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The traditional ecotourism village “Thalori” is located in Kapetaniana, the highest village of the Asterousia Mountains in southern Crete, overlooking the Cretan Sea.
It was inspired and created by a young couple who, together with a group of 15 people residing in the village and the region, are the soul of the ecotourism village “Thalori”. The guesthouse opened its doors in 2007 and it follows a philosophy that supports sustainable development, which is a mild form of tourism.
“Thalori” consists of 20 traditional houses that are an integral part of this hospitable village, preserving their Cretan architecture and combining traditional aesthetics with contemporary comforts.
The guesthouse restaurant serves Cretan dishes made from pure local ingredients and cooked with love by village women working in the guesthouse. The raw materials used are mainly produced in the “Thalori” farm at the village and at nearby villages.
Guests can go hiking on marked trails, swim at beautiful local beaches, visit and participate in animal care work at the guesthouse’s farm and even milk the sheep and goats to make fresh cheese. They can go mountain biking or horse riding and there are also climbing fields, via ferrata and canyoning routes in the area.
Thalori Ecotourism Village Guesthouses are an integral part of the residential complex of Kapetaniana Heraklion Crete.
These traditional houses are renovated with respect to their Cretan architecture, maintaining the fortress and monasterial elements associated with the history of the settlement.
At the same time, special care was given to the preservation of the distinct identity of each house – guest room.
Stone and wood remain the dominant materials of the guesthouses whilst the natural rock is integrated harmoniously even in their indoor areas. The wooden loft, the stone arches, the utilitarian recesses in the walls and the stone-built fireplaces are still some elements of the traditional Cretan architecture which you will find here. This authentic Cretan atmosphere is complemented by the woven and embroidered carpets and fabrics, the handmade curtains and the traditional decorative objects.
At the same time, Thalori’s Guesthouses are endowed with modern amenities such as flat screen TV, sound system, kitchen, personal care items in the bathroom, etc. Thalori offers double, triple, quadruple and quintuple guesthouses ideal for couples, groups of friends and of course, families.
The Rural Greece is an online portal that connects travellers with unique destinations and local businesses in the countryside, offering authentic experiences through activities that highlight nature, traditions and culture.
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.
