Taste of Cretan Nature in Rethymno

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Details

DURATION

6 - 8 hours

DIFFICULTY

Easy

GROUP SIZE

2 - 6 people

SCHEDULE

Every Tuesday and Friday

TYPE

Small group tour

PICK UP TIME

09:00 (Depending on your hotel)

PICK UP PLACE

Hotels in Rethymno district

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Highlights

Visit a Cretan shepherd refuge and watch over 100 goats run free towards the tall mountains
Enjoy the typical snacks of a Cretan farmer in a scenery full of mountains and herb aromas
Wear your special uniform and learn all about bee-keeping by Mrs Eleni
Find your bee queen and witness the honey extraction process
Enjoy the hospitality of Mr Andreas' and Mrs Eleni's house
Have a traditional homemade lunch followed by delicious "pitakia" with honey, Mrs Eleni's specialty
Stroll around Apladiana village and learn all about the village's customs and traditions

ITINERARY

Every Stop a Unique Experience

1st Stop

An old monastery

The day begins in the region of Rethymno; after 1 hour of driving from the centre, we will visit a historically important Cretan monastery. In a lush landscape, full of beautiful flowers, trees and aromatic herbs, the Vosakos monastery lies before our eyes, stone-built and magnificent. The one and only nun left in the monastery, will be waiting inside to welcome us with her kind smile and a delicious loukoumi treat. We can stay for some time to enjoy its traditional architecture and the calm atmosphere; in the meantime, we will learn all about its tumultuous history.

1st Stop

An old monastery

2 nd Stop

The shepherd's pastureland

2nd Stop

The shepherd's pastureland

At the entrance, three huge trees create an impressive door that welcomes us to their land. Mr Andreas, the shepherd, is there to "kalosorisei" us (kalosorisma = greeting) and show us what a day in his life is like. Learn about his routine, daily habits, milk production process and caring for the goats while you try some typical Cretan appetizers such as cheese, olives and a glass of raki. But the best part is here to come; be prepared to watch a herd of 100 goats flow freely out of their stockyard and dash towards the high hills. This powerful moment is guaranteed to stay in your memory forever.

3rd Stop

A unique apiary

Next up and depending on the period, we will either visit a different spectacular landscape where all the flowers bloom and burst their refreshing aromas, or stay on spot; but, what we will witness is the important part. There, Ms Eleni, a traditional Cretan woman and wife of the shepherd, Mr Andreas, will demonstrate to us her mastery on beekeeping, passing from generation to generation. We will wear bee-keeping uniforms, while Mrs Eleni shows us the honey extraction procedure with her bare hands! As she has been mastering this art for years, her bees are like her children; she is so close with them, that there is no need for a uniform. In this very informative -and delicious- stop of our tour, we will learn everything about the production of real thyme honey.

3rd Stop

A unique apiary

4 th Stop

Enjoy a traditional Cretan meal

4th Stop

Enjoy a traditional Cretan meal

An integral part of the Cretan tradition is the warm hospitality of the locals. After having shared their daily habits and their mastery secrets, Mr. Andreas and Mrs. Eleni open their house to us. Situated high up in the mountain, with beautiful and calming views of the village, this house is buried between flowers, trees and herb bushes. While we enter, their aromas will certainly captivate our senses. As we have a seat, Mr Andreas opens a bottle of wine and offers us a glass, while Mrs Eleni finishes up the lunch she has prepared especially for us. Enjoy the taste of local organic products and finish the meal with a delicious dessert, such as sweet cheese pies (pitakia) with honey on top. Enjoy!

5th Stop

Explore the rest of the village

After lunch, we will be guided to the centre of the village Apladiana, one of the most ancient and traditional villages, which still adheres to all the Cretan customs. On our way, we will cross a field full of orange trees; let's stop and enjoy the overwhelmingly sweet and fresh smell. Depending on the period, out guide will cut a few oranges with his bare hands and offer them to us. This experience of the taste and the smell accompanied by the image of the beautiful and tall orange trees, creates an unforgettable memory. Once we arrive at the village's square, we will finish the tour by discussing some of the Cretan customs, such as where and how the famous Cretan weddings take place in the traditional villages of Crete.

5th Stop