Wine, Tsikoudia, music and dance plus treats. All promised for Vouves up in the lush hills, inland from Kolymbari in the Kissamos region.

Festival events take place on both days.
While attending it is well worth seeing the oldest oak tree at Ano Vouves (the higher and smaller of the two Vouves villages) where the Olympic olive branch was plucked for this year’s games.

If you fancy staying in the area http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com have some wonderful places to stay nearby. as well as in Chania and the rest of Crete.

The villages can be reached off the “main” road for Paleochora or from Spilia.

For more information on magical villages in crete visit www.cretetravel.com

The summer festival in Avdou starting on July 24th and ending on the 15th of August this year, is usually very lively and well-attended (10000 people in 2003).

Most of the events are produced in Greek, but some of them can be enjoyed by foreign visitors as well, such as concerts by local bands, dancing…and an exhibition of the area’s most delicious dishes (a variety of 200 different dishes is promised for this year for you to taste).

Other events include a treasure hunt, plays, singing from the village’s old women and children.

Some dates to aim for:
- 24 July (Saturday), concert of local bands (Th. Papakonstaninou, Y. Aggelakas)
- 30 July (Friday), tribute to the Vyzantine churches of the area. The Vyzantine chorus of St. Minas participates in this event.
- 1 August (Sunday), musical and theatrical performance with the Avdou women’s chorus.
- 6 August (Friday), traditional music concert, band “Octava”
- 8 August (Sunday), feast with local traditional dishes and cretan music playing
- 14 August (Saturday), greek music night with band “Pandos kairou”

Events are all al fresco – open air and you just turn up if you wish!

Place to stay in the area:
Avdou Villas (houses & studios in an organic farm estate, with shared pool)
http://www.crete-hotels-rooms.com/Reservations/Avdou_Villas.htm