Special Interest Holidays
Indulge your passion...
Our special interest holidays are designed for anyone seeking a week away that transcends the everyday. Immerse yourself in the distinctive culture and landscapes of Crete with one of our carefully chosen itineraries. From walking tours to wine tasting, painting or creative writing, Crete provides an idyllic, historic and restful base to pursue your passion, with expert guidance and the company of like-minded others.
Walking Holidays in Greece
Selected weeks in 2025
Known as ‘The Great Island’, Crete is famed for its unique character, astonishing landscapes and dramatic history. Led by expert guide Jonathan Peat, our walking holidays, based in the east, south and west of the island, bring these rich cultural elements together affording our guests a real chance to scratch beneath the surface and discover its hidden treasures on foot, discovering a side to Crete that most visitors never experience.
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Discover Cretan Easter
15 April 2025
Easter is the most important religious festival in the Greek calendar and they certainly know how to celebrate it in Crete. Based at Arosmari Village Hotel, our programme of optional activities allows guests to dip in and out of the fun alongside the local community, step out for a guided walk with Jonathan Peat and enjoy a traditional Easter lunch at Arosmari.
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Painting at Arosmari
20 May 2025
Hone your painting skills under the expert guidance of our artist in residence, Francesca Harrison. We are delighted she will be joining us at Arosmari Village Hotel to conduct this exciting programme of painting workshops. The week is ideal for beginners looking for a little direction to get started, and for more experienced artists who can let their creativity flow amongst the brilliant light and colours of springtime in Crete.
Flavours of Crete
13 May 2025
Discover the distinctive and delicious flavours of Crete with our programme of culinary activities at Arosmari Village Hotel. Visit a local vineyard, bake bread in an ancient wood-fired oven, sample the island's outstanding olive oil and learn how to celebrate Cretan style, with a traditional dinner in the grounds of our idyllic hotel at the heart of Vamos.
Discover Cretan Culture
29 July & 12 August 2025
Cradled between the White Mountains and the Cretan Sea, Apokoronas is a peaceful region of rolling hills and deep valleys, scalloped by a spectacular coastline. The pace of life is blissfully slow, the atmosphere enchantingly authentic. Based at our Arosmari Village Hotel Jonathan Peat leads this week of gentle discovery, with guided outings to historical sites, stunning countryside, hand-picked tavernas and the occasional short walk.
Creative Writing at Arosmari
05 August 2025
After a hugely successful first year, we are delighted that Greg and Kate Mosse will be returning to the Arosmari Village Hotel for another inspiring week of creative writing and some fascinating insights into the world of bestselling fiction. Workshops will offer expert guidance on the art of engaging storytelling, with one-to-one tutorials designed to allow writers to explore areas of individual interest or develop an existing work in progress.