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Pezoulia Traditional Guest Houses - Residences is a complex of four independent residences with a shared pool, built inside the Selakano settlement in Lasithi prefecture, close to the forest at an altitude of 930m.

Pezoulia Guest Houses is a great base to explore the east part of Crete and Dikti Mountains and the superb south beaches of Libyan Sea (15km).

Inside a rare pine forest, with beautiful springs, little streams, and magnificent gorges you may find the serenity you are looking for and also enjoy high class accommodation and warm hospitality.

Selakano is a small settlement in a blessed area with magnificent natural beauty, with many springs, little streams, and breathtaking gorges, a wild forest of unique environmental importance, with pine- trees, planes, oaks, cypresses, holly trees, Cretan maples pear trees, vineyards.

The forest is the nesting and hunting ground of many predatory birds and other small wild animals, one of Crete’s most important eco-systems, protected by the Natura 2000 European networking program.

Additionally, the area produces some of Crete’s finest thyme honey, as well as exceptional dairy products.

The whole area is always green and beautiful, ideal for trips and excursions all through the year.

A dreamy destination in the heart of Crete, available for you all year long, ideal either for a cool summer vacation or a breathtaking winter experience.

Pezoulia is the Cretan word for steps. It also refers to the way the Cretan people make mountain areas suitable for cultivation and house building by creating several even levels on a slope, like steps on the stairs.

A great option, all year round, to experience the wild beauty and serenity of the Selakano landscape and the warm Cretan hospitality.

Also, you would be able to join some great activities ( Traditional bread kneading, Cretan cuisine seminar, Hiking excursion at the Boufany Canyon (Eagle-Vulture Canyon), Hiking excursion to Sarakina Canyon, Hiking at Selacano forest (Black forest), Seminar on Cretan herbs and their therapeutic properties ).

The Houses are stocked with breakfast and cooking essentials such as olive oil, pasta, and honey. All guests have access to the garden, where they can taste fresh fruit and vegetables. Traditional recipes and local spirits are served at the restaurant and bar.

Why We Like It

- An ideal base to explore this beautiful region that is far from mass tourism, but without compromising on comfortable accommodation with a spectacular mountain view.

- Traditional food and homemade bread at Tavern are just delicious.

- A superb option for nature lovers, hikers, and walkers (E4 Path fans).

- Maybe one of the best thyme honey in Crete.

Good To Know

- We recommend that you rent a car (maybe a 4x4), as other means of transport are limited and/or infrequent.

- Are you ready to enjoy the authentic Cretan nature and hospitality?

The Houses

- All one-bedroom houses (60m2) at the Pezoulia feature earthy colors, natural materials such as wood and stone, and modern furnishings with traditional details with views to Dikti Mountain.

Spacious bedroom with double bed and dining and sitting area equipped with sofas (double size) and single bed, LCD satellite TV, and CD/DVD player.

A fully equipped kitchen with a stove is provided.

The houses are stocked with breakfast and cooking essentials such as olive oil, pasta, and honey upon your arrival.

Eating

Cooking at Pezoulia Traditional Houses is a pleasure. The fully equipped kitchen-diner offers you all the facilities in order to prepare your own local products-based meals.

Or maybe you would like to enjoy traditional Cretan food at Pezoulia's small tavern.

You can also order meat for the barbeque or delicious dairy products from local shepherds.

At Pezoulia there is a vegetable garden. All guests have access to the garden, where they can taste fresh fruits and vegetables.

Kids

Kids of all ages are always welcome at Pezoulia.

Ideal for families with up to 2 children.

Any type of extra bed or child's cot/crib is upon request and needs to be confirmed by the innkeeper.

A children’s playground is available in the garden.

Activities

- During the summer Pezoulia Traditional Houses organizes some great agrotourism activities :

- Traditional bread kneading. Kneading and baking of the bread.
- Cretan cuisine seminar, traditional Cretan dishes and how they are cooked
- Hiking excursion at the Boufany Canyon (Eagle-Vulture Canyon)
- Hiking excursion to Sarakina Canyon.
- Hiking at Selacano forest (Black forest)
- Seminar on Cretan herbs and their therapeutic properties

More to do ...

- Visit the cave of Neraidogoula one of nature’s well-hidden secrets – presents an inexplicable phenomenon. Sometimes in August unbelievable quantities of water flow out of the depths of the cave, flood the “Psoriaris” river, and cause catastrophes. Perhaps this is why it took the name “Neraidogoula”, which means ” Fairy ‘s spring”.

- The gorge of Parsa An exciting mountain route between the settlements of Selakano and Metaxohori in a forested area full of springs and little streams.

- Selakano is an excellent starting point for off-road trips to the picturesque Dikti mountains. A trip inside the woods (with jeeps or bikes) ) is not something you want to miss. The area is generally accessible as it is crossed by a dense network of country roads, the majority of which is passable all through the year.

