Explore Kapsaliana Village Learn More Kapsaliana Village Hotel HISTORY: Welcome at Kapsaliana Village Hotel, a picturesque village in The story begins at the time of the Venetian Occupation. Kapsaliana Rethymno, Crete that rewrites its history. Set amidst the largest olive Village was then a ‘metochi’ - part of the Arkadi Monastery estate, the grove in the heart of the island known for its tradition, authenticity and island’s most emblematic cenobium. natural landscape. Around 1600, a little chapel dedicated to Archangel Michael is Located 8km away from the seaside and 4km from the historic Arkadi constructed and a hamlet began to develop. More than a century monastery. Kapsaliana Village Hotel is a unique place of natural beauty, later, in 1763, Filaretos, the Abbot of Arkadi Monastery decides to peace and tranquility, where accommodation facilities are build an olive oil mill in the area. harmonised with the enchanting landscape. The olive seed is at the time key to the daily life: it is a staple of Surrounded by lush vegetation, unpaved gorges and rare local herbs nutricion, it is used in religious ceremonies and it functions as a source and plants. Kapsaliana Village Hotel overlooks the Cretan sea together of light and heat. with breathtaking views of Mount Ida and the White Mountains. More and more people come to work at the mill and build their The restoration of Kapsaliana Village hotel was a lengthy process which houses around it. The settlement flourishes. At its peak Kapsaliana took around four decades. When the architect Myron Toupoyannis, Village Hotel boasts 13 families and 50 inhabitants with the monk- discovered the ruined tiny village, embarked on a journey with a vision steward of the Arkadi monastery in charge. to transform and revive the old village. Kapsaliana Village hotel pays homage to the past; celebrates the Today, Kapsaliana Village is a traditional, Cretan village characterized by present; and paves the way to a more a balanced, sustainable future. Presidential Decree as of “High Cultural Value“ and a Member of the Historic Hotels of Europe. Kapsaliana Village Hotel Location Culture Gastronomy Wellness Nature Location All you need to know about Crete, Kapsaliana and the surroundings: Rethymnon: One of the most picturesque cities of Crete, Rethymnon is the administrative and commercial center of the homonymous prefecture. Merely 25 minutes from Kapsaliana Village hotel, you’ll find yourselves in this beautiful, vibrant town where you may enjoy strolling along the Venetian port, the old city and the market; while basking in its cosmopolitan, lively atmosphere. Starting from KVH… Take the time to explore a three-stop cultural route through history and tradition and let yourself emerge in a natural landscape full of gorges, ecosystems, plateaus and other nature landmarks. 1. Arkadi Monastery 2. Eleftherna Archaeological Site & Museum 3. Margarites Ceramic Village Culture Arkadi Monastery: The historic Arkadi Monastery (4km from Kapsaliana Village hotel) is the second most visited place in Crete after the archaeological site of Knossos. Arkadi is sacred place of the holocaust for 930 Cretans who blew themselves up and sacrificed rather than surrender to Ottomans. As the struggle culminated in 1866, local priests and villagers-warriors, women and children, locked themselves up in the monastery and blasted the gunpowder warehouse to avoid surrendering to the Turks. Nowadays Arkadi Monastery is recognised by UNESCO as a word monument of freedom. Eleftherna Archaeological Site & Museum: Nestled in the slope of Mount Ida, the ancient city of Eleutherna was built in the 9th century B.C. and prospered until 796 A. C., when it vanished from the map due to Arab attacks and a tremendous earthquake. Most traces of the ancient city-state had been erased until the Ministry of Culture granted the University of Crete permission to excavate the site in 1985. Nowadays Eleftherna is the most important archaeological site of Western Crete and its recently launched archeological museum is tantamount to those of Olympia, Delphi, and Vergina. Culture Margarites Ceramic Village: Margarites, the village of “pithari” (:greek oil jar) artists that boasts a long tradition in ceramic art, where pottery has been the main occupation of its inhabitants until recently. Make sure you visit the ceramic workshops and shops that keep this legacy alive. Enjoy the gorgeous views to the Cretan Sea and discover its Venetian roots. The itinerary ‘Kapsaliana – Arkadi – Eleftherna – Margarites’ is enchanting and characteristic of the Cretan landscape. The morphology of the land, the view and natural beauty render the experience of this journey unique. Amari Valley – Southern of Kapsaliana Village: Nestled at the foothills of the majestic