A Beautiful Spring Road Trip Through The Hills Of Crete
I went to Crete just as the season was opening, so not a lot of tours had started yet. Buses weren’t yet running to most parts of the island. I really wanted to see more of Crete, so I emailed the people at Natour Lab to see if their tours had started yet. Their tours, too, hadn’t yet begun, but they still invited me out with them on a road trip through the Sfakia region of Crete. Natour Lab has an amazing concept. They combine gastronomy and hikes. Those are my two favorite things in life, so we were made for each other. Little did I know when I accepted their invitation that I would be having the best day that I had my whole time in Crete.
The original Crete diet actually consisted of many of the greens that are found along the roadside. I love that we pulled over and they picked some for me to try.
It felt like Spring, indeed, with all the goats, sheep, and wildflowers in bloom. I was stunned by the beauty of it all and felt so lucky to get to see this part of Crete.
The panorama view of the sapphire blue Libyan sea was spectacular. I couldn’t believe how clear the water was!
We hiked to the top of a hill with a very small church on the top and a stunning view. Crete continued to astound me.
Then, we went and watched a local cheesemaker make his cheeses. The raw sheep’s milk cheese that he made was the best cheese that I’ve ever had in my life.
Apparently, one of the villages we visited was like the Wild West or like Texas, my new friends told me. All of the road signs had holes in them because the locals like to shoot at the signs with their machine guns. The air here was filled with the sound of gunshots during our visit. Um, OK, I’m not even sure Texas can compete with this, and I’m pretty sure the Wild West didn’t have machine guns.
I also sat under a tree that had thousands of bees pollinating the flowers. The buzzing was so loud!
Then, for my favorite part of the day-lunch! We stopped at a local taverna on the side of the road, and I ate the best food I had during my whole stay in Crete. For other views of the Greek food, make sure you check out my other website, Eating The Globe. 
All in all, it was a perfect day, and by far my favorite experience in Crete. For a day closest to the experience that I had, check out Natour Lab’s The Southern Experience tour. You will be glad that you did.
Hi I am off to Crete next week. Last went over 15 years ago. We have back packed around Greece over 25 years ago too. We are on a flight only trip and plan to get a ferry to Santorini and maybe a couple of the other islands. We land at midnight so any tips for cheap accomodation in Heraklion and ferry advice would be very welcome. We have 1 week only so need to be organised.
Sorry, I didn’t go to Heraklion or take the ferry! Safe travels…
Wow, I wish I had, but unfortunately I have never been to Crete. It looks so beautiful, the landscape, the animals roaming free, the super clear water. I want to go now!
Wow, we’ve never been to Crete, but would dearly love to now. Especially to take a tour like yours. You’ll certainly appreciate food and drink even more after a good hike.
Yes, I loved the concept and the scenery was just gorgeous…
Stunning photographs! And I love those goats. That’s quite a life they have going for them, eh?
Lovely photos! I pinned some of them!
Thank you, DJ Yabis!!
Wow, great shots Valen!
The food in Greece is delicious and our favorite meal was the time a super nice waiter offered to choose the food for us. Seeing that Micki and the kids are vegetarian we were worried there would be too many meat dishes but he knew our situation and brought out a dozen small dishes that we quickly devoured.
The kids would be all over that cheese though.
BTW, your pictures of the goats are awesome!
Thank you, Charles! I so agree about the food…I liked it much better than the food in Italy where I currently am.
Those goats look so cute and cuddly! I miss the food in Greece. Never been to Crete though. Too bad.
Crete looks like a little slice of paradise. Love your nature photos.
Hiking and eating is a match made in heaven.
It truly was! Can’t wait to go back one day…
Swooning at this walk. Amazing! I want to go back to Greece so much…
Looks beautiful Val! I think goats are adorable, so especially love those photos. And that water is so amazingly clear. Looks like a lovely island to visit!
It really is incredible!
I’m in love with the goats! Oh and the food! My mouth is watering. How I want to go to Crete. Thanks for sparking my wanderlust again.
Crete is definitely one of my favorite spots. I can’t wait to go back!