Secrets of Greece Brochure Ge

Content Secrets of Greece

Secrets of Greece 1 Are you: About us 2 Someone who appreciates special places, where the crowd usually Sustainable tourism 3 does not come? Someone who considers his most beautiful holiday Hospitality 4 memories are the lovely encounters with the locals? Someone who Authenticity 5 wishes to stay in a beautiful, traditional or characteristic place where Tailor made holidays 6 one is welcomed as a guest and not as a number? Someone who Accommodations 7 Fly drives 8 agrees that people and nature on the destination should benefit from 1-week fly drive West-Crete 9 tourism? 8-days fly drive East-Crete 10 10-days fly drive Lesvos 11 Then Secrets of Greece is the right touroperator for you: The 8-days fly drive Samos 12 traveler who enjoys real, authentic Greece in all its beauty. Island hopping 13 15 days Cyclades 14 15 days Dodecanese 15 15 days North-Aegean islands 16 Theme holidays 17 Action and adventure 18 Hiking holiday Crete 19 Hiking holiday Andros 21 Culinary holidays 23 Traditional cooking Andros 24 Art and culture 25 Painting holiday Andros 26 Painting holiday Karpathos 27 Painting holiday Crete 28 Mosaic holiday Crete 29 Sculpting holiday Tinos 30 Prices 31 Request form 36 Terms and conditions 37

About us

Carla Benningshof liv es f or ov er 25 years Who we are and what we stand for in Greece and has been working in tourism as a guide, sustainability controller Secrets of Greece is a tour operator specialized in tailor made holidays of hotels and as a v olunteer during emergencies f or the ANW B/department for authentic Greece. trav el in surance. Through many y ears of We like to distinguish ourselves by offering quality, expertise and personal experience and expertise, she can inf orm attention. y ou in detail and prov ide the necessary Through our years of experience and unique knowledge guidance on the spot. of the country and of the Greek language we have the ability to show you, apart from the well known Anneke Kamerling, has liv ed f or y ears sites, the other, authentic sides of this beautiful in Greece and has worked as a country. destination-dev eloper. She knows We try to leave the beaten tracks so you can the ins and outs of the various destinations like no other. Each experience real Greece. y ear she returns to Greece as a trav el guide f or special groups In this brochure you will find a and theme holiday s and to write number of different and update her trav el guides for possibilities and the "het-boekje" series. suggestions, but if you tell us your wishes, we can Together we want to share our also compose your passion with y ou and we of f er you our personal, tailor made expertise to make sure y ou will hav e an unf orgettable holiday in authentic Greece. holiday.

What you can do yourself

1. Respect the locals You are a guest in Greece. A country with a dif f erent culture and d if f erent customs. Respect this and learn a f ew words of Greek, the Greeks appreciate this v ery much. Note the dress code during y our v isit to churches and monasteries: no bare shoulders nor short skirts or shorts. If you want to photograph people, ask their Sustainable tourism permission. Not ev ery one likes itto be photographed, but some lov e it! Tourism in harmony with 2. Please sav e water and energy nature, the environment When y ou leav e y our accommodation, and the local population please shut of f the air conditioning and at the destination. lights. Please be caref ul with water! During the long dry summers, water shortages may occur.

3. Do not litter Alway s take y our litter. Use a ref illable water bottle instead of buy ing plastic bottles ev ery time. On all destinations f resh springs can be f ound, where you can Secrets of Greece allows you to f ill y our water bottle. compensate the harmful

4. Buy local products emissions of your flight. For our By eating in local restaurants and buy trips CO2 compensation is local or, at least Greek products y ou stimulate not only the local economy but standard included in the fare. y ou also protect the env ironment (no The amount is invested in transportation). In almost ev ery Greek renewable energy projects. supermarket y ou can f ind indications f or Greek products.

5. Animals In recent y ears much has been improved Sustainability f or the Greek stray dogs and cats. There are sev eral animal shelters, which we support. These centers do what they can, The beauty and authenticity of a country are things that make a but are of ten ov ercrowded. They are vacation memorable. We consider it important that our travelers act alway s looking f or good homes f or the with care for nature and locals and respect the local culture. Our aim is animals which are of ten f ound abroad. to take car of nature and people on the destination. Sustainable tourism You can register as a f light attendant f or not only ensures that the negative aspects of tourism are limited as transporting dogs/cats to y our home much as possible, but it also means profit for the locals. country . Please register at least one week bef ore departure of y our return f light, at the animal shelter. Of course y ou can also adopt a dog or cat and take this pet home.

Hospitality

The Greeks are known as warm and hospitable people.FILOXENIA is Greek for hospitality. This includes the word "FILOS" = friend and the word "XENOS" = stranger. This says it all: in Greece, every foreigner is considered as a possible friend.

In mythology, the god Zeus could disguise himself in many ways and so visit your house as a total stranger. So every visitor can be a special guest. Therefore, for real Greeks, any guest, even unexpected, is always welcome.

