Meditation and Singing Bowls
The vibrations from singing bowls effect the mind, body and spirit creating a profound peace that leaves recipients feeling relaxed and refreshed.
Meditation through singing bowls are just one of the classes that form a days experience at The Olive Shed. 
It accompanies Yoga, Thai Massage and Healthy cooking classes that are planned for the future in the open space that is fenced in by olive trees.

'One of my favourite moments from the whole experience was seated amongst holders and sweet smelling plants surrounded by olive trees and listening to and feeling the vibrations from Olga's singing bowls as the sun set. I could absolutely do that every day and never get sick of it.'

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Chania

Chania is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Greece, both for Greeks and for foreign visitors. It combines incredible natural beauty with a rich history and important cultural tradition with high quality tourist infrastructure. For many visitors,  is considered as the most beautiful city of Crete. The jewel of the city is its Old Town with the beautiful old Venetian harbor, ideal place for romantic walks.
In addition to the beautiful city and the cosmopolitan areas of the north coast, Chania Prefecture features mountainous landscapes, a number of monuments and archaeological sites and wonderful beaches: some of them are exotic beaches of infinite beauty and considered to be among the most beautiful beaches in Crete, Greece and world.

​Beaches
Gerani Beach - our local beach top right picture
Just a straight 10 minute drive down from the Olive Shed, through the little village of Gerani and you will end up at
Gerani beach. Pebbles and sand beach that never gets
busy, even in the height of the season.
Clear waters welcome you for a swim or dip to cool off.

Afrata is a small village, located 3.5km north of Kolymbari
and 25 minutes from the Olive Shed. The car journey from Kolmbari to Afrata is stunning, winding your way up and up taking in spectacular views.
On arriving into Alfrata a small local shop and two wonderful village tavernas welcome you. The restaurants are wonderful, simple, traditional tasty food and great house wines.
​Onwards down towns the beach cutting through a small gorge. The small lovely beach of Afrata is located 5 minutes from Afrata village.
The beach is pebbly and beautifully secluded. It is primarily preferred by local residents, and people in the know as its not on the tourist The wild beauty of Rodopos Cape, combined with the scenic calmness of the sea and the picturesque village, makes Afrata an ideal choice for quiet holidays. On the beach there is a small taverna from where
you can buy water and food. There are some umbrellas
and tamarisk trees, offering shade.

​Ravdoucha
The village Ravdoucha is situated on a mountain ridge on
the west coast of the peninsula Rodopou, from where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the more western peninsula
of Gramvousa (not to be confused with the island
Gramvousa, which is right behind it).
From the village there is a ca.1,5 km breath taking zig zag road down the mountain slope to Ravdoucha beach, the road eventually forks down at the coast.
Right leads to a couple of taverns and the harbor (and to a
small beach right on the harbor), the left it goes to a cove with rock slabs forming partial small pools of water, and close to
this starts a long pebble beach. The Ravdoucha beach is surrounded by numerous tamarisk trees.

Restaurants

Chania

​Thalassino Ager - Halepa
In the neighborhood known as Tabakaria, which is in the old quarter of Halepa you will find the most scenic restaurant in the city of Chania, right on the beachfront. The “sea air” is a renowned secret for gourmet lovers, perfect for a romantic dinner with the splashing waves beneath.
The sea view is magnificent and the Mediterranean cuisine will tempt even the most discerning customers. Fresh fish, well cooked octopus and squid, lobster with pasta, whitebait, unique sea urchin salad, bread and salads served amidst the sea breeze provide all those unique details contribute to the best meals in the city of Chania.
In Tabakaria, where “Thalassino Ageri” is located, the dilapidated, vacant buildings with their impressive architecture and monuments which belong to the era of the industrial archeology will impress you. This architectural background helps make up a cinematic landscape making your meal
by the seaside at the “Thalassino Ageri” an experience
​you will never forget.
www.thalasino-ageri.gr/en/

Tamam
Tamam have cooked since 1982 for people from all over the world!  Their recipes have been inspired by the Greek family Sunday meals, traditional food that they eat at home with their beloved ones. Careful selection of top quality local products and personal care has made Tamam a sought after restaurant
in the Old Port of Chania throughout the year.
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Following mainly their heart and instinct, they give to their guests a memorable gastronomic experience. 

