Greek cooking is fun for many reasons. The fact that some recipes have existed for thousands of years always creates excitement among those who are preparing Greek food.  Greeks approach food with a combination of seriousness and nostalgia, thinking back to the dishes they grew up on. They don’t eat to live but rather live to eat. A meal is always a social and lively occasion which reflects on the true meaning of companionship and family.  Cooking seems to be a way of ‘speaking to someone’s heart’.

A Greek Tradition

Greek cuisine has five key secrets: good quality, fresh ingredients, distinctive flavoring using herbs and spices, Greek olive oil and simplicity. The traditional Greek diet is (of course) very Mediterranean: fish, meat, vegetables, herbs and grains.

Greek Seafood

Being a maritime nation, the Greeks incorporate plenty of seafood into their diet. Fish and seafood is a staple in Greek cuisine. Enter the local catch of fish, mussels, clams, shrimp, lobster, squid, sea bass, anchovies, crab, cod, cuttlefish, sardines, octopus, sea urchin and more!  Just a little lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper and you have heaven on a plate! Simple and fresh. Greece is also a major consumer of meats such as lamb, beef, pork and chicken. Traditional vegetarian dishes are widely available in Greece. Greek vegetarian dishes are made with tomatoes, eggplant, zucchini, peppers, onions, potatoes, green beans and wild greens (horta), to name just a few. Beans and legumes are often added. After dinner, Greeks often treat customers to seasonal fruits such as karpoozi (watermelon), peponi (honeydew) and apples, pears, cherries or oranges. Figs, which are ripe from mid-August to September, have to be tasted to be believed!

Classic Greek Dishes

Moussaka: a rich oven baked dish of eggplant, minced meat, tomato and Béchamel sauce – it’s Greek comfort food

Soulvaki:  marinated meat such as chicken, pork or lamb cooked on a skewer; can be eaten straight off the stick or wrapped in pita bread; often served with tzatziki sauce

Spanakopita: Greek spinach pie that has a rich phyllo crust filled with spinach, onions, cheese and herbs

Fasolada: a white bean soup sometimes called ‘the national food of the Greeks’; made of beans, tomatoes, carrot and generous amount of celery; sometimes served with a variety of salty side dishes such as olives or anchovies

Horiatiki

Horiatiki: a traditional Greek salad made of tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, onions, olives, feta cheese and herbs

Paidakia: Greek lamb chops marinated in olive oil, thyme, oregano, rosemary, garlic, lemon zest, mustard and peppercorns; usually served with roasted potatoes

Tzatziki: made from Greek yogurt, olive oil, garlic, chopped cucumbers and dill or mint

Galaktoboureko: a  traditional Greek dessert made from a crispy phyllo pastry crust, filled with creamy custard, sprinkled with melted butter and bathed in scented syrup

Loukoumades:  Greek honey dumplings; pastries made of deep fried dough soaked in syrup, chocolate sauce or honey and often sprinkled with sesame seeds or chopped walnuts

Greek Cultural & Culinary Terms

mezes – a collection of small dishes usually served with various dips, spreads and accompaniments  arni – lamb brizola – chops (beef, pork or lamb) psari – fish fourno – oven kotopoulo – chicken retsina – a white wine infused with pine flavoring ouzo – an anise-flavored apertif  meli – honey octopodi – octopus, traditionally served grilled lathera –  dishes cooked in oil; often vegetarian taverna – a small restaurant serving traditional cuisine kafenio – a cafe where people often socialize and play card games metaxa – a spirit that is a blend of brandy, spices and wine kali orexi – Bon Appétit!

Santorini is probably the most famous Greek island. Its white-washed cube-like architecture, bright-blue domed Byzantine churches and glorious views over the expanse of the Aegean Sea are symbols of this little paradise. 

Santorini is a volcanic island and it was centuries – or even millennia – in the making. Santorini’s half-moon shaped bay is the center of the Caldera. A caldera is a cauldron-like depression that occurs after the mouth of the volcano collapses from the eruption of the volcano.

Santorini is actually a group of islands located in the heart of the Aegean Sea. It’s comprised of five distinct islands: Santorini (the main island, also known as Thira), Thirasia, Aspronisi on the periphery and the two Kameni islands in center.

Santorini’s biggest volcano eruption was during the Minoan civilization 3500 years ago. Studies have shown that the island was the cradle of this advanced civilization which was ultimately destroyed by the explosion of the volcano.  The eruption was so massive that it was possibly one of the biggest volcanic eruptions on earth. Santorini’s volcano also erupted in 97BC, 1570AD, 1707, 1866 and 1926, shaping the caldera and the islands, as we know them today. 

The landscape consists of cliffs and rock along he caldera’s edge almost 1000’ above sea level. They also extend underneath the sea for an additional 1000’ – thereby creating the perfect harbor in the center. 

At the northernmost end of the caldera lies the quaint village of Oia (pronouced eee-uh) perched on the rim of the Caldera. Oia is famous for its panoramic views over the Caldera during sunset. The capital city of Fira is located on the eastern edge of the Caldera and also affords beautiful views of the Caldera from a different perspective. 

 

During our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, 2018, we will visit the towns of Oia and Fira. We’ll also hike a portion of the Caldera Trail to Oia. This is really the best way to experience the Caldera and the incredible views that are the hallmark of Santorini.

High above the landscape below, lie the Meteora monasteries in the central Greece. Sixty monks and nuns live in the fabled monasteries perched on top of immense natural rock pillars surrounded by hill-like rounded boulders. In centuries past, this place of worship brought them solitude and peace from unwanted trespassers. Today, the Greek Orthodox monasteries are one of the most revered destinations in all of Greece.

Meteora is in central Greece only a few hours north of Athens. It is the site of six Greek Orthodox monasteries built by monks beginning in the 14th century. Windswept monoliths rise abruptly from the earth, with vertical cliffs forming a dramatic backdrop. The picture-perfect vistas have been the inspiration for films and TV shows, including ‘Game of Thrones’.

The word ’meteora’ means ‘middle of the sky’ and monasteries seem as if they are ‘suspended in air.’  The six monasteries were built by monks beginning in the 14th century providing protection from the warriors below. The monks used a network of ropes, pulleys, baskets and ladders to lift supplies and worshippers to the monasteries. In times of war, these were raised denying access to anyone that posed a threat. 

During our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, we will stay in the nearby village of Kalambaka and hike the area. Hiking is one of the best ways to enjoy this unique geological phenomenon and to learn the history of this UNESCO World Heritage Centre. We’ll walk through hidden trails only the locals know. Our guided hike will take us among the gigantic rock pillars of Meteora to visit two monasteries and enjoy the truly breathtaking views.

Note: This hike is rated ‘easy to moderate’. Our guide knows the way!