Situated in Kerásia, 21 km from Venetian Walls and 22 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Lux Aprt in a Graphical Village features air-conditioned accommodation with a terrace and free WiFi. This apartment offers accommodation with a balcony.
This apartment features 1 bedroom, a kitchen with an oven and a toaster, a flat-screen TV, a seating area and 2 bathrooms fitted with an a bath or shower.
The Palace of Knossos is 25 km from the apartment, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 37 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 24 km from Lux Aprt in a Graphical Village.
from
€53
/night
Set in Síva, 19 km from Venetian Walls and 20 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Villa Lambraki offers air-conditioned accommodation with a balcony and free WiFi. The property features quiet street views and is 23 km from The Palace of Knossos and 35 km from Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos.
The holiday home is fitted with 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, bed linen, towels, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, a dining area, a fully equipped kitchen, and a terrace with mountain views.
A car rental service is available at the holiday home.
Pankritio Stadium is 18 km from Villa Lambraki, while Stadium Theodoros Vardinogiannis is 18 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International, 23 km from the accommodation, and the property offers a free airport shuttle service.
from
€166
/night
Offering a garden and garden view, Cozy village house in Ano Asites is situated in Áno Asítai, 24 km from Venetian Walls and 25 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum. This apartment is 22 km from Pankritio Stadium and 23 km from Stadium Theodoros Vardinogiannis.
The apartment is composed of 1 separate bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a fridge, and 1 bathroom. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
The Palace of Knossos is 28 km from the apartment, while Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 40 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 27 km from Cozy village house in Ano Asites.
from
€63
/night
Situated in Dhafnés, 18 km from Venetian Walls and 19 km from Heraklion Archaeological Museum, Cozy studio in Dafnes near to Heraklion features air-conditioned accommodation with a patio and free WiFi. The property features garden and quiet street views, and is 22 km from The Palace of Knossos.
The apartment with a terrace and mountain views has 1 bedroom, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with an oven and a fridge, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Towels and bed linen are available in the apartment.
The apartment offers a picnic area. A bicycle rental service is available at Cozy studio in Dafnes near to Heraklion.
Cretaquarium Thalassocosmos is 34 km from the accommodation, while Pankritio Stadium is 16 km from the property. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 21 km from Cozy studio in Dafnes near to Heraklion.
from
€59
/night
Boasting air-conditioned accommodation with a private pool, mountain view and a terrace, Castello Villa Daphnes – Private Pool & Whirlpool is set in Dhafnés. Featuring pool and garden views, this villa also has free WiFi.
Featuring a DVD player, the villa has a kitchen with a dishwasher, an oven and a microwave, a living room with a seating area and a dining area, 4 bedrooms, and 2 bathrooms with a walk-in shower and a bath. Towels and bed linen are featured in the villa.
The villa offers an outdoor fireplace. A car rental service is available at Castello Villa Daphnes – Private Pool & Whirlpool.
Venetian Walls is 18 km from the accommodation, while Heraklion Archaeological Museum is 19 km away. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 21 km from Castello Villa Daphnes – Private Pool & Whirlpool.
from
€45
/night
Set in Kato Asites, villa kastelas provides accommodation with an outdoor pool.
The country house offers a barbecue.
Heraklio Town is 20 km from villa kastelas. The nearest airport is Heraklion International Airport, 22 km from the accommodation.
We offer cooking lessons in Krousonas village. Super family friendly! The programme last at least 4 hours. Firstly we will welcome you with some cretan delights and refreshments . We will discuss the menu and you can choose from the season options(vegan or not) what would you like to cook. Secondly we will visit the farm , we will feed the goats and sheeps and if its summer probably you can also milk the goats! In continue when you choose menu (vegeterian or not) we go to gather our organic vegetables from our orchard, you wiil have time to explore nature, breath fresh air, learn important information about the plant and of course live the experience cutting the fresh vegetables and fruit. When we collect our vegetables , we learn how we use every ingredient in our kitchen, how does it help our health, about the appropriate quantities we use and we start to how prepare our meal and how we cook. You will learn all the secrets of cretan cuisine with us . (It depends from the season you can also taste and watch the production of cheese.) When the meal is ready you can enjoy it in our veranda relaxing with the amazing view. A travel to history, nature and cretan cuisine.Dont forget to wear comfortable shoes and clothes. Cooking lessons become under the shadow of the grapevine. Also the cooking lessons are the perfect family activity! Live as a local for a day!!
Our day is the perfect way to explore the central part of Crete from mountains to gorges to a beautiful beach.
Our journey starts as we make our way to Mount Juktas with breathtaking views of the blue infinity of the Aegean Sea. God Zeus knew what he was doing by choosing Mount Juktas as his final resting place.
From here we take the road through extensive vineyards where the Minoans built a wine press which is the oldest one in the world, to our next stop Charakas, a little mountain village where we join the locals for a coffee break in the traditional cafeneion. We continue on through dirt tracks, bumpy roads over the olive tree dotted hills to our next stop the top of Tripitis Gorge where you have a magnificent view over the Gorge with its different layers of rocks, Cretan wild herbs and the Libyan Sea. Driving down towards one of the most beautiful and pictures Gorges of Crete we stop to give you the possibility to walk thru the Gorge to the narrows place where you find the little church of Panagia which is built into the rocks.
