Activities
- Axos is a steeped-in-history village in the mountains. There are wondrous views of surrounding mountains and from higher viewpoints views of the north coast and sea beyond. Axos boasts numerous historic churches, important archaeological sites, and caves in the immediate area. For local and inland exploration, summer and winter, this is a real chance for the traditional with a local character and "atmosphere".
- The Guesthouse is surrounded by trees and a lush garden on many levels. Maybe an evening next to the wood-fired ovens of Yakinthos you will taste the Cretan cuisine and experience the warm hospitality and kindness of the family, combined with the melodic sounds of the lyre and the mandolin.
- In addition, you could participate in cooking, making cheese, kneading, cooking “antikristo” meat, and in the production of raki.
- Don't miss a visit to the traditional farm. This is a daily excursion ( just 5 euros per person), that will fill you with aromas and unforgettable experiences. In a land of 35,000 m2 filled with all kinds of trees (olive trees, Kermes oaks – “prinos”, maple trees, etc.) and local animals, with a rich garden, a threshing space, the famous “giristi” (vaulted stone fence of a special construction), the “mitato” (the shepherd’s house) and the traditional “tirokeli” (underground cell – cheese dairy, built inside the earth), you will have the chance to experience the Cretan nature and life. You will learn about the trees and bushes that grow in this region, smell the aromatic plants and herbs of Crete and learn about their magic powers, you will watch baby lambs, sheep, rabbits, chicken, horses, and other domestic animals and birds in their natural environment. Then you will thresh with farm's horse, you will be taught everything about milking at the traditional “giristi”, you will visit the “mitato” where you can make and taste local cheese, while at last but not least you will get to know the special space where cheese matures, farm's unique, underground cheese cell (“tirokeli”). Upon agreement, Yakinthos visitors may participate in activities such as animal shearing, “antikristo” meat broiling, etc.
- Also, take part in one of cooking/pastry lessons (ask us for prices please) with a special interest in gastronomy, Yakinthos organizes cooking and pastry lessons, in smaller or larger groups, at Iperoon restaurant – café of Manias Mansion, where the participants also enjoy a meal with their creations, for a complete dining experience.
- Nearby Yakinthos, if you walk up 100m at an altitude of 750m, you will find an area of 4 acres where you can combine mountain climbing, walking, relaxation, getting to know nature, enjoying the melodies of birdsong, the scent of plants and aromatic herbs in the company of lambs, goats and other domestic animals.
- Meet the ordinary people of the village, who are still tied to the land and its traditions and experience the customs of Cretan country life, traditional weddings, celebrations, fairs, and serenades.
- Enjoy the fair dedicated to the local saint Aghios Athanasios on August 21, the Yakinthia.
- Don't miss the Shepherd-Cheese festival and the event on the Psiloritis walk, sheep shearing, “rakokazanemata” and others.
- Participate in vine harvesting, grape pressing, olive picking, milking animals, making cheese, kneading and baking bread and dakos, cooking, cooking “antikristo” meat, olive pressing, the art of weaving on a loom, the woodcarving workshop and stone creations.
- There is also the possibility for ski mountaineering on the natural slopes of Mt Psiloritis, hiking, and exploring the natural beauty of the area, mountain biking, and other winter sports.
- Visit the new Museum of Wooden Sculptures fronted by a massive sculpture of Hercules killing the lion. This private museum is a permanent collection of the sculptor George Koutantos. It works both as a Museum and Workshop and is the outcome of twenty years of involvement with sculpture.
- Sea lovers may enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters of Bali and Panormo.
Visit the nearby spectacular Cave of Sfendoni (just beyond Zoniana) with a magnificent display of stalactites, stalagmites, and petrified waves, many over five million years old.
- Explore a place with history and character with warm people and excellent cuisine, Anogia Village.
- Visit or walk to the Monastery of Dioskouri, nearby Garazo Village, a historical monastery, with neatly ordered cells circling the tiny church Agios Georgios a particularly serene place n the early evening when the monks fill the place with singing and incense from the church wafts around the small courtyard.
- Venture from here to the awe-inspiring and enormous plateau, the Nida Plateau, and visit the Ideon Cave. The journey is truly scenic and takes you through sparkling rock and mountainscapes. There is a taverna at the plateau - what you want to do is just walk, wander and take in this "out of Africa-like" panorama. (In winter skiing would be a possibility on the way up to the plateau - there is a ski "area", but it has not been operating for years).
- At Zoniana, a nearby village, you can check out the new wax museum.
- Visit the old city of Rethymno with the pedestrian zone, the narrow streets, the small shops., the nice cafes and restaurants. Visit the archeological museum and the minaret in the city center and the afternoon enjoy your coffee on the waterfront just opposite the hotel.
- Rethymno is also famous because of the carnival in the wintertime. The last week of the carnival, the party starts on Friday and ends on Sunday with the big parade. People from all over Greece come here because of the carnival that becomes always better and better.
- Discover the Amari Valley a wonderful place to visit in the heat of the summer, where the traditional mountain villages with their plane trees, cool springs and kafenions are still untouched by tourism.
- Yakinthia is an artistic cultural festival that takes place every year in July on Crete in the village of Anogia. It is a festival dedicated to love and hope. Its name is derived from the story of Saint Yakinthios.
More uplifting activities in Central Crete..
House Rules
- Check-in: 14.00 pm
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season
Fire place - cost of wood : 20.00 Euros per day
- Payment Policy:
Credit card details (Visa or Mastercard) are required to charge the total amount to confirm the reservation.
Deposit amount will be charged two weeks before your arrival.
No additional charges will be made to the credit card unless cancellation charges have to be applied.
- Cancellation Policy:
Up to 10 days before arrival - full refund.
In less than 10 days 30% of the total amount will be charged.
Not arriving at the hotel for your booking 100% of the total amount will be charged (at the hotel's discretion).
Departure before booked departure date: at the hotel's discretion, the full balance may be charged by the hotel.
MHTE: 1041Κ91002885401
How To Get There
Yakinthos is set at the edge of historic Axos 48 km away from the town of Rethymno in Crete.
- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Chania Airport (116km) or Heraklion Airport (43km). Tickets can be bought in advance for almost all flights via our partner website.
- By Sea
The journey is the thing". A superb way of enjoying the journey to Crete is to fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus (Pireas) - the port serving Athens. A still-romantic way to travel by the overnight ferry from Piraeus to Chania-Souda Port (80km) or Heraklion Port (85km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries via our partner website.
- By Car
If you want to explore the region while you're here, we recommend that you rent a car, other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent. We suggest our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com, which offers competitive prices and you can collect your car at either airport.
- By Taxi
Book your taxi transfer online easily and safely from the airport or port to any location via our partner website.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through CreteTravel.com
Facilities
- Dining: Evening meals at Yperoon Restaurant is a delight
- Internet Access: Free WiFi throughout
- Swimming Pool: Not available (under construction - heated indoor pool)
- Spa Treatments: Not available (under construction)
- Disabled Access: Not suitable
- Pets: Pets are allowed on request. No extra charges
- Languages Spoken: Greek, English
- Parking: Private parking area
- Additional services (under construction) :
- Indoor, heated pool, 6x3,5 m., with spa equipment, available to guests all year round (upon demand and agreement and with extra charge, depending on the services selected)
- 6 additional one-bedroom residences in a new wing
- The Holy Church of Virgin Mary’s Birth in Manias Mansion will soon be open during religious holidays. There is also the possibility of performing religious ceremonies upon demand and agreement.
