Responsible Tourism

AITO Sustainable Tourism Award

Pure Crete has been awarded the outstanding 4 Star Status for Sustainable Tourism. This reflects our commitment to sustainability, responsible tourism and ecotourism. Pure Crete has restored stone-built Cretan houses and villas and has helped to protect endangered species in Crete. This means that our clients can enjoy the rural tranquillity of traditional houses safe in the knowledge that their holidays help to conserve Crete’s natural and physical environment.

Houses are owned by local families so that the economic benefits go to local communities who engage in restoration and environmental work. We encourage recycling and the local production of organic foods. Pure Crete assist in subsidising the installation of solar energy in the houses we rent.

In the UK we use recycled paper and encourage staff to bring forward initiatives to promote sustainability. In Crete we help to finance the installation of solar panels in the houses we rent. We have run wildflower and walking holidays in Crete for 10 years. Our customer loyalty is linked to our environmental approach as well as the enjoyment of a holiday in Crete.

Pure Crete offers properties in Megala Chorafia, Stilos, Provarma, Malaxa and along the coast in Armeni, Kalami, Alikambos and Lake Kournas. On the south coast we have houses above Frangokastello in Patsianos and Kapsodassos. We provide these in combination with flights from the UK, car hire and travel insurance.

In all these locations we encourage the restoration of disused Cretan houses and the use of traditional building methods.We are not involved in modern building or ownership but instead work in friendship with local communities to protect and enhance the environment.

All our team in Crete live there permanently so enabling us to sponsor the use of solar energy. As conservation of the local culture and environment is central to Pure Crete we are pleased to have been a founder member of Green Flag International - now Green Globe - an organisation set up to promote environmentally responsible tourism within the travel industry.

Carbon Offset your holiday

The environment is central to Pure Crete. We have restored locally owned village houses, we support the installation of solar panels and have helped to protect endangered species such as the loggerhead turtle and bearded vulture in Crete. In the UK we use recycled paper, and where ever possible we do our best to conserve energy and materials.

In 2007 we introduced a carbon offest scheme. We add a £3.50 carbon offset charge per passenger, per return flight on each invoice that clients can pay or opt out of. Tell us what you think by e mail on info@pure-crete.com

Since 2007 Pure Crete clients have raised £2277. This has been donated to the Tourism Industry Carbon Offset Service, TICOS. TICOS uses offset funds to develop projects that make both carbon savings and have wider sustainable development benefits. The offset income is generated by voluntary contributions from customers of its service users. These are travel and tourism companies committed to offsetting and improving both the quality of the environment and the quality of life for local communities at tourism destinations.

Pure Crete's contributions have gone towards SunFire Solar Solutions Solar Stoves in South Africa. The main objective of the project is to help reduce poverty and alleviate the difficult energy situation that South Africa is currently experiencing. The project provides subsidised solar and fuel-efficient stoves to poor communities, allowing families to move away from open-fire cooking which requires enormous amounts of wood fuel and often leads to smoke-related illnesses. The project provides immediate environmental, economic, health and social benefits and is based on a business model that engages local communities and encourages grass-roots entrepreneurship.

The project focuses on communities that are currently struggling to meet their energy needs and have limited economic opportunities. Additional sustainable developments include, reduced smoke-related health problems, reduced incident of cooking related burn injuries and reduced deforestation and habitat degradation in the surrounding area. This will help safeguard regional biodiversity and reduce soil erosion and associated silting of rivers and water courses.

For further information please visit www.ticos.co.uk

We hope that you will support our carbon offset charge, our ambition of carbon neutral holidays and other environmental initiatives.

When in Crete please visit or stay at our properties at Malaxa where Demetrios Vamvounakis* (Chair of Gaia) will be happy to discuss environmental initiatives in Crete.

*Demetrios Vamvounakis, the owner of two of our houses in Malaxa, has recently established a small conference/seminar facility set in wonderful mountain scenery. The facility is are particularly suitable for small groups of geologists, botanists archaeologists, academic and other groups associated with environmental issues. Please call the Pure Crete office on 0845 070 1571 for details.

Pure Crete specialises in self-catering holidays in Crete. The houses and villas described on this website are in Cretan villages set in the foothills of the White Mountains overlooking the sea.

Many have been restored from dereliction by Pure Crete in co-operation with local families using traditional building methods. Therefore, your stay contributes to the livelihood of the local community and supports the local culture. We also support the protection of endangered species in Crete. So, through our service we help to enusre that the natural and physical environment benefits from your custom.

Our Service

We provide exceptional accommodation for rental on a weekly basis at a per person price inclusive of air fare, or accommodation only as required. We can also provide car hire.

Our accommodation is well equipped, in excellent condition and the price includes twice -weekly maid service and a twice - weekly linen change. Our team at Pure Crete has an in-depth knowledge of each of our properties to help you make the best choice for your stay.

With your tickets you will be sent the Pure Crete Information Booklet which gives detailed information to help you make the most of your time in Crete. This is, in addition, to the house book in Crete which provides local advice and suggestions.

When you arrive at Chania airport you will be greeted by one of our Cretan team. A welcome pack of food and wine will be waiting for you when you reach the house. A local representative will visit you the day after you arrive and will be available at other times to give you any help and advice you may need. If you have very young children we can arrange cots and babysitting facilities.

All of our representatives team live permanently in Crete and so have an intimate knowledge of the area. This is a key part of Pure Crete as our commitment to help sustain and enhance the local culture and environment is built upon close relationships and co-operation with local communities.

Select and click a category to see more Pure Crete Houses and Villas

Telephone 0845 070 1571

Latest Additions

Houses with Pools

Houses for Couples

Houses by the Sea

Off the Beaten Track

Family Houses

Pure Crete,
Bolney Place,
Cowfold Road,
Haywards Heath,
West Sussex
RH17 5QT

Tel: ++44 (0)1444 880 404

Fax: ++44 (0)1444 880 405