Our first Greek Project tour to Crete will have as its base the historic, seaside port-town of Rethymnon. From there we’ll be making forays into its wonderfully dramatic hinterland between the Lefka Ori mountain range and Psilloritis plateau. We’ll be exploring Crete’s tumultuous recent history, not least by way of the Arkadi monastery, the site of a truly explosive 19th century episode in the Cretan struggle against Ottoman rule. But, equally, in this springtime visit, we’ll be wanting to get up close to an effervescence of hillside flowers and herbs, to see birds in flight, and also to meet people who work on the land. This will give us rare opportunities to  get off the beaten track to engage with local crafts, see a truly ancient olive grove and imbibe a traditional but world-famously scrumptious Cretan gastronomy in the company of its makers!  Rethymnon itself is replete with Venetian and Ottoman charms. But we’ll also be visiting her bigger sister, Chania, and, from there, heading not only to Souda bay to contemplate on the 1941 battle of Crete but also to Stravros beach, on the Akrotiri peninsula, the site of the last, famous scene from the 1964 film, Zorba the Greek. An occasion, perhaps, not only for a dance session with Ellie  but to delve into the Cretan world – and books – of the island’s great maverick son, Nikos Kazantzakis.