15°C
The Country Hotel Velani is 3,5 hectare large and located in the country side of the village Avdou, in the province of Heraklion.
The moment you arrive on the hillside of the country hotel you immediately experience the serene quietness and the tremendous panoramic view.
Under the hotel stretches the Lagada Valley with the Apposelemis River crossing through, above the hotel rise the red coloured peaks of the Dikti Mountains. Birds of prey, like the Griffon Vulture, glide along these peaks.
The estate is surrounded by protected Kermes Oak forest and olive groves stretching down to the valley. On the estate many protected trees and flowers can be found, like different types of beautiful orchids.
The country hotel suits its surrounding as it is built with real natural stones collected from the land it stands on, giving it a robust and natural look. The hotel has a neo-classic style creating a romantic atmosphere for long summer nights. You can find hotel’s professional equestrian center and organizes memorable experiences for riding, caving, hiking, bird watching, while nearby there is an 18-hole of golf course.
The main building houses the reception and a romantic bar with a large balcony on witch you can drink your Greek coffee or Rakí. In the main building you also find the Panorama Restaurant with its large terrace overlooking the riding place and the valley. The restaurant serves the Cretan diet which is famous for being healthy and the use of olive oil. The olive oil is their own production by the olive grove of the estate.
This small country hotel has 12 rooms which are grouped into 2 bungalows each housing 6 hotel rooms.
The bungalows lay quietly separate from the main activities. The hotel rooms are large and comfortable and all have a tremendous view over the valley. Each hotel room has a large bathroom with bathtub.
The lively Hersonissos is about 15 km. away. The town and the International Airport of Heraklion “Nikos Kazantzakis” are 38 and 35 km. respectively. Free private parking is available.
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For the Rural Greece accessibility is fundamental to enhancing an inclusive tourism experience. Following the principles of inclusion and equality, the epaithros Rural Tourism Network and its member businesses are constantly working to enhance the tourism services provided, ensuring that all visitors have the opportunity to experience the authentic beauty of the Greek countryside.
Sustainability in tourism refers to a way of developing tourism that respects and protects the environment while strengthening the local economy and preserving cultural traditions. The aim of sustainable tourism is to provide unique and authentic experiences for visitors without harming the natural and social environment, while ensuring that local communities benefit from tourism activity.
This type of tourism is based on three pillars:
With sustainable tourism, visitors can have authentic experiences, knowing that the impact of tourism on the region is positive and lasting for future generations.
For Rural Greece, localism is one of the most important factors for the development of sustainable tourism, as it promotes a strong link between the tourism product and the local society, economy and culture. Through localism, visitors get the opportunity to explore authentic elements of the destination, such as local products, traditions and culture. This not only boosts the local economy, but also helps to sustain and strengthen local businesses, creating new jobs and supporting the development of local communities.
Furthermore, localism contributes to the sustainability of the tourism sector, as it reduces the use of resources from other regions and encourages the use of local goods and services, reducing the ecological footprint of tourism activities. Thus, integrating localism into tourism practices enhances sustainability awareness, both among visitors and local businesses, creating a more responsible and sustainable tourism destination.
