When tackling a trek, even if during the day and on not too demanding routes, it is good to have a series of essential items in your backpack, which could be useful in case of unexpected events. The list isn’t very long, but any of these items could save you from a bad day.
Before drawing up a list, it is advisable to know how to best organize the backpack according to the type of activity that will be carried out and the duration of the trip. It is one thing to prepare a backpack for a daily trek, it is quite another to prepare it for a multi-day hike, just as the equipment to bring is different if you are tackling a trail trekking, or climbing.
How to prepare the trekking backpack
There are, however, always valid rules that we could summarize as follows: put the things you use least at the bottom, in the upper part of the backpack those to be kept more in hand and in the side pockets a water bottle that can be easily removed. when you are thirsty.
Now let’s see what are the objects that cannot be missing in the trekking backpack, a kind of check list to be carried out before each outing.
hiking and wandering tours at Crete
What to put in the trekking backpack
Windproof jacket and rain poncho
The windproof jacket acts as a protective layer in wind, snow and light rain. It must be equipped with an adjustable hood and several pockets to accommodate frequently used items. The material with which it is produced should not be underestimated: it has the task of ensuring, in fact, high breathability so as not to create condensation and avoid cooling.
To avoid getting completely wet and to maintain the right body temperature, it is useful to have a rain jacket or poncho.
Water and energy drinks
Essential for tackling any physical activity, water is the first thing to put in your backpack. Bring at least one and a half liters with you for winter outings, which become at least two for summer treks, when sweating increases and the risk of dehydration is greater. In addition, you can also bring energy drinks with you.
Food
It is essential to bring an adequate amount of food with you, suited to your body needs and the type of trekking you will be facing. When preparing your backpack, don’t forget to add fruit, nuts or energy bars to your snacks, while for lunch you prefer protein-based foods. For the sweet tooth, even a piece of dark chocolate can help face a day of walking.
Electric torch
It may happen that the trekking, even daily, takes longer than expected so it is advisable to have a flashlight with spare batteries in your backpack. Very convenient to use because it allows you to have your hands free, is the headlamp, which allows you to use the sticks at the same time.
GPS or map
Two items that should never be missing in the preparation of the trekking backpack are the GPS and the paper map, especially if you venture without the help of expert guides. GPS and paper maps are excellent allies if for various reasons you are forced to change the itinerary initially decided. In this way you can evaluate the area and decide the best alternative to continue the journey.
hiking tours at the mountains of Crete
Portable charger
If the phone or GPS were to charge, it is good to have a power benk that allows us to quickly recharge our devices, even without having an electrical outlet.
Matches
Lighting a fire is not really child’s play, especially if the wood is wet due to humidity. A small fire could be useful in an emergency and the best way to light it is with matches – better if windproof and waterproofed with wax.
hiking tours in Crete
First aid kit
The first aid kit is one of the most important items to put in your backpack to tackle a mountain trek. Normally it should contain patches of various sizes, disinfectant, bandages, tourniquet, antihistamine cream for insect bites, cream for sunburn and burns, cream for bruises, disposable latex gloves, an antipyretic drug (e.g. Tachipirina), a drug antidiarrheal (e.g. Imodium or Dissenten), a drug against nausea and vomiting (e.g. Plasil), earwigs, an antispasmodic drug (e.g. Buscopan) and a drug that contains acetylsalicylic acid (e.g. Aspirin) to prevent mild forms altitude sickness.
Lanyard
The lanyard is an indispensable tool that can be very useful in different situations. The ideal is that it has a diameter of 10 millimeters and a length of at least 5 – 6 meters.
Pocket knife
In our trekking backpack, a multipurpose knife is never missing, or a Swiss army knife, which can be an excellent ally in emergency situations.
Whistle
It may seem trivial but in emergency situations it can be very useful to signal your presence if you get lost or to trace a companion who disappears from our sight.
hiking tours in Crete
Olive Oil Tasting experience - at Eco Resort Mourtzanakis
Wine Tasting experience - at Eco Resort Mourtzanakis
Cretan Diet and Recipes - Cretan Olive Oil
Cretan Diet and Recipes. Cretan Olive Oil, Greece
Learn about the famous traditional cuisine and nutrition of Crete.
