Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
Hi.
Welcome to KikiNetwork Travel.
I have a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures! Join me….
KIKINETWORK TRAVEL
kiki@kikinetwork.com
Kiki 608-858-2733
Price per person (Shared Room): $6890.00
Single Room Supplement: add $890.00
Trip limit to 15 travelers. A deposit of 40% is required to reserve your place.
Join us to explore Greece. Birthplace of Democracy, Western Philosophy, a land of tradition, and the crossroads of culture, trade, religion, and gastronomy. I’m leading this trip with nationally known chef, Susan Reid, and our Greek specialist, Anastasia Sotiropulos. We’ll meet local chefs, taste the cuisine of Athens, and cook together in Crete.
We begin with a tour of the sights and sounds of Athens - the oldest European capital - ancient & modern side by side. We’ll visit the Acropolis, learn about the history of Athens, and enjoy the best food, wine, and cocktails that Athens has to offer.
Next, we’re off to Crete, where we’ll spend the rest of our trip in a villa starting in the bustling city of Heraklion. We’ll have a beach picnic, get out on the water, visit vineyards and olive groves, and learn how to make cheese and other traditional foods. We’ll see ancient sites, enjoy culinary traditions that have been carried on for centuries, and, best of all, we’ll get off the beaten path to see how the Cretan people live.
We will wrap up our trip with three days in the picturesque town of Chania. We’ll be staying in the Old Venetian Harbor where our chefs will teach us. With its winding alleyways and bustling shops, Chania is sure to charm you. We’ll visit an olive oil mill, drink local wines, and spend time with locals as we spend a day sailing on the Mediterranean.
You’ll arrive in Athens Airport and take a taxi (or we can arrange a pick-up) to our boutique hotel in historic central Athens. Everywhere you will look you’ll find ancient treasures side by side with modern marvels. Athens is a city of contradictions, and you’ll have a couple of days to explore this amazing city guided by local experts who will give you a true taste of Athenian life. Unpack your bags, stroll through the narrow alleys and expansive boulevards of Athens or enjoy a cocktail with a breathtaking view of the Acropolis. We’ll enjoy dinner together as a group at Pharaoh, a unique Greek restaurant serving traditional dishes from a wood-fired oven along with Greek natural wines in a modern setting.
Daily Summary:
Accommodations: Hotel Meliá Athens
Meals: Dinner
After breakfast we will head out on a walking tour of the Varvakios Market, featuring local meats, seafoods, fruits, veggies, herbs, spices, cheese, yogurt & olives - basically all the best things! You will get a deeper understanding of the origins of the Mediterranean Diet, and you’ll have the opportunity to taste unique delicacies along the way. This walk will definitely open your appetite, and we’ll head to a legendary local restaurant - Ta Karamanlidika Tou Fani - for lunch. Once we’ve enjoyed our meal, you’ll be free to explore on your own, relax, or do some shopping. We will reconvene at 6:30pm for an evening walking tour of the historic Plaka neighborhood, just under the Acropolis. You will have time to see unique shops featuring works by local artisans, and do any shopping that you might like. We will have a light meal together, after which we’ll return to the hotel to get a good night’s rest.
Optional add-on ($125 per person): Cocktail tour 9pm-11pm - 3 of the best cocktail bars in the world are in Athens. One cocktail at each location is included in the price.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Hotel Meliá Athens
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Enjoy an early breakfast, and get ready for a beautiful walking tour through history. You can’t visit Athens without seeing the crown jewel of the Ancient World - The Acropolis. Our local guide will lead us on a walking tour of the Acropolis, which includes the Propylaia, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion. You will gain insights about the ancient world as well as a deeper understanding of the role of Athens in a wider historical context. Our guide will then take you through the exquisite and modern Acropolis Museum. All of that walking and history is sure to make you hungry, and we’ll have a traditional taverna lunch just outside the gates of the museum. After lunch you’ll head directly to Athens Airport where you’ll catch a flight for Heraklion, Crete, where history, wine, and food converge in a magical landscape.
You will be greeted at the Heraklion Airport and transported to your villa. You’ll be able to unpack and relax while enjoying a freshly-prepared light dinner with wine pairings.
