Overall Conference Program with Activities, Excursions and Symposia 2023
Scientific Program (final program subject to change)
Cretan Lifestyle 2023: Mediterranean Tradition & Modern Applications
2 nd Annual Experiential Conference with American, International and Greek Scholars
PROGRAM
November 13-18, 2023
Grecotels Creta Palace & Caramel Boutique Resort
Rethymno, Crete, Greece
Day 1 Arrival day
Sunday, November 12
Early arrivals
Day 2 Monday, November 13
07:00 Arrivals & Welcome Experience - Free Time until 16:30
16:30 Reception & Inauguration Ceremony 2023
18:00 GREEK NIGHT Live Greek Music - Buffet style, Dinner with Healthy Greek Cuisine; Greek Wine & (Cretan Grappa) “Tsikoudia”
Day 3 Tuesday, November 14
07:00 – 09:00 Breakfast and free time & Optional Yoga Workshop
09:00-09:30 Welcome, Overview and Introductions
09:30 – 10:50 Symposium I. Longevity & Healthy Aging: Lessons in Longevity & Healthy Aging from Crete, Ikaria, Okinawa and other Blue Zones/Med Diet
10:50-11:20 COFFEE BREAK – Village Square & Kafeneion
11:20 – 13:00 Symposium II. Magna Grecia: Presentations on shared Mediterranean Traditions of Southern Italy and Greece from antiquity to the present
13:00 – 18:00 Featured Excursion - AGRECOFARMS, depart 13:30. “The estate recreates centuries-old farming methods in a traditional village setting. Shaped by hand, every stone at Agreco preserves the delicate balance between man and nature.” We will enjoy traditional farm experiences as well as a real Cretan celebration feast!
19:00 Free Time - A la carte menu available
Day 4 Wednesday, November 15
07:00 – 09:00 Breakfast and free time & Optional Group Walking
09:00 - 09:40 Med Diet & Sustainability- Updates from Lancet Commission 2.0 and Crete
09:40 - 10:40 Symposium III. Wine in Moderation, Greek Wines: past, present & future, Wine and Health
10:40-11:10 COFFEE BREAK – Village Square & Kafeneion
11:10-11:50 Symposium IV. Hotels & Health Promotion
11:50-12:50 Young Investigators Oral Presentations
13:30-14:30 Lunch & Learn “Cutting Edge Strategies in Greek Hospitality”
14:30-15:30 Free time/Siesta
16:00 Arkadi Monastery - depart 15:45: We will tour the famous and scared nearby Arkadi Monastery. The tour will be followed by a Dinner consisting of Monastic Cuisine prepared in a manner consistent with Greek Orthodox Fasting guidelines.
21:00 Free Time
Day 5 Thursday, November 16
07:00 – 08:30 Breakfast and free time & Optional Group Mindfulness
08:30-11:40 Symposium V. Translation of Med Diet to Institutions Leading Experts from the US and Europe explain market trends and how healthy Med Diet principles are implemented in schools, hospitals, universities, workplaces etc.
12:00 Featured Excursion HERAKLION AREA - depart 12:15
- Stop 1 - Lyrarakis Winery Tour and Light Lunch Since 1966, a family winery producing high quality wines; focused on rare local varieties & credited with saving several Cretan ancient varietals
- Stop 2 - Knossos Greece and Europe’s oldest City. Epicenter of the ancient Minoan Civilization
- Stop 3 - Archeological Museum Building on our visit to Knossos, we will take a guided tour of the foremost collection of Minoan artefacts
19:45-21:00 Free Time
21:00 Buffet Dinner & Wines of Crete Dégustation
Day 6 Friday, November 17
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast and free time
08:00-15:00 OLIVE HARVEST EXPERIENCE & EXCURSION (Bus Departure 08:00) We will travel to Chania Prefecture to visit a the Organic Biolea Olive Estate. At Biolea, we will see and practice traditional methods of harvesting olives, and contrast these with modern methods. We will then take the olives to Biolea’s olive mills and see and taste how their unique extra virgin olive oil is made from a combination of traditional and modern techniques! We will be led through an olive oil tasting session, and culminate our experience with a lunch prepared by Biolea consisting of local “Chania-Style” Cuisine .
13:30-15:00 Bus back to Rethymno (Creta Palace Conference Facilities)
15:00-15:30 Coffee Break – Village Square & Kafeneion
15:30-17:45 Symposium VI: Lifestyle Medicine/ Mindfulness/Self-care: Experts address cutting edge topics in Lifestyle Medicine and Mindfulness (Sponsor Ardmore Institute of Health)
Parallel Session: Olive & Olive Oil Production – Establishing a Dedicated Network of University Institutes in Greece
Sponsored by the World Olive Center for Health: Experts address how to advance Greece’s liquid Gold, EVOO
18:00-19:45 Free Time
20:00 - 24:00 FAREWELL PROGRAM: Aperitif, Cretan/Greek Super Foods Expo “Bottarga” (Greek Caviar), Mastic Gum Krocus Kozanis (Greek Saffron), “Mountain Tea” (Sideritis), Prickly Pear, Pomegranate, Capers, Spirulina
& GALA DINNER: Theme Greek Super Foods & Wine Pairings
Day 7 Saturday, November 18
07:00 – 08:00 Breakfast, departures from conference
08:00 Transportation options to Airport, or to Optional trips
Use discount code (only applicable to the General Admission tickets): EARLY-BIRD (case sensitive) to get $700 discount ($1250 instead of full price $1950). Valid until September 15. Limited availability!
Additional information please contact: +1 908 212 7846
Media inquiries, please contact ACCENT PR, LLC: info@accentpr.com or +1 908 803-3809