Tel. +44 (0)1273 600030 (UK)
1of6
Local people of Vamos have formed a co-operative called Vamos S.A. which was founded to promote eco-tourism and to restore and rebuild the village. Over the past two decades members of the co-operative have engaged in restoring the village and its community to their former glory.
Modern building materials and methods were rejected in favour of house restorations based on the traditional styles of the region. Vamos S.A's aim is to encourage a more discerning visitor who seeks the authentic Cretan lifestyle. Accommodation is in the restored traditional rural cottages and visitors enjoy the tranquillity of life in an authentic Cretan village surrounded by beautiful countryside.
The co-operative currently manage a good taverna near the centre of the village, which prepares food in the traditional Cretan way following ancient recipes handed from mother to daughter. Produce used in the preparation of food is all local. There is also a cafe with spectacular views of the mountains which doubles as a gallery promoting local artists.
Vamos has a traditional village shop selling locally produced cheeses, tradfi herbs, honey, oil and wine of the region. They also stock homemade preserves made in the traditional manner without preservatives.
Vamos S.A. tourist office which changes money and offers bike rentals, in addition to organising walks to Byzantine monasteries and churches nearby. Vamos S.A. are also happy to organise events which involve visitors in the day to day life of the village. They are able to organise for visitors to spend time learning about Cretan cuisine, wine tasting, traditional skills and crafts or even learning to play backgammon.
The result is a Cretan village with modern amenities which exemplifies how tourism can help to sustain and rejuvenate without damaging the environment or negatively influencing the local culture.
A financial contribution is made per passenger booked to local conservation charities, and we also encourage our customers to offset the carbon emissions of their flights.
We invite every traveller who books a holiday via us to send in a review. Because we don't run the holidays they're completely independent and unedited... remember to read between the lines though, as two people on the same holiday can have different views!
