There are two local festivals celebrated in the summer – the Feast of Christ and the Feast of the Pastor. The bones of small ancient hippopotami have been found on the plateau. They are preserved in the museum of Agios Nikolaos. Electricity on the plateau is produced by solar panels.

Selakano Forest

The forest of Selekano is one of the most important ecosystems in Crete. It is part of the Natura 2000 programme. The pine forest is 35km. northwest of Ierapetra and extends to Mount Dikti. The flora and fauna are wonderful, with rare trees and wild birds.

In the region known as Mellisokipos (honey garden), bees have created a whole world of their own! It is the area of the greatest production of honey on the whole island.

Sarakina’s Gorge

It is a small gorge located near the village of Mythos, 22 km west of Ierapetra, in the southeast foot of Mount Dikti. Its length reaches 1.5 km. The width ranges from 10 to 3 meters and its walls reach a height of 150 m. Features despite the compact size, giving the landscape particularly impressive appearance. For the descent requires one hour of hiking and its output to the wide riverbed,which after a few kilometers flows into the seaside village of Mirtos.

In bed almost all year rolls the Kryopotamos, who allows his passing with only summer walk, the natural environment in the bed is magical. During passage of the visitor will meet rich vegetation of big trees, oleanders, myrtles and wickers and ponds and waterfalls that will need to cross with some caution.

Mirtos

The name of the village of Mirtos in Lassithi province comes from the blueberries in the area and the wonderful smell produced by the bakeries using them. It is in area full of banana trees, near the banks of the river Krio.

It is located 15 km. from Ierapetra and is the southernmost beach in Europe. It is well developed in terms of tourism. There is a museum in the village.

Gournia Palace

Gournia is a Minoan palace complex located near Pahia Ammos. It was excavated in the early 20th century by the American archaeologist Harriet Boyd - Hawes. The ancient settlement dating from the Late Minoan I period ( 1550-1450 BC ) and preserved in good condition , so called " Pompeii of Minoan Crete ".

The present archaeological site gives a picture of the daily life of the Minoans, who were engaged in fishing, agriculture, animal husbandry and pottery.

Tour Price
82,00€
* Discounts for groups & children

Highlights!

During passage of the visitor inSarakina Gorge will meet rich vegetation of big trees, oleanders, myrtles and wickers and ponds and waterfalls that will need to cross with some caution.

Price includes

Pickup from Hotel
Experienced drivers
Fuel and insurance
Traditional cretan lunch
Unlimited wine

Price does not include

Entrance to museums
Entrance to churches
Entrance to caves

Pickup Points

Ierapetra

Istron

Ag.Nikolaos

Elounda - Plaka
Sisi - Malia
Stalida
Hersonissos
Anissaras
Gouves
Kokkini Hani

<p>Monastery of Panagia Faneromeni

One of the greatest historical monasteries of Crete, the Monastery of Faneromeni is built into a hillside at an altitude of 450 m over the Minoan city of Gournia. That is why it is widely known as the Notre Dame Goyrniwn. The year of Foundation is not known, but probably the original building is of 961-1204. Later, fortress-style extensions were made with architecture that harks to the 16th century.

The Church is built inside a cave and is dedicated to the Dormition of the Theotokos and and Zoodochos Pigi and within the church there is a fountain that spurts holy water. Here, according to tradition, a shepherd found a picture of the Virgin Mary and therefore the Monastery was called Faneromeni.

Archeological site of Gournia

On the low Hill in Gulf Cove Gournia Merabellos, d. from Pacheia Sand, beside the road to ierapetra-Sitia, has anaskaftei a Minoan town with a small Palace, by H. Boyd of American archaeological Mission in 1901-1904. Additional investigations in cemeteries made by Mr Dabaras in 1972.

Is more fully excavated Minoan residential complex. Roads and regional aktinwtoi ensure the movement in all areas of the small town. The surviving parts of the houses are on the ground floor have small spaces.

The most great rooms were upstairs. The houses were arranged in banded and a hillside. It was fitted with various facilities for craft activities. for craft activities. On top of the Hill in the Centre of the small town was the Palace of the toparchi. South from this square was seen shopping for residents of the Township. The small Palace mimics some of the major items, such as theconstruction with large pelekito ...

