Activities

The area's history and hiking
Just 7 km from the Blue Daisy House lies Eleftherna, one of the oldest cities in Crete. Next to the ancient site is an impressive archaeological museum that tells the story of the area and showcases a remarkable collection of artifacts.
About 20 km away is the historic Arkadi Monastery, one of Crete’s most important landmarks.
The surroundings of the Blue Daisy House are perfect for peaceful walks in nature, among ancient olive and carob trees. Throughout the seasons, the landscape is dotted with colorful wildflowers. You can even hike 8.1 km (one direction) to Old Elefhterna, passing a beautiful stone bridge from the Hellenistic period along the way.
Nearby, the village of Kallergos is one of ten villages in the Mylopotamos region chosen by UNESCO for preservation as World Heritage sites.

Go for Excursions
The Blue Daisy House’s central location makes it an ideal base for day trips across the island.
Crete is renowned for its excellent cuisine, and you’ll find delicious food wherever you go.
Some great nearby dining spots can be found in Margarites, Panormos, and Rethymno
You can also enjoy wine tasting at local wineries such as Kourkoulou winery, Klados winery

Route 1 - 38 km
Melidoni cave - Stalactite cave
Margarites - Potters village, Ceramic galleries
Eleutherna - Ancient city, Archaeological Museum
Arkadi Monastery - Impressive monastery and buildings.

Route 2 - 77 km
Rethymno Old city and port, mosque, fort and gardens
Mili Gorge - Water, vegetation, old mill
Lake Kournas - Sweet water lake, pedals boats
Argiroupoli - Springs, waterfalls and huge plane trees

Route 3 - 70 km
Patsos Gorge - Canyon, wooden bridges, cave
Spili - Picturesque village, folklore museum, spring
Kourtaliotiko Gorge - Caves, springs and scenery
Preveli beach - Beach, river and palms

Nearby beaches
Geropotamos beach - 11 km
Spilies Beach - 12 km
Panormos - 11 km
Bali - 23 km
Additional beaches
Balos beach - 132 km
Elafonissi Beach - 153 km

Xenia's Greek Cooking Classes
Cooking has always been my main hobby. I always enjoyed inviting friends over and preparing for them all the recipes I learned from my mother and grandmother.
In recent years, I have been giving classes and seminars on Greek cooking, with an emphasis on Cretan cuisine.
My cooking workshops take place in my home, a traditional Greek stone house surrounded by olive trees, cypresses, and a vegetable and herb garden that I cultivate myself — all of which we use in the workshops.
Traditional Cretan meal / 4-5 hours / 60 euros per person
Stuffed vegetables and vine leaves, a delicious dish with a variety of vegetables, aromatic herbs, and rice cooked in the oven. Boureki is a traditional dish from Chania that is made with vegetables, cheese, mint, and pastry on top. Zucchini balls, a very tasty side dish with aromatics from my garden, and a variety of cheeses fried in olive oil. Kremmidokalitsouna - small fried pies, stuffed with caramelized onions and a mild Cretan cheese called Myzithra. Tzatziki and a Cretan salad.
These recipes, which not only will you take pleasure in tasting, but also learn how to prepare them on your own, to offer them to yourself and your loved ones!
Greek Desserts / 3-4 hours / 35 euros per person
Sfakiani pita - a kind of thin crepe filled with cheese and served with honey. Myzithropitakia - small cheese pies fried and served with honey and cinnamon. Lychnarakia - cheese pies in the oven have very aromatic and spicy flavors, pasteli, etc.
Variety of cookies
For more information and reservations, please contact Xenia Skoula
+30 6972052551 | xeskoula@gmail.com

Giorgos and Mariniki Pottery Workshops
Basic studio workshop: Beginning with a 15-minute introduction (theory) about the traditional Cretan pottery.
We explain the way of making the clay by the source of the mountain and the burnishing with a pebble, and the decoration with wool. Demonstration of the old, tricky pots and throwing a pot on the wheel.
Then we move downstairs to practice and let the visitors try to build their own pot with our help
1 hour | 2-3 persons, 25 Euro per person per hour
1 hour | 4-8 persons, 20 Euro per person per hour
Outdoor workshop
First, we walk on the main street, where the ruins of old workshops explain the history of pottery over the last century.
Then we visit our outdoor place and see the local raw materials and all the ways of producing handmade clay.
The visitors can see the wood-fired kilns, and then they can make their pots using the electric or the foot-operated wheel, or something only hand-built.
The period for making clay is May-August. Whenever we do a wood fire, you are most welcome to participate.
2 hours | 2-3 persons, 35 euros per person per hour
2 hours | 4-8 persons, 30 euros per person per hour
For more information and reservations, please contact Giorgos Dalamvelas
+30 6976332651 | dalambel@otenet.gr |


