Veggera

A family farm at Stylos, in the Apokoronas valley, that runs Cretan cooking classes for groups of up to twelve, with a visit to the barn, a wine and cheese tasting and lunch with live music.

Who they are

Veggera was founded by Paraskevas Kourakis, born in Stylos, a village in the Apokoronas valley, in the east of Chania province. He grew up learning his grandmother's recipes and tending the family's vegetable garden, and the idea for the business comes from that childhood. In customer reviews Sofia also appears, and the house presents itself as a family project. The name comes from the veggera, the Cretan gathering where neighbours and family meet to eat, tell stories and celebrate. The website does not say in which year it started. In 2025 the international institute IGCAT, for gastronomy, culture and tourism, chose it among the ten best food websites in the world and the first in Crete.

What it offers

The main activity is the Cretan cooking class, which has its own entry on this page with the price and details. According to the website, it combines several things: gathering vegetables and herbs in the garden, seeing and milking the farm animals, cooking traditional dishes hands-on, tasting local wine and cheese and finishing with a shared meal with live traditional music. Customers say the meal is accompanied by wine and raki. On the farm there are also pigs and hens, which are fed on leftovers and the remains of the cheese dairy.

For families there is a second activity: a farm visit with a bike ride, designed for children aged 6 to 10. The children meet the animals, plant vegetables and then take a gentle bike ride along shaded tracks in the valley. On its blog the house also announces a soap workshop with wine tasting in the village of Fres.

Where it is

The farm is at Stylos, in the interior of Apokoronas, not far from Souda bay. The website gives the location with a Google Maps link, but does not explain how to get there by public transport or offer pick-up. The most practical thing is to go by hire car. The valley has other villages, such as Fres, which let you round off the day with a walk in the area.

Booking, cancellation and diets

You book on the website, by email at [email protected] or by phone on +30 6984 231 745. The place is confirmed by email on receipt of payment or deposit, which can be made by card or in cash. The cancellation terms are these:

• More than 7 days before: full refund.
• Between 7 days and 24 hours before: 50% is refunded.
• Less than 24 hours or if you do not show up: no refund.

If the weather requires it, the house may change the schedule, activities or place, and lets you know as soon as possible. Allergies, dietary restrictions and health problems must be reported when booking. The terms admit participants from one year old, so children can go. The website is in English and does not say in which languages the classes are given.