Vamos Traditional Houses, Vamos, Crete

• apartments in restored village houses • join organised activities to gain a real insight into Cretan village life • sleep up to 4 (1 bedroom or mezzanine sleeping gallery)

If you are looking to experience genuine Cretan village life, then these cottages are perfect. They have been lovingly restored by a small group of enthusiastic locals whose aim is to keep the village, its traditions and its crafts alive - to this end, according to season, you can join cookery classes, grape treading and olive picking (pay locally for all activities), or they can provide you with information for local walks in the area and offer suggestions as to where you can still see and experience Cretan life.

Vamos is set in rolling hills just a five-minute drive from quiet sandy beaches. This idyllic setting of cypress and pine trees features fascinating local architecture, interspersed with Byzantine monasteries and ancient churches. Nearby you will find many fascinating villages and beaches to explore, all within a short distance of Vamos. The former fishing villages of Almerida and Kalives, both around 6 kilometres from Vamos, have lovely sandy coves and great family beaches, plus an array of intriguing restaurants and cafeterias.

For a good, if somewhat strenuous walk, you can explore the Samaria Gorge. The good news is that this walk (which starts with a bus ride from Rethimnon) is downhill all the way. An easier walk, and a little less complicated, is through the Imbros Gorge. Although a lot smaller than Samaria, Imbros is nevertheless no less impressive, and you avoid the crowds. You can walk from either end of the gorge and then get a taxi back (pay locally).

Of the houses that have been restored, we have chosen those of Argoulitha, Angelamos and Fabrica. Argoulitha, not far from the village centre, was once the local cheese-maker’s, and is now divided into four air-conditioned maisonettes, each with an open-plan kitchen and living room and an open sleeping gallery (with twin beds in the upper apartments and a double bed in the lower ones). One of the lower apartments has a separate bedroom. The first-floor apartments have beautiful views down towards the sea; the ground-floor apartments have their own gardens.

Angelamos is situated in the heart of the village and has been divided into two apartments, both with a similar layout to Argoulitha. The smaller of the two apartments has village views, while the more spacious one looks across the valleys to the coast. The décor is traditional and there is a fireplace, an open sleeping gallery with a double bed (twin beds in the larger one) and an open-plan kitchen and living area.

Cosy, air-conditioned Fabrica is again in the village centre and comprises a living room with kitchenette, sofa and fireplace; a bathroom; and an open sleeping gallery with a double bed and a balcony with village views.

We highly recommend your hosts’ small delicatessen, selling everything from pasta to fruit-flavoured liqueurs - their own farm is the source of much of the produce. Elsewhere in the village they have also created the panoramic Art Café and the excellent Bloumosifi’s Taverna where you can sample an array of Cretan dishes including the local delicacy of cuttlefish with fennel. (Pay locally in all cases.) Take advantage of their information office to find out about activities, places of interest and walking trails in the region.

Activities & Facilities:

• walking (Vamos office provides notes) • cookery classes • Greek dancing classes • grape & olive picking (seasonal) • cycling • horse riding 20km away • windsurfing 5km away • nearest beach 5km • nearest restaurant 2 mins’ walk • nearest shop 1min away

Prices & travel 2008

All prices in £ per person, based on the number of people in the party

Start: Tuesday via Chania, any day via Heraklion
Nights: 7
Board: self-catering
Included travel: charter flight Gatwick-Chania (please call for details & timings), & 7 days' category C car hire
Driving time from airport: 0h45
Alternative travel: flight Gatwick-Heraklion (please call for details & prices)

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