We from Secrets of Greece would like to show you the same hospitality. You are welcome to check our site and contact us for all your questions and wishes. Just click on "contact" and we will be happy to help you on your way to the secrets of this beautiful country.

Authenticity

We know special places and we offer small-scale tourism with authenticity, sustainability and comfort. We consider the Secrets of Greece as the very things the real Greece lover is looking for.

Examples Tailor made holidays

This brochure giv es y ou some examples When we create a tailor made trip for you, it consists of separate of composed trips, such as fly drives, components, such as flight, transfers, car hire, ferries and island hopping and the me holiday s. You accommodation. You decide how your holiday should look like, which can change these examples, shorten or reservations you want and which ones you do not want to make in lengthen them as desired. We can also create a complete tailor made holiday. At advance. the back of this brochure y ou will f ind an application f orm that allows y ou to inform Flights us about y our wishes. As it is not a package, but a tailor made trip, we book the flights separately.We will always seek the best and cheapest alternative for you, or keep in mind any special wish you might have. Your rental car Transfers Discover the secrets of Greece by car. We work We can arrange, if desired, the transfers to and from the with reputable local car airport and/or port on arrival and departure. hire companies and pay attention to safety and Car rental quality. They provide You can rent a car at all times. The cars are usually excellent serv ice in delivered at the airport or at the port of arrival. There they addition to a good insurance! Our joint motto should be handed back on departure as well. There are is simple: offering just that, several categories. We can advise you on which car is what y ou really want when y ou best suited to your type of trip. rent a car: enjoy a caref ree holiday . Ferries Greek ferries are particularly well organized, usually on time but of course they remain dependant on the weather. Because of our direct communication we are very flexible and can easily adjust your trip to the circumstances.

Your stay Accommodations Make yourself at home

among the locals. Our We do not offer large hotels or all- accommodations are selected inclusive resorts but small-scale accommodations in an authentic with great care. We have setting. paid extra attention to We also have a large database of authenticity, sustainability accommodations throughout Greece, in all price ranges. From luxury villas, and comfort. The owners , who hotels, apartments to simple rooms. we all know in person, will do everything to make you feel at home.

Including

Fly drives accommodations rental car Relaxing, completely organized tours by rental car. comprehensive Fly drives offer you the opportunity to see quite a lot of your holiday destination in a relatively short time. directions You can, for example, travel to another accommodation every with great tips day or every few days or you can make trips from a fixed location using our special itineries for daily car tours. map music cd We have set out some special routes for you, leading you to places where otherwise youwould not come so easy. You will stay in small authentic accommodations, where you will be warmly welcomed.

In this brochure you will get an idea of the possibilities, but basically everything is adjustable to your personal wishes.

1-week fly drive West-Crete

Day 1 - Region Kissamos Overnight in Maleme area

Day 2 - Region Kissamos Falassarna beach, overnight in Milia.

Day 3 - Region Selino. Chrissokalitissa monastery, Elafonissi, overnight in

Paleochora.

Day 4 - Region Kydonia From Paleochora, Kambanos, Prasses and Skines to the new national road. From here towards Vamos and Litsarda. Overnight in Vamos area or Rethymnon. Including

Day 5 - Region Rethymnon 7 nights based on 2 persons in a Visit to the old centre of Rethymnon and the villages in the country side: double room or studio, bed only . Atsipopoulo, Roustika, Argiroupoli and Episkopi to the lake of Kournas. Overnight 8 day s rental car cat. A: f rom in Vamos area or Rethymnon. arriv al at the airport until departure f rom the airport. Day 6 - Region Sfakia. Option 1: Via Vrises and Chora Sfakion to Frangokastello, Rodakino and Plakias. Or, option 2: via Chora Sfakion and from there by boat to Agia Roumeli to visit the Samaria Gorge. Overnight in Hania.

Day 7 - Region Hania Visit to Hania town. Overnight in the area of Hania.

8-days fly drive East-Crete

Day 1 - Region Archanes/Asteroussia Overnight in the region Archanes Asteroussia, about 10-15 km

south of Heraklion, in the wine district.

Day 2 - Region Agios Nikolaos Visit to the region of Archanes and Jouchtas mountain. A rural ride in the area of the Lassithi plateau. Then via a route with stunning views back to the north coast. Overnight in region Neapolis.

Day 3 - Region Aghios Nikolaos/Sitia

We visit the area north of the national road to the village of Plaka (overlooking the island of Spinalonga, and the opportunity to visit it). We drive further along the beautiful Mirabello bay to Including overnight in this area.

7 nights based on 2 persons in a Day 4 - Region Itanou double room or studio, bed only . We continue eastwards to the very northeastcoast of Crete. Before Sitia is a 8 day s rental car cat. A: f rom beautiful gorge that can be visited. Stop in Sitia and overnight on the beach in the arriv al at the airport until departure f rom the airport. Itanou region.

