Cretan culture remains largely unchanged in the grand Ida Mountains, where much of the nation’s history has taken shape. On this driving tour, I’ll point out local crafts like olive oil, raki-making and the region’s age-old cheese production methods in stone Mitata sheds. You’ll also pass through typically Cretan villages like Anogeia and Axos, where men still walk around in traditional costumes. The tour starts just outside of Heraklion, in Gazi. You’ll drive through several olive fields, from which the fruit for the Extra Virgin Olive Oil and other local varieties come. You’ll make your way to the Melidoni Cave, where over three hunderd women and children lost their lives during the 1823 Ottoman Turkish occupation and, today, local residents come to pay tribute to their ancestors’ unwavering quest for independence. I’ll point out a snail farm as you make your way into the mountains, where you’ll be treated to amazing views. You’ll also drive through Margarites, a village nestled at the foot of this mountain range, known for its rich tradition of ceramics production, where you can even make vases or amulets yourself. The tour ends in the quiet fishing village of Panormos, where you can enjoy its child-friendly beach, or have a drink on a terrace with a fantastic view of the sea. Along the way you will have the opportunity to: • Enjoy beautiful views of Heraklion, the capital, and learn why this city is so special to locals • See immense wooden statues in the Wooden Sculptures Museum and get a sense of what you can create with olive wood • Experience a guided tour of the family-owned Gerarchakis Olive Oil Factory and see the liquid gold flow out of taps at the end • Visit the village of Veni where, from October to December, you can see raki being produced By the end of this four hour driving route you’ll have a broader insight into Cretan traditions and customs and how they evolved over the centuries. You can then easily return to the starting point of the route via the highway.