Cretan Hospitality

If there is one thing that sets Crete apart from any other holiday destination on the planet, it is its caring for people. Hospitality is probably part of Cretans DNA. They probably inherited it from Zeus Xenius, the ancient patron of hospitality.

The tradition of hospitality in Chania and Crete has a centuries-old history, dating back to the Minoan civilization. Minoans were always open to meeting and coexisting with people of other cultures. The Minoan society was one of the most culturally open societies in ancient history.

In the decades that followed, traditional hospitality in Chania and Crete has evolved into a more organized, professional form of hospitality that is closer to today’s travelers needs.

Travelers are more than welcome to participate in events such as traditional feasts in the villages, pressing grapes to produce wine, or distilling the local raki or tsikoudia drink of the year.

Therefore, if you find yourself in Chania and some strangers treat you with a raki drink in a local cafe, remember that you are participating in a beautiful rite of traditional hospitality with a centuries-old history.