Crete is a very diverse Greek island that can offer much more than its stunning beaches and vibrant cities. For these who seek adventurous vacation and special cultural experience, agrotourism in Crete is a unique opportunity to delve into the island’s secrets, agricultural traditions and the rural lifestyle. The island’s agrotourism options are plentiful and enriching – from the participation in olive harvesting and cheese making to be involved in traditional agricultural activities. And for those who love comfort and prefer luxurious vacations, staying in a villa surrounded by nature is the perfect base to be able to explore all these adventures.
The traditional Cretan farm life is the experience which visitors can firsthand explore. There are many traditional farms and estates that open their doors to visitors, offering immersive experiences amid nature. In the farms you can have access to organic gardens, olive groves and vineyards, offering to the guests the opportunity to connect with the land. Located in the village of Kritsa, one of the oldest Cretan village, you can find the Kritsa Olive Mill where you can enjoy an insightful tour to the world of the olive oil production. There you can walk through a variety of centuries-old olive groves, learn the making process from the experts and of course participate in the harvesting of them, once you visit them the right season. Another experience is the olive oil tasting, where visitors can taste a large variety of olive oils and explore the health benefits of them. Staying in a nearby villa can offer you the tranquility of the region along with an easy access to this unique experience.
The cornerstone of agrotourism is the participation in agricultural activities, where the visitors can understand and appreciate the labor and love that go into the production of the island’s most cherished products. Living in a villa provides you the comfortable retreat after a long day of engaging activities. Crete is also the home of a large variety of vineyards and wineries, as the winemaking tradition dates back thousands of years in the island. During the grape harvest season, from August to October, visitors can join the harvesting process. Of course, wineries offer tours both through the vineyards and to the wine cellars and also have tasting sessions. One of the most popular wineries in Greece, named Boutari Winery, is located in Crete. There visitors can learn for the whole winemaking process – from the grapes to the bottle and taste a large variety of Cretan wines. After such a long day, visitors can relax in their villa and enjoy the scenery with a glass of a local wine.
Another popular agricultural activity is cheese making. Cretan cheese is globally popular, especially mizithra and graviera, for its unique flavors. Living in the Cretan mountains, shepherds still produce cheese with the traditional, old-aged methods. Such agrotourism farms offer cheese-making workshops where visitors can enjoy, and why not, participate in the process. These workshops delve into the cheese art production from the milking to the aging.
Other activities are considered the Cretan cooking classes and dining nights in farms. There you cannot miss tasting tsikoudia, the traditional Cretan sprit, carefully distilled from grape pomace. After completing this gastronomical journey, you have to wander in the Cretan villages where you can watch local women weaving intricate patterns and of course purchase the ones that you mostly liked. You should make a final stop to experience the pottery art that is dating back to Minoan civilization.
In a nutshell, agrotourism in Crete offers a unique experience providing unconventional vacation that can be combined with luxury staying. It allows you to delve into the local rural life simply by enjoying the natural tranquility. My Creta Villas can offer you a variety of luxury and traditional properties and provide a memorable journey.
