Heraklio, Avdou, Heraklio Apartments

Avdou villas

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Set in an organic farm in the ever-green valley of Lagada, Avdou villas is the place to rest, heal and, maybe, change...

The hotel is located in a 2.2-hectare organic farming estate at the south end of Avdou village, right at the foot of the Lassithi plateau mountain range and 30 km from Heraklion Airport.

Olive trees, oranges, tangerines, apricot trees, kiwis and a vegetable garden grow in abundance all over the estate. The estate is abundant with serene spots for resting and relaxation. The more active guests can enjoy paragliding, horse riding, trekking, cave exploration and much much more in the surrounding Avdou area. An eco-tourism facility, Avdou villas, offer an alternative way of getting away from it all

Avdou lies deep in the middle of the "Lagada" valley, right at the foot of the Lassithi plateau mountain range, 39 km from the city of Heraklion, with about 600 inhabitants.

The earliest reference of "Avdou" is in 1381, in a Venetian state document stating the area belonged to Michel Quirino.

Excavations in the area revealed a building with mosaics, probably part of an extensive complex of an early-Christian basilica. The village is has frescoed Byzantine churches.

Near the Avdou settlement there are two caves, Faneromeni and Haghia Fotini, where archaeologists found artefacts dating back to the Neolithic period, in Minoan Crete when they were probably used as worship grounds.

Avdou was probably name after the prophet Havdeu; a church dedicated to this prophet existed in the nearby Kontaria.

Activities in Avdou Area

Golf:
The Crete Golf Club, the most challenging golf course in Greece, has opened. Its 18 holes cover 72 hectars on a mountainous terrain just south of Hersonissos. The course, created in a desert style design, is a Par 71 championship layout and is 6700 yards long. Four sets of tee positions on each hole make it a worthwhile experience for golfers of all levels. The double sided driving range features covered bays and the state of the art pitching and putting greens provide the pupils at The Crete Golf Academy with a perfect learning environment.

Paragliding:
Avdou is the most organised area in for paragliding in Crete. It has a 6-hectares area for taking-off and a 2-hectares area for landing (one is in the North and the other is in the North-west). You can get a trainer for a double-flight (for the beginners) or to hire a parachute with its accessories and be transferred to the takeoff area (for trained pilots)

Horse riding:
You can take horse riding lessons in an organised area (for beginners) or ride over the hills of Lagada accompanied by a guide. You can also take natural horsemanship courses (rider-horse interaction).

Trekking:
You have the opportunity to take a walk in recorded old horseriding paths or at the E4, alone or with a guide. You can even take part in organised climbing teams at the Psiloritis Mountain. There are also many beautiful walks around the area.

Cave exploration:
You can visit the agia Fotini cave, which is 20 minutes by car over a dirt road path and to see the church which is at the bottom of a cave on the mountain at 500m above sea level.

Mountain bike:
You can hire mountain bikes for training, exploration or for a visit to the Byzantine churches around the area.

Other activities and sightseeing
Byzantine churches located in the Avdou area and in the greater area of Lagada.
Tennis court: Opening soon at Avdou with experienced trainers.
Aqua Splash: transfer at Aqua Splash, 9km from Avdou, for water games can be arranged!
Sea swimming: at the North coast - 15km.
Lassithi Plateau: Diktaion Andron - 15km.
Lychnostatis: Cretan Open-air museum.
Mallia: archaeological site - 20km
Knossos: archaeological site - 40km

Accommodation

Accommodation	Avdou Villas
One-Bedroom Apart. & a Loft “Ondas” up to 3 pax	2
One-Bedroom Studios up to 3 pax	2
One-Bedroom Apart. up to 4 pax	3
Two Bedrooms Apart. up to 6pax	1
Total Number of Rooms	8
Total Number of Beds	30

The Two Bedroom Apart. features:
A ground floor with 1 master bedroom (with 2 single beds), WC with shower, kitchen, 6-persons dining room, living room with 3-seat sofa (converted to 2 singles or 1 double bed), armchair, fireplace and terrace. A first floor with a second bedroom (with a double iron-rail bed), WC with a bath and a large terrace.
- Total capacity: 6 persons.
The One-Bedroom Apart. up to 4 pax. features:
A ground floor with kitchen, dining room for 4 persons, sitting room with a 3-seat sofa (converts to 2 single beds or 1 double bed), an armchair, a fireplace, a WC and a terrace.
A first floor with a master bedroom (with a double iron bed in one of the houses and 2 single beds in the other), a WC with a bath and a large terrace.
- Total capacity: 4 persons.
Each of the “One-Bedroom Apart. & a Loft “Ondas” up to 3 pax” and the “One-Bedroom Apart. up to 3 pax” features:
Kitchen, a dining table for 3 persons, an armchair that converts into a single bed, WC with bath, one of the studios has 2 single beds, the other studio 1 double bed and a terrace.
- Total capacity of 3 persons.
• All apartments and studios are equipped with an electric kitchen, refrigerator, cooker-hood, kettle, coffee-maker and other equipment. All houses also feature telephone, central heating, a safe, iron-board and iron.
• All boudoirs have a magnifying mirror for make up and all WCs provide a hair-dryer.
• House litter is collected daily and disposed at the organic farm compost.
• House cleaning service twice a week.

Rooms’ Surface

ROOMS’ SURFACE ( m² )	Avdou Villas
One-Bedroom Apartment	30 - 70
Two-Bedroom Apartment	80