Sea Breeze and Cool (Agios Nikolaos – Kalo Horio – Prina – Kroustas – Kritsa, Katharo – Mesa Lassithi – Mesa Potamoi – Zenia – Vrysses – Kremasta – Houmeriako – Limnes – Panagia Kera, Ancient Lato, Cave Of Zeus)
The experience starts from Agios Nikolaos and we follow a 100km-route where our guests have the chance to admire temples, holy monasteries, museums and abandoned or traditional hamlets, to hang out with shepherds and kind-hearted beekeepers and the people who live in the mountain villages.
In the traditional village of Kritsa, you may stroll around the picturesque alleys and admire the handmade artefacts or pay a visit to Kritsa Agricultural Cooperative that produces an award-winning extra virgin olive oil.
Not to be missed: A visit to Panagia Kera. A point of reference for thousands of visitors.
Ancient LATO
We continue towards Katharo Plateau (altitude 1200m) through the cypress forest where we see goats, sheep and if we get lucky, we may even witness Cretan vultures in the wild. It is an excellent occasion to take photos of the MIRA A BELO Gulf, a name given by the Venetians and means “beautiful view”.
We leave Katharo Plateau and we head to Lassithi Plateau, an area that once had more than 10,000 windmills. The Diktaean Cave, that is, the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Gods of Mount Olympus, is located at Psychro. The Diktaean Cave is also the place where goat Amaltheia nurtured Zeus as an infant.
Optional visit to the cave (15-min hiking or donkeyback).
We descend through the village of Potamoi, a village of lush vegetation, where we drink fresh spring water and rest under the shade of the plane trees.
Our next stop is the Monastery of Kremasta and then we continue to the village of Houmeriako and visit Romana Portela (Venetian mansion) as well as the house of the Ottoman Pasha. We cross the plain of Limnes with its vineyards, olive groves and orchards. We make a stop at the village of Limnes to walk and meet its kind-hearted people. We then return to Agios Nikolaos.
Optional: Panagia Kera 2€, Ancient Lato 3€, Cave of Zeus 6€
What is Included:
Free Pick Up and Drop Off
Driver/ Guide
Not included:
Entrance fee
Boat fee
Lunch
HIGHLIGHTS
Discover traditional villages bursting with history
Meet the locals
Immerse yourself in the laidback Cretian way of life