House Platanos - a holiday in the real Crete

Crete, the largest and southernmost of the Greek islands, is a land of extraordinary diversity, from the majestic peaks of the mountain ranges to the olive groves and the flower filled fields, the sophisticated seaside towns and the unchanged traditions of village life.

We fell in love with this wonderful island and have made it our second home. In the quiet traditional mountain village of Stavrochori we have found our dream house.

We named it "Platanos" after the huge 500 year old sycamore (platanos) tree adjacent to our house.

The Platanos tree has a special meaning to the Cretan people.
It has been planted in the center of almost every village to mark the place where people gather and celebrate. Even today as part of the wedding ceremony the couple walks by this tree and every funeral procession passes this place.