Chania, 2nd day: Educational field trip to Botanical Gardens and Omalos plateau

9.45: Visiting the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete at Fourne village, "... a nearly 20 hectares of land [...] full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s microclimate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals! In the midst of this colorful and vivid landscape stands a burnt centennial olive tree, a memorial and a reference to the dismal fires of 2003, the park’s history and origin." Tour of students and teachers joint student activities from the three participating schools “The Color Hunt”.  Presentation of results - snack time

11.30: Visiting Omalos plateau, the museum at Omalos, infomative presentation regarding the flora and fauna of Crete “Sustainable (?) production methods at the Omalos plateau”

The plateau of Omalos is surrounded by the high peaks of the White Mountains (or Madares: "Bald" Mountains) at 1,040 to 1,250 meters and is about 40 km from the town of Chania. It is a place full of history and wild beauty. In Xyloskalo there is a forest outpost and information centre (small museum) about White Mountains and Samaria. Livestock and farming activities raise questions about sustainable production and the protection of the natural environment.

13.00: Visit to Xyloskalo, Informative presentation concerning the National Forest Park of Samaria “Protecting the environment, protecting ourselves” "The broader area of Samaria constitutes a clearly established and spatially defined territory. Within this area one encounters a diversity of landscape features with particular characteristics of ecological and cultural value." From the location Xyloskalo there is the start of the path along the world famous Samaria gorge. Above the entrance of Samaria gorge the  rough mountain of Gigilos (Rotten) rises its wild beaty.

13.30: Feasting at Xyloskalo with traditional courses.

16.00: Departure for Seliniotiko Gyro, Petra Seli (wind turbines), Sebrona (chestnuts) and back to Chania