Eco Trip in Rethymno
Details
6 - 8 hours
Easy
2 - 6 persons
Every Tuesday and Thursday
Small group tour
10:00 (Depending on your hotel)
Hotels in Rethymno district
Highlights
- Discover the spectacular aromas of the wood oven baked delicacies and the fresh, hot bread
- Admire the amazing wooden sculptures in Mr. Giorgos’ museum and travel through Greek mythology
- Meet the smiling and kind granny Antonia and be impressed by her weaving skills
- Explore the Discouri monastery’s museum of the abbey and the heirlooms
- Have lunch at a Cretan tavern and enjoy traditionally cooked pork with potatoes and Greek salad
- Experience the amazing feeling of mingling with locals and sharing stories and fun times
Every Stop a Unique Experience
Maria's wood oven bakery
We will start our excursion by paying a visit to Maria's traditional Wood Oven Bakery. It's a traditional bakery that passes from generation to generation, situated in the picturesque village of Axos. There, we will have a small demonstration of how they create traditional Cretan baked delicacies, like "paximadi". The smell of biscuits, fresh out of the wood oven, is the first thing we notice when we enter the bakery. While we have a small tour around the traditional bakery and depending on the day, we can see the different stages of production; mixing the ingredients, forming the biscuits and baking. And yes... some raki is always in order!
Maria's wood oven bakery
The wooden sculpture museum
The wooden sculpture museum
After that, we will continue further in the village of Axos, where a resident, Mr. George, makes spectacular huge wooden sculptures by using pieces from fallen trees, coming from all over the island. What is remarkable here, is that one will be able to see spectacular creations, such as a three-meter sculpture of Hercules killing the lion of Nemea, all this made by one man (with a lot of talent). As Mr. Giorgos guides us through his museum, he explains to us what inspired him to create each sculpture, as well as guides us through the creation process. Most of the sculptures and statues are inspired by the history and the tradition of Crete as well as the classic mythology tales of Ancient Greece. Giorgos is well known for his hospitality and his warm personality; he loves to have visitors and is always glad to answer all the questions.
The art of weaving
As we continue our excursion, we will visit a charming old lady, Mrs. Antonia, who lives only a few minutes away from the woodcarving museum of Giorgos. Firstly, she embraces us with a glass of raki, to warm us up. Then she welcomes us in her traditional shop and shows us how she spins the sheep's wool, process it and then weave it on her traditional loom. The smiling old lady will teach us, with a few words, the traditional process of embroidery and weaving, that has been passing from generation to generation. She has been using this technique for over 50 years! Mrs Antonia always impresses her guests when she demonstrates her dexterity and her outdated but effective tools. Our beloved “grandmother” also creates traditional bread, decorated in the most wonderful way; this is called "wedding bread" and is offered in marriage fests.
The art of weaving
An antiquated Monastery
An antiquated Monastery
Our next stop will be an antiquated monastery, St. George of Discouri, so as to embrace the religious customs of Crete. It is considered one of the oldest monasteries of the island. When we enter the premises, we can already feel the sanctity of the monastery; full of flowers, trees and bushes, all under the care of the nuns, this beautiful but forgotten monastery embraces the sense of serenity. The abbey of Discouri reminds us of a small fortress, as it was built during the last period of the venetian domination; at that time an invasion of the Turkish army was likely to happen and the Venetians were building fortresses all around the island. At the monastery, apart from the central temple and the eminent picture of St. Georgios, the chambers of the nuns and the marvellously decorated guest house, the guests can also visit the museum of the abbey and admire the heirlooms.
Cretan lunch!
Our day will end in the most... delicious way; we'll end up at the beautiful and historically important village of Drossia, to have lunch at the most famous taverna of the area. There, we can enjoy the delicious traditionally-cooked pork, potatoes and salad (of course, vegetarian options are included). You will be impressed by the size of the portions! As we enjoy our lunch, we can admire the village, that lies in front of us, and discuss its history.
Cretan lunch!
What’s Included
- Hotel pick up and drop off (Only Rethymno district)
- English or French speaking guide
- Local driver / guide
- Transport by air-conditioned car / mini bus
- Variety of snacks
- Entrance to the wooden sculpture museum
- Entrance to the monastery
- Full cretan lunch at Drossia village
- All taxes, fees and handling charges
- Lots of raki and laughter :)
| 1-2 ADULTS | 145 EURO P/P |
| 3-4 ADULTS | 110 EURO P/P |
| 5-6 ADULTS | 95 EURO P/P |
| CHILDREN (3-12) | 50% |
| INFANTS (0-2) | FREE |
