Pure Crete 2012 (page 7)

Autumn Environment Week 9 - 16 October 2012 During this week Dr Stephen Waters and Clive Daws, who have led our Spring Crete in Bloom weeks for many years, will take you to coastal habitats, grazed and wooded lowland areas, limestone gorges, the foothills of the mountain ranges and archaeological sites for their botanical interest. The week including Pure Crete category B accommodation in Aptera, airfare, expert guidance, all excursions, transfers and the first evening meal costs just Ł765 and is suitable for single travellers, couples and small groups. Autumn in Crete features numerous beautiful wild flowers with annuals sprouting from seed and cyclamens, crocuses, scillas and many others, often in amazing abundance, bursting into flower from bulbs or corms. Wild trees and shrubs are also in fruit. The holly-like kermes oak bears acorns while the scarlet fruits of the strawberry tree provide a striking spectacle in the hills. There is a rebirth of many herbaceous plants and villagers eagerly gather 'horta' for use in cooking and salads. Meanwhile, the warm weather is accompanied by a season of olive & grape harvesting and pressing for oil and wine, and raki production is fired in copper stills. SHE Autumn Crete If your vision of Crete includes concrete hotels, discos and allnight burger-bars, then an autumn break with Pure Crete should be a pleasant surprise. They specialise in refurbishing traditional stone houses in hideaway villages far removed from the brash tourist towns. We stayed in Megala Chorafia, where our house, complete with pool, offered panoramic views of snow-capped mountains on one side and the turquoise waters of Souda Bay on the other. There are good tavernas nearby and, even with children, eating out is stress-free and enjoyable. Crete is warm until the end of October and there is plenty to see. Don't miss the ruins at Knossos, Chania old town and Panagia Kera church in Kritsa with its 14th and 15th century frescoes. by Melanie Hart