Enjoy this chance to explore an area of Crete that is often overlooked. Your greeting in Chania, often called the "Venice of Greece," is tempting, yet there is so much more to discover outside of the city limits. You may never have pictured yourself looking forward to an enveloping experience in nature, but just 18 km outside of Chania you will be introduced to the history of the island by way of its botanicals.

On your ride, your guide will fill you in on the island, the area you are visiting, and the origin of this property. You will pass Fournes village and, just before the historical Lakkoi-Skordalou, you will head towards the Botanical Park, where you'll enjoy an unprecedented tour of the region’s magical nature and the creative imagination of the four brothers who dreamt of and realized this unique heaven on earth! Though the organization of the park is new, much inside its limits is old and tells tales, such as the burnt centennial olive tree, a memorial and a reference to the dismal fires of 2003.

When given the opportunity to be guided by a person who has the right knowledge and ability to share it, a garden can turn into magic. You will learn about the vast variety of Mediterranean fruits, herbs, and medicinal and ornamental plants. The herbs and spices that grow here are used in Greek food, as well as food in much of the surrounding countries, for their flavor and tradition, and much will be available for tasting as you tour. Using local ingredients, you will have a chance to do some cooking, which you assuredly will try to replicate at home. You will thoroughly enjoy savoring the dishes your have just helped prepare.

Moving on from the gardens, scenic areas will surround you, including some of the villages that sit tight under the Cretan Mountains. As you travel along, you will stop at a traditional winery and its vineyard, which is always breathtaking. Learning about the local viticulture and the indigenous grape varietals is an education for any age as it is an art. Your stop at the winery will include a taste of 3 of their award-winning wines.