Day 5 - Region Itanou To the region of Lefkis (southeast). Possibiltiy to visit the excavations of the palace of Kato Zakros. Overnight on the beach in the Itanou region.

Day 6 - Region Ierapetra Via Makrigialo along the southeastcoast heading west to Ierapetra. Stop in Ierapetra and possibility to make a boattrip to the island of Chrissi or visit region Ierapetra and countryside. Overnight in the area of Ierapetra.

Day 7 - Region Archanes/Asteroussia From Ierapetra via Vianos, Arkalochori and Choudetsi back to Archanes. Overnight in the area of Archanes.

10-day fly drive on Lesvos

Day 1 - Larissos Neapoli (Mytilene airport), Skala Loutron, Larissos, overnight in Larissos.

Day 2 - Larissos Visiting the mountain village Agiassos, the Ouzo capital Plomari, Papados with a nice olive oil museum, overnight in Larissos.

Day 3 - Skala Kalloni Via Vassilika and Polychnitos with the thermal springs to Skala Kalloni, overnight in Skala Kalloni.

Day 4 - Skala Kalloni Via the monastery of Leimonos to Sigri. Visit to the petrified forest. Overnight in Skala Kalloni. Including

Day 5 - Skala Kalloni The area of Skala Kalloni. Possibility to visit the temple of Messa, the basilica of 9 nights based on 2 people sharing Chalinadou and the village of Agia Paraskevi. Overnight in Skala Kalloni. a double room or studio, bed only . 10 day s rental car cat. A; f rom Day 6 - Skala Eressou arriv al at the airport until departure Via Parakila and Mesotopos, the monastery and reservoir of Pythariou, to f rom the airport. Eressos, the birthplace of Sappho. Overnight in Skala Eressou.

Day 7 - Molyvos Via Antissa, Skalochori, Anaxos and Petra to Molyvos. Overnight in or near Molyvos.

Day 8 - Molyvos Eftalou, Skala Sykaminias. Overnight in or near Molyvos.

Day 9 - Mytilene Via Mantamados and the Taxiarchis monastery and the monastery of Agios Rafaël at Thermis towards Mytilene. Visit to the amphitheatre, the Kastro and the city. Overnight in Mytilene.

Day 10 - Mytilene Mytilene, Neapoli (Mytilene airport) 11

8-day fly drive on Samos

Day 1 - Pythagorion Overnight in Pythagorion.

Day 2 - Pythagorion Evangelistria monastery, Evpalinio tunnel, overnight in Pythagorion.

Day 3 - Pythagorion Mitilinoi, Miloi, Ireon, Hera temple, overnight in Pythagorion.

Day 4 - Votsalakia

Chora, Koumaradei, Pirgos, Koutsi, Marathokambos, overnight in Votsalakia.

Including Day 5 - Agios Konstantinos Platanos, Karlovassi, Potami, overnight in Agios Konstantinos. 7 nights based on 2 persons in a double room or studio, bed only . Day 6 - Kokkari 8 day s rental car cat. A: f rom Beaches Tsabou, Tsamadou and Lemonakia, Nightingale valley, Manolates, arriv al at the airport until departure Vourliotes, Kokkari, overnight in Kokkari. f rom the airport. Day 7 - Kokkari Kokkari, Samos-town, overnight in Kokkari.

Day 8 - Kokkari Kokkari, airport

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Island hopping

Discover the uniqueness of various Greek islands. Including Greece has so many islands that the Greeks themselves do not know exactly how many there are. It is estimated about 6000, of which only 227 transfers are inhabited. Island hopping is a fun way to explore several islands in accommodations the Greek archipelago. The ferries are very well organized, usually go on time but remain of course dependant on the weather. Each island rental car has its own unique charm. comprehensive

directions Step aboard and discover the Greek islands one by one! You can specify which islands you wish to visit and according the maps possible ferry connections and the available accommodations we can boat tickets make a ready-made program for you. music cd

15 days Cyclades

Day 1 Transfer Athens airport - Rafina 1 night in Rafina

Day 2

Ferry Rafina - Andros about 2 hours 3 days car rental on Andros 3 nights in Nimborio on Andros

Day 5 Ferry Andros - Syros about 3 hours 3 days car hire on Syros 3 nights accommodation on Syros

Cyclades Day 8 Ferry Syros - Santorini ca. 11 hours The Cyclades archipelago consists of 56 Transfer port - accommodation in Fira islands and islets in the Aegean Sea, of which 3 nights in Fira on Santorini 33 are inhabited. The word "ky klos" means circle and this is exactly what they are: a Day 11 circle formed around the s acred island of Transfer accommodation - port Delos. The capital of the island group is Ferry Santorini - Naxos ca. 2 hours Cyclades Ermoupoli on the island of Sy ros. The islands 3 day car rental on Naxos have a rich history and are known for the Cycladic culture (3000-1000 BC), of which 3 nights in Plaka on Naxos Amorgos relics are to be f ound on almost all Cy clades. Anafi In history many diffe rent rulers have Day 14 Andros populated the islands, from the Persians Ferry Naxos - Rafina about 4 hours Antiparos around 500 BC, the Romans, the By zantines, 1 night in Rafina the Venetians and the Ottomans to the Delos Germans in World War II. Today the islands Day 15 Folegandros with their quaint, traditional villages, snow- Transfer Rafina - Athens airport Ios white houses, many attractio ns and beaches Kea are an attractive holiday paradise, where Kimolos each island has to offer you something different. The short distance between the Kithnos islands makes this archipelago ideal f or island Milos hopping. Mykonos

