Romantic Minoan Villa "Filoxenia"

Filoxenia is part of a historical stone made winery, located in the very heart of one of the most beautiful villages of Europe, Archanes, only fifteen minutes away from the Minoan Palace of Knossos. The positive energy and the magnificent aesthetics, embraced by a peaceful, colourful, aromatic garden adjacent to the owner's residence, near to holly mountain of Giouhtas. It offers an authentic cultural experience of unique flavours and tastes. The space The Romantic Minoan Villa "Filoxenia" (love for guests), is a 150-year old (appox. 25 sq.meters) stone made villa, located in the heart of a spectacular garden, overflowing with aromatic seasonal fruits and flowers, adjacent to the owner's residence. The expansive property of the Romantic Minoan Villa, which was an old traditional Archanesian Winery Villa sits in the heart of the Archanes village, steps away from King Minos's Summer Palace, and a short drive to Knossos, King Minos's Winter Palace. The ancient village of Archanes lies in a valley filled with olive trees and vineyards and it has come to rank amongst the foremost archeological sited of Greece, traversing as it does all the stages of prehistoric Minoan civilisation, as well as those of historical times. While tucked away on a dead-end street, the villa is only a 3-5 min walk to the village center where the town comes to life with restaurants, all kind of shops, bakeries, bars and markets. The length of the site's inhabitation, both as settlement and as a venue for worship, renders Archanes an integrated unity wherein all the forms and activities of one of Crete's most important communities- both centre and hinterland-are represented overtime. At Archanes, the first traces of human activity occurred at the end of the Late Neolithic period and through Sub-Neolithic times. Architecture and a number of various cult vestiges tells us that Archanes have been inhabited non-stop since then, some of those inhabitation vestiges found under beneath buildings of the Neopalatial period, revealed wonderful specimens of Middle Minoan pottery in Tourkoyeitonia, the Reservoir, the Theatre area, the Vorna and the Agoras sites. Nowadays the visitors can still see the remainders of sturdy buildings constructed with stones and mud bricks and pottery artifacts. The cemetery of Phourni, provides important evidence for the wealth of the inhabitants and for cultural acme, where the important Tholos Tomb B is located and the labyrinthine MM Funerary Building 18, where rich burials in pithoi and sarcophagi were found. On the other hand, most significant and for many reasons unique, religious structure from the end of this period is the isolated shrine at Anemospilia ,of the north slope of the Minoan mountain Giouhtas, where traces of human sacrifice were found. According to the ancient urban myth, Zeus, when people stopped believing in the twelve Olympian gods, came and rested here for good ! Thus when the mountain is seen from the western side, it has the form of a sleeping man's bearded head. Giouhtas hosts a colony of vultures and constitutes as protected area for wild life and unique plants and herbs, thanks to its ecosystem. Guest access As you come to Archanes from Heraklion, you pass Knossos Palace and then the village of Patsides. In the Patsides-Archanegs crossroad lies the monument of the legendary event of the German occupation period. Cretan insurgents, some among them from Archanes under the command of the English Major Patrick Lee Fermor kidnapped the German General Kreipe. Just before the next village Kato Archanes, you can find the museum of Cretan History and tradition, which was created by Nikolaos & Eirini Psaltaki. Its five halls are rich in folklore material from the 9th century onwards. Some the most important exhibits are from the German occupation period, including personal items of General Kreipe. When passing Kato Archanes the visitor and on the way to the Epano Archanes, the visitor can see on the right side the natural turf in Kampos, training place and home to local sports club and then the imposing neoclassic building in the entrance of the town (it was built from 1900 until 1927 and its entrance lies the bust of Ioannis Ntafotis, Commander of the Elite Cretan Battalion, played a major part in the struggle against the Turks in 1897). If visitor continues straight he/she will see the the War Memorial was built in 1927-28 by the Reservist Troops Association of Archanes. Around the memorial lie symmetrically four busts of fighters who sacrificed themselves for freedom. Next to the War Memorial stands the church of Panagia Faneromeni which was initial aisle and it was rebuilt around 1700 on the ruins of an older Byzantine church which existed during the Venetial rule era during the 14th century. The other two aisles were built in 1720 and in 1844. In the church, there is a museum with religious and historical relics. Many legends, traditions and miracles about the church have accompanied many generations. In the church precinct, which was used as a cemetery until 1902, lies the chapel of Agios Antonios, the impressive campanile which was rebuilt in 1857 and the Clock. For 75 years now the Clock in the precinct of the church of Panagia sign the time. It started being constructed in 1931, and it was a donation of women from Archanes who had migrated in Boston and New York. Other things to note 1. The Romantic Minoan Villa is only s 15 minute drive to the Nikos Kazantzakis airport in Heraklion, a 20 min. drive to the Heraklion Port. It is also a 10min drive to the Palace of Knossos, a 20 min. drive to the Archeological Museum of Heraklion and incase of emergency a 10 min. drive from Venizelio General Hospital. It is located 3-5 minutes away (walking distance) from all shops, restaurants and bakeries of the town. 2. A special traditional Cretan meal is offered as an option for one night during your visit. 3. A herbal tea made with a collection of the finest and most aromatic teas of the holly mountain Giouhtas, is being offered along with Cretan sweets or fruits. 4. A taste of Cretan Raki or family wine is also a choice for my guests along with handmade tastes... 5. There is a choice of movie or documentary nights organised in the open cinema of the garden. 6. Upon request and in communication with the host, there is always the possibility of trying a meal in the wood oven or in the BBQ. 7. Upon request a piano night can be organised or a night with Greek music. 8. Upon request a privet tour around the area of Archanes, the Holly mountain of Giouhtas, the vines and the olive groves can be organised, along with the experience of local fruits and vegetables. 9. Upon request a greek cooking experience can be organised, where guests along with secrets and flavours of the greek menu, can also enjoy the meal they will help to be prepared. 10. Upon request a short Greek-language lesson can be organised with basic words, covering the requirements of a short visit in Greece. (It can also be offered online -via Skype-) before the actual trip to the country. 11. A gardening and eco-friendly living experience can be offered upon request. 12. An one day excursion-mystic tour to the heart of Crete's villages and natural gifts can be offered upon request. 13. A problem solving & complex situation consulting session can be offered as a choice to those guests who are visiting Crete, not only for exploring the land, but also their own souls. Registration Details 00000476249