Autumn in Crete

Autumn in Crete features numerous beautiful wild flowers with annuals sprouting from seed and cyclamens, crocuses, scillas and many others, often in amazing abundance, bursting into flower from bulbs or corms. Wild trees and shrubs are also in fruit. The holly-like kermes oak bears acorns while the scarlet fruits of the strawberry tree provide a striking spectacle in the hills. There is a rebirth of many herbaceous plants and villagers eagerly gather 'horta' for use in cooking and salads. Meanwhile, the warm weather is accompanied by a season of olive & grape harvesting and pressing for oil and wine, and raki production is fired in copper stills.

During this week Dr.Stephen Waters and Clive Daws, who have led our Spring Crete in Bloom weeks for many years, will take you to coastal habitats, grazed and wooded lowland areas, limestone gorges, the foothills of the mountain ranges and archaeological sites for their botanical interest. 

The week including Pure Crete category B accommodation in the village of Megala Chorafia/Aptera, airfare, expert guidance, all excursions, transfers and the first evening meal costs just £765pp and is suitable for single travellers, couples and small groups.

The Autumn Environment Week is led by Dr Stephen Waters and Clive Daws, who have run the 'Crete  in Bloom' weeks for the past 15 years  who write:-

"The change in Crete from the hot, dry Mediterranean summer to the milder weather of autumn is marked by a pot-pourri of fascinating events, in village life and in the natural environment.

In this season of fruitfulness, olives are harvested and pressed for their oil; grapes are gathered to make the village wines. Waste is minimised; the olive husks and prunings from the trees fuel both baking ovens and the copper stills which many farmers use to produce raki, the fiery spirit of Crete. Raki is distilled from a fermented and herb-flavoured mix of the skins and seeds, which remain after pressing the juice from the grapes.

Wild trees and shrubs are also in fruit. The holly-like kermes oak bears acorns, which show its true relationship with the more familiar deciduous oaks, while the scarlet fruits of the strawberry tree provide a striking spectacle in the hills.

With the cooler, often moister, autumnal conditions, there is a rebirth of many herbaceous plants. A range of plants of different families produce fresh, soft shoots and leaves. Many of these are edible, and villagers eagerly gather them as 'horta' for use in cooking and salads.

Numerous beautiful and interesting wild flowers appear at this time of year. Some are on hardy, often evergreen, shrubs, some are annuals sprouting from seed, but there are also great numbers of plants that have remained invisible through the summer as underground bulbs or corms. They now burst into flower and reveal themselves as cyclamens, crocuses, scillas and many others, often in amazing abundance.'

During this week, the leaders (Stephen Waters and Clive Daws) will provide a balanced programme to include as many as possible of the events outlined above. Since timings follow the seasons, which vary from year to year, rather than being bound to a fixed calendar, the localities we visit will be those most appropriate for the prevailing conditions. The selection will probably include coastal habitats, grazed and wooded lowland areas, limestone gorges and at least the foothills of the mountain ranges, as well as archaeological sites, many of which also have considerable botanical interest.

Click here: to see Pure Crete client Helen Cullen's photo diary of  a recent Autumn Environment Week

Autumn Environment Week Itinerary:-

Below is an outline of our programme for the Autumn Environment Week, which will enable us to see a good range of the autumnal flowers and fruits of western Crete. The timing of the seasons varies from year to year, so please be aware that we may rearrange the program or visit different localities to see the best of the plants. Also we hope to have opportunities to be involved with gathering and pressing of olive crops, and with preparation of village wine and raki. These activities are very seasonal so cannot be guaranteed so if they are available, the program will be changed to accommodate them.

Tuesday

Afternoon: Transfer from Hania airport to houses

Evening: Introductory talk with slides

Wednesday

Archaeological site of Aptera, explore the byways of Megala Horafia

Thursday

Lake Kournas, Minoan tombs at Armenoi. Spili

Friday

Morning: Hania old town; markets and museums.

Afternoon: Malaxa Environment Centre

Saturday

Moist lowland areas, Stilos, Kalami, Georgioupoli

Evening: Maza

Sunday

Coastal habitats and Rhodopos peninsula

Monday

Reservoir at Agia. Upland plain, Omalos

Tuesday

Morning: Short visit to Souda Bay coast, including Allied War Cemetery

Afternoon: Depart from Hania airport.

"Clive and Stephen took us to some very interesting sites and shared their considerable knowledge and deep affection for the area and its wildlife. We saw some amazing plants, met many local goats and sheep, encountered ospreys, vultures, even a pelican and explored sites that ranged from ancient Aptera to the back streets of Chania. On the way we learned the secrets of Raki making and had some wonderful meals" Ms M Griffin. London. Oct 2010

For availability and reservations please call

0845 070 1571/ 01444 881402

email: info@purecrete.com