GRECEE

We will meet at 10:00 hrs at Heraklion Airport, where a van will take us to the historic center to stroll through its charming streets and immerse ourselves in its rich history.

At 12:00 hrs, we’ll enjoy a welcome lunch and then visit the Palace of Knossos — the origin of Minoan civilization and the legendary setting of the Minotaur myth.

Later, we’ll continue to Rethymno, the third most important city in Crete.
With strong Venetian and Ottoman influences, this town is renowned for its beautifully preserved old quarter, its fortress and its beaches.

From there, we’ll head to our hotel, where you’ll have some time to settle in. Afterwards, we’ll enjoy a special welcome lunch featuring a wine tasting experience. Later, you’ll have free time for an independent dinner if you wish, before we rest and prepare for the days ahead.

• Arrival and Meeting Point – Heraklion Airport (10:00 hrs.)
• Transfer to Rethymnon
• Check-in at the hotel (Rethymnon)
• Welcome lunch and wine tasting experience (14: 00 hrs)
• Dinner on your own (not included)

We’ll begin the day with a two-hour hike through the mountains near Margarites, guided by a local botanic expert. Along the way, we’ll learn to recognize various native plants from Crete and discover their traditional uses. We’ll also gather some species that we’ll later use to prepare natural dyes.

In the afternoon, artist Laura Castro will lead a natural dyeing workshop, where we’ll transform the plants we collected into color to dye our own threads, which we’ll then use in weaving and embroidery exercises.

It will be a day dedicated to connecting with nature, learning from local botanical wisdom and exploring the complete journey of color — from plant to thread.

• Breakfast (8:30 hrs.)
• Departure to the mountains (9:30 hrs.)
• Botanical walk with a local guide (until 12:30 hrs.)
• Lunch (13:30 hrs.)
• Arrival to Margarites
• Natural dyeing workshop
• Return to the hotel
• Dinner on your own

We’ll explore the charming village of Margarites, renowned for its long- standing ceramic tradition, where every street tells stories of artisans who have shaped their legacy with their hands.

Here, a few years ago, the Rodakas project was born — an initiative dedicated to reviving and preserving the ancient art of weaving-, blending ancestral knowledge with new perspectives.

During our visit, we’ll take our first steps into the art of Cretan weaving, immersing ourselves in its techniques and meanings. In the afternoon, we’ll have the opportunity to visit local pottery workshops, meet master artisans, and admire the beauty of their creations.

It will be a day to connect with the essence of Margarites, its people, and its living traditions.

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• Breakfast ( 8:00 hrs)
• Departure to Margarites ( 9:00 hrs)
• Visit Margarites
• Weaving workshop (10:30 hrs)
• Lunch ( 14:00 hrs)
• Continuation of the weaving workshop ( 19:00 hrs)
• Return to the hotel
• Dinner on your own

On our fourth day at the loom we will continue exploring this beautiful tradition, getting even deeper into its techniques and meanings. We’ll also have the privilege of meeting an exceptional master — a pioneer who has create a dialogue between artisan weaving and digital textile techniques to Crete.

We’ll visit his home-studio, a space where history and innovation intertwine to hear his inspiring story and discover the fascinating textile treasures he has preserved over the years. It will be a unique opportunity to connect with his art, his passion and the cultural richness woven into every thread.

In addition, we’ll visit the Zoniana Caves, an impressive natural wonder that adds yet another layer to our journey through Crete’s landscapes and traditions.

• Breakfast (8:00 hrs)
• Departure to Margarites (9:00 hrs)
• Continuation of the traditional Cretan weaving workshop
• Lunch (14:00 hrs.)
• Visit Zoniana Caves
• Visit Manolis’ workshop and his inspiring story
• Return to the hotel
• Dinner on your own

We’ll begin the day slowly, enjoying a peaceful morning before heading south toward Preveli; a region known for its rich history and breathtaking natural beauty.

From Plakias, we’ll take a boat along the coast to Preveli Beach, where the Kourtaliotiko River meets the sea, creating an oasis of palm trees and crystal-clear waters. This remarkable place once served as a refuge for monks and resistance groups and today remains a space of deep connection with nature.