Town of Sitia

Sitia, a coastal town of about 9500 inhabitants, is built on the eastern part of the northern coast of Crete, before the Iron Cape. Capital of Sitia, has given its name to the bay, stretching her legs. It is known from the time of the Minoansn inhabited both the Classical period and the Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine, Venetian and Ottoman period.

It is 129 km from Heraklion, 64 km from Agios Nikolaos and 61 from Ierapetra. Near it, the east, 19 km, is the Palekastro with exceptional beauty and significant ecological interest Vai palm grove and very important archaeological sites. In Petra, in the east, there are excavations of a part of the ancient settlement.

Under the Venetian occupation the town of Sitia was destroyed three times. In 1508 a terrible earthquake in 1538 by pirates and in 1651 by the Venetians not to fall into the hands of the Turks. For two centuries Sitia there was like a city until 1869. The current city was built in 1870.

Both the region of Sitia, and the rest of the province has great natural beauty, which not only protected but also emerge: charming and clean beaches (Sitia gets a blue flag even next to the port), rugged terrain with hills, mountains, small plateaus, canyons, caves, plains, small islands and islets, coves, small wetlands and a variety of mostly plant and animal wealth. Besides, it should not be considered entirely surprising that the ancient inhabitants of the earth Tut thought to adopt a law, sacred, which protected forests, which belonged to the temple of Zeus Dikteon (Palekastro area), prohibiting the cutting of trees.

The ecological profile of the region is complemented by high-tech applications. Due to the frequent winds, developed in recent years investment in producing 'clean' energy by building four wind farms. From the summer of 2001 works and sewage treatment in the city.

Visitors have the opportunity to enjoy not only the natural environment but also the hospitality of the locals and their cultural and cultural tradition, evident in every corner of Sitia. Let us not forget that it is home of Myson, of one of the seven sages of antiquity and the poet of Erotokritos, Vitsentzou Cornaro. Prehistoric and historic monuments are scattered throughout the region and give special color to the lives of the locals.

The city has a port and coastal connection with Piraeus and Milos on an almost daily basis, while for Kasos, Karpathos and Rhodes three twice a week. It also has a small airport (which a few months completes the expansion) with two aviation flights a week from and to Athens. 

Monastery of Toplou

After several attempts of restoration and renovation of the monastery, today Toplou has become one of the Cretan monasteries with great interest that it is worth making the long trip to visit. Toplou Monastery is the only monastery that is saved from the many large and small that once were in the region of Sitia and destroyed by wars and raids. The abbot of the monastery, has been active to organize and highlight the monastery. He founded Museum Etching and Greek Folk Engravings made of monks of Mount Athos in the 18th and 19th centuries. The monks impressed with their art images of everyday life so faithfully, as if using camera.

In Toplou saved images from the 15th century, along with other newer, have great visual interest because showing the stages of growth and development of Istanbul's painting school, which affected the Cretan Art. The value of the images of the Monastery of Toplou is priceless, but also indicative of truly impressive level of education of the monks of the monastery. Some of the unique images that can be seen today in the monastery are the works of John Cornaro, the picture 'Great et Sir' and marvelous are Your works "of 1770, the picture" Rose in amaranth of 1771 and Anastasia of Sirmium .

In Toplou, besides the glorious images also exhibited Ecclesiastical Art objects such Gospels, silver-gold- plated crosses, Archbishops, Sultan, seals, revolutionary banners, vestments and others. The dining room of the monastery has been painted by Manolis Beteinaki while in the courtyard of the monastery there is a recent sculpture monument by sculptor Manolis Tzobanaki.

Also in front of the universal (the main church of the monastery) you will see the sign of "Arbitration of magnets", which describes the friction of the ancient city Itanos in Ierapetra Island Vitiligo (Koufonisi), which was a very important sponge fishing station and shells in ancient Crete.

Organic oil and wine Toplou

The monastery has four monks today, but has great wealth and influence in the region. The charismatic and creative of Abbot brought new life to the Monastery of Toplou, which in recent decades producing excellent organic products, such as wine, olive oil and raki, bearing the name "Toplou" and may be purchased by visiting the monastery.

