SUSTAINABLE HOLIDAYS IN CRETE
Feel the freedom of the sea by renting a boat and experiencing the Mediterranean’s fifth-largest island from the water’s edge. Crete is 260 km. long, and you can have varied experiences if you sail to different coasts along with the AFL an island. The best thing about sailing around in your boat is that you can visit the small coastal villages, which may not benefit from tourism because they are remote. Sail to more unknown beaches, so you do not contribute to the load of the popular beaches, rent a sailboat instead of a motorboat, and remember to leave only footprints and nothing else on the beaches.
Vamos
Drive to the small village of Vamos, where you can take walks in narrow alleys with the large eucalyptus trees. Some of the buildings here are from the 19th century, and the village police are taking steps to preserve the buildings by renovating them with sustainable materials such as local stone and wood instead of tearing them down. That way, local businesses can stay in the village and do business from the buildings. Visit the little baker who still uses old baking methods, or buy some local cheese and delicious local wine.
Loutro
You can also pass Loutro, an entire car-free coastal village that you can only reach via a longer hike or by ferry. There are not even roads in the small village. Here, white buildings are reflected in the crystal blue water and throw strong contrasts into your arms. The village lives solely on tourism, so you can choose from many tavernas with sea views. You can also rent a canoe and experience the only 300 meters long village from the waterside.
Sail to lesser-known beaches
Feel the freedom of the sea by renting a boat and experiencing the Mediterranean’s fifth-largest island from the water’s edge. Crete is 260 km. long, and you can have varied experiences if you sail to different coasts across the island.
The best thing about sailing around in your own boat is that you can visit the small coastal villages, which may not benefit from tourism because they are remote. And you can sail to more unknown beaches, so you do not contribute to the load of the popular beaches.
Dia Islet
You can sail past the uninhabited island, Dia islet. Here on the shores of Saint George you can bathe in a wave-loose bay with a sandy bottom. Delicious and without many other tourists. On the other hand, you may be accompanied by wild rabbits and ibex, who may like to look past the beach.
Vathy beach
On the south side of Crete, you will find Vathy Beach, where you can also camp. The beach can not be seen from the open sea, so you get an authentic nature experience surrounded by the long, rocky gorge you have to sail through to reach the beach. Nature consists of limestone and a raw bay, and the clientele comes here only for pure relaxation. There are no real tourist problems around here.
Sail to Galini in the southern bay of Crete, between Ahlia and Agia Fotia. The beach protects one of the towering cliffs that hide it from the main road, so it is not particularly accessible via the land side. Therefore, you can enjoy the silence of the beach almost for yourself.
On the east side, you will find a unique beach in the form of Vai beach, which has a protected palm beach with an endemic palm species that only grows on and around Crete. However, it is a well-known beach, so when you are on these edges, you can instead hike or sail to one of the other small beaches around. One of the most beautiful is called Kedromouri, and only a few others find it. Here you bathe in peace – surrounded by high cliffs on both sides.
You can also book a guided boat trip and get exciting insider knowledge about where ancient war wrecks lie beneath the sea surface around the shores of Crete. Or how about diving down to the wrecks?
Sustainable gastronomy and wine
No matter where you are in Crete, most locals will claim that you get the most delicious Greek food in Crete. The food is at least full of flavour and often e composed of local ingredients grown on the island. – This is also one of the reasons why Crete is a sustainable gastronomic destination. Nature plays a big role in gastronomy.
Go out into nature yourself and pick wild chamomile, ten mian, oregano, rosemary, bay leaves and mountain tea leaves, use the spices on the grill for a freshly caught fish you buy from the local fishermen.
Salis restaurant
You can also go to a sustainable restaurant that grows from the ‘land to the table’ method. farms. For example, try their fermented cucumber salad with roasted almonds, home-grown honey and mint. Or their bream-fished with homemade smoked olive oil.
Sustainable food in palea roumata
You can also go on a sustainable food trip in the small village of Palea Roumata, where local bakers make cakes and make dishes based on old family recipes. This is also where you will find the island’s oldest tree, which is an olive tree that has lived for about 3000 years.
Crete is the stronghold of olive trees. There are several million olive trees on the island, and almost all families with respect for their rural history produce their own olive oil. Therefore, it would be a shame not to try different kinds of olive oils. Run past the small, family-owned olive oil factory, Melissakis, which squeezes the olives of various local olive groves into the oil. They also squeeze in more organic farm olive oils, which you can buy on the spot.
Of course, you will also find locally produced organic wine in Crete. Organic wine does not only save on chemicals. The wine also contains less concentration of sulphide compared to ordinary wines. Try wine tasting at the organic farm, Zoumberakis, which has been producing organic wine for generations. Or visit Manousakis Winery, an organic boutique winery with a focus on hand-produced wine. The Support is also a local school for children with disabilities.
Private Cooking Experiences At Bee Bee Kings
Bee Bee Kings is the name of three young boys’ cooking business. The special name comes from the fact that in addition to teaching you how to make real Greek food, they also produce honey. The woodworking sets keep bees and even produce honey, which they like to take you out to see. Try for example their organic honey with ten mian, which is a dark, liquid honey with a powerful and authentic taste.
You will be welcomed in the boys’ private and lush courtyard. To the tones of sun juice enshow, painting the cosy courtyard trees and plants in golden colours. This is where you should learn how to make zucchini, which is a form of squash falafel. Made exactly eft is a recipe from one of the founders’ grandmothers. You will also learn how to make tzatziki and a delicious stewed tomato. – Also like the grandmother usually makes them.
When you visit them, you not only help to support their startup business but also to contribute to the local economy, because the money is invested in their organic kitchen garden, where they pick up the ingredients for the cooking classes. You get all the experiences served right in the cosy courtyard, while you eat your fill in the Greek dishes you have prepared yourself. – Under the sharp assistance of the head chef, Nikos.