A week at Zouridi
1st Day: Welcome
We, Giannis and Despoina, the owners of Zouridi, welcome you with a cool drink or an ice cream as you arrive. We show you around the house and point out how certain things can be adapted to suit your individual needs during your stay.
They will also give you maps with information for driving, walking & cycling as well as brochures with photos of places you should visit while staying at Zouridi.
You can use the pool at any time to relax after your trip and you can order coffee or our special Cretan Mojito from the bar!
If you would like to have lunch or dinner you can walk the 300 metres from the villa to a family taverna where they serve meals until late at night. They will be happy to offer you a 10% discount off the menu prices.
In addition, the closest organised sandy beach is just a short 10 minute drive from us.
2nd Day: Trip
Start your day with a drive to Rethymno city (18km) where you will find street markets every Monday, Thursday & Saturday. After a stroll around the market you can take a pleasant 30km drive to visit the historical Arkadi Monastery , famous for its role in the Cretan resistance of the Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. Lying just 12km from Arkadi is the charming village of Margarites , well known for its delightful pottery and where you can see a demonstration of the making of the local ceramic art. Make your final stop of the day the picturesque resort of Bali, just 20 km from Margarites, and enjoy a relaxing swim at the beautiful Evita Bay Beach. Returning to Zouridi by the National Highway, you arrive in just 50 minutes.
3rd Day: Trip
A fantastic 40km mountain trip which takes you to the breath taking Preveli beach with its famous palm trees. Before descending the 300 steps down to the beach you can visit Preveli Monastery with its amazing views of the Libyan Sea. After exploring the beach a short 10km drive takes you to the village of Plakias where you can stop for a cool drink at the Mes Tin Ammo Beach Bar. Keeping to the same road on your drive back you will come across a unique Cretan restaurant, by the name of Iliomanolis, which offers the perfect opportunity for a delightful lunch, sampling some of the traditional local dishes.
4th Day: Trip
Our area is surrounded by lush greenery and boasts an ancient Venetian memorial. By taking a pleasant 10km (approx) walk (there & back) you will pass by a river, old churches and settlements, and at the end of your walk you will arrive at the Saint Dinami waterfalls; a magnificent area with tavernas which have a fish hatchery where you can select the fish you want cooked for your meal or sample the local lamb cooked on the fire.
5th Day: Trip
Balos Beach Lagoon is one of the most exotic places in the Mediterranean Sea. You need to set off early in the morning and there are 2 ways to get there. You can leave your car, after a 90 minute drive, at Kasteli Port and go with the cruise ship, or you can walk down to the Lagoon. On the way back you can stop off at the city of Chania to visit the impressive old harbour. After approximately an hour’s drive you arrive back at Zouridi.
6th Day: Trip
Heraklio is the capital city of Crete and it is here that you will find the Minoan Palace of Knossos, where Cretan civilisation began. It’s just an hour’s drive to Heraklio and after a stroll around the city you could perhaps pay a visit to one of the island’s popular water parks which are situated between 13 and 23km from Heraklio.
7th day: BBQ Party!
You have the day free until the evening! For the daytime, Lake Kournas, the only fresh water lake on the island, is an ideal place to visit on your last day. After a short 30 minute drive you can enjoy the pedal boats on Kournas’ calm waters and the wonderful scenery surrounding the area. Or if you’d rather spend the day shopping , the city of Rethymno is just 30km away and boasts many interesting & varied shops.
At your last night’s BBQ party we offer you Greek souvlaki & Cretan raki and the chance to party until the small hours!