There is an area near Archanes called Fantaxometocho, which means the Ghost dependency in Cretan dialect. This unusually named area is full of vineyards and one of these, Ktima Fantaxometocho (Estate) has a traditional winery and inn.
Fantaxometocho estate has a lot to offer to its visitors; tours of the winery and vineyards, wine tasting, hospitality and accommodation in the estate, with traditional food and the chance to visit nearby archaeological and historical sites. For information and bookings, contact Mr Kostantakis on 28 10-73 16 17. From Archanes, you can visit Giouchtas, a mountain made entirely of limestone. The mountain rock is older than that of the broader region. It was formed millions of years ago, dunng the Limestone period (145-68 million years ago), while there are more recent deposits around it, from the Pliocene period (5.3-1.6 mlllion years ago). It is 3 km west of Archanes and 18 km south of Heraklion city. It has a total area of 400 hectares. So far, eleven caves on Giouchtas have been discovered, of which only three have been explored and partially mapped: Anemospilia, Chosto Nero and Spilios tou Stravomiti. There is a church and a telecommunications transmitter on the mountain's two highest peaks. There is a torrent with relatively rich vegetation in the north/north-eastem region, and a small gorge. The area is included in the European Natura Network 2000, forthe "Preservation of natural habitats and wild flora and fauna", and is considered an Important Area for Birds (IAB) by the European Union. It is protected as an "Archaeological Site" and as an "Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty". It is surrounded by extensive plantations of vines and olive trees. The effects of humans on the area's natural environment (felling, land reclamation, cultivation, and fires) have changed the area's appearance, although no one is able to say what it looked like before human intervention.
The lonely oak trees scattered sparsely around the Archanes valley may be solitary indications of past rich vegetation. Generally, human intervention was and is less prominent on Giouchtas, and the vegetation, despite having changed in quantity and quality since older times, still retains some of its primordial characteristics. Around 360 species of plant have been recorded, 18 of which are endemic to Crete and/or Greece.
Bushes with small furry leaves, some with spiky shoots, are predominant, typical Mediterranean plants, such as thymios (Thyme), aggarathia (Spiny broom), astivida (Thorny, what is et) and chinopodi (Branched plantain). Locally, there are evergreenbroadleaf species, such as holly and carob bushes, occasionally in tree-like form. Many turf plants that appear with the first rains make Giouchtas bright green until the spring. There are several species growing on the rock-face, such as the II chasmofila" (Chasmophytes), the only plants not yet affected by humans. These include dittany, ebony, etc.
The Giouchta fauna has not been studied extensively, although it is interesting in many respects. There are species that complete their biological cycles on the mountain, species that visit it occasionally and others that nest there. There are several hundred invertebrates, and quite a few endemic species.
Snails, centipedes, spiders, and herbivorous, carnivorous or saprophagous insects are everywhere, even in the depths of the caves.
Yellow bobbins and tree frogs are the main amphibians, observed mainly at the foot of the mountain.
Reptiles are represented by a species of lizard (Lacerta trilineata) and two species of harmless snake, the house snake, which the Cretans also call ochentra, and the cat snake (gatofido).
The presence of eight species of mammals has been certified, of which three are insectivores
(the bat, Cretan Mygalis and hedgehog) and three are rodents (house mouse, rock mouse and rat), one lagomorph (hare), three carnivores (Cretan vole or arkalos, Cretan badger or zourida and Cretan weasel or kalogiannou). The avifauna is considered particularly important, as around forty species of bird have been observed, and it is important for the reproduction of vultures. There are also other rare and/or endangered species, such as peregrines and black peregrines. Original text: The Natural Environment o f Giouchtas, K. B. Paraggamian, Vassilia - Kato Archanes - Skalani - Archanes Development Agency.