Eastern Crete- Mirtos in May to relax and slow down by the sea

SUMMARY

Dates: Tuesday May 5th to Tuesday May 12th  2026 – 8 days and 7 nights

Guide: Angela Sturmayr local guide who has been living in Mirtos, Crete for years. Native German speaker with fluent Greek, English and Dutch.

Walking Grade: 1 Goat as this is a gentle holiday for those who want to get away to somewhere new and experience life in the slow lane !

Base: We will stay in the Mertiza apartments in the village of Mirtos in Eastern Crete. They are perfect for our guests run by a Evi, a local woman who gives a real hospitable Cretan experience. The apartments are just a few steps away from the promenade and beach in Mirtos and from the shops, restaurants and cafes. Each studio (solo occupancy) and apartments (for two or more) are ensuite and with kitchen facilities and a balcony. They are all air-conditioned and have Wifi.

We eat breakfast together in the nearby Hotel Mirtos.

Arrivals: The nearest airport is Heraklion and we will provide one group transfer in the late afternoon (around 16:00) depending on the schedule of flights.

The transfer time is approx 1 hour 30 minutes.

Guests will be flying in from various airports and we know arrival times are very varied. We can arrange additional transfers for an extra cost of approx 120 euros for the taxi (up to 4 people) for one way transfer. We will connect people to share transfers.

Departures: On the return, the transfer will leave after breakfast for flights after 14:00.

Price: £1,600 per person for a solo occupancy room inclusive of   :

• Your own apartment ensuite with kitchen facilities
• Breakfast provided for you each morning at a neighbouring restaurant.
• Evening meals in local restaurants on 6 nights to give you the true flavour of Crete (one evening you are free. That day a good lunch is provided at a local winemakers)
• Expert local walking guide
• All activities provided during the week – Cretan cooking class,bread making,wine tasting…
• Airport transfer to and from Heraklion
• All local transport required for walks

Not included:

• Lunches which can be made in your apartments or bought in local cafes
• Additional drinks
• Airport transfer outside the time stated
• Any excursions not on the itinerary

If you bring a partner / friend and share a room the price is £1,400 per person. We will adjust your invoice once you have paid with your discount of £200 per person.

DETAILS

Angela has been guiding in Crete for many years and will be your lead guide. Angela speaks German, Greek, Dutch and English and is a highly experienced mountain guide  as well as being immersed in the local Cretan culture. This programme has been especially crafted to share the best of what this area of Crete has to offer.

We base ourselves in Mirtos, a friendly rural village on the Libyan sea. It is one of the sunniest places in Europe. It is full of Cretan traditions and customs and prides itself on remaining unspoilt and not being full of hectic crowds.

Mirtos attracts those interested in hiking with its impressive flora and fauna and with its proximity to the sea.We will walk through mountain villages and hike where we see beautiful views of the sea. Being able to start and end your days with a dip is wonderful.

ITINERARY

The itinerary may change depending on the weather and at the discretion of your guide. Sometimes activities may have to change but rest assured you will have lovely days to show you the best this region has to offer . Your itinerary will be discussed with you each day.

Tuesday

Arrival : Welcome and pick up for your group transfer from Heraklion airport to Mirtos ( YOUR TAXI WILL BE WAITING WITH YOUR NAME AND THE WALKINGWOMEN SIGN)

You will arrive in time to settle in , have a briefing about your week and eat together in a local Taverna.

Wednesday : Let’s Cook Together

08.30 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos and introduction to the programme of the week with Angela.
10.00am : After breakfast, there is the possibility of an optional walk in the valley of Mirtos and visiting Angela’s Garden for a herbal tea, picked directly from her land. Or just relax at the beach and take a swim in the Libyan Sea.

14.00 we will meet Popi, the owner of Hotel Esperides. She is our “teacher” for healthy and clean food, simply made and tasty. We will cook today’s dinner together with her and get a first impression of the secrets of Cretan cuisine.

Walk of approx. 1 h on asphalt or dirt roads – no difference of altitude – can be done with casual shoes with a proper sole

Thursday: Cretan wines – an ancient story

08.00 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos
09.00 Depart for the day

In Pirgos, a village in the large Messara plain, lives Christos, a young winemaker. He is the fourth generation of traditional winemakers and distillation of Raki. We can taste his organic wines and hear about the history of Cretan wines. A walk around this real farm village brings us to the house of Manolis, where we get a delicious lunch made of products, mostly grown on his own land.

Walk approx. 1 hour on asphalt and dirt roads, Difference in altitude: approx. 80 to 100 m – can be walked with  casual walking shoes with a proper sole

Drive to Pirgos 1 hour 15 min

Evening free

Friday:  Wild herbs

08.00 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos
09.00 Depart for the day

Today we will go to the north coast and walk from the mountain village Lastros through a remote landscape down to the coast. In the dry riverbed we will find a lot of wild herbs and get an introduction to how to use them in our diet and for our health.

Late lunch/early dinner in Mochlos at the seaside

Walk of approx. 3 hours on old paths, a riverbed and dirt roads – Difference in altitude approx. 300 m downhill and a short uphill before the end of the walk- hiking boots required

Drive to Lastros 45 min

Evening free

Saturday: Free day

08.30 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos

You could do one of the 7 marked tours of Mirtos Hiking Village on your own with a starting point at the edge of the village. Alternatively you can spend a day at the beach, or visit to the market in Ierapetra which takes place every Saturday.

Angela can arrange for you to have a taxi to Ierapetra or provide you with the hiking booklet, price is 8.50 €

Sunday: The making of filo dough

08.30 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos

Departure 9am

After a walk in the surroundings of Kalamafka, a picturesque mountain village, we drive into the middle of the largest greenhouse area of Crete. A surprise awaits us there, Maria and her husband Manos have created a little paradise on their piece of land near Stomio, as a counterpoint to the agricultural industry. As a passionate cook, she will initiate us into the secrets of making filo dough and cheese pies. Our early dinner will be cooked by her and offer an insight into traditional Cretan tastes.

Walk of approx. 2 hours on easy dirt tracks around the village.

Evening free

Monday: A special meeting

08.30 Breakfast in Hotel Mirtos
09.45 Departure

We drive to the mountain village Anatoli and walk through a picturesque landscape with fantastic to the north and south coast. We visit Stefanos, a local man who decided to use his own products like bee wax, essential oils from his herbs and olive oil to make natural creams and other nature products.

Walk approx. 2 hours on dirt roads – Difference in altitude: approx. 250 m

Drive to Anatoli 45 min

19.00 Finale Dinner in a Taverna in Mirtos

Tuesday : Departure after breakfast 

Group Transfer to Heraklion airport to arrive around 12:00. Book flights for after 14:00.