- E4 European Path. Each year, thousands of climbers and hikers pass through the area of Selakano, as it is a part of the E4 path’s route. The European path E4 after thousands of kilometers of paths, having passed through many European countries ends here, in the prefecture of Lasithi. It enters Lasithi from the west side of the mountains of Dikti and the Tihos settlement. After a long as well as magnificent route it reaches Selakano and continues to the villages of Prina, Meseleri, Vasiliki, and Papagianades. The end of the path E4 is Kato Zakros in the municipality of Sitia.

- The Sarakina canyon leaving Selakano on the way to the settlement of Mythi you can see the sign that points to the Sarakina canyon. Follow it and in a few minutes, you will find yourself at the entrance of this magnificent canyon. Remember that there are stream waters inside the canyon all year long, so you will need the right shoes and perhaps a towel. During the winter and at the beginning of spring the water level inside the canyon makes it impossible to cross.

- Only 15 kilometers from the settlement of Selakano you may find amazing beaches and taste delicious fish dishes in local seaside taverns.

- Myrtos a beautiful sea-side village with marvelous beaches with crystal-clear waters that are always calm since Myrtos’ bay is protected by the strong summer winds.

- Tertsa Traditional little village with a relatively secluded beach. In the village's only tavern you can enjoy Cretan cuisine and a beautiful view of the Libyan sea.

- Psari Forada another sea-side village that combines beautiful as well as a calm sea with great taverns and little coffee shops that also serve raki and starters.

- Ierapetra the southernmost town of Europe, a town of 15.000 people. Beautiful, clean beaches and many restaurants with delicious traditional Cretan cuisine are the main features of this town. There is also a variety of choices for your entertainment: seaside cafes, bars, and traditional “raki” bars.

- Enjoy a day trip to the Island of Chrisi. Swimming in its crystal clear, green-blue waters and relaxing on its long white beaches is a unique experience. Chrisi is 40minutes from Ierapetra with regular ferry trips during the summer.

- Oreon Festival (from the 5th until the 15th of August) – Cultural Festival

- Stock-raising and dairy production in Selakano Guests of Selakano are free to watch or take part in the daily chores of local shepherds and stock-raisers, feeding and taking care of the animals, as well as milking the goats and making traditional cheese and yogurt.

- The number of Byzantine churches, chapels, and monasteries scattered in the area is remarkable. Among them, some have superb and valuable icons. However one should not miss the Monastery of Panagia Exakousti, one of the most beautiful monasteries in Crete, a true oasis of hospitality and reverence.

- Hire a car (our sister website Crete-Car-Rental.com) and explore the stark and stunning far east of Crete: start at the sleepy town of Sitia, continue past Toplou monastery (forbidding exterior, welcoming monks), to the tropical palm beaches at Vai (crowded in summer) or Palekastro (less crowded, but less palmy); maybe Xerokambos and don’t miss the breathtaking ‘Valley of the Dead’ and Minoan ruins at Zakros.

- More uplifting activities in East Crete

House Rules

- Check-in:
- Check out: 12.00 pm
- Minimum Stay: 2-3 nights, depending on the season

- Payment Policy:
With these special houses, a 15% deposit is charged upon confirmation on a credit card and the balance is payable at Pezoulia Houses (in cash).
Houses do not have credit card accepting facilities, you will need to pay the balance in CASH.

- Cancellation Policy:
Up to 4 weeks before arrival - full refund.
After that period, the deposit is not refundable, in addition, if you cancel.
Not arriving at the hotel for your booking: the full balance 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: -

How To Get There

Pezoulia Traditional Houses is located at Selakano (Greek: Σελάκανο) which is a forested valley and a hamlet in the municipality of Ierapetra on the island of Crete. Selakano forms one of the most important ecosystems on Crete.

- By Air
From May through mid-October there are direct charter flights to Heraklion (93km), Sitia (97km), and Chania (237km). 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 Heraklion Port (90km). Tickets can be bought in advance for all ferries from 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: Cooking here is a pleasure. The fully equipped kitchen-diner offers you all the facilities in order to prepare your own local products-based meals. Upon arrival, you will find a welcome basket filled with local products and all the necessary to prepare your first breakfast (milk, coffee, tea, eggs, cheese, honey, jam, butter) and all kinds of spices, oil, and raki.

- Swimming Pool: Available, an outdoor pool overlooking great Cretan nature and mountains

- Spa Treatments: Not available

- Disabled Access: Not suitable

- Pets: Allowed (on request)

- Languages Spoken: Greek, English

- Parking: A parking place is just a few steps away from the houses

- Heating: Central heating, fireplace, and air-conditioning