Visiting Knossos Palace

en passant

Our next stop is visiting a family olive oil mill. You see firsthand the modern techniques and equipment used alongside traditional methods passed down through generations. As you explore the olive oil mill, you have the opportunity to taste the fruits of this labor – rich, golden olive oil freshly pressed from the harvest. Each sip is a revelation, a burst of flavor that transports you to the sun-drenched hillsides where the olives were grown. But beyond the sensory experience, visiting an olive oil mill in Crete, offers a deeper understanding of the island's culture and heritage. Olive oil is not just a culinary staple here; it is a symbol of life itself, revered for its health benefits and intrinsic connection to the land. As you bid farewell to the factory, you carry with you not just a bottle of olive oil, but a piece of Crete's soul – a tangible reminder of the timeless bond between this ancient land and its most precious fruit.

en passant

Exploring 2400 years old a Platanus Tree in Krasi village. The Platanus tree of Krasi stands as a majestic symbol of nature's resilience and enduring beauty. Nestled within the charming village of Krasi on the island of Crete, this ancient plane tree has witnessed centuries of history unfold beneath its sprawling branches. As you approach the tree, its sheer size commands attention, casting a cool shade over the surrounding square. Its gnarled trunk, weathered by time, tells stories of generations past, while its lush foliage rustles gently in the breeze, offering a sense of tranquility amidst the bustling village. Legend has it that the Platanus tree of Krasi is over 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living beings in Europe. Its presence is deeply ingrained in the fabric of local folklore, revered by villagers as a sacred guardian of the land.

Next stop is in the Lasithi Plateau pass to explore old Wind Mills and to take some pictures in the spectacular view of the mountains. For centuries, they have stood as guardians of the land, harnessing the power of the wind to grind grain and irrigate the fertile soil. Each windmill tells a story of hard work and perseverance, passed down through generations of farmers who have called this land home. Their simple yet elegant design is a testament to the ingenuity of those who built them, using local materials and ancient techniques. Today, the windmills of Lasithi Plateau are not just relics of the past, but living monuments to the island's rich agricultural heritage. Visitors come from far and wide to marvel at their beauty and learn about the history of this timeless landscape.

Entrer dans un atelier de poterie sur le plateau de Lassithi, c'est comme remonter le temps. Ici, des artisans qualifiés utilisent des techniques transmises de génération en génération pour créer de magnifiques œuvres d'art à partir d'argile simple. Le processus commence par la sélection de l'argile locale, réputée pour sa qualité et sa malléabilité. Observez le potier façonner l'argile avec brio sur un tour, la transformant sous vos yeux en pièces magnifiques et fonctionnelles. Visiter une poterie sur le plateau de Lassithi est un voyage au cœur de la tradition crétoise, offrant un mélange unique d'enrichissement culturel, d'activités manuelles et la possibilité de rapporter un morceau de Crète chez soi.

Your journey wouldn't be complete without having lunch in a family tavern with Cretan traditional food and wine. Her you'll have the opportunity to taste different dishes cooked in wood oven with fresh ingredients of the area such as, stuffed zucchini flowers, Greek salad, lamb, saganaki, moussakas, stuffed vegetables and more. Travelers must pay for lunch.

It's time to relax and taste some of the finest Cretan wines,Greek coffee and raki in traditional Kaffenio. Here we'll talk with locals to learn about their daily life, their stories and tradition of the region.

Sur le chemin du retour, nous nous arrêterons au plus grand barrage de Crète, le barrage d'Aposelemis. Devenu une attraction touristique prisée, il offre une vue imprenable sur la campagne environnante et le réservoir. Depuis les rives du réservoir, plongés dans la tranquillité de la campagne crétoise, vous ne pourrez qu'apprécier l'impact profond du barrage d'Aposelemis sur la vie des habitants de l'île. Car ses eaux ne sont pas seulement porteuses de subsistance, mais aussi porteuses d'un avenir meilleur et plus durable pour les générations futures. Le barrage d'Aposelemis se dresse comme une merveille d'ingénierie moderne au cœur des paysages accidentés de la Crète, témoignant de l'ingéniosité humaine et de la quête d'une gestion durable de l'eau. Situé près du village d'Avdou, cet imposant ouvrage capte les eaux de la rivière Aposelemis, constituant un lien vital pour les habitants de l'île et les activités agricoles.