Culinary Backstreets

History of "Backstreet Plaka: Exploring the Culinary Heart of Athens"

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Version 25 – October 28, 2023 15:41

Current Version
Previous Version

Highlights
  • olive oil tasting, taste of a real souvlaki, wine tasting
  • olive oil tasting, taste of a real souvlaki

Version 23 – October 24, 2023 10:13

Current Version
Previous Version

Excluded
  • transportation to and from the meeting point

Percent Complete
  • 88.8888888888888889
  • 83.3333333333333333

Version 22 – October 20, 2023 15:16

Current Version
Previous Version

Highlights
  • olive oil tasting, taste of a real souvlaki

Percent Complete
  • 83.3333333333333333
  • 77.7777777777777778

Version 21 – October 20, 2023 15:14

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • Starting in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. We will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, in an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then we will sample fragrant Greek coffee with kollyva.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks seasonal products from across Greece. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: with a classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra.
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, in an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra.

Version 20 – October 20, 2023 15:12

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, in an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra.
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, in an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra.

Version 19 – October 20, 2023 15:11

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, in an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra.
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.

Version 18 – October 20, 2023 15:10

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.
  • On this tour we will explore the Plaka’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens. Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.

Version 17 – October 20, 2023 15:09

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • On this tour we will explore the Plaka’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens. Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika, where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.
  • On this tour we will explore the Plaka’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens. Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika – a jumble of whitewashed homes built in the 19th century by refugees from the Greek islands – where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.

Version 16 – October 20, 2023 15:08

Current Version
Previous Version

Short Description
  • On this tour we will explore the Plaka’s culinary diamonds in the touristy rough while at the same time getting a sense of how this ancient district shaped the growth of modern Athens. Our first stop will be in one of Athens’ finest bakeries, where we will try handmade goods that have been part of the Athenian diet since ancient Greek and Ottoman times. From there we will make our way into the backstreets of the Plaka, beyond the throngs of tourists and into an area that is one of Orthodox Christianity’s biggest religious centers. We will visit an establishment where priests from all over the world come to buy their vestments and then move on to a hidden house verandah where we will sample fragrant Greek coffee along with kollyva, a unique dish that has been served to lighten the mood at funerals since antiquity.
  • Crossing the outcrop of the Acropolis, we will visit the scenic neighborhood of Anafiotika – a jumble of whitewashed homes built in the 19th century by refugees from the Greek islands – where we will stop by a family-run store that stocks hard-to-find seasonal products from across Greece and drop into a local institution famous for its meatballs bathed in a cumin-scented tomato sauce. Moving on to nearby Syntagma, a market area since Roman times, we will get a taste of Greek kebab, made with tender loving care by the same family for three generations, and will then go behind-the-scenes at an old-fashioned tradesmen’s canteen, where the local workers choose their food directly from the many pots in the kitchen. We will finish our tour on a sweet note: at one of Athens’ oldest patisseries, where we will try classic desserts based on recipes from the island of Hydra. Like everything else tasted on this food tour in Plaka, these are dishes with ancient roots, yet they are still alive as ever in today’s Athens.

Percent Complete
  • 77.7777777777777778
  • 66.6666666666666667

Version 15 – October 20, 2023 14:01

Current Version
Previous Version

Included
  • all food consumed on the walk – almost a dozen different edible specialties, culinary backstreets guide , honey tasting, markets visits

Percent Complete
  • 66.6666666666666667
  • 61.1111111111111111

Version 13 – October 19, 2023 15:52

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Previous Version

Redemption type
  • voucher

Version 11 – October 19, 2023 15:51

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Previous Version

Currency
  • USD

Percent Complete
  • 61.1111111111111111
  • 55.5555555555555556

Version 10 – October 19, 2023 15:51

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Previous Version

Tier labels
  • ---
  • adult: Adult
  • child: Child
  • infant: Infant
  • ---
  • adult: ''
  • child: ''

Tier ages
  • ---
  • adult:
  • from: '13'
  • to: ''
  • child:
  • from: '6'
  • to: '12'
  • infant:
  • from: '0'
  • to: '6'
  • ---
  • adult:
  • from: '18'
  • to: '64'
  • child:
  • from: '5'
  • to: '11'

