, featuring an array of traditional Cretan dishes to sample as part of the
seminar, and regional wine during dinner (2 glasses per person) if desired. Accommodation in Heraklion is in
a centrally-located 4-star hotel. Accommodation on Days 4 - 5 is in a mountain village with fantastic tavernas.
Studio apartments have traditional touches and private balconies overlooking the countryside.

Seminar Fees do not include: Travel to Crete or any other transportation, lodging, food or drinks not listed
above. See our links section for general travel advice. Contact us to confirm space is available and reserve.

Note:  Level of hiking is low to medium impact, depending on the day.  All attendees must enjoy walking an
average of 3-4 hours a day in sometimes rocky, or steep terrain.  Schedule subject to change due to attendee
interests, weather and other unforeseen conditions.

Contact:  info[at]cookingincrete.com