Agios Nikolaos

Lassithi Plateau isn’t just a place, it’s a feeling. You don’t just read Cristoforo Buondelmonti’s description of his time in Lassithi, you feel it – warmth lingering in the evening air, the scent of honey, aromatic olive groves, the harvest, spectacular climate, the contrast of bitter coffee and sweet strawberries. As we journey you from the sun-kissed shores to the heavenly mountainous scenes to realize the grand feast of Cretan nature, you will be engaged from the very first moment with the locals’ balmy warmth, ancient ruins, and fertile earth. For adventurous gourmands, this is a culinary journey like no other; to reconnect with nature and archaic traditions as this land preserves the glamour of days past.

Our brilliant Crete guide will take you to the foothills of the Dikti Mountains where the Halavro Manor House was built in 1970 with the stones from the Diktaion Andron, the Minoan sacred birthplace of Zeus. Here we have teamed up with the Cretan chef Nikiforos Gerakakis who still uses in-depth knowledge of the island’s food; from modern dishes to ancient flavors beloved by our forefathers with locally grown produce of vegetables, cheese, meat, fruit, and wines of Crete. Expect a warm welcome and a hearty dining experience. With a partake in a private cooking class demonstration with the local chef by discovering the celebrated culinary styles of this majestic island and exploring the flavors of authentic recipes in the family’s old kitchen. For the moments that matter, enjoy a table with sublime views of the Plateau as the evening time makes this ancient sacred place a heaven on earth.