Especially for wine, bottled 30,000 bottles of white and as many red wine with delicate flavor and soft, sweet taste.

Vai palm beach

The visit to Vai must if you are in Crete, especially in the east. It's a beach that will remind you of a tropical palm and small island in the middle of the bay. The palm Vai today occupies an area of ​​about 250 acres and is the largest palm grove in Europe. You will hear stories that try to justify the existence of palm trees in Crete:

1. According to the most common history, Arabs pirates once came here with their ships, ate the dates they had brought with them and threw stones in the soil. From these dates are said to have grown about 6000 palm trees, of which some 4,500 are currently.

2. A different story mentions that the forest was created in a similar way not by Arab pirates but by Phoenician sailors who colonized this region in Crete.

Forget these stories because scientists have proven today that the palm trees of Vai are endemic and belong to the species Phoenix Theophrasti. Phoenicians were in Crete since ancient times, which show the historical sources, such as the writings of Pliny. The name of the region, Vai comes from the Greek word "palm" which is the name for the palm trees. Regardless of the cause of birth of palm, it is certain that the trees have found Vai an ideal spot development, the climate in the area is hot and dry. The point is the beach and the forest in Vai of interest and in terms of biodiversity, as many migratory birds stop here on their journey to and from Africa.

The forest at Vai protected by the Forest Service, the European Union and the relevant contracts. It is characterized as "Aesthetic Forest", one of 19 in Greece, as "specially protected area" in accordance with Protocol 4 of the Barcelona Convention for protected areas in the Mediterranean. Vai prohibited camping and campgrounds, as well as fires or any other activity may endanger the environment, flora and fauna of the beach. The beach at Vai is sandy with fine golden sand and pebbles in the north end. You can leave your car in the parking lot behind the forest, which costs 2.5 million (2009 prices).

The beach is located 200 meters from the parking space and is fenced, like the forest, in an effort to protect the area. It is well organized and has sun loungers, umbrellas, and wooden paths for walking one comfortably to the beach. The rent umbrellas and deck chairs cost 6 euro, but the palm trees offer free shade to anyone he could stretch out his towel underneath.

Naturally such a popular place as Vai, receives thousands of visitors every summer. Those visiting in July and August should be prepared for the crowds you meet. Conversely, those who visit the site at the beginning or end of the tourist season will love the landscape and the sea more. On the side of the beach, to the stairs leading to the observatory is a restaurant and a cafe with chairs and tables inside a beautiful plateau between the palm trees.

The cafeteria is the only operating near the beach and despite the fact that essentially has a monopoly, prices are normal for Crete. On the beach there are also toilets and facilities for outdoor showers, if you're going to wash the salt from the sea.

Vai is possible to do water sports such as banana, jet ski, wakeboard and more. If you are willing to walk a bit, you can climb the stairs to the side of the beach and go to the observatory, where you have panoramic views across the area and the beautiful palm grove of Vai. From the observatory you can take great photos, but also to see the small neighboring beach is within 5 minutes walking north of Vai.

If you decide to walk into the palm you will see - if you're lucky - a small lake formed by rainwater among the palm trees. This phenomenon is more frequent in early summer or September

Palekastro Village

Palekastro located 18 km east of Sitia. Administratively, belongs in Lasithi and is the capital of Itanos municipality with a population of 1,300 inhabitants. In the region of Palekastro are archaeological and historical sites. Especially famous is the rare palm forest Vai, located 7 km from the village.

Tour Price
95,00€
* Discounts for groups & children

Highlights!

In Toplou saved images from the 15th century, along with other newer, have great visual interest because showing the stages of growth and development of Istanbul's painting school, which affected the Cretan Art.

Vai is a beach that will remind you of a tropical palm and small island in the middle of the bay. The palm Vai today occupies an area of ​​about 250 acres and is the largest palm grove in Europe.

Price includes

Pickup from Hotel
Experienced drivers
Fuel and insurance
Traditional cretan lunch
Unlimited wine

Price does not include

Entrance to museums
Entrance to churches
Entrance to caves

Pickup Points

Ierapetra
Istron
Ag.Nikolaos
Elounda - Plaka
Sisi - Malia
Stalida
Hersonissos
Anissaras
Gouves
Kokkini Hani

Sungen Village "Sfentili" 

"Sfentili" village in Crete is located in the 37th klm of road Heraklion - Lasithi and found inside the water reservoir of the Aposelemis dam, resulting in the first houses have already begun to dip in the Lake.