**Guests will need to have bags packed and ready for transportation to Crete in the morning before departure for the Acropolis tour.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Turtulli Castle Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner in Heraklion
Flight: Sky Express - ATH-HER 6:20pm-7:10pm
After enjoying breakfast at the villa, we’ll be heading directly to one of the most scenic beach towns just outside of Heraklion. Pack your beach bag and get ready to relax! Sunbeds and umbrellas will be ready for us, and you’ll be able to relax by the sea and explore the local town on foot. A beach-side picnic will be served. Around 3pm we’ll head back to the villa mid-afternoon for a siesta, and at 6pm we’ll head into historic Heraklion for a stroll through the old town followed by dinner at Peskesi, one of the finest restaurants in all of Greece. This restaurant is truly farm-to-table as it features produce and proteins from its own farm and focuses on local wine pairings as well.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Turtulli Castle Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Picnic Lunch, Dinner
After enjoying breakfast at the villa, we’ll depart for a visit to an olive oil mill and take a cheesemaking class where we’ll to learn how to make two traditional Cretan cheeses. After, we’ll explore the quaint seaside town of Agios Nikolaos on foot, taking in the sights and doing any shopping you might want along the way.
We will be returning to the villa where Chef Susan Reid will be hosting a cooking class. You’ll be using fresh, local ingredients to make your dinner for the evening! We’ll be pairing it with local wines and beers made in Crete.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: Turtulli Castle Villa
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
After our final breakfast in the villa, we will head to the epicenter of the Ancient Minoan civilization at the Palace of Knossos, just outside the city of Heraklion. You’ll have a fully guided tour of Knossos, where you’ll learn about the Minoans and their contributions to modern society. From Knossos, you’ll head to a local winery where you’ll have a tour of the facility and enjoy a traditional picnic lunch in the vineyards, with wine of course! When you’ve finished your picnic, you’ll be transported to the city of Chania, located on the northwestern coast of the island of Crete, just two hours from Heraklion. You’ll get settled into your hotel in the historic center of Chania, inside the Venetian walls surrounding the harbor. We’ll take an easy evening stroll through the Venetian Harbor so that you can orient yourself to the area. We’ll have a light dinner at a local restaurant and enjoy the harborside view.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: The Chania Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
We’ll enjoy a local delicacy for our breakfast today at a local institution known all across Greece for its famous bougatsa, a filo pastry with a hot, cheesy filling. After breakfast, we’ll meander through Chania’s streets and visit local shops, including several knife-making workshops where you can learn about the traditional Cretan knives. We’ll enjoy a light lunch at a cheese shop which features their own cheeses made from fresh local milk, as well as an assortment of traditional Cretan treats and charcuterie paired with beer or wine. After lunch you’ll have some free time to continue exploring the area on your own. We’ll meet back at our hotel at 3:30pm to leave for our Cretan Cooking Class with a local woman who hosts traditional cooking classes in her home. You’ll prepare your own meal with fresh, local ingredients, use a wood-fired oven, and enjoy dinner al fresco with homemade wine.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: The Chania Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After breakfast we’ll set sail for a day on the sea! A certified local captain will navigate the coastline and you’ll be able to swim, snorkel, and explore hidden coves and beaches that are only accessible by boat. Snacks and light lunch will be served on board the vessel, and you’ll have unlimited beverages available throughout the day. We’ll return to shore and head back to the hotel where you’ll be able to rest and refresh before our harborside dinner at Salis, Chania’s best restaurant. You’ll enjoy modern Greek dishes paired with outstanding wine from all over the world.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: The Chania Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
After a quick breakfast or coffee, we’ll head to Biolea Organic Olive Mill, just outside the city of Chania in the hills overlooking the sea. There, you’ll go on a tour and learn everything there is to know about olive oil, and why this olive mill in particular is so unique. You’ll taste several different olive oils, then you’ll sit on the patio overlooking the olive groves and enjoy an exquisite brunch prepared by the in-house chef, and you’ll have wine pairings with every course. Once you’ve eaten and drunk to your heart’s content, we’ll hop back on our bus and visit the oldest olive tree in the world. From there, we’ll head back to Chania where you’ll have a free evening before we celebrate our last evening together with a light dinner and drinks.