The following content has been republished from the website of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities" www.sedik.gr.
The incorporation of olive oil in the dietary habits of the Cretans dates back to ancient times. The writings in Linear A and B tablets ascertain that Minoans used it in their nutrition dating at least as far back as 1800 BC.
Salads of fresh vegetables are an indispensable dish of the Cretan cuisine. However, they need fresh, extra virgin olive oil.
Fried dishes
Virgin olive oil is incomparably superior for the frying of all foods. This is so because it boasts great tolerance in high temperatures, whilst other oils break up into units detrimental to human health, but also due to the fact that it adds to fried food better flavour than other oils. It is "accused" of adopting a slight odour after 2-3 uses. This, however, does not present a drawback. On the contrary, it is proof of its naturalness! This is the case because the dark green hue it produces after a few uses stems from the "cooking" of the natural coloration which it contains, and which is not contained in processed oils such as refined olive oils and naturally in seed oils!
Of course, virgin olive oil may be a bit more costly than refined olive oils or seed oils (that do not darken), but it is definitely worth its preference!
Grilled dishes
Roast or grilled meat and fishes consist also part of the Cretan diet. However, extra virgin olive oil is necessary for their preparation.
Oily dishes
Oily foods, prepared in combination with various vegetables (beans, zucchinis, aubergines, okras), potatoes and meat, are incomparable when cooked in Extra Virgin Olive Oil.
Boiled dishes
Boiled greens and legumes make up the basis of the Cretan Diet. But they are complemented with extra virgin olive oil.
You can read more about Cretan Diet at the website of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities" www.sedik.gr
Garden Produce
One more basic feature of the Cretan diet is the large consumption of vegetables and other products of vegetable origin. On average, Cretans are at the top of the scale in terms of vegetable consumption. In fact, they consume three times the amount of vegetables than Europeans! That, too, is part of their secret for a long and healthy life. This dietary habit provides the average Cretan with an abundance of fibers, vitamins, and other nutrients required for human sustenance.
At the same time vegetables contain trace elements many of which are essential in metabolism or for the production of essential compounds, while deficiency in those elements causes metabolic syndromes. Vegetables promote the good operation of the intestines and ward off cancer of the large intestine. Their contribution to the operation of the digestive system is remarkable, and they are rich in vitamins necessary for the metabolism of various tissues. Much of the vegetables consumed in large quantities on Crete are rich in fatty acids which prevent cardiac diseases and most forms of cancer.
The linoleic acid contained in the variety of vegetables consumed by Cretans is a true shield of health! It protects the heart and the circulatory system. Some of the most common garden produce of Crete originates from other regions of the world, e.g. the tomato, which revolutionized the Cretan cuisine and shaped the character of Cretan Diet as we know it today.
Cretan tomatoes are naturally ripened and free from hormones. Other agricultural products of Crete, cucumbers, marrows, etc., are cultivated in the lush valleys of the island under the most favourable weather conditions -- no snow during winter and moderate temperatures at the heart of the summer.
Areas that are considered most favourable for vegetable production are mainly found in the south of the island, in niches where even the swallows do not need to migrate further south, to Africa. The garden produce of Crete grows in a natural environment, under the moderate temperatures of a slanting golden sun and within a naturally scented environment. Cretans have a particular affection for the soil that provides them with the means for a good, long life. Technology is good as long as it does not violate and debase their dietary codes the observance of which gave Cretans the title of the lowest heart-attack risk, the lowest death rate, and the greatest life expectancy in the Western world.
Garden produce is cultivated in the southern, coastal regions of Crete, mainly at Ierapetra, Messara, south of Rethymnon, in the coastal area of Selino, of Kisamo and elsewhere.
Cretan Cuisine and Mediterranean Diet
In the latest years many mentions have been made about the Cretan Diet and Mediterranean Diet. So it is now well known that the Cretan and Mediterranean Diet is not only aromatic and tasteful, but also extremely healthy. The food has already taken the right place in our culture, equivalent to our monumental identity and our sun and sea. The most important product that gave so much credit to Cretan Diet is our virgin olive oil. The contribution of the local wine, vegetables, meat, dairy products (feta cheese, gruviere) is also significant.