Psiloriti (Idi) mountain, the highest in Crete, Amari valley comprises of many villages and is one of the most beautiful corners of the Cretan mainland. Old Byzantine churches, Minoan settlements and wild mountains are dispersed throughout. The gorge of Patsos, the cave of St. Anthony, the ancient town of Sivrytos, the monastery of Asomati, the Minoan settlements in Monastiraki and Apodoulou are the most famous sights of Amari. Gastronomy Creative Cretan Dining 5* History – steeped hotel set in a 16th century olive grove. An entire village was rebuilt hiding memories and moments of the past. Traditional Cretan food prepared with a gourmet twist & modern techniques, using locally sourced ingredients and premium olive oil. Breakfast at Kapsaliana Village Hotel Delicious Greek Breakfast Buffet – Served Daily 8.30 – 11am: Cheese & Local Cheese (Sheep, Goat or Cow milk), Bruschetta – Options made daily: Charcuterie – Homemade Deli Meats (Chicken, Turkey or Pork) o Avocado, white ‘galomyzithra’ cheese and herbs o Cubed raw tomato, cucumber, white crumbled cheese & herbs Dairy – Yogurt (Sheep, Goat or Cow milk), Kefir o Cubed raw tomato with eggs, olives, white cheese & herbs Pies & Bakery – Traditional Greek Pies made daily, Super foods – Almonds, Walnuts, Prunes, Dried Figs, Apricots, Energy Mix, Oats, Apple Pie Oat Bran, Sesame seeds Fruit Cake Olive Oil Cake Honey, Jams & Thyme & Flower honey from local Producers , Jams, Tahini, Tahini Homemade Bread, Multi seed, Wholegrain, Plain Bread Spreads – with Cacao, Peanut Butter Homemade Cookies & Cretan flour bites Fruits & Juice Bar – Fruit Bowl, whole fruits basket, Cretan Lichnaraki pies – with myzithra cheese, cinnamon Freshly Squeezed Orange, Grapefruit Juice & Smoothies, Farm Eggs Menu – Simply Boiled or Fried o Fruit compotes o Omelet of the Day Sweets – Homemade Spoon Sweets (Low Sugar) o Eggs with ‘Stakovoutyro’ – Traditional Cretan butter made with Marmalades made with Kapsaliana fruit preserve sheep & goat milk Rice Pudding (‘Ryzogalo’) made with goat milk o Poached Eggs, Cretan Avocado & Whole wheat toast o Egg White Omelette with cherry tomatoes & rocket Vitality Water – Infused with Mint & a selection of fresh fruits o Omelette with Homemade Charcuterie o Fried Eggs with Bacon Coffee & Teas – Herbal Teas, o ‘Strapatsada’ Eggs – Scrambled with tomato & white cheese Carob Tea, Hot Breakfast – Grilled sausages Hot Options - Filter coffee, Bacon rashers Epresso, Cappuccino, Grilled tomato Cold Options - Freddo Espresso , Roasted potatoes, mushrooms & vegetables Freddo Cappuccino Breakfast at Kapsaliana Village Hotel Farm Eggs Any Style: Three Egg Omelette made from local farm-fresh eggs, served with homemade charcuterie and your choice of toast Poached Eggs with sliced Cretan avocado, sprouts, arugula and sliced country bread Fried Eggs with ’Stakovoutyro’ – Cretan butter made from a mix of sheep & goat milk Healthy Egg White Omelette with cherry tomatoes & rocket from our garden Daily Buffet Options: ’Strapatsada’ Eggs – Greek style scrambled eggs cooked in grated tomato, local white cheese & olive oil OR ‘Horiatiki’ Omelette - Fresh mushrooms, green peppers, onions and tomatoes, topped with melted artisanal Cretan cheese (*vegetables upon season) Fried Eggs with Bacon cooked in extra virgin olive oil Simply Fried eggs with crispy bottom and runny yolk on top of a whole wheat toast Boiled eggs - Hard or soft its up to you Degustation Dinner at Kapsaliana Village Hotel MENU: Sea Bream, Okra, Beans – Amaro Olive Oil Accompanied by Rose Prinos, Mandilari – Syrah, Diamantakis Winery – Crete Beef Tail, Pasta, Touloumotiri – Mint Oil Accompanied by Red Monemvasios, Mavroudi – Agiorgitiko, Tsimpidis Winery – Monemvasia Corn Soup, Smoked Eel, Black Tomato – Tsounato Olive Oil Lamb, Eggplant, Wild Mushrooms, Lemon – Koroneiko Olive Oil Accompanied by White Diamantopetra Assyrtiko – Vidiano, Diamantakis Winery – Crete Pre dessert Mirabelles Sorbet Cretan Cream Cheese, Beetroot & Fig Ice Cream Accompanied by Sweet Aureo – Liatiko, Tilaki Winery – Crete ) (Price 60€ per person* 50€ without Wine) Executive Chef: Vasilis Leonidou Private Dinner In your Room Terrace at Kapsaliana Village Hotel Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion with your better half or just looking to spoil yourselves and your loved ones; our acclaimed Chef undertakes to concoct a fabulous candlelit dinner at your private suite. Just sit back, savor the moment and let our discreet service take care of everything else. Menu – (Tailor made according to your dietary preferences). 1. Egg, Cream cheese, Pork & Greens 2. Garden salad, Fresh cherry vinegar & Province green olive oil 3. Sea urchin , Wild damson & Tsounato olive oil 4. Dentex, Citrus air, Amaranth & Franci delicate olive oil 5. Stuffed