Daily Summary:
Accommodation: The Chania Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
9:30am flight to Athens for those extending their trip - Everyone else will take the same flight or a later flight. A bus or taxi will take you today from the hotel to the Chania airport, an approximately 25-minute drive.
A sophisticated hotel combining a modern style with the essence of Athens. An urban hotel with stunning views of the legendary Acropolis and Lycabettus Hill, offering a sleek and luxurious atmosphere along with personalised service. Its prime location in the heart of the city provides visitors with privileged access to major landmarks and the bustling life of Athens while offering splendid and indulgent privacy. One of the most picturesque spots in Athens, Plaka, known as the 'Neighborhood of the Gods', built with neoclassical houses, is wonderful for walks, shopping and visits to various monuments.
Enjoy your stay in Villa Turtulli Castle Crete a small oasis of calmness in the heart of Kato Gouves! It is a two-floor newly built villa of 1100 square meters, which is located in a quiet area, only 200 meters away from the beach. All spaces are carefully designed and meet all modern standards of quality, luxury, and comfort, and they are equipped with cutting-edge smart home technologies to make your vacation as relaxing as possible.
The Chania Hotel is a passion project that breathed new life into a historic city landmark. Once called simply "Chania Hotel", this fifties beauty patiently remained silent until its recent and complete renovation into a fascinating 5-Star hotel. Nestled in the Chania city center, right in the heart of "1866" square, this sustainability-focused hotel is where the vibrating youthful city meets the old port. A breathtaking merge of both costal and mountainous landscapes endows the hotel with spectacular views, best enjoyed with a glass of wine on the roof garden, situated on the fifth floor. This is a fast-paced city hotel, ideal for summer holidays in the city, since it is right at the center, very close to the port and the market, as well as minutes away from exquisite beaches such as Nea Chora.
Price per person (Shared Room): $6890.00
Single Room Supplement: add $890.00
Trip limit to 15 travelers. A deposit of 40% is required to reserve your place.
Transfer from Athens hotel to airport for departure to Crete
All meals and accommodation except for lunch on day 5
Air-conditioned Minibus for all driving needs
Professional English-Speaking Driver
Activity fees
Local Flight: from Athens to Crete roundtrip (Please note where domestic flights are included light aircrafts are used and therefore luggage limit per person is usually 15kgs including hand luggage and soft bags are recommended as opposed to hard suitcases)
Tip to tour driver
International air transportation unless specifically mentioned under inclusions.
Visa fees
International departure tax (which may be included in international air ticket).
Alcohol not included
Susan Reid is a chef, author, culinary coach, and Instagram creator with a dedicated, hungry audience. You can find hundreds of her recipes on the King Arthur Baking website and in their cookbooks, a result of her 20 year career there. See her current work on Instagram @chefsusaninvt, and on her blog at thewellplatedlife.net. An avid swimmer and adventurer, she lives in Hartland, VT, where she just finished building her first wood-fired pizza oven.
Kiki Keating is not your ordinary travel expert. She has a passion for taking small groups on life-changing adventures and works tirelessly to ensure that every detail of each trip is meticulously planned and executed. Kiki's dedication to providing the highest level of service is evident in her approach to crafting each journey. Collaborating with the best experts and guides from around the world, she combines their knowledge and expertise with her own to create itineraries that go beyond the beaten path. Kiki's trips offer a blend of history, art, music, amazing food, and authentic interactions with the local people. Read more here.
Anastasia is a hospitality professional with a background in restaurants, bakeries, and catering operations. She grew up in rural California in a big, fat, Greek-American family who took food very seriously. Anastasia's food career took her from a seasonal bakery-cafe called Clementine in Los Angeles to New York, where she worked for Michelin-starred chef Thomas Keller, and then into the corporate world as the head of the bakery department for Whole Foods Market's stores in the Mid-Atlantic region. Anastasia is now enjoying the slow life, living and working in Chania, Greece.
