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Day 1 – Saturday: Meet Patricia and Anna at the Heraklion airport in Crete. A one-hour drive in a private van to Kritsa, one of Crete's oldest and most charming villages. After lunch and orientation, you'll have time to settle into your rooms. In the late afternoon, we'll show you around Kritsa. Our day ends with an early dinner in the village square. Overnight: Kritsa Village

Day 2 – Sunday: Morning drive into the mountains above Kritsa to the Katharo Plateau for a plant walk to introduce you to spring herbs and wildflowers. We'll picnic in an olive grove, where we'll also begin to share the history and ecology of Crete, the historical uses of herbs in Greece and a bit of Greek mythology. Late in the afternoon, return to the village, where you'll have free time to explore Kritsa. Overnight: Kritsa

Day 3 – Monday: Easy walk to Lato, an Iron Age archaeological site with dramatic views of the surrounding mountains and the sea. Along the way, we'll visit a friend's garden and commune with a 700-year-old olive tree.

In the late afternoon, a guided visit to a remarkable natural history museum that showcases the region's plants, their traditional uses, as well as fossils and other artifacts from all over the island. Overnight: Kritsa

Day 4 – Tuesday: Morning hike on a trail above Kritsa followed by a sumptuous lunch at one of the most innovative restaurants in Eastern Crete. Free evening for packing. Overnight: Kritsa

Day 5 – Wednesday: Morning departure for Vamos village. On our way, we'll visit Panagea Kera, a Byzantine church located on the outskirts of Kritsa, renowned for its vibrant frescoes. We'll also make a stop to tour Bioaroma, an essential oil distillery that specializes in native plants. Continuing to Vamos (about a 2.5-hour drive), you'll settle into a charming stone house. Early evening walk through Vamos and dinner. Overnight: Vamos

Day 6 - Thursday: Morning visit to nearby Lagos Farm, a permaculture herb farm that cultivates at-risk native herbs, for a plant walk, followed by lunch at the farm. Late afternoon return to Vamos. Evening on your own. Overnight: Vamos

Day 7 - Friday: Hands-on cooking workshop to learn about the wild greens that are a central part of traditional Cretan cuisine. Forage for greens and then learn to prepare several Cretan dishes, which you'll enjoy for lunch. A free evening to relax and pack for a morning departure. Overnight: Vamos

Day 8 – Saturday: Morning departure for Heraklion (1.5 hours) to meet our archaeological guide for a tour of Knossos, Europe's largest Neolithic archaeological site. This tour offers a fascinating insight into the Minoan civil-ization. Late afternoon, we will check into our hotel overlooking the sea. Overnight: Heraklion

Day 9 – Sunday: After breakfast at the hotel, we'll walk to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of the largest museums in Greece, featuring an extensive collection of Minoan artifacts, for a guided tour. Lunch at a seaside restaurant, followed by free time for shopping and exploring this lively metropolitan city. We'll gather in the evening for drinks, meze (small plates) and goodbyes. Pack for a morning departure. Overnight: Heraklion

Day 10 - Monday, May 12: Depart by taxi from the hotel to the Heraklion airport for your flight to Athens or wherever your travel plans take you.

Please note that we may make minor changes to the activities described in the itinerary as we get closer to May. 

Questions? Send us an email.