Secret Europe: 50 truly unforgettable experiences
12. Milia mountain retreat, Crete
Concealed amidst wild mountains, Milia (www.milia.gr) is one of Crete’s most sublime getaways, with lodgings in authentic traditional stone cottages, unforgettable, ultra-healthy organic cuisine, and miles of forested trails for walking. At heart, Milia is all about respecting the environment and sustainability. For centuries a working village, Milia was abandoned after WWII. In the 1980s, however, the area was purchased for the sake of conservation by some forward-thinking Cretans. The traditional structures were painstakingly restored by local artisans, and terraced gardens were installed to prevent erosion. Wood-burning stoves and solar panels provide heating and electricity. No wonder, then, that Milia’s kind and laid-back management attracts like-minded guests. It’s a convivial place for getting away from civilisation (despite being less than an hour’s drive from the coastal town of Hania, famous for its Venetian architecture). By day, the thickly-forested hiking trails provide coolness, while at night the stars seem close enough to touch. In the morning, there’s nothing better than to savour a strong Greek coff ee from the restaurant and gaze out over the boundless mountains. Milia’s nourishing organic food is always fresh, and the menu changes often, keeping in time with the Cretan cycle of nature. Milia’s new chilled-out public space allows you to read, relax and sometimes attend Cretan cooking courses or intimate concerts.
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