Creative Arts in Crete

'There is a deep connection among human beings,
all we have to do is open our minds to it' (Yanni)

Despite modest growth over the last 25 years to the present 50-60 buildings, the magical ambience is still retained by the almost overpowering beauty of its natural setting. Other than two or three mid- range hotels, accommodation is 'Greek Island style'; simple, clean, and pleasant. The very reasonably priced food at the various tavernas is of a high standard. Two or three shops cater for basic requirements, and there are couple of quiet bars for late nighters. As connoisseurs of Loutro seem to agree, it is also great when doing nothing , 2-3 days before or after the course should be set aside for this purpose.

Getting to Loutro is a three stage affair
1. Flights	Charter Flights (£175-£250) from various cities in the UK, go direct to the nearest airport, Chania, or to Iraklion. Mostly on Tuesdays (daytime) and Fridays (evenings).
	Scheduled Flights (£210-£350) go via Athens, before an internal flight to Crete.
2. Transfer to Sfakia	From Chania Airport Taxi - E60 - E70* 1¼hours	From Iraklion Airport Taxi - E110 - E120 2¼hours
	Bus - E5 - E10 3 hours Last Bus 14:00	Bus - E10 - E15** 5 hours Last Bus 12:30
3. Boat to Loutro	30 mins - E4.2 10:20 - 12:30 16:45 &18:45 (2 deps) or 18:30 (1dep)
* Taxi sharing from Chania can often be arranged
** all Iraklion to Sfakia buses change at Vrises (see map)
Taxi Boats - Sfakia to Loutro - E 30 ( depend on sea conditions )

UK Charter Flights:

Chania : Gatwick, Manchester & Birmingham - Tuesdays only.

Heraklion :
Tuesdays : Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol, Bournemouth, Leeds/Bradford, Stansted, E Midlands, Cardiff, Newcastle, Glasgow, Belfast, Edinburgh.
Thursdays : Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Luton, Glasgow, E Midlands, Bristol, Cardiff, Newcastle.
Fridays : Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Humberside, Norwich.
Saturdays : Gatwick.
Sundays : Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Doncaster, Stansted, E Midlands.

International Clients : Flying to the UK and picking up a UK return charter flight may sometimes work out cheaper than international scheduled services via Athens.

For a small fee, £12.50 World Spirit can research flight options for you and arrange your taxi transfers in Crete.

Getting to Loutro is a three stage affair. Charter flights from various cities in the UK, fly direct to Chania, the nearest airport, or Iraklion. All scheduled flights go via Athens, before an internal flight to Crete. If requested, we can generate a flight proposal.

Depending on the time of arrival, charter flights will normally allow the journey to be completed in one day. However, as there are no direct scheduled international flights into Crete (they are all routed through Athens), it is more difficult to get through to Loutro on scheduled services in one day. An overnight pension in Hora Sfakion may be required, after which you can take the next morning's ferry onwards to Loutro. Those using scheduled services may need to start their journeys on Mondays at the latest returning not before the following Monday, the day after the workshop terminates.

Accomodation

E25 (budget) or E30-35 (standard) per night. For personal privacy and individual ‘creative space’, all clients are spread around the village in different houses, in separate ‘Greek Island style rooms’, simply appointed with sea view balconies, en suite bathrooms, towels & bedding provided. World Spirit does not offer the sharing of rooms by clients that do not know each other beforehand. Upon Course reservation, we book a room for you, changeable on site by arrangement, which you pay for and manage on an independent traveller basis.

You book and pay for your own flight and pay for transfers, accommodation and food on-site.
We 'service' your travel arrangements beginning with checking your flight and transfer details - proposing better or more cost effective routings where appropriate. Upon receipt of a confirmed flight reservation, we will then reserve accommodation for you on a best available basis. At the same time, a £25 deposit (non-refundable) will need to be placed.

Etc.

Numerous tavernas offer an extremely good level of cuisine with vegetarian options at reasonable prices, ( E15 -30 per day ). A gift shop and a couple of well stocked mini-markets provide fresh food, beach wear, basic commodities etc... Loutro being still mostly a cash society. Regrettably, the steep inclines and steps around the village are not appropriate for wheelchair use. Mobile phones work in most of Loutro, and there is a small Internet Cafe. Various stylish bars with laid back music offer a mellow starlit nightlife......

Travel Insurance

We cannot be held responsible for any accidents that may occur and all participants are required to be covered by full travel insurance. Unfortunately, the rugged environment is not suitable for people using wheelchairs.