Flavours of Crete
13 to 20 May 2025
"The cookery lessons were very informal and great fun, also the off site visits for wine tasting and olive oil production were interesting and informative. The Arosmari is a lovely and unusual place to stay, very peaceful and quiet (no piped music) with something interesting to see around every corner, quite magical really." Mrs Prudence O'Gorman
Philoxenia is a Greek word which encompasses many things, not least an eagerness to extend a warm welcome and the greatest hospitality to all. And since food is very much at the heart of Cretan hospitality, where better than Arosmari to come and understand its proud tradition?
THE WEEK IN BRIEF
• Accommodation and daily breakfast at Arosmari Village Hotel
• Welcome drinks
• All demonstrations, workshops, tastings and local excursions (with transfers)
• Visit to local dairy
• Wine tasting, tour and lunch at Dourakis winery
• Farewell dinner with wine
THE SETTING
Arosmari is a peaceful and beautiful oasis with a profoundly creative heart, set in the traditional village of Vamos in the foothills of the White Mountains. Ten charming 1 and 2-bedroom cottages make up the hotel; all ideal for couples, some suitable for those looking to travel with a friend. Culinary demonstrations will take place in the gardens, with baking in the ancient bread oven and plenty of treats to taste along the way. Local trips follow the gastronomic theme and are designed to enhance your experience, but there’s also plenty of time to enjoy the idyllic location with non-culinary partners. Arosmari is perfect for exploring the charming villages and golden beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania, with its superb restaurants, traditional market and spectacular Venetian harbour. For a little night-time entertainment during your stay, there will be a music concert in the hotel’s diminutive amphitheatre and the week will culminate with the preparation and enjoyment of a farewell dinner in the gardens.
The Flavours of Crete
13 to 20 May 2025
The itinerary
| Tuesday | Evening | Welcome drinks and finger food |
| Wednesday | Day | Demonstration showcasing the preparation of local dishes for the evening buffet |
| Wednesday | Evening | Concert in the amphitheatre at Arosmari followed by buffet dinner in the garden |
| Thursday | Day | Visit to a local dairy followed by wine tasting and light lunch at local Dourakis winery |
| Friday | Day | Olive oil tasting and meze selection |
| Saturday | Day | At leisure |
| Sunday | Day | Afternoon demonstration hosted by Arosmari owner Nicos, with bread baking in the traditional oven, Cretan cheese pies and meze selection |
| Monday | Day | Demonstration showcasing the preparation of dishes for the farewell dinner |
| Monday | Evening |
Farewell dinner |
Please note, itinerary may be subject to change.
