History and nature lovers will absolutely love this tour.

We will walk in the tranquil countryside of Kavousi and will stop in memorable moments of history and culture of the olive and Crete, will meet the oldest and most respected lady of Eastern Crete: the 3200-year-old monumental olive tree and will visit the oldest settlement in the island that had an oil press building: Azorias city of the 7th century BC.

The olive tree and olive oil are closely connected to Cretan mythology, history, tradition, religion, and art, as well as the social and economic life of Cretan people dating back 9.000 years. Nowadays, olive groves cover about 1/4 of the total area of the island dominating its natural environment and creating employment for almost the entire local agricultural population.

Among the Olive trees of Crete, exist some which can be characterized as "Monumental".  This olive-tree has been classed as monumental by the Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities (SEDIK) due to the large size of its trunk, and due to its vicinity to the ancient settlements of "Vrontas", "Kastro", and "Azoria" of the Late Minoan IIIC and down to the Archaic phase (1350-500 BC) where several artifacts related to olive oil have been uncovered.

According to the myth, the first olive tree was a gift given by the goddess Athena to the ancient city of Athens. Another olive tree was planted by Hercules in the ancient Olympia. According to the scientific evidence, the oldest edible olives in Europe were found in the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos and Zakros served in cups and the cultivation of the olive in Crete goes back at least to the 3rd millennium BC. Scriptures, symbols, constructions, and storage jars indicate the production of olive oil in Crete and its trade throughout the Mediterranean at all times, since then.

However, the best witness for the timelessness of olive cultivation and culture are some of the thousands of olives that have captured the Cretan landscape today: the ancient, monumental olive trees.

The Tour 

- Up to the mountains: trekking or alternatively driving into the “Natura” landscape.
- The oldest lady of East Crete: visiting the ancient olive tree inside the valley of Kavousi.
- Archeological treasures: tour to the archeological site of Azorias (12th-6th cen. BC).
- Tasting a local snack at a local kafenio.

Price

Starting from 45 Euros per person (in a group of 5 - 12 people)
Note: THIS TRIP IS A PRIVATE EXCURSION
- Child under 6 years old free of charge
- Child 6 - 12 years old 15 % discount
- Discount is not valid if the participants are only 2.

Included

- Guided tour by an archeologist (English speaking).
- Program manual for each traveler, including bibliographic references, maps, photos, etc.
- All that is mentioned above.
- Tasting a local snack at a local kafenio.

Not included

- Transport from your accommodation to the sites proposed and back to the hotel (upon request with extra cost).
- Other guided tours and entrance fees in organized archeological sites.
- Personal accident insurance (on request).
- Drinks, personal expenses, and tips.
- Anything that is not mentioned in the paragraph above.

Duration

4 hours 

Location

The Natura area of Thripti mountains (protected natural park)

Difficulty

None

Languages

Greek, English
Note: For other languages, the possibility to have a translator, with a supplement.

Please Note 

- Necessary personal equipment: Sunscreen oil, hat, sunglasses
- If you chose the trekking, don't forget: Shoes for walking - trekking & small rucksack with your personal items
- PLEASE INFORM US of any dietary needs/particularities you might have (allergies, intolerances) or other health issues we have to take into consideration. Many thanks.