Naxos

Paros Santorini Serifos Sifnos

Sikinos Syros Tinos Thirasia

Dodecanese

Astipalaia

Agathonisi

Chalki Kalymnos Karpathos Kassos Kastelorizo Kos Leros Lipsi Nisyros 15 days Dodecanese Patmos

Rhodes Day 1 Simi 3 days car hire in Karpathos Tilos 3 nights in Pigadia on Karpathos Plati

Pserimos Day 4

Ferry Karpathos - Rhodes ca. 4 hours Transfer port - accommodation in Rhodes town 2 nights in Rhodes town

Day 6 Transfer accommodation - port Ferry Rhodes - Simi ca. 4 hours Transfer port - accommodation 2 nights in Simi Dodecanese

Day 8 Literal ly Dodecanese means '12 islands', but Transfer accommodation - port there are many more. In fact 37, spread Ferry Simi - Kos ca. 1.5 hours across the south-eastern part of the Aegean Transfer port - accommodation Sea. Geologists claim that these islands are 1 night in Kos town the peaks of the Aegaeis mountains that once connected Greece with Asia and sank in the Mediterranean Sea millions years ago. Day 9 Rhodes is the capital of the archipelago. On Transfer accommodation - port the island of Patmos John would hav e written Ferry Kos - Kalymnos ca. 45 minutes his rev elations. Kaly mnos is the island of the Transfer port - accommodation sponge f ishermen and on Kos was the f irst 2 nights on Kalymnos hospital of Europe located around 300 BC ., f ounded by Hippocrates, who is also known Day 11 for the medical oath named after him. The Transfer accommodation - port islands are ideal f or island hopping and of f er Ferry Kalymnos - Leros ca. 45 minutes a lot of variety. From the cosmopolitan atmosphere of Rhodes and Kos to almost Transfer port - accommodation undiscov ered islands, such as Kastelorizo, 3 nights in Leros Agathonissi and Lipsi. Possibility to make a day trip to Patmos island.

Day 13 Transfer accommodation - port Ferry Leros - Kos ca. 1.5 hours Transfer port - accommodation 1 night in Kos town

Day 15 Transfer accommodation - Kos airport

15 days North-Aegean islands

Day 1 4 days car hire on Samos 4 nights in Ireon, Pythagorion or Kokkari on Samos

Day 5

Ferry Samos - Chios ca. 4 hours 5 days car hire on Chios 5 nights in Vrontados, Karfas or Agia Fotini on Chios

Day 10 Ferry Chios - Mytilene (Lesvos) ca. 4 hours 5 days car hire on Lesvos 5 nights in Anaxos, Petra or Molivos on Lesvos

North-Aegean islands

In the north of the Aegean Sea, between Greece and Turkey are the North Aegean islands. The mos t f amous are Lesvos, Samos and Chios, but Thasos, Samothrace, Lemnos, Ikaria and Fourni belong to this island group as well. Closer to the mainland of Greece but also in the northern Aegean Sea, are the Sporades: Alonissos, Evia, Skiathos, Skopelos and Sky ros. Characteristic of all these islands is the exuberant green. The islands are v ery f ertile North-Aegean and provide the majority of the olives and fruits of Greece. islands These islands have been inhabited since prehistoric times and have known many dif f erent inhabitants w ho have all left their Agios Efstratios mark. Antipsara Although tourists hav e discov ered this area Chios decades ago, these islands are generally Fourni more quiet and authentic. You will find no major tourist centers and no sky scraper Ikaria hotels. Here y ou can enjoy sun, sea Lesvos and everyday Greek life. Limnos

Oinousses

Orestis

Psara Samos Samothraki Thassos Thymena

Active and

adventurous holidays Cultural and

creative Theme holidays holidays

Holidays with just that little extra. Culinary You can still appreciate sun, sea and sand, but would you also like holidays to be active during holiday? Then you will love Secrets of Greece's theme holidays. For example: active holidays, walking holidays, creative holidays, painting holidays, culinary holidays, cooking workshops and cultural holidays. Is it not exactly what you want? Ask us! We 'd love to put your dream vacation together.

17 Action and adventure E Enjoy exciting adventures under the Greek sun. A walking holiday is one of the best ways to get to know a country, the landscape and its inhabitants. It offers you the opportunity to become one with nature and to view the country in peace from a different perspective. This is traveling at its best. Feel, smell, taste and experience the Greek life from nearby. Or maybe you prefer to take part in an adventurous safari tour. Through the countryside with overnights in small authentic mountain villages? And what about diving, mountain biking or canoeing? For the real daredevils there is the possibility of skydiving or bungy jumping in a beautiful gorge.

