CIC Excursion, 19/02/2012: Village Tour Excursion

Many thanks to Albert van Elst for providing us with the following information. Albert writes:

The February excursion from the Rethymnon C.I.C. group will be staying in the area of Rethymnon and Apokoronas, but it offers many interesting places to visit that we might not know much about.

We start from Rethymnon and surrounding area and then we will travel towards Georgioupolis to pick up our guests from the Apokoronas region.

Our first stop will be at the lovely village of Roustika which was founded during the Venetian period of occupation on Crete. Here we will visit a traditional Cretan house which has now been transformed into a Cretan museum. In the same village is the old Panagia church, one of the oldest in our area with some ancient frescos. The monastery of the Prophet Elias lies on the border of this village and we will go and see it. The village Roustika is going to offer our photographers plenty of picture moments.

We continue going up in the mountains until we come to the village of Miriokefala, which means “thousands of heads” Here we find the Monastery of Kardiotissa - an old nunnery and orphanage housing a very old church, frescoes and valuable icons. Kardiotissa was one of the first Monasteries on Crete to be started in the 11th Century.

In the village we will also visit the local Cheese factory where we will be able to learn about the manufacture of the famous Graviera Cheese that comes from this area. On the way we will meet Manolis and when you see him, you will recognize him from many tourist books, postcards and movies that promote tourism to Crete. Afterwards we drive downwards and stop in Lappa, which was once one of the oldest cities on Crete. From Lappa, ladies buy their avocado cream to keep their skin nice and soft. In one of the houses is a 6th century Roman Mosaic floor, from which we will see pieces. Below the village there are the springs of Argiroupolis, here there will be time for a photo stop, to see the waterfalls and to taste our drinking water direct from the source. There’s also a trout farm, so keep this as an idea for entertaining visitors on a summer’s day.

Lunch is going to be in a traditional tavern in the biggest village of the area, Episkopi (which is our bishopric) and after lunch we make a short stop in the village Kournas to another ancient Byzantine Church, named Saint George. The last stop is for a coffee or tea at Lake Kournas. From here we bring everybody back to the pickup places

The cost for the excursion is 20 euros for CIC members, non members 25 euros p.p. If you wish to participate then reserve seats at: Rethymnon CIC coffee morning 6-2-2012 in Palazzino di Corina or the Kalyves coffee morning 10-2-2012 in Apicorno café both from 11.00 am.

You can also send an email to info@winterincrete.com - please give us the following details: 1) number of participants, plus names 2) whether you are a C.I.C member or non member 3) Telephone number 4) desired pick up place - choose from Panormos 8.20// Skaletta 8.30// Skypark Platanes 8.40// Rethymnon 4 Martyrs’ Church 8.50// Gerani 9.00// Kavros 9.10 // Georgioupolis 9.15.

For those who join us from Chania and Apokoronas area we meet in Georgioupolis at 9.15 am. Contact Albert info@winterincrete.com mobile 6940517120.

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