Version 9 – October 19, 2023 15:49

Current Version
Previous Version

Available tiers
  • adult, child, infant
  • adult, child

Version 8 – October 19, 2023 15:49

Current Version
Previous Version

Health items
  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
  • COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers
  • Face masks required for travelers in public areas
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Face masks provided for travelers
  • Hand sanitizer available to travelers and staff
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
  • Regularly sanitized high-traffic areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitized between use
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitized
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Regular temperature checks for staff
  • Temperature checks for travelers upon arrival
  • Paid stay-at-home policy for staff with symptoms
  • Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
  • COVID-19 vaccination required for guides
  • Proof of COVID-19 vaccination required for travelers

Version 7 – October 19, 2023 15:48

Current Version
Previous Version

Guide type
  • Tour Guide

Trip difficulty
  • Easy

Timezone
  • Europe/Athens

Duration from
  • 5.5

Duration unit
  • hours
  • minutes

Category
  • Food & Drink

Rails Timezone
  • Athens

Percent Complete
  • 55.5555555555555556
  • 44.4444444444444444

Version 5 – October 19, 2023 15:37

Current Version
Previous Version

Percent Complete
  • 44.4444444444444444
  • 38.8888888888888889

Version 4 – October 19, 2023 15:37

Current Version
Previous Version

Percent Complete
  • 44.4444444444444444
  • 38.8888888888888889

Version 3 – October 19, 2023 15:35

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Previous Version

Group info
  • This tour will operate with a minimum of 2 guests and a maximum of 7 guests. If you have a larger group please email us.

Cancellation notes
  • 100% refund if given 1 week notice prior to walk.
  • 50% refund if given 72 hours notice or more.
  • Less than 72 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
  • Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund
  • Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund

Cancellation cutoff
  • 72
  • 24

Terms and conditions
  • Liability Waiver
  • By completing the reservation you acknowledge the following:
  • If you have food allergies, you are ultimately responsible to ensure your own health and safety. If you share information about your allergies, we can provide you with some guidance about the food purveyors on your tour, but we are not responsible for any allergic reactions that you may have. We are not responsible for any damages or losses incurred as result of acts by entities beyond our control, including but not limited to restaurants, shops, market stalls, eateries and food carts. We are not responsible for acts beyond our control, including but not limited to acts of God, act of nature, acts of war, or other unrest caused by state or non-state actors. If you are disruptive, we have the right to ask you to leave the tour without refunding you or providing you with a credit for your tour. You are aware of and responsible for all damages or losses that may arise during the course of the tour resulting from:
  • Risks associated with food, water or other drinks, including alcoholic beverages; physical accidents during the tour or at any of the locations visited; transportation failures; forces of nature; criminal activity; damage, loss or misplaced property; or accident or illness without means of rapid evacuation or availability of medical supplies or services. You agree that any claims that may arise will first go to arbitration and only if not resolved in that manner shall be heard in court. In both cases, grievances shall be heard in the jurisdiction of Washington, DC. You further agree to be responsible for your own welfare and property and accept any and all risks of delay, unanticipated events, inconvenience, illness, injury, emotional trauma or death. You further acknowledge that participation in Culinary Backstreets tours is based upon execution of this Liability Waiver. By completing the reservation process you release and discharge forever Culinary Backstreets, its employees, owners, affiliates, officers, directors, successors, agents, and assigns, from and against any liability arising from participating in this tour. You further agree that this release shall be legally binding upon you personally, all members of your family, all minors traveling with you, your heirs, successors, assigns, and legal representatives, to the maximum extent of the law.
  • I am aware that while on or traveling to or from my activity with Culinary Backstreets, I might be exposed to COVID-19 from other people, animals or objects. I assume all risk of any such contacts, including sickness, incapacity or death and agree to hold harmless Culinary Backstreets from any such developments. In addition, I recognize that the World Health Organization, U.S. Department of State as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention may have warnings concerning same and am choosing to travel and assume all risk myself.

Version 2 – October 19, 2023 15:35

Current Version
Previous Version

Know Before You Book
  • food tasting - let us know if you have any allergies

Percent Complete
  • 38.8888888888888889
  • 33.3333333333333333

Version 1 – October 19, 2023 15:34

Current Version
Previous Version

Know Before You Go
  • this walk includes a few hills and stairs, wear comfortable shoes
  • wear comfortable shoes