Day 01
Kalamata
- Arrive and settle into the hotel in Kalamata.
- Enjoy an afternoon Swim at the hotel or the local beach.
- Enjoy welcome drinks and dinner.
Greece · Cooking
Kalamata Messenian Gastronomy Tour 8 Days Guided
The journey
Trip highlights
- 01 8-day guided gastronomy journey based in Kalamata
- 02 Cooking class with Executive Chef Chris Koumantos
- 03 Mushroom gathering and barbecue lunch in the Taygetus Mountains
- 04 Food tour of Kalamata markets and speciality shops
- 05 Scenic Mani coastal drive with time in Kardamyli
- 06 Olive oil estate visit and tasting in Filiatra
- 07 Wine tasting, honey tasting, and distillery visit
- 08 Greek music and dance evening with feast and local wines
Discover the flavours of Messenia on an 8-day guided journey based in Kalamata, combining hands-on cooking, local tastings, scenic drives, and memorable meals. Guided by Executive Chef Chris Koumantos, this experience brings together Greek food culture, regional produce, and the landscapes of Kalamata, the Taygetus Mountains, and the Mani Peninsula.
Across the week, enjoy a street food and market tour, a cooking class using garden ingredients, mushroom gathering in the mountains, olive oil and wine tastings, a bee farm visit with honey tasting, and a distillery experience. With quality hotel accommodation, included ground transportation, and a mix of swims, sightseeing, and dining, this tour offers a rich introduction to the gastronomy and character of southern Greece.
Discover the flavours of Messenia on an 8-day guided journey based in Kalamata, combining hands-on cooking, local tastings, scenic drives, and memorable meals.
From the itinerary
At a glance
What this trip includes
Duration
8 Days
Tour type
Shared
Activity level
Easy
Accommodation
Included
Transport
Included
Wheelchair access
No
Cities
Kalamata, Sparta, Mani Peninsula
Languages
English
Day by day
The itinerary
Day 02
Kalamata Introduction and Cooking Class with Executive Chef
Introduction and Cooking Class with Executive Chef Chris Koumantos
- Morning Swim
- Street walking tour of Kalamata
- Introduction by Executive Chef Chris Koumantos
- Gather and forage ingredients from the garden.
- Cooking class with Chris Koumantos
Day 03
Kalamata – Taygetus Mountains Mushroom Gathering
Mushroom Hunting and BBQ Lunch in the Spectacular Taygetus Mountains
- Morning swim
- Enjoy a scenic drive through the spectacular Taygetus Mountains on the old Kalamata to Sparta Road
- Spend the day in the Taygetus Mountains with Lambros, from Cantharella, learning about mushrooms and gathering them in the mountains, followed by a barbecue lunch, prepared by Chris Koumantos, featuring the foraged mushrooms.
Day 04
Kalamata - Mani Coastal Drive with Lunch at Kardymili
- Morning Swim
- Drive along the spectacular Mani coastline to Kardamyli
- Explore the old town of Kardamyli.
- Lunch in the old town of Kardymili or on the sea.
- Visit the Leigh Fermor House in Kardymili (subject to availability).
- Enjoy an afternoon swim in the Mani region.
Day 05
Kalamata Food Tour, Markets and Shops and Dinner under the Olive Trees at Local Restaurant
- Morning swim
- Kalamata food tour, including visits to the market and other food shops.
- Dinner under olive trees at a local restaurant.
Day 06
Kalamata – Filiatra Olive Oil Tour and Winery Tasting with Dinner
- Morning swim
- Immerse yourself in the world of olive oil at the picturesque Filiatra estate. Explore the olive groves, learn about olive oil production methods, and indulge in an olive oil tasting session.
- Visit Dereskos Estate Winery for a Wine tasting and lunch, prepared by Chris Koumantos
Day 07
Kalamata Honey Tasting and Evening Dinner
- Morning Swim
- Visit to a bee farm to see the bees hard at work in their hives and learn about the breeding programme for queen bees, complemented with a honey-tasting session.
- In the evening we will meet with Chef Chris Koumantos who will discuss Greek food and wine and guide us through his garden to select fresh produce for the cooking class, which will culminate in a feast for you to enjoy with selected wines from a local vineyard. The evening will be complemented with Greek Music and Dance.
Day 08
Kalamata Distillery Visit and Lunch at Traditional Greek Restaurant
- Morning swim
- Visit the Kalikounis Distillery to learn about the distilling process with tasting.
- Enjoy Lunch at Ta Rolla Traditional Restaurant
The route
Where you'll travel
The fine print
Trip details
What's Included
- All Ground Transportation
- Tour Guide
- 6 Breakfasts
- 4 Lunches
- 3 Dinners
- Sunscreen
- Wi-Fi
- 7 nights accommodation in quality hotels with breakfast
What's Not Included
- Flights
- Any meals not included in the itinerary
- Transfers to and from tour – these can be arranged on request at your cost.
Know before you go
- ANIMALS OR PETS ALLOWED
- PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION NEARBY
- PASSPORT REQUIRED
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not stroller accessible
- Not suitable for pets
- Infant seats unavailable
- Not recommended for people with heart conditions
- Prices are per person based on twin/double share. Single supplement applies.
- We can accommodate dietary needs such as vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc. If you have dietary requirements. Please kindly indicate it to the special requirements at the time of booking.
- The minimum number required is 6 for this tour to operate
Logistics
Meeting & route
Meeting point
Kalamata, GR
Tour start
Kalamata, GR
Tour ends at the same location as the start point.
End of the journey
Your 8 days finish where they began, in Kalamata.
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