Free cooking lessons

Your chance to learn the secrets of Cretan and Greek cuisine and see how food is cooked and bread baked in a traditional clay oven. We will of course sample our culinary creations with a glass or two of Costa’s own wine!

Visit to a shepherd and cheese-making

On this excursion we will watch traditional Cretan cheese being produced up in the mountains. After, we will enjoy a barbeque together.

Fishing

Weather depending, we may hire a small fishing boat and spend an afternoon fishing in the peaceful waters close to the shore of Hersonissos. We will cook our catch afterwards, for example to make traditional fish soup that is famous among Greek fishermen.

Folk market

There is a large folk market in the island’s capital, Heraklion, every Saturday. Here, amidst the hustle and the bustle and the wonderful scent of the various produce, you will be sure to find plenty of bargains and interesting souvenirs.

Olive- picking

Depending on the time of year, we will go to see how olives are picked and join in for an hour. There is also the opportunity to visit an olive press, to see how Crete’s rich and healthy olive oil is made. If the olive season is over we may go to see another agricultural process.

Raki-making

On a small farm we will watch the traditional Cretan spirit Raki being distilled using traditional methods and enjoy a few glasses of the finished Raki with a meal.

Visits to archeological, historical and religious places

With Crete’s rich culture and history, there are many places to visit. In the local area for example, there are many monasteries, each with their interesting history and the Minoan palace at Malia. Further afield, we can visit the famous Knossos palace near Heraklion, the grave of the famous writer Nikos Kazanzakis and the historical museum, and the ancient Phaestos in the south. There will also be the chance for those who wish to attend a service at an Orthodox or Catholic Church.

Evening at a wedding or baptism party

This is the chance to see how Cretans celebrate, with live traditional music and dancing, and naturally, plenty of food and drink.

Walking on the mountains

Crete’s landscape is breathtaking and the best way to experience it is often on foot, so as to take in the magnificent views and to appreciate Crete’s natural beauty up close. We can take a gentle or more strenuous route, depending on the group’s preference and at the end of our walk we will enjoy a barbeque in the mountains. We may also have the opportunity for a donkey ride. Whilst in the mountains you will see the different herbs and plants growing wild, which constitute such an important part of our healthy Cretan diet. You can learn how all the plants we gather are used in one of Costa’s cooking methods.

Cycling

You may also enjoy Crete’s landscape on two wheels. For example, the Lassithi Plateau, 900 meters above sea level, makes for a for a fantastic cycle route, with plenty to see and places to stop en route. Those who wish may also hire bicycles individually to go cycling on the local roads, which are very quiet in the winter months.

Visit to a pottery

This excursion will take us to the village of Thrapsano to see a traditional kiln and clay throwing. You will also have the chance to try your hand at this Cretan art and to buy some of the potter’s beautiful work as a memento.

Visit to folk music museum

In the village of this unusual museum has been established by an Irishman, Ross Day, who specializes in Cretan folk music and is famous on the island.

Golf

For those who enjoy playing a few rounds, Crete’s only golf course, reputedly the best of its kind in Greece, is just 5 kilometers away.

All excursions and activities are subject to weather conditions and availability. As a group we will decide on a day-to-day basis what to do and agree the price. All the activities are of course optional and those who prefer may relax and enjoy their time as they choose.

There is the option to hire a car separately, for those wanting to explore Crete on their own.

Other ideas and suggestions for excursions and activities are always welcome and we may able to arrange them accordingly, for example, a visit to see some weaving, or to an embroidery workshop.

All activities are charged extra.