We are happy to inform you about the possibilities.

9-day hiking holiday on Crete

Day 1 Our tour starts at our hotel in late afternoon in the historical city of Iraklion, located in central Crete. After a short tour briefing, the group will walk to a traditional tavern for dinner and our first experience with Greek cuisine.

Day 2 We wake up early in the morning for our bus which will take us up to the Nida plateau, 4600 ft high on Mountain Ida, the highest mountain and a symbol of Crete. We will start walking from Nida Plateau to the south through one of the last wooded areas on Mt Ida. Our final destination is the Rouvas gorge and the Zaros Lake. It is a 6-7 hour pleasant walk and we will have to carry a light lunch with us.

Day 3 We will take a guided tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the archaeological Museum of Iraklion. Here we will admire the finest samples of the first high-level civilization in Europe. A reason why Crete is known as "the cradle of European civilization". Our archaeological guide will explain every detail about this sophisticated and nature-loving civilization and its long history. As soon as this archaeological tour is over we will leave for the Myloi (watermills) Gorge where the abandoned village of Myloi is located. Here we walk for approximately 2.5 hours. Lunch will be along the way. After the walk we will continue by bus to Omalos Plateau located high in the White Mountains of western Crete.

Day 4 (No luggage) Early in the morning we enter the spectacular Samaria Gorge. The Samaria gorge is the longest gorge in Europe (16 Km, about 10 miles). We will descend from 4000 feet down to sea level on a paved path. Toilets, water and rest points are approximately every hour. Good shoes and strong legs are required. We will arrive at the base of the Gorge, in the village of Agia Roumeli, after approximately 6-7 hours where we will have lunch. Agia Roumeli (ancient Tara) is on the Libyan sea, on the southern coast of Coast of Crete. We will be in this village, that can only be reached by foot or boat for one night with dinner at a local tavern. Far in the horizon the island of Gavdos is visible. It is believed that Gavdos, the southernmost point in Europe, was the island of Calypso described by Homer in the Odyssey.

Day 5 We leave Agia Roumeli and walk along a coastal path for approximately 6 hours to the village of Loutro. This is another village that can only be reached by foot or boat. The coastal walk takes us past the Byzantine church of Saint Paul. It is believed that Saint Paul disembarked on this coast on one of his trips. This area provides a very long pebble beach with a pine tree forest above it. Lunch will be along the hike. Our luggage will have arrived by ferry at our hotel in Loutro.

Day 6 Today you have an option of a free day enjoying the crystal-clear sea and the serenity of Loutro, or hiking with your guide in the area.

Day 7 We leave Loutro and take the ferry to Hora Sfakion, the nearby main town of the historical Sfakia area. We will meet our bus and take the winding road up to the Askyfou plateau. It is here we can enjoy panoramic views of the Libyan Sea. We continue for approximately one-hour driving north to the town of Hania. During the trip between Askyfou and Hania we will leave the bus for a short walk in the pretty Apokoronas area. Early in the afternoon we will arrive at our hotel in Hania. After unpacking and refreshing, we will meet for our first walk in the streets of the most scenic town in Crete. The 4000 year history is evident everywhere we turn. The nations that invaded Crete, including the Romans, Arabs, Byzantines, Turks and Venetians, have left their influence on the architecture of the city. The Byzantine walls still exist, as well as the more impressive Venetian Walls and the Venetian harbour, one of the most scenic harbours in the southern Mediterranean.

Day 8 We will have an early departure to Kissamos area, an area unspoiled by tourism. From Kalyviani village we will start our 2.5-hour scenic coastal walk to the spectacular Balos lagoon. There we will take a swim in the crystal clear water or enjoy an ice-cold frappe. Later we will take the boat to Kissamos town where our bus will meet us to take us back to Hania. (NOTE: if the weather does not allow the boat trip, then we will walk back to Kalyviani village).

Dag 9 Today we will pack our luggage before heading to the Hania market to shop for souvenirs. (Note: this is depending on the flight time). At noon we will take our bus to the Hania airport for departure. Crete

Crete is the largest island of Greece and the 5th largest in the Mediterranean. Most Cretans liv e on the north coast, where famous tourist resorts like Malia and Hersonissos are located. Most of the trav elers who come each summer to spend their vacation, go to these places, while there is so much more .... The adv a ntage of Crete is that y ou can f ind what y ou need as a tourist the "comf orts" like a cappuccino, the newspaper, wi-fi connection, etc. But, if you want to know Crete, far f rom the tourist industry y ou really just have to go a few kilometers inland and ther e you will find very quickly what we mean by "Secrets of Crete". Diverse landscape, untouched nature, villages where time seems to have stood still, archaeological excav ations, which will take y ou back to the beginning of our civ ilization and the south coa st, where you will find just sun, sea, beautif ul beaches and tranquility .