The modern dietology considers the Cretan diet and the Cretan way of life as the reason for long living and good health. Most of the international researches bring Crete forward as the example of the Mediterranean Diet. Since the suggestion that the residents of the island have the lowest mortality rates internationally and the less heart attack or cancer diseases, scientists started searching for the identity of the Cretan Diet that gives the Cretans all these health privileges. But very soon it was obvious that it was all about a story well hidden in the past time. That means it isn’t a result of a research by some scientists but a biological experiment that lasts thousands of years!
For the Cretans, the secret of good health and long living is very simple. They eat all that their rich solid gives them. Many fruits, vegetables, groceries, legumes, varieties of cheese, olive oil and bread. They scent the taste with marvelous herbs like oregano, they make desserts with natural sweetening materials, honey and molasses, and accompany their meal with excellent local wine.
So don’t miss, during your stay in Crete, to taste all the island’s traditional recipes. Appetizers and dishes like rusks, honey and cheese, pies from Sfakia, grass pies, cream cheese, boiled snails, staka, stuffed vine leaves, rabbit casserole, patty, Sfakian casserole and many more are tastes you will remember for ever.
Restaurants and taverns in Crete
In Crete are many restaurants and taverns that offer traditional Cretan recipes, using only pure, natural local ingredients. There are also traditional stores, from where you can buy authentic products of the Cretan earth.
The following content has been republished from the website of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities" www.sedik.gr.
The special geo-climatic conditions of Crete and, in particular, the sun-drenched days of summer and autumn, along with the proper application of local research, not to mention the love of the Cretans for the olive tree and its oil, have all culminated in a spectacular improvement in the level of quality!
Today, over 95% of the olive oil produced in Crete belongs to the highest category of quality labeled as "Extra Virgin".
Factors favouring quality
Olive oil as it is produced on Crete today has excellent quality characteristics. Its acidity is extremely low and its organoleptic characteristics (flavour, aroma) are excellent. Thus a quite large percentage of Cretan olive oil in the order of 85-95%, depending on annual conditions, is placed in the highest quality category of EXTRA VIRGIN OLIVE OIL (Fig. 1). The corresponding figures for olive oils from other olive oil producing countries is today considerably lower.
Its excellent organoleptic characteristics, in other words the unparalleled flavour and exceptional aroma of Cretan olive oil, is certainly due to the high levels of sunshine and the dry climate which prevails in most areas of the island, particularly during the autumn and winter period when the oil is formed in the fruit.
Nonetheless, achievement of the top quality of Cretan olive oil is also contributed to and assisted by the diligent cultivation of producers and effective combating of the olive fly in conjunction with proper and rapid harvesting.
Shortening the period of time between harvesting and pressing and the high conditions of cleanliness of the olive fruit from the olive plantation to the olive press are also considered to be important technical factors which contribute decisively to improving quality.
Shortening the time from harvesting to pressing, which over recent years has reached just 1-2 days, is a Greek success which is due, in addition to mechanizing of harvesting using small olive collection devices, too to the large number of modern high capacity olive presses which exist on Crete which manage to process almost all olives received each day.
You can read more about Cretan Diet at the website of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities" www.sedik.gr
Olive oil Products
The following content has been republished from the website of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities" www.sedik.gr.
In addition to oil the olive tree also provides us with many other products.
Olives themselves, which are prepared in different ways depending on the variety, are used as an addition to lunches, salads and in many dishes and are an excellent, tasty and healthy food.
On Crete there are many well known traditional ways to prepare olives which are used at home for household purposes or in small industries for sale on the market. The best known ways are:
Green olives in brine or split olives which are prepared using the fruit of the Tsounati or Mouratolia varieties.
Black olives as a paste or in brine which are prepared from the thick fleshed varieties Throumbolia, Hondrolia or Tsounati or small fruited varieties and the most widespread variety on Crete, Lianolia or Coroneiki.
Olive tree wood has been used since antiquity as a fuel substance, for wooden piles in architecture, for column connectors, for agricultural and other tools and for constructing idols of gods and other wooden statues.
