There are evenings that leave behind more than memories.
They linger as stories, emotions, scents — etched in the heart like a beloved family recipe.

On Monday, July 7th, the gardens of Fodele Beach transformed into a living, breathing tribute to Cretan tradition.
Together with the Cultural Association of Fodele, we brought guests, locals, and our team into one joyful celebration of life on the island — its rhythm, its flavor, its people.

🎶 Music & Movement from the Heart of the Island

As the sun began to dip behind the hills, the soft sounds of a live Cretan folk orchestra floated through the warm air.
Local dancers, dressed in vivid traditional garments, swirled and stepped with energy and pride — each move a thread in the woven tapestry of Cretan identity.

🧺 Women of the Village: Artisans of Soul

In every corner of the square, the women of Fodele brought to life the quiet genius of Cretan hands.
They kneaded and shaped fresh handmade pies with xinomyzithra, a tangy local cheese.
Their fingers moved nimbly across yarn, creating woven handbags using traditional techniques passed down from grandmother to granddaughter.
Their presence wasn’t just practical — it was symbolic. These were the keepers of memory, generously sharing their craft and their stories.

🔥 Rakokazano: Where Spirit Meets Flame

And then — the scent that stirs every Cretan soul — the rakokazano lit up.
A humble copper still, a wood fire, the slow steam of the tsikoudia (raki) rising into the summer air.
It wasn’t just a distillation of alcohol. It was a ritual. A gathering. A moment.
Guests and villagers stood side by side as the first drops flowed — sharing not only raki, but connection.

🧀 We Made Cheese (And We’re Proud of It!)

Right next to the distillery, we took part in something even more rare:
a live cheese-making session, using fresh local milk and traditional techniques.
Yes — we turokomisame (we made cheese!) with our own hands, discovering the patience, knowledge, and simplicity behind something so flavorful.
It was joyful, messy, and completely unforgettable.

🍷 Wines that Tell a Story

The island’s spirit doesn’t stop at the still. It flows through the vines.
The Strataridakis and Daskalakis wineries honored us with their presence — and their bottles —
offering generous tastings of wines that carry the flavors of the land, the sun of Crete, and the passion of family tradition.

Flavors That Hug the Soul

Our chefs created a menu that didn’t try to impress — it tried to touch.
Every dish was rooted in home, in memory:
✨ Gamopilafo, the fragrant rice of celebration
✨ Lamb on the spit, cooked slow and with love
✨ Pork baked in lemon leaves, aromatic and tender
✨ And other handpicked treasures from the island’s rich culinary tradition.

🤝 A Visit That Honors Local Roots

Among our guests, we were honored to welcome the Mayor of Malevizi, Mr. Menelaos Bokeas, who joined us in celebrating the living connection between tourism and local community.
His presence was a reminder that culture thrives where it is seen, supported, and shared.

More Than an Event — A Living Cretan Moment

This was not just a night of entertainment.
It was a deep breath of what it means to be Cretan —
welcoming, proud, generous, full of music and flavor and fire.

It was a night where tourism met tradition, and where visitors became part of something truly local, truly timeless.

To our guests, our villagers, our staff, our partners — thank you.
You didn’t just attend. You became part of a story. And that, we believe, is the heart of hospitality.