April Excursion with the Rethymnon CIC Group

THE VILLAGE TRAIN TOUR 25-4-2010

Once again, Albert van Elst (under the auspices of the Rethymnon branch of the CIC ) has organized a really great day out for the last Sunday in April! Albert writes:

‘The Rethymnon branch of the C.I.C. will continue their excursion program throughout the spring and summer, but there may be a few changes too! Our April excursion will be centred around the Rethymnon region. We will visit many beautiful villages and other local places of interest, and even for the longest term residents we are sure you will find something new to learn about our lovely region.

For this month’s trip we’ve got a new transportation vehicle, THE LITTLE TRAIN! Travelling on the little train will enable you to make some great photos from Crete in spring colours, since the train will be driving with open windows.

The train ride will start from Platanes, but we also offer a pick up service for guests who will be coming from other areas.

Our first stop will be in Maroulas where we will visit Marianna’s Herb shop. Marianna is a specialist in products in which the Cretan herbs are the main ingredients. After showing us her collection and shop, she will take us on foot to the area around her village and explain to us which types of herbs she uses, how and where they can be found and in what seasons. Alternatively, you may also choose to walk around the picturesque village where you will find an old Venetian castle and an olive mill.

OK, let’s be honest, our little train
isn’t going to look quite like this….
But it still will be fun!

From Maroulas we will continue to the Traditional Cretan house in Amnatos, where we will be able to admire a geological collection in the small museum. After we have passed some of the better known villages in the area, we will make a stop in Pigi at the Friends of Animals charity shop. We will then travel on to the village of Pikris, which has a small war museum and then eat lunch there. After lunch we will return to Platanes and the various pick-up / drop off points. As the tour is going to be in our local area, we don’t have to start very early. Departure is at 9.30 am from Platanes and all the guests that live nearby can come to our little train station. Other guests will be informed about their transfer time from the usual pick up points - for example: Georgioupolis, Kavros, Gerani, Rethymno and Panormos (about 30 minutes before the time we leave from Platanes). The ticket price is unchanged 15,00 € p.p. if you are C.I.C member and 17,50 € if you are a non member. We need a minimum of 20 persons and, as ever, any profits from the trip will go towards benefiting a local charity. The vote to decide which charity this trip will support will take place at the Rethymnon CIC Coffee Morning on April 1st at La Bamba Bar on the beach road in Rethymnon. Tickets can also be obtained on the coffee morning, and also from Albert via email: info@winterincrete.com or by phone 28310-56641.

Easter Lunch:The Rethymno group of the C.I.C organizes a special Easter Dinner on the 4th April in the taverna “to Kipous tis Arkoudenas” in Episkopi village, which is close to Georgioupolis, Kavros and Kournas lake. The taverna is locally well known as an excellent place for the Cretan home made cooking and they serve a variety of salads, starters and of course the traditional Easter Lamb from the grill, with oven potatoes or pilafi. Dessert is a selection of sweets and we drink the best Cretan wines, red or white and you can drink as much as you like, it’s on the house. Soft drinks and beers; 1 bottle p.p. free. There is no fixed price agreed, each guest pays for what he/she consumes. You may come to the tavern by car or taxi or you can call Albert at 28310-56641 and he will arrange your transfer. The cost from Rethymno will be 10,00 € p.p. go/return. The dinner starts at 13.00 pm and we go home when we like. To give our host an indication of the number of people that will join this Easter Dinner, it’s advisable to make a reservation, this can be done at our coffee morning on 1-4-2010 in La Bamba bar or with Anna 28310-57305 or Albert 28310-56641

The taverna is in Episkopi on the main road just before the football stadium and after the crossing road of Argyroupolis to the water springs.