We’ll spend the day exploring its trails, swimming in the river and the sea, and soaking in the unique landscape where mountains, freshwater, and coastline meet — while weaving alongside Eirini in an experimental workshop.

As the day ends, we’ll return by boat to Plakias to watch the sunset and then, enjoy dinner or head back to the hotel.

• Breakfast (8:00 hrs)
• Departure to Preveli (10:00 hrs)
• Free time in Preveli
• Experimental weaving workshop with Eirini
• Return to the hotel
• Dinner on your own

In the morning, we’ll embark on a journey into the art of Cretan embroidery at KLOTHO Studio. Later, we’ll enjoy lunch, and afterwards, the afternoon will be yours to spend as you wish. You can stroll around Rethymnon, relax, have dinner, or simply enjoy any other activity you prefer.

• Breakfast (8:30 hrs)
• Departure to the KLOTHO Studio (9:30 hrs)
• Traditional Cretan Embroidery Workshop (10:00 hrs)
• Lunch (13:00 hrs)
• Return to the hotel
• Free afternoon
• Dinner on your own

Our second and final embroidery session, we’ll add the finishing touches to our piece, leaving in each stitch the memory of this beautiful experience. Afterward, we’ll have lunch, and in the afternoon, enjoy a special traditional culinary experience — preparing and tasting some delicious Greek dishes. We’ll share our creations together, if you wish.

• Breakfast (8:30 hrs)
• Departure to the KLOTHO Studio (9:30 hrs)
• Traditional Cretan Embroidery (10:00 hrs)
• Lunch (13:00 hrs)
• Culinary experience/ dinner included

The day will begin with a journey to Chania, where we’ll first visit a family-run leather workshop — the last traditional tannery that has endured through generations on the island.

Afterward, we’ll enjoy lunch at a traditional restaurant, then continue with a walk through the  charming old town of Chania, exploring its narrow alleys, Venetian harbor and timeless atmosphere.

Later, we’ll visit the studio of Maria Galanaki, a talented embroidery artist who will share her mastery of Cretan embroidery, showcasing pieces that embody both heritage, history and inspiration.

We’ll end the day in Stavros, where we’ll admire a beautiful sunset by the sea, a perfect closing to our journey through Crete’s artistry and landscapes.

• Breakfast (8:00 hrs)
• Departure to Chania (9:00 hrs)
• Visit to Gavalohori
• Lunch (13:00 hrs)
• Walking tour of Old Chania
• Visit to the embroidery artist Maria Galanaki’s studio
• Dinner on your own
• Return to the hotel

We’ll conclude our route in Heraklion, visiting one of Greece’s most important museums — the Heraklion Archaeological Museum-, home to the most representative treasures of Minoan civilization, the first great culture of Europe.

Among frescoes, ceramics, and ritual objects, we’ll gain a deeper understanding of how the ancient Cretans honored the earth, the cycles of nature, and the connection between art and daily life — principles that have also guided our own journey through Crete.

After the visit, we’ll share a lunch, a moment to celebrate all that we’ve experienced, integrate what we’ve learned, and close together this path of exploration, beauty, and connection.

• Breakfast (8:00 hrs)
• Departure (9:00 hrs – with luggage)
• Visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum
• Closing lunch
• Closing of the route (15:00 hrs)

Note: Each participant may choose to return to Athens or spend additional days in Crete. If returning to Athens, we recommend booking flights after 18:30 hrs or
later to avoid any travel inconvenience.

• Accommodation: 8 nights
• Meals: 8 breakfasts, 9 lunches, 1 dinner
• Ground transportation within the program
• Natural dyeing workshop
• Guided botanical walk
• Cretan weaving workshop
• Cretan embroidery workshop
• Culinary experience
• Visit to Chania, the iconic city of Crete
• Visits to the island’s most important textile villages
• Visits to some of Crete’s most paradisiacal beaches

• Airplane tickets
• Alcoholic beverages
• Activities not mentioned or described in the program
• Travel insurance