Network Members

The Social Cooperative Enterprise of Collective and Social Benefit of life society VASILIKATA, located in the Lassithi Plateau, focuses primarily on thematic rural tourism and agritourism. It took its name from the Venetian cartographic engineer FRANCESCO BASILICATA, who was the one who created the first engravings of Crete and placed the Lassithi Plateau on maps. The three main pillars of VASILIKATA are: 

• The restoration of old ruins and their conversion into comfortable mountain agrotourism guesthouses, VASILIKATA GUESTHOUSES, with the ultimate goal of combating the desertification of settlements. 

• The organization of activities and seminars based on the intangible cultural heritage of the Lassithi Plateau and Crete, such as the traditional Lassithi windmill, the art of weaving, and forgotten sustainability practices. 

• The agri-food sector, with cooking classes, forgotten recipes, initiation into Minoan cuisine, participation in rural activities, and a clear focus on the circular economy. The fully functional organic farm BIOANNA and the VASILIKATA team are ready to welcome visitors throughout the year and create memories with flavors and scents of traditional practices.

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Villa Kerasia is in the settlement of Vlachiana, 15 km southwest of Heraklion. It is located at the southeastern foot of Psiloritis, at an altitude of 580 meters. It has 7 rooms and offers the opportunity to participate in various events related to culture, gastronomy, but also in activities related to climbing in Psiloritis. Also, the international hiking trail E4, which leads to an organized shelter, in Prinos, at 1.200 meters altitude is near the Villa. The kitchen of the Villa offers Cretan breakfast, special dishes (for diabetics, vegetarian, etc.) and custom dishes. Read less

Villa Kynthia is a preserved mansion of 1898 located in the center of the village of Panormo, two hundred meters away from the sea. It was restored in 1991 with care and respect for tradition and thus the 5 traditional rooms of the complex were formed. Villa Kynthia is a member of the Rural Tourism & Agritourism Association of Crete and offers a Cretan breakfast, while music events are often held at the cafe-bar inside the mansion. Read less

The Network of Winemakers of Crete started its operation in 2006, wishing to follow a new route and to cultivate a climate of cooperation and synergies. The beginning was made with the Regional Unit of Heraklion, as the central core of bottled wines, thus giving the initial kick to what would follow in time, namely the Network of Winemakers of Crete. Two years later, the Chania- Rethymno Winery Network was created, while the Region of Lasithi joined the process, resulting in the achievement of the Network's goal which was the structured promotion of Cretan wine inside and outside the island. The two bodies operate autonomously but always in collaboration with each other, under the umbrella of "Wines of Crete" on the basis of a collective action planning. The main objectives of the network remain the promotion and recognition of Cretan wine inside and outside the country, but also the development of the wine tourism current on the island while making use of several tourist advantages that exist in Crete. Read less

The company was created in 2013 and is based in Psychro of the Lasithi Plateau. It is active in the specialized production and marketing of ceramics, in the collection, processing and distribution of aromatic herbs and plants of the Dikti mountain range, as well as in the production, standardization and marketing of extra virgin olive oil. In addition to the above, in a different space, a theme park related to Greek mythology has been created, which presents elements from the myths, traditions and local culture of the wider region of Crete. The theme park is unique in its kind in Crete and offers the visitors the possibility of automatic tour in 4 languages for about an hour, while special sound systems that frame it offer a sense of immediacy. Read less

Lassithi Plateau is in the homonymous municipality and is about 70km away from Heraklion. The Municipality of Lassithi plateau, one of the eight Municipalities of the Regional Unit of Lassithi, occupies most of the western side of the mountain complex of Dikti. The number of inhabitants of the Municipality amounts to about 2.500, while it consists of 11 municipal districts. The primary production sector occupies a dominant position in the Municipality regarding employment. At the same time, the region favors the development of alternative forms of tourism- mainly rural and agri-tourism – while accommodation can support this effort, provided that they operate almost all year round.

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The Cultural Society of Panormo “Epimenidis” was created in 1998 and its members are- among others – residents of the area of Panormo. During its operation, the industrial monument of the Carob Mill was restored and transformed into a contemporary space of art and culture. The main purpose of the company is the organization of Curriculum and Research, with emphasis on issues related to humanitarian education, language and art. The Program of educational and cultural events of the company consists of speeches, discussions, film screenings, exhibitions, music, dance and theatrical events In addition, inside the Carob Mill, where the company is housed, there is a space specially designed for tasting agricultural products.

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