Private Crete: Gourmet Trail of Rethymon
Crete, Greece
From USD 436.32
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Private Crete: Gourmet Trail of Rethymon
Crete, Greece
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Taste your way through the old city of Rethymnon on this private evening food tour that uncovers the hidden spots not found in guidebooks. Eat and drink the best products of the region, talk to local vendors, and find out why Crete is a foodies’ paradise!
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Highlights
- Experience real Cretan food, from classic kalitsounia to freshly baked baklava
- Learn how Crete’s culinary traditions have led to one of the healthiest diets in the world
- Participate in a private wine tasting workshop and food pairing in one of the oldest Venetian cellars in town
- Learn about Greek coffee and see it brewed the traditional way on sand
- Enjoy a glass of local beer or ouzo, and a signature raki cocktail at a hidden local spot
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- By joining this tour you are supporting a 100-year-old local bakery so it can continue thriving and serving authentic local delicacies.
- On this tour you will experience the centuries-old tradition of brewing Greek coffee on sand by visiting a traditional kafeneion and sipping its fresh coffee.
- On this tour you also visit an historic place where you'll participate in a high-quality local wine tasting session while pairing your wine with fresh local products from regional farms and vineyards.
- Your tour supports the creativity of Greece’s new generation of mixologists by taking you to bars to taste signature cocktails and other liquors that are based on traditional spirits and recipes.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
At the Square of the Four Martyrs in the centre of modern Rethymnon (in front of the Four Martyrs Church). Your guide will be holding a Crete Urban Adventures sign.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 6.00 PM
- Ending point:
Venetian Harbour of Rethymnon
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food and beverage samples as indicated in the itinerary (coffee, pastries, traditional sweets, wine/spirit tasting, locally produced ice cream, locally brewed beer, and meze platter). The inclusions are more than enough that you can skip dinner! (Vegetarian options are available but please let us know at the time of booking.)
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your local guide.
Join a local guide for a private stroll on this unique walk around the old town of Rethymnon while discovering the culinary treasures of the region.
During our four-hour Crete tour, we will introduce you to the best food and wines that Rethymnon has to offer! Cretan cuisine is one of the healthiest and tastiest diets in the world. It is the base of the Mediterranean diet, and Crete’s culture, history, and geography have all helped to create the island’s unique dishes.
We’ll stroll through the oldest neighbourhoods in Rethymnon, while sharing with you our passion for local food and traditions. We’ll walk along alleys and laneways before kicking off our culinary delights with a freshly brewed Greek coffee made the traditional way… on sand!
While walking along narrow laneways in the heart of the old city, you’ll get to savour Crete’s famous kalitsounia, one of the most classic and delicious Cretan appetisers. Kalitsounia are pastry pies filled with cheese and spinach, fennel, or wild local greens. Best of all, you’re going to taste one at a 100-year-old bakery that’s a local favourite!
Our next stop will be the jewel of the crown, as it is one of Rethymnon’s oldest Venetian buildings, part of a Dominican monastery that was built the 14th century. Here, in a 700-year-old stone wine cellar, you will participate in a one-of-a-kind wine and food tasting workshop. You’ll learn all about the varieties of Greek grapes and wines (you’ll even receive a personalised folder with the history of Cretan wines), and get to taste red, white, rosé, and dessert wines, all accompanied by paired food plates.
Leaving the cellar, we’ll continue our walk through the old town and visit a local sweets shop. If you have a sustainable sweet tooth, then we’ve got you covered, as this patisserie creates sweet delights using only local, organic products. How about some baklava with ice cream made from sheep’s milk from a local farm? Trust us, you don’t know how tasty ice cream can be until you’ve tried some with us!
Next up on this Rethymnon tour, we’re going to sample some locally brewed beer and meze. But instead of heading to a tavern, we’re going to snack in a local art venue where you can chat with the artist and find out how Crete never fails to inspire artistic hearts.
Last but not least, you’ll try a signature cocktail made just for you, starring our liquid royalty, raki. Also known as tsikoudia, raki is an alcoholic beverage — a fragrant, grape-based pomace brandy of Crete.
Your culinary tour of Rethymnon will sadly finish here, but we know you will definitely want to come back for more!
(If you’d prefer to travel as part of a regular group experience, please book our Gourmet Trail of Rethymon group tour.)
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, food and beverage samples as indicated in the itinerary (coffee, pastries, traditional sweets, wine/spirit tasting, locally produced ice cream, locally brewed beer, and meze platter). The inclusions are more than enough that you can skip dinner! (Vegetarian options are available but please let us know at the time of booking.)
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, items of a personal nature, tips/gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable walking shoes (no flip-flops!). The dress code for the venues is smart-casual. No beachwear allowed.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: Travellers under 18 years of age are not permitted on this tour.
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Dietary Notes
This tour can be customised to cater for dietary needs at your request. Please notify us if you have any allergies or other dietary requests when you book. You can do this in the "Additional information" box at checkout.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Email address: info@creteurbanadventures.com
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