Welcome to the meeting point of different peoples, to the crucible of ancient and heterogeneous cultures from East and West throughout the centuries! It is here that natural and human features create a living myth of an unrivalled beauty through time. Welcome to Crete! Your acquaintance with this island does not have to do only with the hot summer and the cool sea... The acquaintance with Crete is primarily getting to know the roots of Europe, but Crete is also a place, where the diversity of expression of the eternal nature and of humans, the traditional sectors of production and the modern infrastructures for developing new technologies, coexist dynamically.

CRETE! Due to its geomorphology and the endless alternations of its landscape (sea, mountains, plains), its high massifs, its luxuriant fauna and flora, it is deemed to be a much favoured region for the development of alternative forms of tourism. It is an oasis for all adventurers and nature lovers! DISCOVER IT!

The alternatives for wandering on the wild side of Cretan nature are very interesting in spring, when the nature blossoms, as well as in the summer... There are routes to follow for walking and climbing, there are caves to explore, rocks to climb, gorges to go through and an abundant fauna and flora… all those are a huge field of research...

Those alternative forms of tourism are offered to you in many forms:
1. Walking tours on the Cretan massifs and through their natural paths
2. Cave explorations
3. Wandering through the gorges
4. Walking tours in the secret woods of oak-trees, pine-trees and cypresses.

Crete has been characterized as a mountainous region, since its high mountains are features that make up its particular geomorphology. The island’s major massifs are Psiloritis (or Idi), with its highest peak called Spathi Madaras. Another feature of its geomorphology is the numerous plateaus, some of those fertile and densely populated. The Lassithi plateau is considered as the most important among them. Moreover, the gorges sloping down the island vertically are also another part of Crete’s particular character.
On the basis of statistical data, the number of gorges per prefecture is as follows:
• Prefecture of Heraklion 22 gorges, Prefecture of Lassithi 18 gorges
• Prefecture of Rethymno 26 gorges, Prefecture of Chania 40 gorges

Crete is also popular for its large number of caves, which are strongly associated with the island’s history and culture. As an indicator, the number of caves per prefecture is: Prefecture of Heraklion 683 caves, Prefecture of Lassithi 574 caves, Prefecture of Rethymno 676 caves, Prefecture of Chania 926 caves.

As far as vegetation is concerned, it will enchant you, since there is an incredible diversity of plant species here: there are about 2000 different species of wild herbs and flowers, many of which are indigenous of Crete. Besides, one more feature that has made a reputation of Crete worldwide is its woods of pine-trees, chestnut-trees and cypresses, as well as its palm-trees forests (Vai, Preveli), or cedar-trees woods (Gavdos, Chrissi). In addition there are rare herbs and scented bushes that grow in abundance on the rocky places and steep mountain peaks: laudanum, dittany or ‘erontas’, prickly brooms, savory.

The island is also proud of its interesting fauna. A characteristic animal species, which is singular in its kind and cannot be met anywhere else in the world, is the Cretan wild goat (aegagrus or ‘kri-kri’). This used to be a sacred animal; an eternal symbol of the ancient times with its habitat situated in the gorge of Samaria. There are also other species such as the badger, the weasel, the wild cat, the ‘zourida’ and the ‘arkalos’. In the aquatic habitats of Geropotamos and Preveli the fauna and flora is very interesting. The rare palm species Palmex Thophrasts grows in Preveli. As for the exquisite Cretan dittany, it is in the wild gorges where it grows in abundance, along with other aromatic herbs of Crete.

It is obvious that Cretans have cared for the exploitation and the appropriate preservation of their ecosystems, as well as for their other natural beauties. So, do not hesitate to undertake one of those adventurous tours in the forests, gorges and caves of Crete. Do not hesitate to transform in little Tom Soggiers; surrender to the magic of nature while you enjoy your stay in a village of alternative tourism, in a holiday farm, in a fishing-village or in one of the traditional settlements.

Whatever you may choose for your stay on the island, one is certain: you will not need to search for a room, since Crete puts a large number of alternative tourist facilities. There is no doubt that your stay in one of those places will be an extraordinary experience, since you are given the chance to be as a family with the natives, to feel the unrivalled Cretan hospitality, the culture and the magnificence of the island’s tradition…