Our guides are the heart and soul of WalkingWomen
They are what makes what we do so special – all women and all local to where we walk. They love to share their passion of their places. We are spotlighting our guides in our newsletter each month and giving a little more information here on our website.
Angela loves flowers and walking around Mirtos to show the blooms in spring
Perfect for flower lovers..
March to May is best and we have holidays during these months. You will find the landscape alive with wildflowers, herbs and blossoms that bring colour and fragrance to the countryside. Just wonderful to walk amongst such colour.
Crete’s mild Mediterranean climate and seasonal rains make spring arguably the most beautiful time of year for flora on the island and we just love Mirtos.
What you can expect to see …
- Tulips & Wild Tulips – including rare endemic species that can carpet fields in bursts of red, pink, or purple in late March–April.
- Anemones – bright red and other colours, common in spring across hillsides and fields.
- Iris & Gladiolus – striking blue and pink flowers popping up in grasslands and slopes.
- Wild Orchids – Crete hosts dozens of orchid species, especially in March–April, often small and striking.
- Cretan Cyclamen & Cretan Peony – delicate white-to-pink cyclamen carpeting shady areas and rare peony blooms in late spring.
- Blue Lupine & Purple Rockrose – fields and rocky areas can turn blue-purple with these blooms in early spring.
And on our Relax and Slow Down trip we do some cooking with herbs..
you can walk away with new recipes for a Greek evening back home …
Crete’s aromatic herb flora is so strong in spring, with oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, chamomile and other fragrant herbs emerging in fields and hillsides. These also attract bees and add a distinct Mediterranean aroma to the air.
We asked Angela what she loves about Mirtos ..
Mirtos offers an ideal blend of village life and tourism. The village is small but has everything you need, from shops and tavernas to cafes and a beach. It’s lively in the summer, while in winter the village belongs mainly to locals, except for a few winter visitors from abroad. The nearest town is no more than a 20-minute drive away, and it takes less than an hour to reach the higher mountain regions. You can choose between peace and quiet or more active pursuits, whatever you desire.
And what is important in life?
My family and other social contacts
Living close to nature
Staying active, with hiking, Thai chi/qigong, swimming in the summer, and gardening.
Healthy eating, with natural, simple ingredients and experimenting with them in the kitchen.
Contributing to the preservation and conservation of nature.
Why do you enjoy guiding for WalkingWomen?
Ginny and Sara share a similar approach to topics such as guest services, spending time in nature, and sustainable tourism. They work with small groups and always have very pleasant guests. I am glad to guide their groups and connect people and cultures.
Finally we asked what Angela’s top tips for being fit for a holiday in Mirtos ..
For guests from lowland areas, it’s a good idea to do a few exercises to improve their sure-footedness. It is advisable to do a few hikes at home before starting your trip. Read the tour descriptions carefully to avoid unpleasant surprises regarding the difficulty level of the hikes.
But don’t worry: As a hiking guide, I will always look after all guests and ensure that also participants with a slower pace of walking have an enjoyable time.
Thank you to Angela for bringing so many wonderful holidays to WalkingWomen over the years.
As a guest last year said “ Angela’s excitement was delightful. An extraordinary guide who gave us a great welcome, great walks and great food. Challenge,community ,celebration … the whole time we were together I was dreaming of returning for more of Angela’s guiding..