A Historic building
The building where the restaurant is situated was built around 1400 AC by the Venetians to operate as a public bath, 1645 the Turks invaded Chania and continued using the bath just with some architectonic alterations. The 'Hamam' (Turkish meaning steam bath) continued to operate till the Turks left Crete.
Tamam founded in 1982 by a group of friends and its name was inspired by the similar sound music of hamam that led to tamam and its significane in Arabic languages meaning 'all good' seemed appropriate for the newborn restaurant. 

Afrata
Tis Litsas ta Kamomata
This is probably my daughters and my favourite taverna.
​Run by a local couple (Litsas and Dimitries) in a charming old renovated Taverna in Afrata Village with great views over the mountains and the
bay of Kolympari

The food is fantastic with traditional options for meat eaters and vegetarians. Portion sizes are just right. Best of all is the customer service which is fun and friendly.
Tasty free puddings and Raki to finish off the lovely traditional food all year round.
Overall, great location, lovely owners, great food, great house wines, great prices and really great service.

Markets
​Chania 
Thursday by the swimming bath, lovely traditional fishing harbour restaurants at Neo Chora
Saturday, Minos Street, large street market, wonderful atmosphere and sounds. Minos Cafe great music, great souvlaki, bread with lemon situated towards the end of the market, harbour end. Look out for the man with the trilby, Georgos, the owner.

Walks - Hikes

Samaria Gorge, the most famous of all Crete 
is one of the most famous Crete Gorges. It is located in the sierra of White Mountains in Chania. 
Its length is 18 km and is the longest gorge of Crete and
Europe. It has a width from 150 meters to 3 meters, which is
the narrowest point of the gorge, called “Doors”. In 1962 it
was declared a National Park of Greece and residence of
many endemic birds and different species. The most famous
of the animals that find refuge in Samaria Gorge is the Cretan
goat (Kri Kri). There also herbs and rare plants growing there, such as the wild burning bush and wild flowers.
The entire trail is very well marked and is the most walked
path in Greece. The path to the gorge begins from Omalos,
at Xyloskalo point, at an altitude of 1,200 m. It is a narrow path
that descends. From the very beginning you feel the awe dominating you: majestic mountains and an endless ravine gush in front of you! The end of the route is beautiful, as you face the Libyan Sea and the magnificent beach of Agia Roumeli! A refreshing dip in the sea and relaxing on the
shore of the beach is the beautiful end of our tour in the beautiful and majestic Gorge Samaria – the most famous
of all Crete Gorges!

The Gorge of Agia Irini in Chania
The gorge of Agia Irini (St. Irene) in Selino is located in the
west of the White Mountains, 43 km from Chania.
The gorge has  a unique beauty , it was named like this from
the village of Agia Irini located near the north entrance.
It has a length of 7.5 km and is part of the European E4 path. The time required for crossing it is about 3 hours.
The village of Sougia with its beautiful beach is 5 km from
the southern entrance of the gorge. In the gorge shelter many animal species like the Cretan wild goat (Kri Kri) and grow several species of trees, plants and herbs.
During the Turkish occupation in the gorge found refuge
many Greek rebels. In the surrounding area is the beautiful church of Christ, built in 1358 AD and the church of St. George, which was built in 1460 AD, and other important monuments and sights worth seeing. The Gorge of Agia Irini is the second most important of the Crete Gorges after Samaria Gorge.

Imbros Gorge, Chania
Imbros Gorge is certainly worth a visit, since it is one of the most beautiful and famous Crete Gorges. Its landscape will enchant you! It is near Sfakia, south of Chania. It starts from the small plateau of the village of Imbros and ends at the village Komitades offering wonderful views of the Libyan Sea. Its length is 7 km and is easy to be crossed any time of year. The time required is approximately 3 hours.
It is a gorge with rocky formations, narrow in some points and wild vegetation with trees, literally growing through the stones and rocks! The most beautiful part of the gorge is in the middle of the route where the rocks are very close to each other and the distance that separates them is only 2 meters.
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