Today olive wood is the raw material for making furniture and wooden sculptures. On Crete there are quite a few excellent artisans who produce real masterpieces from olive wood. This hard, durable and at the same time excellent looking wood with its numerous natural formations is an exceptional raw material from making tables, chairs, beds and many other decorative items.
Olive leaves and branches have been used as mattresses since ancient times and are today used as animal feed and fuel.
The leaves of the olive tree which are removed from the fruit at the olive presses are used as a raw material for producing compost suitable for fertilizing olive plantations intended for the production of organic olive oil.
You can read more about olive oil products at the web site of "Association of Cretan Olive Municipalities", www.sedik.gr.
The Greek countryside is waiting to reveal its secrets to unsuspecting visitors and well-informed nature lovers alike. With its unbeatably beautiful landscapes and rich palette of colours, it could give even the most gifted impressionist painter a run for his money – indisputable proof that Greece is an excellent choice of holiday destination at this time of the year too. Harvest activities set the tone, and visitors are welcome to join in this celebration of the land. The number one task at this particular time of the year is to get the olives in. Helping out with the harvest has become a fixture in the agri and ecotourism diary and is a novel way to get back to nature while on holiday.
Greece is an olive producing country par excellence and harvesting olives has a long history here, both as an agricultural task and as an economic activity. Until recently it was a favourite subject for folklore experts and historians.
Nowadays, special agrotourism accommodation units have opened up in Evia, Lesvos, Crete, Kalymnos, Paros, Kefalonia, Kalamata, Kythira, etc. These allow guests to help with the olive harvest as part of a trip during which they also experience the sights and way of life in the region.
olive trees in the garden of our eco friendly hotel Mourtzanakis ecotourism resort - Crete
The accommodation is simple but comfortable and matches the local style. The courtyard is an endless olive grove, where visitors can get back in touch with nature and experience every stage of the harvest. Visitors can, if they want to, of course, pick the olives using any of a number of age-old harvesting techniques, working for just one day or for a number of weeks in a row. Then they can help transfer the harvested olives to a traditional olive press and initiate themselves into the traditional art of extracting the precious oil, watching as the golden oil begins to flow and fills the air with its aromatic fragrance. Once the olives have been pressed, anyone who has helped is welcome to take some oil home in lieu of payment or maybe even fill up a couple of bottles bearing their very own personalised label.
This is an interactive holiday choice, and one which goes way beyond the scope of a simple tourist visit. Anyone who chooses to give it a try gets a true taste of rural living, returning, albeit just for a short time, to a more traditional way of life. This celebration of nature among the olive groves, the mix of labour and relaxation, is a unique experience for all those taking part in the olive harvest, a major agricultural event which has now become a relaxing activity for travellers and great fun for those lucky enough to take part.
At the end of the harvest there is a huge feast and a celebration to reward the efforts of all those who have helped. This is a reinvigorated tradition that stretches back to ancient times. Abundant quantities of fresh olive oil are used to prepare the food for the feast, which the diners inevitably find to be the tastiest they have ever enjoyed. Rolling up your sleeves and actually being part of the harvest gives rise to an untold sense of satisfaction among all those who do it and leaves its own special aftertaste that lingers on, making life itself just that little bit better.
But this acquaintanceship with the olive and its oil does not stop here! Visitors can also “adopt” one or more olive trees. In return, they get a certificate with information about the olives the trees produce, plus a sample of the olive oil made from the adopted trees every year thereafter. The fruit of the harvest, the oil, is a staple component of the Greek diet, and is well known both for its cosmetic and for its pharmaceutical qualities.
It was a source of wealth and power, particularly in ancient societies; the enormous oil stores at Minoan palaces and their hefty pots are still stunning today. False-spouted amphorae were used in the Mycenaean era to contain the precious load of olive oil as it was transported the length and breadth of the Mediterranean world. In Classical Athens, panathenaic amphorae, the special jars filled with exceptional quality olive oil from Attica that were given as prizes to Olympic victors, were a much envied trophy. Winners were also crowned with a simple olive wreath.
