Highlights
- Scenic drive through the picturesque countryside of Northern Kynouria in Arcadia
- Guided tour of a traditional vineyard, learning about local grape varieties and winemaking techniques
- Wine tasting session featuring a selection of exquisite local wines
- Visit to a local cheese producer, sampling a variety of artisanal cheeses
- Authentic Greek cooking class led by Mama, preparing a traditional meal with fresh, local ingredients
- Enjoying a delicious homemade lunch with the group, savoring the flavors of Greek cuisine
Source: Mama's Flavours
Description
Take a one-day tour of Northern Kynouria (Voria Kynouria - Βόρεια Κυνουρία) in Arcadia region in Peloponnese and experience the untapped beauty of this little corner of Earth. Unique natural landscapes and the smell of fresh oregano, thyme, lavender and cedar, blended with the aroma of home-cooked meals, will awaken your senses and tantalize your taste buds.
Where
You’ll visit Northern Kynouria an area steeped in history and tradition, spanning from the Neolithic Period all the way to the Greek War of Independence in 1821. Its name, Kynouria, derives from the Ancient Greek word for dog (kyon) and is a testament to the Ancient Greeks’ love and respect for wild dogs.
Ancient ruins and UNESCO World Heritage monuments attest to the area’s glorious past. Having passed from the Byzantines, to the Slavs, the Franks, the Venetians and the Turks, Kynouria gained its independence in the mid-1800s and is now an area with a rich cultural heritage, attracting visitors from across the globe.
Υou’ll discover hidden little villages, perched on mountainsides, and taste magnificent local products and food, prepared by Greek mamas.
When
The One day tour is available all year round, Monday to Thursday. Sundays and Greek official holidays are excluded.
The Experience
Visit 4 traditional villages, explore mountainous nature trails and enjoy local delicacies, with Mt. Parnonas as your backdrop.
Stop 1: Winery Visit and Local Wine Tasting
During this 2-hour activity, you’ll visit a well-known estate in one of the largest villages, known for its local produce.
Established in 1989, the estate has been staying true to its motto since day one: Good wines are produced in the winery, but fine wines are made in the vineyard! You’ll tour the vinification and wine ageing areas and the vineyards, and find out all about the indigenous varieties of Moschofilero and Agiorgitiko.
The tour concludes with a wine-tasting experience, paired with local cheeses. Whether you’re an occasional wine drinker or a seasoned expert, you’ll gain valuable insight about local wines, tasting premium labels of the latest vintage each time.
Stop 2: Tour in a Greek village and Full Lunch
This 3-hour activity is split into 2 parts.
Part 1: Coffee-shop stop and tour of the village and area
At an altitude of 1,050 meters (3,450 feet), a verdant village, known for its role during the Greek War of Independence in 1821 and its local folk museum, with exhibits highlighting the local history and tradition.
You’ll enjoy a coffee, tea or any other hot beverage and a light snack at the local coffee shop, before embarking on a tour of the village. Two locals, George and Vicky, will recount the history, legends and traditions of the village while strolling through the cobblestone alleys.
You’ll then go on a small hike of the surrounding area, taking in a natural beauty, before returning to the village for lunch.
Part 2: Full lunch with local cuisine at the village tavern
Enjoy some of the finest meals based on traditional recipes, cooked daily by a local mama, who uses the freshest of ingredients.
In this cosy tavern, you’ll get to taste comfort food in hearty servings, by the most hospitable people you’ll ever meet. And if the weather is a bit chilly, you’ll get to enjoy all this next to the fireplace.
Meals are seasonal and include entrees, mains and dessert, washed down with local wine. There is something for everyone, including vegan and vegetarian options, while the dish of the day may include wild boar, pork with garlic and walnuts, rooster in red sauce, homemade cheese and vegetable pies, and fresh oven-baked bread.
Stop 3: Visit an Environmental Centre, Hiking and Visit to Traditional Shop
This 3-hour activity is split into 2 parts.
Part 1: Visit to Environmental Centre and hiking
You will visit a picturesque village, listed as a traditional settlement, at an altitude of 950 meters (3,000 feet), at the foot of Mt. Parnonas.