8-day hiking holiday on Andros

Day 1 Transfer from Athens airport to the port of Rafina Ferry to Andros (approx. 2 hours ) Transfer to your accommodation in Nimborio close to the capital Chora.

Day 2 Route: Chora - Vrachnou - Panachrantou monastery - Messaria Distance: 9.5 km Duration: 3 to 4 hours Altitude difference: ca. 400 m We walk through a special area with enormous biodiversity, including the for Greece unique oak forests. We can visit here the beautiful monastery of Panachranto. The route then leads on to Messaria, the political centre of the island at the time of the Ottoman Empire.

Day 3 Route: Chora - Syneti - Dipotamata - Pano Kastro - Kochylou - Korthi Bay Distance: 12.5 km Duration: 3.5 to 4.5 hours Altitude difference: 400 m We walk in a varied landscape. The mills in the valley of Dipotamata, a beautiful arched bridge over the river and the old fortress on the hill with stunning views over the bay of Korthi are some of the sights that we pass on the road. Don’t forget!

Day 4 A day of rest. Enjoy the beach or visit the lively capital Chora. Good shoes water Day 5 Route: Strapourgies - Ano Pitrofos - Paleopolis - Ano Aprovatou hat Distance: 11.5 km sun cr Duration: 4 to 4.5 uur Altitude difference: 150 m

This so-called 'Ample Route' runs through the Petalo mountains which Andros used to be the connection between East and West as well as North and South Andros. Today this route gives a good picture of the Andros, with an area of 374 km², is the diversity of nature and culture on the island. second largest island of the Cy clades and due to many sources, streams and ev en waterf alls it has a lush v egetatio n. It is a Day 6 wonderf ul hiking island. Beach lov ers can Route: Pythara waterfalls - Apoikia - Apatouria - Stenies - Gialia beach also indulge themselves, because the and wetland rugged coastline of f ers beautif ul beaches, Duration: 2.5 to 3 hours sometimes in hidden bays, where you Distance: about 5.5 km hav e the place to y ourself . The history of Altitude difference: ca. 400 m Andros goes back to prehistoric times. In We walk mostly downhill through lush vegetation, through and along se v eral places remains f rom ancient times the Pythara ravine. On the way we enjoy beautiful views, small hav e been excav ated and some beautif ul settlements and ancient monuments. churches and monasteries from the Byzantine period are well preserved.

Andros has no airport and theref ore it is Day 7 not ov errun by tourists. In f act it is easily Day off accessible. It has a regular ferry connection to and from Rafina on the Day 8 mainland, not far from the airport of Transfer to the port of Gavrio Athens. In short, the island offers Ferry to Rafina something f or ev ery one, and except for the Transfer to the airport of Athens month of August y ou will f ind peace and quiet.

Culinary Culinary Holidays holidays

Feel, prepare and taste delicious, healthy and fresh Greek food!

Greek cuisine is known as the healthiest cuisine in Europe and offers a wide variety of dishes. Each region and each island has its own specialties.

During our culinary tours we will introduce you to the traditional Greek cuisine, both with the ingredients and its preparation, and of course the tasting of the delicious dishes that you prepare yourself. η - Bon appetit!

Including 8-day taste and cooking vacation on

1 week stay (7 nights) in a studio for Andros single use B/B, 4-day cooking workshop including meal, boat Day 1 tickets Raf ina -Andros v .v . Transfer from Athens airport to the port of Rafina. andoptional excursions. Ferry to Andros (approx. 2 hours). Excl. f light, transf ers, meals and Transfer to your accommodation in Nimborio near the capital Chora. bev erages. Day 2 Extension (only accommodation B/B) In the afternoon you will prepare delicious Andriotic dishes according is possible on request. instructions from an experienced local cook. You will learn about the various ingredients and get all kinds of tips for a successful meal, which of course you In case y ou hav e already booked can enjoy yourself afterwards. accommodation in Andros, y ou only

pay for the 4-day workshop. Day 3 Also this afternoon you will cook with exciting ingredients such as wild vegetables of Andros and you can try your own piece of work.

Day 4 A day of rest. Enjoy the beach or visit the lively capital Chora.

Day 5 In the afternoon, you can start again with a cooking workshop, with new ingredients and then enjoy what you have prepared.

Day 6 Your last afternoon as Andriotic cook. Of course, again endes the day with a cozy and delicious meal.

Day 7 Day off.

Day 8 Transfer to the port of Gavrio. Ferry to Rafina. Transfer to the airport of Athens.

η !

Art and culture

Be inspired and discover your talents and creativity! How about a inspiring paiting holiday or to get the hang of the intricacies of the ancient mosaic technique under the Greek sun? A relaxing roundtrip by car, visiting original villages in the interior, which enables you to meet various traditional crafts? Perhaps you are fond of Greek music and your dream comes through when you can visit one of the many concerts. Or would you prefer to make music yourself and follow some bouzouki lessons?

