Personalised Retreat Holidays

Stressed? Worn out? Want to get away from it all but not sure where to go or what to do?

Let me take all the strain and organise a personal retreat holiday to your specifications. Choose from the following or tell me your requirements. I will check availability for your required dates and get back to you quickly with prices.

Both Easyjet and Jet2 now fly direct from the UK at reasonable rates, as well as many charter airlines.

Don't forget Mochos and Alternative Crete are open out of season too. The weather is much kinder than in the UK and you will see a more traditional Crete without the hoardes of tourists. In fact the botanical walks are much better in spring and autumn. All facilities are still available year round, with the exception of Christmas. You will have to fly via Athens in the winter.

Accommodation

Accommodation can be arranged to suit your requirements. Some of the options are as follows, but I can arrange most things you would like.

• Small hotel in the village of Mochos
• Various apartments/houses still in the village of Mochos
• Apartments in the nearby resorts - if you have a particular favourite, just let me know.

Car Hire

Car hire can be arranged at discounted rates. Available to collect and drop off at the airport if necessary. Good quality cars and friendly efficient service.

Personalised Tours

Want to see the unspoilt countryside, but cannot or do not want to drive? Let us take you, either in a small very Greek car or in a hire car. Obviously the small car is cheaper, but not airconditioned! Let me know your requirements and preferred choice of hire car if appropriate.

Bicycle Hire

Many people hire bicycles as this is the best way to travel around and actually see the spectacular views as you go. Please bear in mind before choosing to hire a bicycle that Crete is a mountainous island and most of the best views are from up the hills!

Alternative Therapies

• Any therapy, combination of therapies, workshop or Reiki lessons offered by Alternative Crete
• Massage
• Reflexology
• Yoga
• Aromatherapy

Guided Walks

HISTORICAL/ARCHAEOLOGICAL WALKS

• Vrahassi Village History Walk. This walk takes approx 3 hrs. Although we only cover about 3 mls there is so much to see and so much to talk about that the round trip will take almost 3 hours. You will see local life, ancient churches, hand painted icons, fountains, old stone houses and windmills. The walk is quite short but because Vrahassi is built on the side of the mountain many of the ancient streets are up-hill and not suitable for pushchairs. Older children though, are very welcome and will have the opportunity to learn so much. €20 per person.
• Monastery Walk. This walk takes 4 hrs and is approx. 6mls. We shall take the ancient track from Vrahassi, through the olive groves to the Monastery of St George and St imitris which was established in the 2nd Byzantine period (961 - 1204 a.d.). Traces of an earlier temple date back to around 1005 a.d. but the church of today was rebuilt in 1540 during the time of the Venetian occupation. In 1866 the monks of the monastery made a decision to support the revolution against the Turks and they began to organize the first revolutionaries. This is an easy walk with only a few slight inclines. Trainers or good shoes are OK .€20 per person
• Anavlohos Archaeological Site. The Museum of Agios Nikolaos has begun systematic excavations of the site on the top of Anavlohos. At least two Minoan pots have been found, a burial ground and several buildings. Earlier finds can be seen in the Museum of Agios Nikolaos. We shall take the re-discovered footpath up the mountain to see the site. The wonderful Cyclopean walls of the Dorian period (around 300 b.c.) are fantastic. Good shoes/boots are a must, long trousers, a head for heights and stamina to walk up hill. There is every chance that we shall see the Griffon Vultures as they soar over the cliffs. €20 per person.

At the end of every walk, we shall sit around a table and enjoy a taste of cretan hospitality. Mezes and wine will be served (Included in the price)

BOTANICAL WALKS & TOURS

• Eastern Mountains and the High Pasture - forests & flowers: On this excursion we will show you unspoilt countryside, forests and wild flowers as we walk along an old Minoan trade route through some of the most beautiful landscape that Crete has to offer. €55 per person.
• Around Psiloritis and the Orchid Meadows - orchids & tulips: A day's driving excursion where we go west along the north coast road and return through the agricultural region of the Mesara Plain - a wonderful round trip with many stops along the way. €70 per person.
• Southern Slopes of Mount Dikti - forests, pastures & beaches: We approach Mount Dikti from the south, after a short detour to find dozens of different orchids. En-route we make a refreshment stop at Prina to visit the famous viewpoint where visitors can see both the Cretan and the Libyan seas. The day finishes with a meal at a quiet beach side taverna on the south coast. €90 per person including evening meal.
• Katharo Plateau - river beds, rocky slopes, flowers & much, much more: We head east from Aghios Nikolaos, then head into the mountains towards Katharo – 1,100 metres above sea level. Here we will see birds of prey, wild orchids and flowers that are endemic to the region. €50 per person.
• Mohos to Krasi & Malia marshes - cyclamen, sternbergia & orchids: A day of contrasts. Hundreds of cyclamen, a myriad of orchids and countless other interesting and beautiful flowers await you in the mountains, while the marshes near Malia are home to an orchid found in only a few places on the island. Here this impressive orchid is endangered by development and may soon perish. €45 per person.
• Akrotiri, Agios Ioannis Peninsula – meadows, gorges & pastures: We visit the windswept and remote north-eastern peninsula to find rare and beautiful flowers. Fantastic views over the bay and islands can be enjoyed during this outing, which involves some walking and easy climbing. €50 per person.

Please note: For the Botanical walks, prices shown are for a minimum of three participants (a surcharge may apply for less). Prices per person from meeting point in Aghios Nikolaos or Elounda (transport to meeting point can be arranged, if necessary). Meals and drinks are extra, except for Mount Dikti trip, where an evening meal is included in the price.