Hiking Adventure with a Local Lunch
Your hiking adventure will start approximately 2 km from Spili village, at a location near the foothill of Kedros and at an altitude of 450m. There is a fountain there where travelers can have a sip of water before they begin their walk up and along the hill.
Follow a path that is fringed with wild olive trees, holm oak trees, hollies, and a wide variety of plant and wildlife. Pass by beehives where you can see how the locals breed their bees and collect honey, and at the end of this path, reach the dirt road that heads toward Kissos village.
Continue along this path, admiring more wildlife before entering Vatolakus woods, an area of approx. 600 acres created in 1985 by the Forest Department of Rethymno.
It is a wonderful forest with a variety of flora with trees such as Pine, Cypress, Akakies and wildlife. The path here is quite steep and ends on the road to the plateau.
Cross the gorge of Kissos and the imposing rock of “Red Detis”, where many wild birds gather such falcon, hawks and vultures. There you’ll find a natural “clock” visible, where locals can tell the time by looking at it from above.
Follow the road across “Gious Kampos”, located in the northwestern part of Mount Kentros between Spili, Kissos and Gerakari village, with good road access from all three villages. At an altitude of about 800m, it is considered a paradise for botanists and is visited by many to study the rich flora, especially the many orchid species.
Head back towards Kissos village, and on a small detour visit the Monastery of the Holy Spirit, an important religious pilgrimage of Rethymnon.
End your adventure at the historic village of Kissos, one of the highest villages in the Rethymno prefecture. After your hiking adventure is over, it is only logical that you will have built up an appetite. Head towards Vatos Village (10 minutes drive) and to Cretan Spiti, where the owner will create a unique family atmosphere.
Your hostess will share some stories about Cretan culture and history and make you feel more as if you are visiting close relatives or friends, rather than strangers you have just met.
Lunch will be served with dishes made with authentic Cretan ingredients such as olive oil, vegetables, cheese, meat, wine… and of course all the ingredients are fresh and local. The experience will come to an end at approx. 16:00hrs.
Accommodation
Rimondi Luxury Boutique Hotel or similar
Meals
Breakfast, lunch
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