You name it, we will arrange it

32 25

Painting holiday in Andros

Workshop The groups consist of up to 16 participants and the courses are

exclusive materials. Experience has shown that most people prefer to work with their own materials. We will make sure that paint and brushes are avalaible, in case you miss something, but please bring your own familiar materials with you. At 09.00 we leave for the location where we will paint. That may be by the sea or inland. We work until around noon, after which we go on excursion or return to our accommodations.

Accommodation On Andros, we have selected the lovely Myrtos apartments. Quietly situated, just outside Chora, the capital of the island. The hospitable family Hala ensures that your Including stay will be unforgettable. You will stay in a studio for single use including breakfast. In the morning you can enjoy a good quality breakfast and in the evening you can 1 week (7 nights) in a studio for taste the delicious Greek food in one of the many restaurants nearby. single use incl. breakf ast, boat tickets Raf ina -Andros v.v., 4- day painting workshop, Private package transportation to/f rom painting Our workshops can also be combined with an already self-booked holiday package. locations and optional In that case you take care of your own transportation to our meeting point and pay excursions. only for the 4-day workshop. Excl. f light, transf ers, meals

and bev erages. Optional excursions In the afternoon we offer optional excursions and workshops. We offer guided walks Extension (only in the exeptional green landscape, where you will meet ancient bridges, crossing accommodation B/B) is rivers, waterfalls and smal lakes. You can also join us making soap or glyko tou possible on request.

koutaliou, and marmelade, as well as other traditional food from Andros, f.e. cheese, pitabread, etc., which of course we will enjoy afterwards. The excursions are included. Would you rather spend your time on the beach, you are free to do so.

Painting holiday in Karpathos

Workshop

The groups consist of up to 16 participants and the courses are exclusive materials. Experience has shown that most people prefer to work with their own materials. We will make sure that paint and brushes are avalaible, in case you miss something, but please bring your own familiar materials with you. At 09.00 we leave for the location where we will paint. That may be by the sea or inland. We work until around noon, after which we go on excursion or return to our accommodations.

Including Accommodation

1 week (7 nights) in a double On Karpathos we have selected the lovely Hotel Alex. Quietly situated around 600 room f or single use incl. meters from the beach of Pigadia, the capital of the island. The hospitable family breakf ast, 4-day painting Alexiou ensures that your stay will be unforgettable. You will stay in a double room workshop, transportation for single use including breakfast. In the morning you can enjoy a good quality to/f rom painting locations and breakfast buffet (included) and in the evening you can taste the delicious Greek food optional excursions (except the in one of the many restaurants of Pigadia. boat trip to Oly mpos).

Excl. f light, transf ers, meals Private package and bev erages. You can also combine our workshops with a self-booked package. In that case you take care of your own transportation to our meeting point and pay only for the 4-day Extension (only workshop. accommodation B/B) is possible on request. Optional excursions In the afternoon we offer optional excursions. On Karpathos you can take a boat trip to an exceptional and remote village Olympos (not included), or join us on a hike through the beautiful nature. You can also visit the various villages in the county side and the small fishing villages such as Finiki and Lefkos, with a lovely beach and its lively fish tavernas. The excursions are included. Would you rather spend your time on the beach, you are free to do so.

Painting holidays on Crete

Workshop

Accommodation You will stay in Avra Studios – Taverna. The complex is located on the beach and Including built in typical Greek style in a lush garden with palm trees. The owner and his family are very hospitable and friendly and will make you feel at home. You will stay in a 1 week (7 nights) in a studio for studio for single use with breakfast. In the morning you can enjoy a good quality single use incl. breakf ast, 4-day painting workshop, breakfast buffet (included) and in the evening the owner prepares you a meal with transportation to/f rom painting fresh local products. locations and optional excursions. Private package You can also combine our workshops with a self-booked package. In that case you Excl. f light, transf ers, meals and bev erages. take care of your own transportation to our meeting point and pay only for the 4-day

workshop. Extension (only accommodation B/B) is possible on request.

Optional excursions In the afternoon we offer optional excursions, for example to the beautiful old village Orino, where the 98-year-old Maria shows us her old loom. Or you can join us to the village Kalamafka, with above it a small chapel, hidden in a rock. This is accessed via a large number of steps, but well worth it! There is also a hike to a waterfall and a visit to the quaint village Kato Simmi, where all year water flows abundantly from the mountains. The trip to the Sarakina gorge is also highly recommended! The excursions are included. Would you rather spend your time on the beach, you are free to do so.

Mosaic holidays on Crete

Workshop The groups consist of up to 16 participants and the 4-day course is inclusive materials. Four mornings from 09.30 until 13.00 hrs you will be taught the ancient techniques of traditional Greek mosaics as well as modern tweaks of nowadays mosaic art. A small object can be made to take home with you as a nice souvenir and reminder of your creative holiday on Crete.

