Half Day 4h
Private
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Mountain Giouhtas is located west of Archanes, about 10km south of the city of Heraklion. Its maximum altitude may not exceed 811m, but it holds a prominent place in mythology and the hearts of the Cretans.
It can a unique landscape surrounded by vineyards and olive groves. For the ancient Minoans it was a sacred mountain, mainly because of its shape: from the northwest, the mountain looks like a human face looking at the sky. According to the legend, Zeus is buried there. After all, the mountain got its name from him, since Giouhtas comes from the Latin Jupiter, that is Zeus
Our trip starts from Heraklion. After getting acquainted with your guide and following a short briefing, we will follow the provincial road that leads to a village where you will have a unique olive tasting experience that will give you a better perspective of the islands largest agricultural industry which is olive oil production.
Once our olive oil tasting is completed, we will start driving towards the highest peak of Giouhtas, following the dirt road through a beautiful pine forest, on the east side of the mountain. There, the small church of Christ the Lord is located, built in 1443. The view to the valley of Archanes, which is a vast vineyard, Psiloritis, Dikti and Heraklion, is amazing! You will also can search for herbs and observe the imposing vultures, that find refuge on the steep cliffs
Then we will drive to Archanes village in one of our favourite restaurants, where you will have the opportunity to experience a variety of traditional specialties and local wines.