Building up an appetite, we drive down to Tripitis beach where we have a BBQ Lunch next to the beach with unlimited wine and water. Now you can enjoy some free time for a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea where you have crystal clear blue water and the temperature of the water is always higher than in the Aegean Sea. Than we head back towards the South Coast passing through some small traditional villages full of character and interest until we stop for some refreshment and to try our local drink, Raki.
This is a day full of many surprises and the excitement is second to none, you certainly won’t forget your fun day out with Safari Club Crete.
Enjoy an exciting visit to Knossos Palace, Crete’s most famous historical attraction, with a pre-booked e-ticket, including a compelling audio tour downloadable on your phone and a detailed map of the site. Lose yourself in the audio tour’s storytelling and immerse yourself in history as you walk around this iconic site.
Visit the grand capital of Minoan Crete, located just south of Heraklion, and see the evocative setting, complete with impressive ruins and brightly-colored frescoes, come alive through an engaging narrative that sheds light on various elements of Minoan culture.
The cupbearers and procession frescoes at the South Propylaeum, which depicts scenes from everyday life and the ceremonial activities in Minoan Crete, provide a great insight into the aesthetic ideals of the time. Follow the evolution of Minoan fashion, learn about the popular hairstyles of the people, and discover the beauty products locals used to touch up their looks.
At the West Magazines, where the storage facilities of the palace are located, gain an understanding of the well-organized bureaucracy that supported the palace organization, the earliest forms of linear writing, as well as the Minoan economy and trade networks. Discover the copy of the “Prince of the Lilies” at the South Entrance Corridor and gaze out on Mount Juktas, perfectly framed by the eroded walls of the palace.
Visit the Queen’s Megaron, embellished with famous blue dolphins fresco and equipped with a bathroom and a toilet room, where you can find out everything about the bath habits in the Minoan era.
If you were to travel all over Crete, crossing it from coast to coast, you would be astounded by the abundance of exceptional dishes and the unique traditional products that you’ll discover.
Cretan recipes are based on Traditional local products such as honey, herbs, vegetables, meat and olive oil, and many more that complete the palette of Cretan gastronomy.
Some of the best and most distinctive recipes have been collected and presented in our place by our Cooks through Traditional Cooking Classes.
• You’ll get hands-on training from a professional local Cook.
• You’ll learn new cooking techniques that can easily be repeated at home.
• You’ll discover our traditions and learn historical tips about our unique cuisine.
• Vegetarians are welcome. Let me know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
If you were to travel all over Crete, crossing it from coast to coast, you would be astounded by the abundance of exceptional dishes and the unique traditional products that you’ll discover.
Cretan recipes are based on Traditional local products such as honey, herbs, vegetables, meat and olive oil, and many more that complete the palette of Cretan gastronomy.
Some of the best and most distinctive recipes have been collected and presented in our place by our Cooks through Traditional Cooking Classes.
• You’ll get hands-on training from a professional local Cook.
• You’ll learn new cooking techniques that can easily be repeated at home.
• You’ll discover our traditions and learn historical tips about our unique cuisine.
• Vegetarians are welcome. Let me know in advance if you have any dietary restrictions or allergies.
My name is Maria and I am a professional dancer in Cretan and Greek Dances. I am also the leader of the dancing group of Arolithos Village and the dancing teacher for kids and adults of the local cultural association of the area where I live.
I am a very good friend of Michalis who is the main host of this experience and one of the owners of Arolithos Village. I collaborate with him because he loves to dance and culture as I do. Very often Evi one of the best Cretan dancers in the area of Tilissos also helps me to realize the dancing lessons.
As a professional teacher of dances, dressed in traditional uniform, I will show you the first steps of popular dances of Crete and Greece. Sousta, Zorba the Greek, and much more.
We will have also the chance to do a tour of Arolithos Village and show you shortly the Museum, the old houses and the rest of the village.
You will enjoy a welcome drink on the terrace with the panoramic view.
In the end, I will offer you a copy of a CD with Greek and Cretan music and your dancing certificate.
It is a big honor for me to be your host and I or Evi will do my best for you to have a memorable experience of Cretan amusement and culture.
In your own free time Arolithos village you may have lunch and relax after such a creative experience in the tavern and the swimming pool.
The Venerato canyon, a hidden gem, is nestled 17km south of Heraklion, adjacent to the Venerato village and Paliani Monastery. Despite its modest length of 500m, the deepest part of the gorge leaves a lasting impression on its visitors, despite the visible impact of human activities.
The journey begins in Avgeniki village and concludes at the Agios Fanourios church in Venerato, nestled beneath a towering cliff. A brief stroll through the canyon from Agios Fanourios can be paired with a quick exploration of Venerato village. This charming village, once home to Venetian nobles, was often referred to as “Little Venice” due to its picturesque landscape.
