A Greek Tradition

Greek Seafood

Horiatiki

Greek Cultural & Culinary Terms

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!

No trip to Greece is complete without visiting the Acropolis of Athens! On our tour, Greece & the Greek Islands, September 26 – October 8, 2018, we’ll explore the major monuments of the Athens Acropolis.

The Acropolis, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was a citadel built on a hill during the Golden Age of Athens (460-430 BC). The Acropolis served as the preeminent sanctuary of the ancient city of Athens and its purpose was to provide sacred grounds to the goddess Athena. Athena was the goddess of many things: wisdom, courage, inspiration, civilization, law, justice, mathematics and the arts.  She was essentially urban and civilized but was also the goddess of war.

Led by a certified guide, we’ll tour and learn about the key monuments of the Acropolis: 

Parthenon 
Temple of Athena
Erectheum
Temple of Athena Nike
Propylaea
Temple of Zeus
Theather of Dionysis

We’ll also visit the Acropolis Museum (opened in 2009) that houses the historic and archaeological treasures of the Acropolis as well as objects of Athenian every day life. The museum hosts its collections on three levels and has an archaeological excavation site that lies at its foundation.

1. Be guided through the Acropolis temples: the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, Theater of Dionysis, Temple of Athena Nike…follow with a visit to the new Acropolis Museum.
2. Drink Greek wine…you’ll love it!  Also, tour and taste at Santorini wineries.
3. Enjoy free time to wander, shop and dine in the Plaka District of Athens. 
4. Take a culinary walking tour in Athens…sample and taste Greek delicacies and liqueurs.
5. Enjoy an evening event (a concert, dance, theatre) at the Acropolis…it’s especially beautiful lit up at night!
6. Hike to two Meteora Monasteries and visit their interiors…a serene experience!
7. Be guided through Delphi, the site of the Temple of Apollo…followed by a visit to the Delphi Museum.
8. Sail around the island of Mykonos on a catamaran… Greeks are known for their skill on the water.
9. Snorkel in a secluded cove…Greece has some of the most beautiful sea life on earth.
10. Enjoy the local cuisine in Old Mykonos Town from a seaside cafe…order some of the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
11. Visit a Greek volcano…hike along the Caldera of Santorini, the edge of the volcano.
12. Watch a Greek sunset… perhaps the best sunset you will ever see is from Oia, Santorini.
13. Eat a traditional Greek meal… we’ll try local specialties and traditional Greek dishes everywhere we go!
14. Learn to cook as the Greeks do in a hands-on cooking class paired with Greek wines.
15. Take in the beauty of the Aegean Sea…it’s a vista you will always remember!

Whatever you do…enjoy yourself and take in all that Greece and the islands have to offer during this small group tour!

Florence & Chianti in Tuscany: A Cultural & Culinary Adventure
September 6-17, 2017

During our fall tour, we will base ourselves for a week in a villa in the Chianti region. From the villa, we’ll visit these Tuscan medieval towns. Each town has its unique history, culture, architecture, traditions and charms. We’ll meet locals along the way. Get ready to discover these ‘gems’!

Greve: Greve is the hub of the Chianti Classico region. It is the center the Chianti wine industry. Greve regularly hosts a Slow Food Market. Its central square, Piazza Matteotti, is lined with attractive shops, restaurants and  tasting rooms. We’ll wander the streets of Greve, check out its shops and cafes and go to the farmer’s market. We’ll also visit the Wine Museum to learn the history of winemaking in Chianti.

Panzano: Panzano is a charming medieval town located on a high ridge surrounded by Chianti Classico vineyards. Panzano’s views are of vineyards dotted with cypress tress, olive groves, and farmhouses. Panzano has a good range of restaurants, ‘enotecas’/wine tasting shops and is home to the famous ‘Butcher of Panzano’, Dario Cecchini, featured on The Food Network. We’ll visit his butcher shop and have dinner at his restaurant, La Officina. 

San Miniato is a medieval hilltop village (in the province of  Pisa) half-way between Pisa and Florence. It is an ancient settlement above the meeting point of the Arno and Elsa Rivers giving it a rich history due to its strategic location. Its origin is BC. Ancient artifacts have been found in the surrounding area. The Tower, on the summit of the hill, dominates the valley below. San Miniato is a Tuscan ‘Slow City’ and is the center of the white truffle zone. We will go on a truffle hunt near San Miniato, take a truffle cooking class and visit this remarkable town.

Siena: Siena is the furthermost southern town we will go to in Tuscany. The city center is distinguished by its medieval brick buildings and fan-shaped central square, Piazza del Campo. The Siena Cathedral, a focal point of the city, is a medieval Roman Catholic church completed between 1360 and 1370. Its interior and exterior are constructed of distinctive white and dark green marble in alternating stripes. Built in two stages, the Siena Cathedral combines elements of Gothic, Romanesque and Classical architecture. It is a site not to be missed!  

Montefioralle: The ancient village of Montefioralle is still enclosed within its original walls. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the largest military and administrative centers of the area. It is believed to date back to 1085 AD. The village itself is virtually free of cars. The ancient passageways lead to the entrance of its main castle. Vineyards stretch in every direction and there are wonderful hiking trails in the area.

We will visit the town and taste at the Monefioralle winery.

San Gimignano: San Gimignano is a walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena. It is famous for its fascinating medieval towers that rise above all the other buildings. At the height of its glory, San Gimignano’s patrician families had built 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. This town has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Visit our website for more details: http://www.packafork.com/florence-tuscany-a-cultural-culinary-adventure/ 

JOIN US!   THROUGH JUNE 1, RECEIVE $200 OFF ON REGISTRATION. HOLD YOUR SPOT WITH A DEPOSIT.  REGISTRATION CLOSES JULY 1st.

Meet Massimo, the truffle hunter of San Miniato, Tuscany. Massimo is a third generation truffle hunter/tartufaio and started hunting for truffles as a child after school with his father. Both his father and grandfather gave him the love for nature and the intense passion toward the ‘diamond of the land’ – the White Truffle (Tuber Magnatum Pica). This variety is sought after and coveted by gourmands from around the world. It is the variety that is in season during autumn in Tuscany. It was Massimo’s father and grandfather that told him legends, stories and anecdotes as a boy about the truffle and the truffle hunters.

Massimo and his dog (and perhaps a family member) will share their passion and love of the hunt on our Florence & Chianti in Tuscany tour, September 6-17, 2017.

We’ll spend the morning on a truffle hunt in the woods outside San Miniato. We’ll learn about the history of the truffle, the varieties, the biggest truffle ever found and some of those stories and legends.

After the hunt, we’ll partake in a hands-on cooking class and make classic truffle dishes. 

Get prepared to hunt, learn, cook and experience a day all about Tuscan truffles from a true local!  

Later, we’ll wander the streets of the beautiful medieval town of San Miniato.  This town carries a rich history and setting above a fertile valley outside Florence.