Zaros is a picturesque village located at the southern slope of the mountain IDI (Psiloritis) at 340m a.s.l, 45 km from Iraklion.
It has 2,241 permanent residents.
The main occupation of the inhabitants is farming and stock breeding, while there are quite a few traditional workshops of weaving, painting (icons), and musical instruments.
The name Zaros is considered to be prehellenic, and means the abundant water flow. It is clearly indicative of an age old history which is further verified by the Minoan findings in the Kourtes area, as well as the remnants of the Roman aqua ducts from which ancient Gortina got its water supply.

Access
There is regular bus transportation from Iraklion to Zaros. There is also daily bus schedules from/to Mires and Kamares.
You can also rent a car from Iraklion and take the road Iraklion -Mires- Festos. The crossroad from the village of Agia Varvara leads to Gergeri, Nivritos and after 16km to Zaros.

Facilities
There is a police station, post office, doctor's office, and pharmacy.
The visitor can find a hotel with all facilities, and many smaller ones in traditional style.
There are also taverns with cretan specialties and fresh salmon or trout from the local fish ponds. Many cafes, bakery and grocery shops and Taxi station.

Kamilari is located 2,5 km west of the archaeological sight of Phaistos and 2.5 km from the sea, where the resort of Kalamaki is sited.
The name of the village is of Byzantine origin, and is derived from the world "kamilaris" meaning the one who rides a camel.

Kamilari is built on the top of three hills, Evgora, Goulas and Alevrota, and it has 339 inhabitants. Its houses are built with stones and are two-stored.
The village is known for its climate that is temperate and there is sunshine nine months every year.

Public Bus Service to Kamilari Kalamaki:
departure from Iraklion 9:00 to Kamilari- Kalamaki
departure from Kamilari 11:30 to Kalamaki- Timbaki- Iraklion
departure from Kamilari 15:00 to Kalamaki- Iraklion

Kamilari is a quiet, traditional village, with a panoramic view to the endless olive groves of the Messara valley on the one side, and to the Libyan sea on the other side. It has been inhabited since the Minoan period. One of the seven wise men of the ancient world, Epimenidis, a great wise man and a soothsayer, lived in a small community outside Kamilari, called Metohi.