The village has many hiking trails to choose from, some leading all the way to the top of Mt. Parnonas. The E4 European Trail also crosses through here. It is the ideal place for mountain adventurers and hiking enthusiasts.
Just outside of the village, there is also the Monastery of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary Malevi, a listed Natural Monument.
The village is also home to one of the two Environmental Information Centres in the area. A local tour guide will tell you all about rare and indigenous flora and fauna, types of natural habitats, and local areas of historic, religious and archaeological interest.
The experience can be combined with activities in nature, such as exploring the Juniperus drupacea forest, a rare cedar species, unique in the entire European continent.
Part 2: Visit to the traditional local shop
Discover unique local delicacies, such as walnuts, honey and aromatic herbs from Mt. Parnonas, in a traditional shop right on the central village square.
Maria, the owner, will reveal some of the secrets of local products, including trahanas (fermented milk pasta), liqueurs, homemade desserts and spoon sweets, and excellent cheeses. As a matter of fact, her sour cherry spoon sweet has received an award in a Greek contest. She’ll even let you try before you buy!
Stop 4: Visit to a small Cheese Farm & cheese tasting in a small Greek village
You’ll visit a small local cheese-making farm, where Takis produces graviera, myzithra and feta cheese with milk from local farms. Takis will give you a tour of his farm and will explain the whole cheese-making process, from the moment the milk is received to the end product.
You’ll then enjoy a cheese-tasting experience at the local cheese shop, accompanied by rusks and olives. You can even buy any of the cheeses that take your fancy.
This gastronomic one-day tour through nature concludes with a trip down Mt. Parnonas and back to the seaside town of Paralio Astros Kynourias.
Extra Gastronomic Experiences (upon request)
Wish to select your own favourite activities? Choose any experience of the One Day tour you wish or combine them with the following. Just let us know and we will come up with a tailor-made gastronomic experience just for you!
Source: Mama's Flavours
What's Included
Included in the price
- Wine tour & tasting of 5 wine labels
- Visit a small cheese farm and cheese tasting
- Full lunch, all visits, and activities of the main tour
- Greek local delicacies, coffee, and drinks
- Local hosts/tour guide throughout the experience
- All taxes
Excluded from the price
- The Extra Experiences may be provided upon request and at an extra charge
- Personal purchases from the winery and the local shops (optional)
- Tips and gratuities (optional)
- Transfer services may be provided upon request and at an extra charge
Source: Mama's Flavours
Additional Information
- The One day tour experience is provided upon request and depending on availability. In case there is no availability for the day you are interested, it can be conducted the next available date, or choose another similar available experience after coordination.
- A transfer is needed for the One day tour experience in Northern Kynouria which is located 1 hour and 45' away from Kalamata. Please inform us if you have your own transfer. In other cases, we can arrange it with our partners at an extra cost.
- The Wine tour is not available in September, which is the grape harvest month. Therefore, the wine tour and tasting takes place in another available winery in the area.
- The cheese farm is only open June to November. Cheese tasting is available all year round.
- Availability: Monday to Thursday, excluding Greek official holidays. For Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, please contact us to check availability.
- Wish to participate in one of the experiences of the One day tour or only in our extra gastronomic experiences or even add them to your One day tour? Just send us and email and we will get back to you with a tailor-made experience just for you!
- Meeting point & time: The meeting point is arranged after coordination. Meeting time: 09:00 a.m.
- Return time: 20:30 a.m. – 21:00 p.m.
- Languages: English & Greek. Other languages can be provided at an extra charge.
- Family-friendly.
- Wheelchair accessible 80%
Payment and booking
- Bookings: In order to organize your experience in the best way, the booking and the full payment must be made the latest 8 days before.
- For bookings less than 8 days or last minute requests, please contact us via email to check availability.
- When the booking and the transaction are completed the experience is officially confirmed by Mama's flavours through email.
- All payments can be made through our booking engine, bank transfer (you can contact us via email for this option) or Paypal.
- Cash is not accepted.
Source: Mama's Flavours
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