Menites

Dive into the secrets of Greek cuisine on a private cooking experience at one of the most beautiful villages in Chora. Get a glimpse of the local culture and family recipes passed down through generations from an expert local cook. After being picked up from your hotel, head straight to a traditional house at Chora to meet your chef. Delight your senses as you stroll through the private garden of the host to pick some homegrown vegetables. Your chef will show you how to choose fresh items for your dish. Start your class by preparing a local greek salad with the guidance of your chef. Try your hands on making a local dish of Andros, The Fourtalia. Depending on the season you will also cook a variety of appetizers like stuffed flowers from the pumpkins and the delicious Lyra. Spend a few hours learning the tricks behind traditional Greek cuisine and the origins of each dish. Once everything is ready, sit around the table to taste what you have prepared with a glass of wine. Finally, leave the place with new recipes and knowledge about the local greek lifestyle.

Start your tour by meeting your guide at the local partner's office in Batsi. Your first stop will be at the village of Paleopolis where you will witness views from high above the ancient capital of Andros. Get to learn the history of the village and see the remains from an aerial perspective - a truly great vantage point for fantastic photos. Whilst travelling to your next stop, take in breathtaking views of the villages of Pitrofos and Stavropeda. Arrive at your destination of the village of Menites. There, you will see the famous lion springs and the walnut forest. Witnessing a forest on a Cycladic island is a very rare sight, but one you will get to experience on this tour. Continue on your tour to the village of Strabouries, here, you will get to see the Pithara waterfalls after a 15-minute hike. Pithara waterfalls are a one of a kind spectacle and a great opportunity for photos.  Travel on to the Foros Cave or Aladinou Cave, a small but really exciting cave that you will get to explore with a professional cave guide. Learn about the many different rock formations and hear of the legends and myths that have existed since medieval times. Continue on to the modern capital of Andros, Chora. Walk around the graphic and romantic pavement paths of Chora and its market. You will get to see and learn the history of the "Unseen Sailor" monument and the Venezian castles. After the mini tour, you will have 45-minutes of free time before your next stop.  To finish up your day, head to the village of Korthi, a small graphic village that has romantic alleys and an original Cycladic style. Learn the history of the old Korthi and Korthi bay. After that, you will enjoy some free time to yourself before heading back to the local partner's office in Batsi.

After arriving at the meeting point in Athens, travel to the port of Rafina to take the morning ferry to Andros. Enjoy a relaxing journey of about 2 hours before you arrive at the island.  First drive to the old capital of the island, Paleopolis. See the remains of the old town and learn about its history from your expert guide. Next stop is at Menites village where you will see the "lion springs", and the walnut forest. Visit the traditional villages of Strabouries and Apikia village, before taking a 15-minute hike to where you will see one of the greatest spectacles in a Cycladic island, the Pythara Waterfalls. After discovering the natural beauty of the waterfalls, make your way to the Aghia Irene Monastery where you will learn about the history, culture, and religion of Andros Island from a local theologist. The monastery features small museums including a writing museum and a floral museum. Your final stop will be at the present-day capital of Andros, Chora. Wander around the beautiful streets of Chora, visit the Venezian Castle. Learn about the history of the island from medieval times. After this, you can opt to have lunch in a local restaurant or return to the port to take the ferry back to Athens.