Greek cookery course in Zakynthos

Sample itinerary – activities and days may change according to availability/weather.

Day one:
Arrival and transfer to Villa Spiros. After you settle in meet your hosts for a drink so they can tell you all about the week and the island. In the afternoon/early evening take a trip to Zakynthos town and enjoy a traditional welcome dinner with fantastic views over the harbour and accompanied by traditional music.

Day two:
Cook with Athina, a local chef. Prepare delicious stuffed vegetables with potatoes, courgette balls and an aubergine salad. Athina welcomes questions, as she is proud to share her expertise in Zakynthian cuisine. While the food is cooking you have free time to explore the area, head to Laganas beach for some swimming and snorkelling. You may even spot a loggerhead turtle. Enjoy lunch by the Ionian sea.
Return to the Villa and join your hosts for the dinner you helped to prepare, served in the garden with some chilled house wine.

Day three:
After breakfast it's back into the kitchen with Athina so you can learn to make moussaka and tzatziki.
Afterwards explore the west coast of the island and maybe spot some more turtles. Swim at the beautiful Keri caves and turtle-shaped Marathonisi Island with its renowned beaches of fine, powdery sand. Sunbathe, swim and snorkle on the island then back to the Villa for your moussaka dinner.

Day four:
Head to the small village of Machairado and meet the locals.
Father Nicholas will guide you inside the ornate St. Mavra church and museum, whilst Nikos, the talented woodcarver, will show you his studio and art work. Dennis, the friendly taverna owner, will then welcome you into his kitchen to cook a traditional fish soup, with a delicious garlic sauce, accompanied by a vegetable salad and a green pie with homemade filo pastry.
While lunch is cooking, you will visit the nearby Aristeon olive press and museum, as well as the family-run Grampsas winery to taste some of the local produce.
Back at the taverna, enjoy your meal under the shade of the vine trees.
After relaxing in the afternoon, in the evening visit the historic region of Bochali, located at the very top of Zakynthos town with fantastic panoramic views across the island and enjoy a light dinner.

Day five:
Visit Zakynthos town and take a wander around the market where you can discover more local specialities, including sweet treats like mandolato and pasteli. Enjoy a delicious souvlaki lunch at the port and then have some free time before a wonderful sunset dinner at the Villa.

Day six:
Head to Agios Nicholaos port in the north of the island. Take a boat past the blue caves to shipwreck bay for some swimming. If the weather is too windy to take the boat, you can admire the famous beach from the viewing platform set into the cliff top above.
After the boat trip, continue north, driving through beautiful rural villages to arrive at the village of Orthonies, our lunch destination. Enjoy a “farm to fork” culinary experience at a family-run mountain taverna. Following a warm welcome and a cool drink, head into the kitchen with Athina, who will share with you one of her traditional family recipes: free-range stuffed chicken in tomato sauce.
While the dinner is cooking in the old wood fire oven, Athina’s son will take you on a walk around their vegetable and herb gardens, where you will also meet the animals. Then it’s back to the taverna, where in the shade of an ancient oak tree, you will enjoy the fruits of your labour, accompanied by local wine and homemade dessert.
Later, back at the villa, enjoy your evening at leisure.

Day seven:
Entire day at leisure, followed by a farewell dinner at a lively nearby taverna. Enjoy a traditional Greek celebration with great food, company, wine and of course music and dancing.

Day eight:
Transfer to the airport and departure.