Cretan countryside and lifestyle

We leave the Venetian walls of Heraklion behind us and drive deep into the beautiful Cretan countryside.

Through the villages of Episkopi and Sgourokefali we arrive at the traditional village of Stironas. The village, built at 550 metres above sea level, comprises traditional stone buildings arranged amphitheatrically, with a view toward the mountains. Here you will experience how traditional Cretans lived centuries ago. We will visit a botanical parterre, which is home to various aromatic and medicinal herbs from the mountains of Crete.

Wine has been made in Crete since the Minoans, and we’ll have a chance to literally put our lips to the deep cup of traditional Cretan wine-making when we visit a raki distiller and sample traditional raki directly from the barrels in his cellar!
We will learn about wine production and bottling, followed by Cretan meze with pure Cretan olive oil and other local products; traditional Cretan dancers will perform for us during our meal.

On the way back to the ship we will stop in Heraklion. Starting the walk from Liberty square guests will pass by the shopping streets of Dedalou and 25^th August and see some of the most remarkable sights of the city along the way.