Heart of the island : Geopark, Village life, Cave, Food & Honey

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  UNESKO site: The Waters of Life: Almyros Wetland. We begin where fresh water rises from the heart of the island. The karstic spring of Almyros is one of the most important natural ecosystems in Crete and a protected site. Here we introduce travelers to: • The sacred role of water in Minoan spirituality • The geological mystery of the spring • Wetlands as life sources for ancient settlements This first stop sets the tone: nature is sacred in Crete

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 2

  UNSESKO SITE :The name of the place means "sunken threshing floor" in the local dialect, and it is a crater. Travelers learn about: • Ancient beliefs connected to earth openings and underworld symbolism • Natural formations considered sacred places • The relationship between Minoan religion and landscape

  10 minutes • Admission ticket included
• 3

  Gonies is a mountain village on the Filiorimo hill of Psiloritis, about 26 km from Heraklion, at an altitude of 620 m with around 325 residents. The area has a long history, with evidence of settlement from the Neolithic era to Roman times. A Minoan sanctuary was discovered on the hilltop, and the Minoan Palace of Sklavokampos was found near the village. Historically, Gonies is recorded from 1301 and became known for resisting Ottoman rule; the village was destroyed several times, and 74 residents were killed in 1830 at the Evdomos plateau. During the Cretan Revolution of 1866, it served as the base of the Eastern Crete Committee.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4

  UNESCO SITE :Nappes of Gonies– On the hills around Gonia village almost the entire geological structure of Crete is represented. The rocks appear in clusters, one above the other, forming what are called nappes in geology. You can observe this phenomenon from above, 1.5km behind Gonies. You can see the following rocks from bottom up: ophiolithic rocks (O) with burgundy and green elements, lavas of the Arvi napper and clay sediments of the Vatos napper (V). Next to an old windmill there are rocks of Pindos as follows: sandstone and clay flysch with radiolarites, platy limestone and red cherts (Pr). The boundary between the rocks of Pindus and the deeper rocks of Tripoli is a distinct rift. The flysch of the Tripoli zone reaches the first col of the mountain. This is where the limestones of Tripoli begin. A dirt road reaches the plateau of Evdomos that was formed by the faults of the rocks of Tripoli.

  10 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5

  Honey bee farm tour and tatsting in Filiorimos. Here begins the story of bees and the Minoan priestesses. We explore the myth of Pasiphaë and the sacred priestesses called Melissae, whose name means bees. In Minoan belief, bees symbolized: • fertility • divine order • connection between humans and gods • the soul and rebirth Honey Tasting at the Source — Filerimos Peak At a local honey farm near the peak of the island’s center we taste award-winning organic honey produced from the wild flora of Crete. Experience: • Honey tasting directly from the source • Learning about medicinal mountain plants • Understanding the role of bees in ancient Crete and today

  1 hour • Admission ticket free
• 6
  Cave Of Zeus

  We continue to one of the most sacred caves of the Minoan world, associated with the myths of Pasiphae and the ancient cults of the island. Visitors discover:• The myth of the Idaion Dactyloi and the Kouretes, ancient mythical beings connected with the birth of a new god. This is where mythology, archaeology, and landscape become one. • Archaeological findings uncovered after excavations • Ritual objects and offerings from the Minoan era

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7

  The Cretan God of Love & Art In Anogeia we also explore the cultural legacy of Loudovikos ton Anogeion, a unique artist who has dedicated his life to collecting old Cretan poems and songs and expressing the simplicity and beauty of Cretan life through music and painting. His philosophy reflects the deeper side of Crete: • love • memory • poetry • the soul of the mountains Saint Hyacinth the Cretan love God High in the mountains stands a special place known as the Temple of Love. This sanctuary symbolizes: • harmony between humans and nature • ancient traditions revived in modern Crete • spiritual gatherings in the mountains

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 8

  The Food of Survival — The Mountain Table During the experience we taste foods that kept Cretans alive during occupations and difficult years: • mountain herbs • wild greens • goat and sheep products • honey • olive oil • bread baked the traditional way This is not restaurant food — this is the food of resilience.

  1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 9

  Final Stop — The Legacy of a Cretan Legend Nikos Xylouris Museum We close our journey with the story of Nikos Xylouris, one of the greatest voices of Crete. • How music became a symbol of resistance • The cultural power of Cretan identity • Why songs about freedom still live in the mountains

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

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