Planning a trip can be daunting. We want you to relax and know that we are committed to ensuring you're well prepared to enjoy your journey. We work hard to put together itineraries that match your interests and fit your budget. We aim to create trips that have the feel of casual travel with friends rather than formal tours.
Global travel can only succeed if communities benefit from tourism. We hire local operators who value sustainable travel and support their communities.
We specialize in journeys of discovery and inspiration. Our adventures are all about local culture—the people, history, art, and food. Our trips showcase a rich source of inspirational people, landscapes, and cityscapes. Traveling is the time for discovery, exploration and adventure.
In case of an emergency, all our guides are licensed and trained to handle situations that may arise. We are always with you to assist in any way we can to make your trip safe and memorable.
Payments: As soon as we receive your down payment, we will confirm your reservations and at this point, all change and cancellation policies will be in effect. KikiNetwork Travel will send you a finalized itinerary which will contain all necessary information including confirmation numbers, addresses, and phone numbers. We must receive 40% of the trip cost when you register for the trip. The full cost of the trip must be paid 45 days prior to the start date of the trip.
Forms of Payment: We accept checks and credit cards (American Express, Visa, and MasterCard). There is a 3.9 processing fee for credit cards. If you pay by check there is no additional fee. You will need to mail the check to Kiki Keating, PO Box 223, Georges Mills, NH 03751.
Airfare/Visas/Special Permits: You are responsible for your flight to the place of the trip departure. I am happy to advise and recommend the best flights for you. Please email me at kiki@kikinetwork.com for more details.
You must obtain any necessary visas and travel permits for all countries that you will be traveling to or transiting through, and I will inform you of any visa needs. Visa and entry requirements may vary depending on your nationality, the length of your stay, and the purpose of your visit. Please make certain that your passport is valid for at least six months after the latest expected end date of your planned trip, as some countries will not allow entry if your passport expires sooner.
Health and Safety Matters: Please visit your local hospital Travel Clinic. Your doctor will let you know what, if any, vaccinations or other health or safety precautions are necessary or recommended for your destinations. We are not physicians, and nothing we say should be interpreted as professional medical advice. Government health advisories can be found on the internet at: http://www.cdc.gov and http://www.who.int
Cancellations: In addition to any cancellation penalties related to trip components we are not responsible for (e.g. permits, airfare, travel insurance, etc.), the following fees will apply: 25% of trip cost up to 45 days before travel date; 50% of trip cost between 45 to 30 days prior to travel date; cancellations made within 30 days of travel date are non-refundable. Cancellation penalties apply as soon as we have received payment. Cancellations for any reason whatsoever, including medical reasons, death in the family, strikes, wars, weather, natural disasters, airline default, or government travel warnings will not entitle you to any refund in the case of nonrefundable reservations. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance is required.
Insurance: Insurance is required for any KikiNetwork Travel trip. KikiNetwork Travel requires an insurance plan with 100% of trip cost insured, $150,000 of emergency assistance and transportation, and a minimum of $50,000 medical evacuation coverage. I am happy to work with you yo use one of my recommended insurance coverage companies. Please call me directly at 603-858-2733 to discuss and ask questions about travel insurance coverage.
Responsibility/Release and Assumption of Risk: By paying and signing up for a KikiNetwork Travel trip you are agreeing to the following statement; I understand and am aware that during the travel itinerary in which I will participate under the arrangements of KikiNetwork Travel and its agents or subcontractors, certain risks and dangers may arise, including but not limited to the hazards of traveling in unsafe areas or under unsafe conditions, the dangers of civil disturbance and war, the forces of nature, disease, hotels, tour operators or subcontractors. In consideration of, and as part of the payment for, the right to participate in such travel itineraries, I have and do hereby expressly assume all of the above risks. The terms of this agreement shall serve as a release and express assumption of risk for myself, my heirs, assignees, administrators, executors, and all members of my family, including any minors accompanying me. I have read and fully understand the provisions and the legal consequences of this Release and Assumption of Risk and I hereby agree to all its conditions, especially noting and agreeing to the portion of this provision that releases the Company and its agents, employees, officers, associates, and subcontractors, to the extent permitted by law, from liability for the negligent or reckless acts or omissions of the Company’s affiliated companies or subcontractors.
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