Painting, music and mindfulness weeks in Crete are just some of the new experiences that leading independent hotel and villa specialist Simpson Travel  (0208 003 6557; www.simpsontravel.com) is adding to its portfolio for 2023,  following the successful introduction of guided walking holidays and culinary experiences in 2022.   

Alongside the chance to step out and explore an extended range of walking and cultural experiences with Cretan specialist Jonathan Peat, the expanded programme will include Meditation with specialist yoga practitioner Sarah Jane Minter, Watercolour Painting with locally based artist Francesca Harrison and a selection of expert led culinary, Bridge and music weeks.

Commenting, Graham Simpson says 'Our initial programme of special interest holidays was a resounding success, with most weeks being sold out very quickly.  It's clear we have found a winning combination for guests who are looking to combine a week in the sun at our one of our beautiful Simpson hotels, with something a little more cultural, cerebral or active.'

Graham adds 'What better place to do this than Crete.   As home to the Minoan civilisation - with its sophisticated art, writing systems and tradition of creativity – it is the perfect setting for more culturally immersive holidays.  Crete is my second home and the birthplace of my wife; Yianna and I feel passionate about sharing its extraordinary diversity and history with our clients.  As well as fantastic beaches, hospitable people and unique cuisine, it has so much more to offer. We look forward to welcoming new guests in 2023.'

Simpson's adult-only boutique property, Arosmari Village Hotel, will be at the heart of these cultural activities, although a handful of holidays are located in other properties around the island. Set at the foot of the White Mountains in the traditional village of Vamos, Arosmari's village-style layout – with ten charming 1 and 2-bedroom stone and cypress wood cottages surround a beautiful garden – make it the perfect location for these experiences. Vamos itself has a reputation as a highly creative village in its own right, attracting a number of writers, musicians, and artists.

In addition to the dedicated weeks, Simpson Travel will also be extending their selection of local experiences with private guides in Western Crete. These will include the option for guests at Arosmari to experience escorted local walks, boat trips and visits to some of the islands hidden monasteries and archaeological treasures.

Patrick Leigh Fermor and other Adventurers in Wartime Crete

Escorted walks with Jonathan Peat - 25 April to 3 May 2023

For fans of the WW2 hero and traveller Patrick Leigh Fermor, Simpson offers a unique springtime eight-night walking holiday following in his footsteps and the events leading up to the abduction of the German General Kreipe on the island in April 1944.   With Arosmari Village Hotel in Vamos as the primary base for the holiday and led by Cretan expert guide, Jonathan Peat, visit the epic mountain ranges, wild coastal areas, remote villages, and secret caves that that played such a pivotal role in his wartime exploits and meet some of the people whose families were touched by the extraordinary events that still echo across the island today.

Departing 23 April 2023 Simpson Travel offers an eight-night Patrick Leigh Fermor and other Adventurers in Wartime Crete walking holiday from £1,665pp based on two sharing.

Painting at Arosmari Village Hotel - 2 - 9 May 2023

Crete has long been a source of inspiration for artists thanks to its extraordinarily diverse landscapes and unique beauty. Simpson Travel's new Painting at Arosmari week offers an opportunity to hone creativity and painting skills under the expert guidance of long-time Cretan resident, Francesca Harrison.

Open to both total beginners and those with a little more experience, the week combines a relaxing holiday and an active schedule of painting workshops with a different facet of painting covered each day. The week ends back in the Arosmari garden, where participants can practise their newly acquired watercolour techniques on a variety of projects.

Departing 2 May 2023 Simpson Travel offers a week Painting at Arosmari Village Hotel from £1,027pp based on two sharing.

The Flavours of Crete - 09 May 2023

This week of culinary activities offers total immersion into Cretan cuisine with a tasting session of local olive oils, a visit to a dairy, wine tasting and an afternoon of bread making and pie baking using the traditional oven in the hotel garden with Arosmari's owner, Nicos.  For a little night-time entertainment, there will be a concert in the hotel's diminutive amphitheatre as well as time with non-culinary partners to explore the villages and beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania.

Departing 9 May 2023 Simpson Travel offers a week exploring The Flavours of Crete from £1,101pp based on two sharing.

Bridge at Arosmari - 27 June 2023

The game of Bridge has fascinated and intrigued players for over 100 years. For those looking to learn or develop their skills, Simpson Travel's new Bridge Week at Arosmari is the perfect introduction for beginners and rusty players wanting a refresher of the basics in a supportive and friendly atmosphere.

Led by Debbie Winterbourne, a qualified Bridge teacher with 40 years' experience, sessions will take place at tables in a beautifully shaded area of Arosmari's fragrant garden. Five morning seminars will cover basic Acol (Standard English) Bridge along with afternoon practice play sessions and relaxed social play after dinner. On a Bridge-free day at leisure there is time to explore the idyllic location, see the nearby charming villages and golden beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania, with its superb restaurants, colourful markets, and spectacular Venetian harbour.

Departing 27 June 2023 Simpson Travel offers a week of Bridge at Arosmari from £1,454pp based on two sharing.

Music at Arosmari - 08 August 2023

A stay at Simpson Travel's Arosmari Village Hotel in early August will combine a delightful schedule of concerts and recitals in the hotel's own amphitheatre and nearby village of Vamos, offering the chance to enjoy a rich variety of musical styles, along with a week of relaxation.

The week includes entertainment on six nights.  As well as an evening of Cretan music in Vamos, there is classical music at the Church of the Virgin of Katomeri, while on Saturday night, jazz fills the garden at Arosmari. The celebration will culminate with a spectacular fiesta and church service at Arosmari on the final night of the break, followed by live entertainment, drinks and delicious food.

