Senior holidays

Quiet, unspoilt East Crete with Sitia Geopark is an ideal choice for relaxing holidays, far from the crowds.
Stunning, isolated beaches, marked walking routes, a wealth of archaeological sites and welcoming traditional tavernas are all on offer to you!

Cretan Diet

Nutrition and Health

The close links of Crete with Europe are widely recognized, since Crete is the place where the continent received its name. In Greek mythology, lust-loving Zeus, in the guise of a white, winged bull carried off on his back the beautiful princess of Phoenicia, Europa, daughter of king Agenor, to the island of Crete where he fathered the progenitors of a magnificent civilization known as the Minoans.

One of the basic elements of this civilization has been nutrition, production method and eating. The Cretans have developed their ancient nutritional habits with everything that the Cretan land so generously provides: olive oil, wheat, wine, honey, pulses, vegetables, mountain greens and aromatic plants, low fat cheese, meat and fish and of course, fruit, all forming the base of Cretan cuisine. You can taste this cuisine in the traditional tavernas and local restaurants. In recent years, the Cretan diet has become famous the world over, with research proving it to be healthy and of great nutritional value.

Traditional Music and Cultural Events

Apart from music evenings offered by some tavernas, or hearing locals play their instruments, sing and dance in tavernas and cafes, there are many annual music events in Sitia and the surrounding villages.

Kornaria

Summer Festival of Culture. A wide variety of events includes concerts of music, dance and theatre, exhibitions of fine art and photography, talks and sports events (“Kornarios “road race, a beach volley competition). Most of these take place outdoors in various venues, such as the Venetian fortress “Kazarma” and indoors at the “Polikendro”. Events are also organized in the villages, such as “Kazanemata” (raki making festivals) and Klidonas. The festival is organized by Sitia Council, to encourage the cultural development of Sitia and give visitors an opportunity to get to know the customs and traditions of Sitia.

Festival of Agia Ekaterini: Religious festival in honour of the patron saint of Sitia (St. Catherine) on 25 Nov. A road race around Sitia is traditionally organized after the event.
Corn Festival: A new event which takes place in June in the Piskokefalo, with traditional Cretan music and dance.
“Despolo” Festival: Takes place in the central square of Tourloti in June, with traditional Cretan music and dance.
Maritime Week Organized every two years in the last week of June. It includes boat racing and concerts of music and dance.

Village Church Festivals

The village festivals, celebrating the name day of the church take place every year on the following dates :- St. Paraskevi 26/7 in Ζiro and Agia Triada

– St. George 23/4 , in the ruins of the hamlet of Skalia, Sitanos
– St. Marina 17/7, Exo Mouliana and Mirsini.
– Prophet Ilias 20/7 Mesa Mouliana
– St. Panteleimona 27/7 Roussa Ekklisia, Hamezi, Schinokapsala.
– Metamorphoseos, 6/8, Exo Mouliana, Agio Stefano and Zakros.
– Panagia 15/8, Palekastro, Lastro, Piskokefalo, Tourloti, Sitanos.
– St. John 29/8 Ziros.
– Panagia 8/9 Lithines
– Holy Cross 14/9 Sfaka
– St. Sophia 17/9 Armenous
– St. Anna 9/12 Piskokefalo

Join one of our hiking excursions

Portobelis One day Excursion (Traditional Crete) for 6-8 persons by minibus with 1-3 hours hiking

Excursion: No.1

Sitia-Exo Mouliana-Richtis Gorge-Faneromeni area-Sitia

Leaving Sitia at 09.00, we drive to the village of Exo Mouliana and then to the entrance of Richtis gorge (approx. 20 minutes from Sitia, on the road towards Agios Nikolaos). Starting from the entrance we walk into the gorge, until we come to the most impressive waterfall, which is over 15m high and flows all year round (approx. 90 minutes walk each way) – you can swim in the pool there! You will be surprised how green the gorge is, with a wide variety of plants, fragrant wild herbs and oleander bushes – it is easy to forget that you are in Crete! Back again to the entrance. We drive to the area of Faneromeni, where we visit the monastery, enjoy a light lunch with Cretan Meze, go down to the sea, a short visit to the gorge of Agioi Pantes and back to Sitia (arrival approx 16.30).

Cost: €64 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance.

Note: Good walking shoes, water and a hat are essential!

Excursion: No.2

Sitia- Kato Zakros Gorge -Xerokambos-Sitia

We leave Sitia at 09.00, drive down to Kato Zakros (approx. 50 minutes) and stop near the ruins of the 4th Minoan Palace, just by the gorge (known as the ‘Valley of the Dead’, as many caves were found there with tombs from the Minoan period). The gorge is an area of outstanding beauty, full of fragrant herbs and plants. We walk into the gorge (approx. 30 minutes, o/w), then to the Palace which you can visit if you wish. After a swim and a light lunch of Cretan meze in a taverna by the sea, we leave for Xerokambos, with the most beautiful beaches and crystal clear water in the area. There will also be an opportunity for a natural peeling experience with clay from the rocks by the beach! The return journey to Sitia is inland via Ziros and through small villages. We expect to be back in Sitia approx. 18.00.

Cost: €74 per person (minimum 6 persons).
Price includes: Minibus, escort/driver, light lunch, travel insurance.
Price does not include: Minoan Palace (optional!)