Agritourism activities
The Harvest
The last days of summer mark the beginning of the harvest and in Crete they are days of joy and celebration. After the 15th of August the process begins, usually with the harvesting of Sultanina grapes and other early ripening varieties, while in September or “Trygiti” it culminates to the harvesting of the wine grapes.
In the old days, everyone participated in this celebration. Nowadays, despite everything being automated in large wineries, many wineries or agritourism units offer the traditional experience to their visitors.
Rakokazana
Tsikoudia or raki is inextricably intertwined with the Cretan culture and is one of the main features of the famous Cretan hospitality.
It is the traditional treat, a welcoming gesture, but it is also considered medicine… for every disease.
In autumn, when the rakokazana are opened, the days are festive and everyone can find a place around the permanently laid table, consisting of plenty of tidbits, sometimes humble like walnuts, pomegranates, nuts, olives etc. and other times sumptuous like apaki, sausages, pilafi, cheese and snails.
Wild greens
The Cretan countryside has many hidden treasures and some of them are its wild greens, with their abundant nutrients and rich taste.
In organised walking routes, participants in related activities have the opportunity to get to know and learn to recognise the wild edible greens of the Cretan land and to use them in various recipes, boiled or fried, in kalitsounia, pies, etc.
Cheese factories
The visitable cheese factories of Crete give visitors the opportunity to learn how some of the most famous and beloved local cheeses are produced, such as graviera, mizithra, anthotyros, etc.
Through organised excursions, there is also the possibility to visit traditional mitata in the White Mountains and the highest parts of Mount Ida, where the authentic heart of Crete beats.
There, visitors can experience the life of a shepherd, see how the milking, feeding or shearing of the sheep is done, and undoubtably, the production of Cretan cheese.