6 Hidden Gems Things to do in Apokoronas That You Shouldn't Miss

If you are interested in Cretan cuisine, Greek food, or you are just crazy about cooking, we invite you to join our traditional cooking lessons.You cook, taste and enjoy local recipes and prepare delicious dishes with the guidance and assistance of our professional cook Mrs. Koula.All dishes are made of genuine, pure Cretan products such as olive oil, vegetables, cheese, meat, wine, etc. and of course all the ingredients are fresh and local. Combine your visit to Crete with a journey through the Cretan Cuisine!

We start from the local Olive Oil factory. The taste of pure local oil is followed by the explanation of the secrets of Cretan virgin olive oil. Question will be answered such as: what virgin olive oil means? Why olive oil? Why the Cretan olive oil is better than the Spanish and Italian one? After, we visit Stavros the bee-keeper close to the mountain village of Embrosneros. We will wear the bee-keeper's costumes, open the hives and see the bees, including the Queen, and discover all the secrets of bee-keeping. At the end we will taste honey with cheese and drink the first raki of the day! After that we drive really high up, to the pastures of Yiorgis the shepherd. Under the oak trees Yiorgis milks his sheep with the valuable assistance of his dog! And then prepares "tyrozoulia", the freshest cottage cheese you will ever taste! Meanwhile lamb will be boiling in the vat and will become, along with traditional "pilafi" rice, our meal... in the heart of the mountains!

Discover the Cretan culture, beautiful landscapes away from tourist areas, golden sandy beaches, breathtaking views, wildlife, Cretan herbs, traditional wine, raki, honey and olive oil, homemade food, the myths and traditions that will awaken all your senses. Trust our experienced guides and the Land Rover Defender 110 which are the suitable cars for the most difficult points, to guide you to a place untouched by time. Together we will create the best memories in Crete. Book Now!

During wintertime, Mandali will be closed, but we will continue making the walks. In the shop Mandali you can buy (fair trade) the best local products from the village Kournas (olive oil, honey, raki, raki with coffee, with honey and with lemon, wine and herbs) and some special gifts: art, gift cards, painted pebbles, ceramics, jewellery made of Tagua nuts, mulberry wood and glass filled with sand, pebbles, and butterflies, walking maps and -books and natural, handmade olive soap. For information about the village and the area, you are welcome in the shop. For a short stroll in the village or the long walk in the backyard, you can get a free map of the village and area with walking routes. Since 2018 we have donkeys and in April 2019 Cleo gave birth to a daughter Zoe. You can join us at the botanical walks with our 4 donkeys and with Arno or you can join Barbara on the​ botanical walk Extra. Call us or write to​ us for more information about the walks and visiting the donkeys.