When in 1577created the settlement of Sfentyliou nobody could predict his fate. A village that has withstood the passage of conquerors, but it seems not withstand the passage of evolution and progress ... Found in the dam water reservoir Aposelemis and already have begun to sink into the lake the first houses that are lower.

Krasi Village - Plane Tree

Κrasi is a village, at an altitude of 600 metres above sea level in the Northwestern foothills of Mount Selena, which has an altitude of 1559 m, at a distance of 46.3 klm. from the city of Heraklion.

The main occupation of the inhabitants is olive growing and livestock. At the highest point of the village is the "great fountain", a source with abundant water, which irrigate a large area, with lots of fruit trees, especially walnut.

Krasi taps are one of the nicest water complexes in Crete. Near the source is huge plane tree with a trunk circumference of 24 metres and extensive dims square where the accommodation during the summer months are pleasant and organized social events. The plane is known for its size and for the age of which is estimated by the residents is over a thousand years, between 1.800 and 2.000 years.

Diktaio Andron cave

Diktaio Andron cave is located on the north side of the Dikti mountain in Crete over the village in the municipality of “Psichro” Plateau Crete, at an altitude of 1020 meters. It is considered the most important internationally known caves, with large mythological and archaeological interest.

There Rea, concealed from the fury of Cronos begat Zeus. The cave has garnered the interest of Greek and foreign archaeologists crowd that occasionally have excavated its interior. Findings Neolithic, Minoan, Late Minoan, Geometric, Archaic, Classical, Hellenistic and Roman show its continuous use by humans, mainly for religious. The cave has an area of ​​2,200 square meters and can be visited. The total length of the tourist route is 250 m.

Inside there is rich decoration of stalactites, stalagmites, Diktaio Andron is the cave in which he fled Rea to give birth to the future father of the gods Zeus, fear and Saturn devoured and this son who would give birth (there was an oracle saying that Saturn will be killed by his son and thereby Saturn protect himself). But Rea tricked him and, instead of the baby, gave him a rock wrapped in baby diapers. Then left him there to Zeus in the Dikteon raise Curetes, secretly from his father.

Also, in the ancient sources, the Diktaio Andro: The Aghiali nymph gave birth to Idaean ring Minos came every nine years, or at any other time, and met his father Zeus to the dictates of the wise Zeus under a plane tree consummated love with Europe which had abducted from Phoenocia. He fell asleep for too many years the sage, prophet and soothsayer Epimenidi.

Katharo Plateau

Κatharo is the plateau of Lassithi, located at an altitude of 1200 meters and is located 16 km from Kritsa and 12 km from the plateau of Lassithi. Mainly inhabited in summer by shepherds who bring their flocks to the plateau by the end of May and live there until the end of November. The electricity generated only from generators and photovoltaic systems. The winter snowfalls are common.

Every August we have two local celebrations: on August 6th celebration of Lord Christ and "the shepherd's feast". In this area they have found bones that indicate a small-sized hippopotamus today rescued some of them.

Kritsa Village

Kritsa is a village located in Lasithi and is built at the foot of Kastellos mountain at an altitude of about 365 meters. In the village live about 1,300 inhabitants inventoried. It is one of the oldest villages of Crete and retain significantly more intact its old architectural physiognomy

Tour Price
79,00€
* Discounts for groups & children

Highlights!

Diktaio Andron cave is located on the north side of the Dikti mountain in Crete over the village in the municipality of “Psichro” Plateau Crete, at an altitude of 1020 meters.

It is considered the most important internationally known caves, with large mythological and archaeological interest.

Price includes

Pickup from Hotel
Experienced drivers
Fuel and insurance
Traditional cretan lunch
Unlimited wine

Price does not include

Entrance to museums
Entrance to churches
Entrance to caves

Pickup Points

Ierapetra
Istron
Ag.Nikolaos
Elounda - Plaka
Sisi - Malia
Stalida
Hersonissos
Anissaras
Gouves
Kokkini Hani