Close
A unique reconstructed neighbourhood of the 1800’s found in the picturesque village of Sfaka in Eastern Crete. Cressa Ghitonia Village Restaurant and Spa is a 15-house redevelopment where each room is truly unique and maintains its historical elements. Here you will have the opportunity to escape at a destination where time has stood still for centuries. You will walk through the village’s small alleys to reach the hotel, you will hear the church bell sound, you will gaze at the virgin views of the Aegean Sea and mountains and taste Cretan and Greek dishes from the locals.
The stone built houses (10 in total) are in harmony with nature and the guest will feel as if living in the old times. The houses were built 300 years ago, the decoration is simple and plain using traditional objects such as small tables, old wood, accessories for traditional bread making, old woven fabrics and pots and pans. Beds made from stone, original windows and bedrock walls, ceilings of crossed beams, use of straw and soil for insulation, all help to create their traditional style. The houses are connected by a network of traditional stone paths. Thick outer walls made of stone and rock keep the houses cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Amidst pine, olive and carob trees, what in the old days were shepherds’ dwellings have been converted, with exemplary reverence for tradition, into apartments for two, three or four persons each. The surroundings, filled with greenery and echoing with birdsong, are a delight. The living spaces are beautifully arranged, featuring mainly elements of stone, rock and wood. Make your reservations well ahead.
Vamos , the Apokoronas provincial capital has 650 inhabitants and was first settled in the mid-8th c. Today, with sensitivity and effort, the inhabitants have managed to retain the village’s traditional atmosphere while bringing it back to life. Its narrow paved streets, plane trees, park, squares, picturesque cafes and stone houses are exceptionally charming and nostalgically evocative. Staying in this traditional, restored village of stone houses you’ll feel that you’re returning to a fascinating past.
Milia is an authentic 17th century mountain settlement in Western Crete which has been transformed into and eco-friendly tourist complex. A glorious location boasting exceptional rugged beauty in the area of Kissamos. Placed among plane trees, chestnut trees, and mountain tops reaching the skies, the area overwhelms visitors with its unique diversity. The philosophy of “back to basics” has found true meaning here.
The plain dwellings are constructed of stone, wood and tiles, and furnished with traditional simplicity. Cast-iron stoves, boilers with wood for hot water, and solar systems replace electricity.
It’s possible to participate in activities on the estate and in cultivating the crops. Ask for information about the 10 walking tours you can take there. There is also a restaurant with fireplace in refectory decor, for breakfast and meals.
HIP GREECE
Discover the Hip side of Greece