• Who is this holiday for? Suitable for couples and singles wishing to explore rural Crete on foot
• When to go? Walks operate in Spring and Autumn
• Price? From £480 per person
• Type of Holiday? Walking and yoga holiday in rural Crete

To make a reservation or for further information email enquiries@westcreteholidays.com

What better way to discover the enchanting Greek island of Crete than with a walking and yoga holiday. Your hosts David and Juliet have created the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation to provide you with a wonderful yoga holiday that will leave you feeling relaxed and energised.

David, your host and walks leader, has lived in the beautiful area of West Crete for 13 years and has come to know it very well. For your walking week he selects a variety of easy grade walks to showcase just how lovely it is. The walks are a minimum of four hours per day, arranged so that there is always a taverna or a picnic at the end of the walk. Walks from May onwards include the famous Samaria Gorge, which is an all day expedition with a boat trip along the dramatic south coast where the mountains come down to the sea. On other days you will find that there are shorter and less busy gorges where you might want to look at wild flowers, griffon vultures and eagles or just admire the view. There are also ridge walks, plus one or two expeditions along quiet stretches of scenic coastline.

Falasarna sunset

Nopigia coast walk

Deliana gorge

Yoga in Crete

At selected times throughout the year, Juliet teaches morning Yoga classes to compliment the walks. A resident Sivananda trained teacher who has studied the Iyengar and Viniyoga styles, Juliet also incorporates meditation into the daily two-hour classes.

The west of Crete is a step back in time with ruins from the Minoan period, through the Greek City State period and Roman times and then to Venetian occupation. Clear evidence still exists in the countryside of this turbulent history right up to World War II. Kastelli, the local town also has a wonderful archaeological museum where you will find excavated items from places you visit. The air is clean, the area unspoiled and the people are open and friendly. You can often pick fruit while walking, warm from the sun. There’s time for the beach and a day trip to Chania or a self guided walk as you have one free day in the week.

You travel to Crete on a Tuesday with the first walk being on the Wednesday. Below is a typical one week programme, but each week will be different depending on the weather and the group.

• Wednesday – Deliana Gorge, up gorge, view church, view gorge from rim, long views to sea and to neighbouring gorges, see Venetian church with frescoes in Deliana village then taverna.

• Thursday – Melissourgio village, along spine of Rodopos peninsula with long views along coast both east and west, Ravdoucha village and Agia Marina church, coast path to Nopigia. Option to swim off the rocks.

• Friday – All day expedition to Samaria Gorge, sea trip to Palaeohora and return.

• Saturday – Later start after the Samaria trip. Vlatos, Milia – a unique reconstructed eco village- stop for lunch in their excellent restaurant, descend through chestnut woodland to small gorge, then ridge walk to Voulgaro.

• Sunday – Sirikari Gorge, lunch at Polyrhinia, up hill to see vista of district and archaeological remains (mainly Roman and Venetian) and walk down to Kastelli. Option to swim at Mavro Molo beach Kastelli.

• Monday – Mouri village, Mouri Gorge, Levandies peak (panoramic view of area), down to Katsamatados village and taverna by river with hammocks. Short expedition to Agia Sophia cave and return through Topolia Gorge.

• Tuesday – A free day.

This programme can be varied according to the weather and the wishes of the group. For example, a round walk of Spilia to see churches including a couple of cave churches, or over the Gramvousa peninsula to Falassarna beach including seeing a remote monastery and Falassarna city state archaeological site, or a round walk at Latziana with panoramic views, charcoal burners and Agia Barbara church with temple ruins. And there are lots more!

Your stay is in attractive and comfortable ensuite twin/double rooms with private balconies or gardens. Stafilia House is villa style accommodation set in the village of Potamida in easy walking distance of mountains and coast. It was built in 1996 to a high specification using features from a ruin in the garden and with custom designed furniture and fittings.

Stafilia House is divided into two:

• Stafilia Apartment has one double/twin bedroom, a fitted kitchen, dining and lounge area. Here, the sofa easily converts for night use into a single/double bed. Outside is a shaded patio and garden. The toilet/shower room is equally accessible from both rooms.

• Stafilia Studio has a lovely dining and sitting room with integral kitchen and double bedroom and a toilet /shower room adjoins. There is space for an additional single bed or cot if required.

Food is vegetarian and catering for special diets is a specialty. One evening meal is included during the week and other dinners can be taken at a range of local taverna’s or can be cooked for you. Whatever you choose to do you will find that the hospitality sets this apart from other walking holidays – they really do take care of you. Both your hosts David and Juliet are therapists and should you want support with your health or to simply enjoy an aromatherapy massage – you can do just that.

Relax on the beach

Polyrhinnia view

Byzantine church

Walking in Crete

Dates of 2010 programme

2010 dates to be published soon.

Costs per person excluding flights

7 nights – £480 per person
14 nights – £910 per person

Rates are for a twin room and if travelling alone you will be matched with a same sex roommate. If you would like a guaranteed single room it is possible to pay a single supplement. This costs an extra £120 per week. To avoid this, why not bring a friend? Our experience is that friendships are often made by sharing.

Non walking participants are also welcome

7 nights – £380 if sharing with a walker
14 nights – £760 if sharing with a walker
Please contact us for child prices

Flights

We do not sell flights but can give advice on the best options and times.

The price includes the following features:
Taxi transfers to and from Chania airport (Heraklion airport transfers are an additional £70 each way with up to 3 people sharing)
Accommodation at the Old Olive Mill
A welcome pack of teas, coffee and biscuits on arrival
Breakfast including home made jams, fresh orange juice and local yoghurt
A daily walk
One delicious evening meal
Morning yoga if taking a yoga and walking week
An information pack on the local area and Greek language

The price does not include the following:
Flights
Treatment or massage (50 euro)
Travel insurance
Expenses of a personal nature

When to go?
Given its geographical position at the southern-most end of Greece, it’s not surprising that Crete shares the same amount of sunshine as Cyprus, that’s an incredible 300 days a year. The winters are mild and damp and the summers long, with gradually ascending temperatures. The warm weather starts early in the year and stretches well into the middle of autumn. The dates of the walks have been carefully chosen to be comfortable but not too hot.

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