Departing 8 August 2023 Simpson Travel offers a week of Music at Arosmari from £1,268pp based on two sharing.

Meditation and Mindfulness at Arosmari - 17 October 2023

Beginners and more seasoned practitioners are invited to join Sarah Jane Minter for a rejuvenating week as she explores the essence of mindfulness and meditation.   Sarah Jane has been teaching and practising yoga for over 25 years and guests will be able to try various types of meditation and discover how to establish a regular practise to unwind, de-stress, and connect to a deeper experience of daily life.

The week will include morning and evening practice sessions, a series of guided meditations, from Buddhist meditation to Chakra and Moving meditation in the garden at Arosmari and at the nearby beach.    Non-practicing partners can share the holiday experience and enjoy the idyllic location, with time to explore the charming villages and golden beaches of western Crete and the cosmopolitan city of Chania.

Departing 17 October 2023 Simpson Travel offers a week of Meditation and Mindfulness at Arosmari from £1,009pp based on two sharing.

Cretan Wine Tour - 24 October 2023

Set in the heart of Crete's historic wine-growing region, enjoy a blissful week staying at Kerasia, a boutique retreat cradled amongst olive groves, citrus orchards, and vineyards at the base of Mount Psiloritis. Within its centuries-old walls, the stylishly refurbished property has just seven charming suites. The garden is a fragrant paradise of rosemary, jasmine, and lavender with a lovely pool and dining terrace and all bedrooms have views of the surrounding rolling hills.

Over 3500 years have passed since the area first began making wine. Discover the region's wineries as well as a number of archaeological, cultural, and culinary sites with the help of tour hosts Stella Vasilaki and Jonathan Peat. You'll also have free time most days to unwind by the pool and take in the ambience of this very unique location.

Highlights include daily winery tours and tastings as well as an introduction to Cretan wine. a tour of the Labyrinth Musical Workshop and a trip to the village of Archanes to view the Vathipetro archaeological site. In the mountain town of Anogia, which is a part of the Psiloritis UNESCO Global Geopark, there will be a cheese-making and tasting session in a traditional shepherd's hut and the chance to visit the Nikos Kazantzakis Museum, a museum honouring the philosopher and traveller.

Departing 24 October 2023 Simpson Travel offers a one week Cretan Wine Tour from £1,756pp based on 2 sharing.

Walking holidays in Crete

For 2023, Cretan specialist Jonathan Peat has devised a series of spring and autumn itineraries. Using his extensive local knowledge, built up over 30 years, Jonathan, who is a former Cretan resident and fully qualified walking guide, will lead guests on daily walks which combine the diverse landscapes of the island with wonderful insights into its distinctive culture, customs, history, and flora.

Taking in landscapes ranging from the snow-capped mountains to flower-filled plains, the walks uncover extraordinary paths to visit remote monasteries, Minoan palaces, tiny inland villages, and hidden beaches. Thanks to Jonathan's expertise, participants will also delve into a hidden side of the island with informal stops at tiny, whitewashed chapels or rustic cafes to sample a slower pace of Cretan life. Along the way, they will gather nuggets of local knowledge from Cretan myths and local history to learning about edible and medicinal plants.

Discover Spring in Western Crete at Arosmari Village Hotel - 4 to 11 April 2023

This spring itinerary is based at Arosmari Village Hotel, Simpson's boutique property in the west of the island and is timed to enjoy Crete's breath-taking displays of wildflowers. From £1,322pp based on two sharing, including flights, car hire or transfers, 7 nights' accommodation, and daily breakfast at Arosmari Village Hotel, five escorted walks.

Discover Cretan Easter – 11-18 April 2023

As one of the most important festivals in the Greek calendar, Greek Orthodox Easter is marked by wonderful ceremonies and processions and a profusion of local traditions.  This seven-night holiday neatly combines walks with the chance to experience some of the less well-known festivities en route.  From £888 per person, based on two sharing, including flights, transfers, 7 nights' accommodation and daily breakfast at Arosmari Village Hotel, and five daily escorted walks.  

Discover Southern Crete - Porto Loutro - On The Beach - 3 to 10 October 2023

In October, the fishing village of Loutro in the south of the island is the perfect location to explore the area's magnificent gorges and Byzantine wonders. From £1,494pp based on two sharing, including flights, transfers, 7 nights' b&b accommodation, five escorted walks. 

Discover Eastern Crete - Glaros Beach Suites - 8 to 15 May and 23 to 30 September 2023

In Spring and autumn, Glaros Beach Suites on the island's eastern coast provides the ideal base to appreciate the unique geology of the island's eastern fringe where endemic plants and animals that have disappeared from many other parts of the island still remain. Prices to be advised for flights, transfers, 7 nights' b&b accommodation at Glaros Beach Suites, five escorted walks.

- Ends -

 For further media information, please contact:

Sarah Bolam on 07714 337756 or email sarahbolamcommunications@gmail.com or Anthea Yabsley – 0208 578 6777 or email anthea.yabsley@ideal-pr.co.uk 

Notes to Editors - Simpson Travel: Independently owned, Simpson Travel was established in 2002, yet its heritage predates this by many years. Founder Graham Simpson, a veteran of the travel industry, built up the highly successful Simply Travel in the 1970s with his Greek wife Yianna. From humble beginnings in a flat in Chiswick, it became one of the most respected independent travel companies of its time, renowned for offering authentic rather than 'packaged' holiday experiences, with carefully researched programmes, exceptional product knowledge and service. In Simpson Travel, he recreated the original ethos of Simply Travel, offering a very personal service, with individually selected properties, exceptional local knowledge for each destination and a highly experienced team of staff. Clients booking with Simpson Travel can be safe in the knowledge that their holiday has been created with their needs in mind and each property matched to their individual tastes and requirements.