Maybe this article stands at Weekly Tips but it is more like the Tip for many, many weeks!
I am aware of a great number of agencies, offering cooking lessons and other agro-touristic activities based on the famous Cretan diet. I also believe that an authentic, honest presentation is based on the passionate character of locals involved.
And now, I have a question:
Would you trust this happy face with the <clear>, honest eyes, showing a big heart?
Do you think that this person is a simple man, with great values, and the pure soul of a child?
If the answer is <yes>, then please check this article very carefully.
Manolis
All his memories were full of the old way of everyday life in a Cretan village.
Manoli’s family photo
The last 5 years, he grows grains, fruits and vegetables, producing high quality healthy foods, trying constantly to improve them, though he receives very good comments even from demanding food experts!
Manolis feels that he still has many things to learn, but he also loves to share his knowledge with anybody who is interested to experience an alternative – friendly to nature way of growing foods, based on love and respect. His simple stone house (built basically by himself), with open view to Messara valley is open to visitors who like to spend a few hours with him.
As pictures are better than words, here are photos of some previous visits, including travel journalists and students of relevant to agriculture and nutrition universities.
The tour starts with a visit to the gardens, where Manolis talks about his relationship with nature, presenting the local, traditional kinds of plants we grows, and the methods he is using for fertilizing and protection. Later on, everybody takes some fresh greens and vegetables from the garden and go to the house to help Manolis to prepare the meal and the salads.
During that, there is time for a nice chat on different topics (the real Cretan diet, interesting elements of the house, many funny/touching stories of the village, etc.) and the nice, friendly atmosphere goes up to the maximum when food is served!!!
In case you are interested to experience more of the local life, there is an all day tour, including visits of fantastic spots in the awesome, sacred Asterousia Mountains.
The day starts again from the garden with Manolis’ presentation, followed by meal preparation, and after we put food in low temperature oven. Until it is ready, we have time to pop in to the vehicle and explore impressive, not highlighted corners of south Crete, hidden by most of tourists.
The breath catching landscape of Abas waterfall, a small, primitive coffee shop with authentic character, owned by an 90 years old lady, two Minoan peak sanctuaries are some of the optional visits, till we reach a fantastic beach with sea caves and refresh ourselves in the crystal waters of the Libyan sea.
After a full day we’ll be happy (as well as hungry) to return at Manolis’ house and enjoy an unforgettable meal !!
His favorite wish to the guests comes from Dr. Pierre Rabhi who mentioned to Manolis during his visit last year: <When I offer food to people I like to wish them Good appetite, not good luck!>
Since we can offer tailor made excursions, the day trip may also include:
Asterousia tour (landscape with impressive rock shapes)
Take your time to get the feeling as pictures say more than words.
