“These tours are examples of some of the places to visit and the sights and activities you can experience. They are completely customizable to your time and budget. Please use the “Design Your Own form” to start planning your next vacation with us”
Independent Tour, Customized to your dates
6 nights/ 7 days
Tour Features
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and it is surrounded by so much beauty and traditions. You are going to explore the second largest city in Crete, Chania which is divided by the old town and the new town. You will notice in the old town the influence from the Venetians and how the lighthouse is well preserved. The lighthouse was built by the Venetians around 1570 and then it was reconstructed by the Egyptians in 1830. You will enjoy the history of this town while trying different types of local food.
First & Second Day
You arrive in Chania, Crete’s second largest city and your home base for most of the week. Get to know the town on a guided walking tour—you’ll pass through neighborhoods like Topanas, Splantzia, Kolombo, and Kasteli, and learn about Cretan history, mythology, and the ruins of the ancient Minoan city of Kydonia.
Third & Fourth Day of excursion
Spend the next two days and nights in the village of Vamos, where you’ll learn about Cretan food traditions and production during a traditional cooking class, after which you can feast on the fruits of your labor. Shake off your post-lunch stupor exploring Vamos and take a dip in the gorgeous freshwater Kournas Lake before tucking in for the night in a charming village guesthouse. With the assistance of our experienced local cook Mrs.Koula, you will learn to prepare 6 delicious traditional Cretan dishes, the secrets of the olive oil and the mountain herbs, how to select fresh ingredients and many other useful tips. Once the cooking is done, you will enjoy all together the fruits of your creativity with local wine, fresh bread, Greek music and nice stories… around an old monastery-style table. Olives and olive oil are, since the dawn of civilization, two of the most important elements of Cretan life and culture. Let’s “walk” together the Olive Path! First stop at the olive grove of Takis, a local farmer who uses organic methods of cultivating. We will walk with him under the olive trees, we will discuss the methods, the secrets, and the difficulties of cultivating olive trees. After that we will drive up to the nearby olive mill of the Melissakis family. We will have the opportunity to discuss the modern methods of olive oil extraction, the important things to check when buying olive oil, we will have olive oil tasting and we will discover some of the cosmetics based on olive oil.
Next stop is the Monastery of St. George, an impressive architectural monument, probably the most important in the whole of Apokoronas. There will be a guided tour of the Monastery and the Temple of St. George and, of course, the monumental, old (19th century) olive mill of the Monastery, a real architectural masterpiece with 13 arches! We will continue to drive up to the mountainous and historical village of Vafes. We will visit a well preserved old family olive mill, where we will have the opportunity to see how olive oil was pressed in former times, and the difficult working conditions back then. After that it is lunch time at the nice, traditional restaurant of Stavroula next door, who cooks local recipes using the ingredients of her own garden. We shouldn’t forget to taste the home made “soumada”, a soft drink based on almonds! Don’t miss on our way, the very interesting Stelios’ shop, ‘Lotus’, with very tasteful souvenirs, to finish up in a nice way a really exceptional tour!
Fifth & Sixth Day of excursion
After breakfast Manolis will be waiting for us to open the gate of a paradise land: thyme, oregano, sage, marjoram will stimulate our senses leading us to explore the garden of healing and aromatic herbs. We may collect some of them. Wandering among olive trees, fruit-bearing trees, citrus trees and various other plants we will smell, touch, and taste their aromatic fruits. After this beautiful walk, about 4 km is a good moment to sit, relax, enjoy a cup of mountain tea admiring the incredible view of the White Mountains. We will enjoy fantastic greens and vegetables from Manolis’ garden, cooked by his wife, delicious local cheese, and authentic local wine. A unique experience into the beauty of Crete for all of us who love to stay in touch with mother Nature. Return to Chania and wrap up your stay on the island with a long, scenic, seafood dinner at, a beautiful seaside tavern, and take care of some last-minute shopping in town. There are countless treats to take home with you – unique Cretan wines, handmade espadrilles, graviera cheese, local olive oil, and beautifully engraved knives.
THE ABOVE RATE INCLUDES:
- The transfers of the participants in a luxury air-conditioned MiniVan (just for the daily excursions).
- Experienced Professional English-Speaking Driver.
- Four (4) Overnights Accommodation in Chania at a 3* Hotel (standarddouble room).
- Two (2) Overnights Accommodation in Vamos Village Traditional Guesthouses (traditional guesthouse for 2pax without swimming pool).
- Rental Car (choice of car upon request / medium size car).
- Half Day Walking Tour at Tabakaria and Halepa.
- Half Day Tour of Old Town of Chania as specified in the Program (Topanas, Kasteli, Kolombo).
- Certificated English-Speaking Guide.
- Cooking lessons at Vamos village, as specified in the program.
- Half Day Tour of the Olive Oil Path, as specified in the program.
- Botanical Guided Walk, as specified in the program.
- Tickets/Entrance Fees.
- Insurance for the participants and professional liability.
- Taxes/VAT.
THE ABOVE RATE DOES NOT INCLUDE:
- Air Tickets – Ferry Tickets.
- Extra Meals, Drinks etc.
- Tips for the Drivers and the Guides.
- Travel Insurance.
- Personal Expenses.
- Any service not mentioned in our included items
