Crete Mountain Tour

Starting from our base in Stavromenos in Rethymno, our first stop is at the traditional village of Amnatos, with the view of Psiloritis mountain. At the main square of Amnatos is the memorial statue of Chariklia Daskalakis, who fought at the Arkadi Monastery in 1866.

Heading south, we reach the Orthodox Arkadi Monastery, which dates back to the 16th century. The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance to Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women, and children sought refuge in the monastery, after three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender.

Crossing the mountains, we stop at the Archeological Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, the exhibits span a period of three and a half millennia (3000 BC to 1300 AD) and include objects of art and everyday life from the Prehistoric, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine eras.

Continuing East-South we pass by small traditional villages of Mylopotamos Municipality and see the wild beauty of nature. Along the way, we meet goats, sheep and if we are lucky, we might see the Cretan vultures flying proudly over the Cretan sky.

We reach Agios Silas possibly the smallest village of Crete, full of green, time for lunch, where you will taste traditional recipes made of pure local products.

Ending up our tour by visiting Melidoni’s cave, known also as Gerontospilios. It was used for religious ceremonies. During the Minoan Civilization, it was a place of worship for Talos the bronze giant guardian of Crete who protected the island of Crete from enemies.