The Apollonas river, which maintains its flow throughout the year, meanders through the gorge, carrying water from Agia Varvara to the Giofyros river. The river’s name, Apollonas, is derived from the ancient town of Apollonia, which once stood here. Some remnants of this town still exist near the gorge. As one ventures further into the gorge, the vegetation and platan trees flourish, harmoniously blending with an ancient watermill. The gorge narrows down to a width of 60cm, with the walls towering up to 25 meters.
Moving ahead, the Gra Spiliara (Old Cave), a haven for wild pigeons, emerges. The cave and the canyon served as a sanctuary during the Turkish Era and the German Occupation of Crete. Some parts of the gorge require wading through water or climbing over rocks. It is advisable for those descending the gorge to wear a helmet to protect against potential falling stones caused by the goats that inhabit the canyon’s edges.
After walking another 80m, you’ll reach the Kouroupi area. Here, the canyon walls almost converge, creating several small waterfalls. There’s a narrow, 20-meter long crevice in the rock that ends in a 7-meter high cliff and a deep pond. This marks the end of the walkable part of the gorge.
Until the 1950s, locals sourced their drinking water from this river, used it for irrigation, and it was home to a variety of wildlife including turtles, eels, and crabs. Sadly, pollution and domestic sewage have significantly degraded the ecosystem. This beautiful location deserves a better fate, and we can only hope it attains it.
To the west of Ano Asites village, the river that initially forms the Saint Haralabos gorge, and later flows through the village, ultimately transforms into a breathtakingly deep and dramatic gorge, known as the St. Anthony gorge. The descent trail leading to the canyon bed can be found near the scenic Byzantine church of St. Anthony, which also hosts a drinking water spring.
The canyon is teeming with lush vegetation, including towering plane trees and various other plant species. The trail within the canyon forms part of the European E4 hiking route. This trail concludes at the exit of the gorge in the village of Kerasia, close to the Faneromeni church. Regrettably, the riverbed is littered with trash from Asites.
Saint Charalambos Gorge, a picturesque but petite canyon, is situated to the south of Ano Asites village. The gorge is named after the Saint Charalambos church that was constructed near its entrance beneath a rock. Up until mid-spring, the gorge is filled with water, compelling trekkers to walk along its walls to bypass the riverbed. The stream of the gorge carries water from the valley situated east of Prinias village to Agios Antonios gorge, eventually forming the Xeropotamos river that concludes at the Pancretan Stadium beach in Heraklion.
Our journey begins from the Agios Charalambos chapel nestled in a large rock shelter. We then make our descent along the river, where lovely ponds are formed. As we look upward, the grand walls with their vast caves become visible. The exit of the gorge has incredibly narrow passages which require us to traverse along a trail during winter. However, in the summer, it’s possible to walk on the riverbed, but caution is advised to prevent any ankle injuries.
The Agios Nikolaos, Gafaris or Rouvas gorge is nestled between the Ambelakia and Samari peaks. This gorge, the most significant in Psiloritis and central Crete, is named after the St Nicholas monastery located near its exit at Zaros. This area is an ecosystem teeming with diverse flora and fauna, smaller canyons, and striking geological formations and cliffs. It spans 4 km, with 2.7 km developed by the Forest Service for activities like hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and wildlife observation. However, a fire in 1994 significantly damaged the beautiful Rouvas forest near the gorge’s south entrance.
The Rouvas forest, located in the Saint Nicholas gorge, is a nationally significant ecosystem of holly trees. It covers the inner valley of Psiloritis, surrounded by the peaks of Ambelakia, Samari, Chalazokefala, Skinakas, Koudouni, and Giristi. The area’s trees are ancient, with some trunks exceeding 1 meter in diameter and reaching heights of 15 meters. They grow densely, forming a unique forest society, supplemented by various shrub species.
The forest houses other typical Cretan flora, such as aria, zelkova, cypress, pine, plane, and pear trees, covering approximately 30,000 acres. The uniqueness of the Rouvas forest lies in the holly trees’ unusual size and characteristics compared to their typical Greek counterparts. This is likely due to the absence of external factors that allowed these shrubby oaks to evolve into their current form. Around the forest, one can spot scattered “mitata” (shepherd houses), most of which are now abandoned.
Recommended hiking routes include Zaros Lake to Saint John (a 2.5-hour return trip) and Psakofarago to Agios Ioannis to Lake Zaros (a 5-hour trip). The first route starts from Zaros Lake, leading to the St Nicholas monastery before entering the Rouvas gorge. The trail then ascends through the old burned forest, offering stunning views of the Zaros and Messara planes, before entering a narrow gorge filled with dense vegetation. The path follows the river bed, abundant with water in spring, leading to the heart of the forest, the Agios Ioannis area.
The second route begins north of Agios Ioannis at the Psakofarago gorge, the upper extension of the Rouvas gorge. The trail starts from the Holy Cross church and ends at Lake Zaros, passing through Agios Ioannis and the Rouvas gorge. This route requires a transfer to the Holy Cross church and a pick-up from Lake Zaros. Both routes offer the chance to experience the unique beauty of the Rouvas forest and its surroundings.
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