Pelion – Greece’s long-kept secret

There is a place in Greece that the Greeks have long jealously kept for themselves – Pelion. The peninsula, which combines sea and mountains, ski and beach, traditions and tastes, remained hidden from the foreign tourist noise. But now we can discover it – with all its fairy-tale charm, green hills, stone streets and unique hospitality.

And what better start to this discovery than an exciting culinary experience at a gastronomic hotel (where food comes first) and an organic farm near the village of Portarya?

This experience takes you to the heart of mountainous Pelion, where you will immerse yourself in the local rhythm, traditions and flavors. Your journey will be hosted by Kritsa Gastronomy Hotel – a boutique family hotel located in the beautiful central square of Portaria. There, among ancient plane trees and the murmur of cold mountain springs, you will find that typically Greek coziness, far from the tourist clichés.

The hotel has been specially selected and included in the offer because gastronomy is a leading value here. You will be welcomed as dear guests and pampered with special attention to every meal, every glass of wine and every morning breakfast.

Kritsa is one of the few hotels in the region certified under the „Greek Breakfast“ program, a national initiative that promotes traditional Greek cuisine through the use of local products. Breakfast here is not just a start to the day, but a real ritual: you will taste homemade pies, jam, honey from the mountains, farm cheeses and eggs, yogurt with seasonal fruits, aromatic herbal tea and Greek coffee. All products come directly from the Thessaly region or from the organic farm Karaiskos, located just a few minutes by car and owned by our hosts from the hotel.

Our offer also includes a visit to the Karaiskos organic farm, where you will experience one of the most emotional moments of your trip – a cooking lesson with a local hostess. You will pick vegetables from the garden, collect fresh eggs from the henhouse and together you will prepare one of these menus (optional):

• Menu A: three iconic Greek dishes – Briam (roasted seasonal vegetables), Tirokouloura (traditional pastry with cheese and hand-rolled crusts) and Strapatsada (Greek omelet with tomatoes and feta).
• Menu B: traditional Portarian banitsa - hand-rolled with a filling of fresh vegetables and herbs from the garden, tzatziki like you've never tried before, zucchini meatballs and seasonal salad.

While the dishes are being prepared, you will enjoy conversations, shared stories and a glass of homemade juice or mountain tea. It all ends with an outdoor lunch accompanied by wine from a small local winery, with gifts and certificates of participation to take away a memory not only in your heart, but also in your luggage.

Pelion is an experience that unfolds with every step – here time really, really flows more slowly, and life is measured in scents and tastes. The beautiful villages of Portaria, Makrinitsa and Zagora stretch terraced along the hills, and the stone houses, narrow cobblestone streets and views of the bay create the feeling that you have fallen into an illustration from an old guidebook. In summer, Pelion is cool and green, in winter it turns into white magic with a ski center and snow cover up to two and a half meters.

Room details:
Classic Small Room: 2 guests
Double Room with Balcony: 2 guests
Double Room with Fireplace: 2 guests
Classic Double Room: 2 guests
Double room with extra bed: up to 3 guests
Family Connecting Room: Up to 4 guests
Family Connecting Room with Fireplace and Balcony: Up to 4 guests