Accommodation Including Your stay in Crete, is the unique hotel Arolithos, which is build like a typical Greek village, with its own square and taverna and several workshops, amongst which the 1 week (7 nights) in a double mosaic workshop, where you will attend your mosaic classes. Your accommodation room f or single use incl. is a double room for single use with breakfast. In the morning you can enjoy a good breakf ast, 4-day painting quality breakfast buffet (included) and in the evening you can enjoy a Cretan meal workshop, transportation with fresh local products in the taverna on the "village square". to/f rom painting locations and optional excursions. Private package Excl. f light, transf ers, meals You can also combine our workshops with a self-booked package. In that case you and bev erages. take care of your own transportation to the workshop and pay only for the 4-day course. Extension (only accommodation B/B) is possible on request. Optional excursions In the afternoon we offer optional excursions, for example to the old village Anogia, an afternoon at the beach near Fodele or a visit to the capital Heraklion. You can also join us to the archaeological site of Knossos (entrance fee not included). The trip to the Samaria-gorge is also highly recommended but not included! Would you rather spend your time on the beach, you are free to do so.

Sculpting holidays on Tinos

Workshop

The groups consist of up to 10 participants and the 4-day course is inclusive materials. Four mornings from 09.30 until 13.00 hrs you will be taught the ancient techniques of traditional Greek marble sculpting as well as modern tweaks of nowadays marble art. A small marble object can be made to take home with you as a nice souvenir and reminder of your creative holiday on Tinos.

Accommodation Your stay on Tinos, the unique apartments Porto Raphael are right on the beach of Agios Ioannis Porto. The complex has its own taverna, where the owner prepares delicious local food. You will stay in a studio/double room for private Including use based on bed and breakfast. In the evening you can enjoy a Tinian meal with fresh local products in the tavern of the complex or elsewhere. 1 week (7 nights) in a studio or double room f or single use incl. breakf ast, 4-day sculpting workshop, transportation Private package to/f rom sculpting location and optional excursions. Our workshops can also be combined with an already self-booked holiday package. In that case you take care of your own transportation to our meeting point and pay Excl. v lucht, transf ers, only for the 4-day workshop. maaltijden en consumpties.

Optional excursions Verlenging (alleen v erblijf op basis v an logies/ontbijt) is In the afternoon we offer optional excursions and workshops. mogelijk op aanv raag. For example, to the marble museum in Pyrgos, a walk through the valley at Tarambados with the beautiful dovecotes, an afternoon at Kolymbithra beach, the archaeological site of Kionia, the beautiful hilltop monastery of Agia Pelagia, or a visit to the capital Chora with the famous Evangelistria church. Would you rather spend your time on the beach, you are free to do so.

Price list

General information

Since we customize your holidays to your needs, most prices are on request. For theme holidays we do have fixed prices and sometimes fixed dates as well.

When you tell us your wishes, we will inform you as soon as possible and send you a free quotation. You can do this by using the request form or call us or send us an email.

Price list

Fly drives

1-week fly drive West-Crete € 595.- p.p.

8-day fly drive East-Crete € 595.- p.p.

10-day fly drive Lesvos € 795.- p.p.

8-day fly drive Samos € 595.- p.p.

Extension

West-Crete Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

East-Crete Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Lesvos Stay only, B/B € 290.- p.p.p.w.

Samos Stay only, B/B € 290.- p.p.p.w.

Price list

Active holidays

Crete 9-day hiking holiday € 795.- p.p.

Andros 8-day hiking holiday € 795.- p.p.

Extension

Crete Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Andros Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Separate hiking program

Crete € 250.- p.p.

Andros € 250.- p.p.

Prce list

Culinary holidays

Andros 8-day cooking holiday € 795.- p.p.

Extension

Andros Stay only, B/B € 280- p.p.p.w.

Separate workshops

Andros 4-day cooking workshop € 250.- p.p.

Price list

Art and culture

Painting holiday on Andros € 585.- p.p.

Painting holiday on Karpathos € 565.- p.p.

Painting holiday in Crete € 565.- p.p.

Mosaic holidays in Crete € 575.- p.p.

Sculpting holiday on Tinos € 595.- p.p.

Extension

Andros, Myrtos Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Karpathos, Alex Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Kreta, Avra Stay only, B/B € 280.- p.p.p.w.

Kreta, Arolithos Stay only, B/B € 290.- p.p.p.w.

Tinos, Porto Raphaël Stay only, B/B € 290.- p.p.p.w.

Separate workshops

Andros 4-day painting workshop € 200.- p.p.

Karpathos 4-day painting workshop € 200.- p.p.

Crete 4-day painting workshop € 200.- p.p

Crete 4-day mosaic workshop € 200.- p.p.

Tinos 4-day sculpting workshop € 250.- p.p.

Request form

By this form you can plan your Name

trip and ask us for a free quote. Address

Postal code

Place

Telephone

E-mail

PARTICIPANTS

No. Mr/Mrs Name as in passport Date of birth

2 3

No. Holiday or component(s) Date Remarks

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Terms and conditions

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