Gastronomic Pelion 2026 with Maria Zhekova and friends
€ 900.00
Dates: May 22 – 27, 2026.
Свободни места: 3
Reservation deadline: at least 14 days before the departure date or until seats are sold out
Cancellation deadline: at least 14 days before the departure date
The experience is also available on an individual order. – with other dates of your choice, for a group of 15 to 20 people.
Program:
May 22 (Friday): The charm of Olympus and accommodation in a boutique hotel
- Departure from Sofia at 7:30 a.m.
- Lunch and a walk in Paleos Panteleimonas – one of the most picturesque villages on Olympus.
- Accommodation in a boutique hotel in Portaria
- Dinner with traditional cuisine at Kritsa Gastronomy – an excellent local restaurant, certified with „Greek Breakfast“.
May 23 (Saturday): Meteora & Wine tasting amidst beautiful agricultural Thessaly
- Afternoon: visit to the magnetic monastery complex in Meteora
- Lunch and a leisurely afternoon at Filia Gi winery: tasting of 4 varietal local wines (Malagouzia, Assyrtiko, Limniona Early Harvest, Limniona Unfiltered) and traditional lunch (tzatziki, eggplant salad, Greek salad, Batsina (zucchini and feta cheese pie), dolmadaki with yogurt and dill, slow-roasted pork and oven-baked potatoes, freshly baked oven-baked bread)
- Visit to a pastry shop in Farsala to try their special halva
- Tour among the picturesque agricultural regions of Thessaly.
May 24 (Sunday): Makrinitsa Day
- Walk through the picturesque village. Free time.
May 25 (Monday): Day at Karaiskos Farm
- Visit to the farmers' market in Volos - shopping for products for the cooking lesson
- Farm tour to get acquainted with the farm. Collection of products for the lesson.
- Culinary lesson on making traditional Greek banitsa with a local craftswoman. Preparation of farm pumpkin meatballs and traditional tzatziki.
- A slow lunch with the hosts.
May 26 (Tuesday): Secrets of Black Garlic and Tsipouro Experience with Greg Chelmis R&D Chef at MeZen Volos
- Visit to Black Garlic DownVillage – a small initiative for the production of black garlic.
- A rich tsipouro tasting with appetizers at the iconic MeZen in Volos and a meeting with Greg Chelmis R&D Chef.
- Free time in Volos.
May 27 (Wednesday): Departure to Sofia with lunch at a boutique tavern in Thessaloniki
The price is per person based on double occupancy and includes:
- 5 nights in a boutique vintage hotel in Portaria with rich and slow Greek breakfasts
- Cooking lesson at Karaiskos Farm
- 4-course wine tasting of pure varietal local wines and traditional lunch at Filia Gi Winery
- Visits to: Paleos Panteleimonas on Olympus, Meteora, Makrinitsa, Volos, Thessaloniki – with free time
- At the group's request: beach or hiking trip around Pelion
- Group transportation by luxury air-conditioned bus
- Gastronomic guides – Maria Zhekova and Gergana Kabaivanova
- Travel insurance
Single occupancy supplement: +250€ per person.
The price does NOT include:
- Tourist tax 3 EUR/day per person for the hotel.
- Lunches and dinners.
- Personal expenses.
The excursion is not suitable for children under 10 years old due to the long journey.
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Description
We invite you to this exciting culinary adventure in Pelion!
Imagine: the aroma of freshly baked Greek banitsa, a glass of wine with a mountain view, sunny beaches, culinary lessons with masters of traditional cuisine and tastings at local producers who reveal the secrets of the most authentic flavors of the peninsula. And the best part? You will share this journey with two exceptional gastronomic ladies: Maria Zhekova – host of „The Taste of Bulgaria“ on bTV, winner of „MasterChef Bulgaria“ and culinary photographer, and Gergana Kabaivanova – expert in gastronomic tourism and founder of Pendara.bg. Reserve your place now and prepare your senses for a unique taste and cultural tale!
Volos: The city of the Argonauts and the gateway to Pelion
Volos is a picturesque port city in Southern Thessaly, the third most important in Greece after Piraeus and Thessaloniki. It is a bridge between the mainland and the Sporades and North Aegean Islands. The city is built on the ancient ruins of Demetrias, Pagasae and Iolcos - the legendary home of Jason and the place where the ship "Argo" was built. For this reason, Volos is known as the "city of the Argonauts".
Around the port and promenade is the commercial part of the city, where neoclassical buildings bring history to life. Don't miss the archaeological museum, the silk museum, the national railway museum and other cultural attractions. On the waterfront itself, you will find a sculpture of the Argo and a life-size replica of the ship, which sometimes takes part in exhibitions and may not be in place.
Pelion: Mountain magic and exotic beaches
The Pelion Peninsula is like something out of a fairy tale – a mountain surrounded by traditional villages and exotic beaches. Villages like Portaria, Makrinitsa and Zagora are a true museum of time, with whitewashed houses, stone roofs and narrow cobblestone streets. Beaches like Mylopotamos and Agios Ioannis are known for their crystal blue water and rocky shores, but are more difficult to access – ideal for adventure lovers.
Kritsa Gastronomy Hotel – the kingdom of local flavors
In the heart of Pelion lies the village of Portaria, home to Kritsa Gastronomy Hotel. It is an ideal base for exploring the region – just 25 minutes from Volos, 35 minutes from the beach and 30 minutes from the ski resort. The village is known for its terraced houses, flowing mountain streams and fresh mountain air.
The hotel is located on Portaria Square, among blooming hydrangeas and ancient trees. Here you will enjoy authentic Greek cuisine, prepared with local products - from fresh fruits and cheeses to traditional dishes such as banitsa, strapatsada and honey donuts. Waking up to the aroma of Greek coffee and the view of the Pagasetic Gulf is an unforgettable experience.
Experience leaders:
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Gergana Kabaivanova – creator of Pendara.bg – the largest gastronomic tourism platform in Bulgaria, which promotes authentic Bulgarian taste and culture. Expert in the field of experiential and rural tourism with extensive experience in marketing, business development and working with local communities and community centers. |
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Maria Zhekova – a proven professional in the field of culinary photography and gastronomy, with a strong connection to Bulgarian traditions and local products. As the winner of the Bulgarian edition of „Master Chef“ and the creator of the „Silivryak“ Dream Vault – a center for art and healthy food, she is a leading figure in the preservation and popularization of Bulgarian culinary culture. |
