Cretan Lifestyle:

Mediterranean Tradition & Modern Applications

5th Edition

Celebrating CRETE as European Region of Gastronomy, 2026

Annual Lifestyle Conference of the Hellenic Center for Excellence in
Health & Wellness in collaboration with GRECOTEL
GRECOTEL Amirandes, Heraklion, Crete, Nov 13-Nov 18, 2026

Under the Auspices of Region of Crete

Prices

Ticket Category

Price in EUR

Price in USD

Regular (full) Price

€2375

$2750

Early Bird Rate

At check-out, use code: Cretan2026 (case sensitive).
Expires October  13 

€1950

$2250

Spouse / Companion (any)
Valid only with one Regular Ticket. Please send us a message.

€1250

$1500

Young Investigator

€1275

$1550
REGISTER VIA HUMANITIX
REGISTER VIA EVENTBRITE

Academic Program 10 Sept 2026 – subject to change

Friday, November 13

  • ARRIVAL

Saturday, November 14

  • Welcome Messages and Presentation: Stefanos Kales;
  • Eric Rimm ("Seafood and Marine Omegas & Health as part of the Mediterranean Diet");
  • Eleni Melliou: "Highlights from the Olympia Olive and Wine Conference”;
  • Giuseppe Grosso, Coffee & Tea in the Mediterranean Lifestyle: Cardiometabolic Health and Longevity;
  • Mercedes Sotos-Prieto: "The Mediterranean Lifestyle and Fertility".

Sunday, November 15

  • Athanasios Zavras: Role of Oral Health in a Healthy Lifestyle;

  • Amanda Psyrri: Healthy Lifestyle and Cancer Survivorship;

  • Richard Weller (University of Edinburgh): “Sunlight: The Missing Mediterranean Exposure”;

  • Domenico Pratico: "Gut-Brain Connection and Influence of Diet".

Monday, November 16

  • Michael Sperling, The Culinary Institute of America: "International Day of Mediterranean Diet – Implications for America";
  • Phil Kafarakis, IFMA: "Implications for the Food Industry";

  • Smitha Haneef, Dining Services: "Mediterranean Diet: Implications for Harvard University Dining Services";

  • Michalis Vlatakis – Tourism; Med Diet is #1 Worldwide: Implications for Greek Tourism.

Tuesday, November 17: Focus on Youth

  • Yannis Manios: "Childhood Obesity in Greece and Successful Programs for Greek Families";

  • George Th. Pavlidis: "The Effects of Devices and Screens on the Developing and Young Brain";

  • Young Investigators Presentations.

Wednesday, November 18

  • DEPARTURE

Preliminary Activities Program
(10 Sept 2026 – subject to change)

Day 1 - Friday, November 13

ARRIVAL DAY

  • Poolside/Seaside Welcome Cocktail/Wine;
  • Welcome Dinner “Creta Style” Αίθουσα συνεδριάσεων (Conference Hall).

Day 2 - Saturday, November 14

  • Pre-Lunch Break;

  • Olive oil tree/mill experience nearby combined with Women’s CO-OP – Pites, etc;

  • Afternoon Break;

  • Informal Dinner – Tastings from Wines, Cheese and Cured Meats of Crete (onsite Hotel Buffet).

Day 3 - Sunday, November 15

  • Pre-Lunch Break (Cretan Brunch);

  • Εορτασμός – Κρήτη, Ευρωπαϊκή Περιφέρεια Γαστρονομίας 2026/ CRETE, European Region of Gastronomy 2026;

  • Awards & Presentations-
    Conference Hall;

  • Late Lunch/Early Dinner: Greek Family – Style-Minotaur;

  • Afternoon Break.

Day 4 - Monday, November 16

  • Pre-Lunch Break;

  • 12:30 Departure;

  • 2:30 pm Arrive at Agreco;

  • Hands-on Celebration of International Day of Mediterranean Diet.

Day 5 - Tuesday, November 17

  • Pre-Lunch Break (Cretan Brunch);

  • Activity: KNOSSOS;

  • Afternoon Break;

  • Farewell Dinner – Greek Taverna Night.

Day 6 - Wednesday, November 18

  • DEPARTURE
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About

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Registration

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Media

REGISTER HERE

Team 2026

Dr. Stefanos N. Kales is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and Associate Professor at the Harvard School of Public Health.

Stefanos N. Kales MD, MPH, FACP, FACOEM

Harvard Medical School & Harvard TH Chan School of Public Health

Demetrios Kalaitzidakis is Group Operations Director at Grecotel Hotels & Resorts - Cornell, School of Hotel Administration.

Demetrios M. Kalaitzidakis

Group Operations Director, Grecotel Hotels & Resorts – our hotel host

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Prof. Eric Rimm, ScD

Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Professor of Medicine at the Harvard Medical School

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Dr. Eleni Melliou

Laboratory Teaching Personnel

Giuseppe Grosso

Giuseppe Grosso – MD, PhD

Associate Professor, University of Catania, Italy

Mercedes Sotos Prieto, PhD is a nutritional epidemiologist trained in Europe and Harvard Chan School of Public Health.

Mercedes Sotos Prieto, PhD

Harvard Chan School of Public Health

Athanasios ("Thanos") Zavras, DG93, is the tenured Delta Dental of Massachusetts Professor of Public Health and Community Service.

Athanasios (Thanos) Zavras

Professor and Chair of Public Health and Community Service; Associate Dean for Community and Global Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine

Professor of Medical Oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Chairman of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Greece.

Amanda Psyrri – MD, PhD

Professor of Medical Oncology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Chairman of Medicine, Attikon University Hospital, Greece

Richard Weller graduated in medicine at St Thomas' Hospital, University of London and undertook his training in the north of England.

Richard Weller – MD, FRCP (Ed)

Personal Chair of Medical Dermatology, University of Edinburgh, UK

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Dr. Domenico Pratico: MD, FCPP

Professor of Pharmacology, Immunology and Microbiology Founding Director of PraticoLab

Dr. Michael Sperling is vice president of Academic affairs and chief academic officer at the Culinary Institute of America (CIA).

Michael Sperling, PhD

Chief Academic Officer and Vice President, Academic Affairs, The Culinary Institute of America, USA

Phil Kafarakis is a globally recognized and respected food industry insider with an insatiable appetite for all things business!

Phil Kafarakis

President & CEO, International Foodservice Manufacturers Association

Smitha Haneef is managing director for Harvard University Dining Services starting in that position in April 2021.

Smitha Haneef

Managing Director, Harvard University Dining Services, Campus Services, Harvard University, USA

Michalis Vlatakis founded Kosmos Group in 1977. He has 47 years of experience in the travel industry and serves as the President of ACCTA.

Michalis Vlatakis

President, Association of Cretan Tourism & Travel Agencies (ACCTA); Vice President, GEPOET

Dr. Yannis Manios is Professor in the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics, School of Health Science & Education at Harokopio University in Athens.

Yannis Manios, PhD

Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Harokopio University, Athens, Greece

Georgios Pavlidis received his Bachelor’s degree from the Faculty of Philosophy of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

George Th. Pavlidis, PhD

Professor of Learning Disabilities (ret.); Founder, Dyslexia Centers Pavlidis, Greece