Nowadays, Greek olive oil remains a major part of our day to day life and is renowned the world over. The most recent accolade for Greek oil was the award given to the Kritsa Lassithi agricultural co-operative, where a world-famous olive oil of superb quality, often referred to as the Rolls Royce of oil, is produced. Even the bottle in which the oil is sold has won international awards for its design. The design of the bottle somehow manages to combine the refined traditional style of the past, when olive oil containers (false-spouted amphorae, panathenaic amphorae) were themselves true works of art, with modern inspiration and the artistic style of today.
Years of tradition and experience, innovation and enterprise have come together in harmony to create the yardstick by which other olives and olive oil are judged. Any visitors who find themselves in Greece will be exceptionally fortunate, some would even say blessed, if they are wise enough to choose to take part in this traditional activity, which honours the gifts of Greek soil and fully respects the environment.
Later, they will be able to continue to enjoy the fruits of their labour, a product that has established itself as a favourite and has earned accolades the world over.
Ecotourism Crete Greece - olive oil harvesting
What is Ecotourism?
What is Ecotourism?
SOURCE: Visit.org
Most people can deduce that ecotourism has to do with the conservation of the environment and its resources. But not everyone is aware of how accessible it is.
So, in this post, we will explain the ins and outs of ecotourism. Additionally, we will provide some examples to help newbie and veteran ecotourists alike get inspiration for their next trip.
The Definition of Ecotourism
Ecotourism, according to the International Ecotourism Society, is “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people, and involves interpretation and education.”
This means that ecotourism is much more than traveling around the globe and sightseeing. Ecotourism is about ensuring that your visit also has a positive impact on the local community. This includes the people and their natural resources.
Why Choose Ecotourism Over Traditional Mass Tourism?
Although the tourism industry is constantly growing, this growth doesn’t always necessarily have positive implications for the destination and its resources. For one, a heightened influx of tourists can threaten the ecosystem of sensitive natural locations. More people equals more strain on the environment.
Another drawback of mass tourism is that, despite its trillion dollar value, only 5% of the income is invested in the local community. Thus, travelers should be conscious of where their money goes. Thankfully, forms of tourism like ecotourism are reshaping the face of travel.
Ecotourism is not only concious of its impact on the natural environment, it is also sensitive to the local economy. This means that a legit ecotour won’t be putting money in the hefty bank accounts of transnational companies. Instead, locals will be reaping the benefits of your visit.
what is ecotourism
Ecotourism encourages the preservation of a location’s natural beauty
Benefits of Ecotourism
Ecotourism is one of the most ethical ways of traveling. It benefits the traveler, the local, and nature. Here are some specific advantages of ecotourism:
Cultural Enrichment
Ecotourism helps build cultural awareness by fostering respect for the place you travel to and the community you visit. When tour operators aren’t commodifying a destination for the sake of making a buck, an authentic exchange can happen between the guide and the visitor. Not only do the visitors come away with an immersive, memorable experience, but the destination is able to share its culture to the outside world in an uninhibited way.
Educational Experiences
Ecotourism is one way to educate the public about a certain location, and also about the importance of caring for the environment. Because of the damage of climate change, travelers are becoming increasingly aware of the urgency of action founded in education. What better classroom is there than nature itself? Ecotours aren’t just lectures, they are hands-on experiences that give visitors many opportunities to learn new skills and information.
Economic Growth
Unlike commercial tours, which are preoccupied with growing a private company’s bottom line, ecotourism operators are necessarily concerned about the welfare of the local community — including the economy. A truly eco-consciou tour will have been planned and managed locally, with the consent and involvement of the residents. This not only nurtures good relationships, but also helps create local jobs. Tour guides, homestay hosts, entertainers, translators, and more, are a result of the ecotourism industry.
Environmental Conservation
Naturally, ecotourism is focused on the environment. Not only do ecotour operators cull experiences that have a low impact on nature, the revenue of legitimate eco-friendly experiences will go towards preserving resources and protecting the environment.
One key aspect of ecotourism is that it fosters respect for the local culture and community
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
English 
Français 
Deutsch 
Русский 
Nederlands 
עִבְרִית 
Italiano 
Español 
Polski 
Ελληνικά 
Svenska 
Dansk 
Čeština 
العربية 
Norsk bokmål 
Română 
Magyar 
Slovenčina 
Slovenščina 
Suomi 
한국어 
日本語 
香港中文