Winter in Crete

Day 1: Arrival at Heraklion

We will meet you at the airport to give you the latest details of your trip before delivering your rental car. You are accompanied to your hotel to deposit your luggage and take the last details of your trip. You will learn about Cretan history and culture by visiting the archaeological museum and the town of Heraklion.

🏚️ Accommodation: Village Archanes or similar.

Day 2: The Minoan culture (B)

This “Minoan” day begins with the visit of the palace of Knossos, which makes us shiver until today. Then, you go to the village of Archanes to discover its archaeological museum and the hidden places of the small village as well as the rocky alleys. You will then have lunch at the tavern of Koumos where you can taste your first traditional Cretan meal.

🏚️ Accommodation: Village Archanes or similar.

Day 3: Picturesque villages around Rethymno (B, D)

You start off your way to Rethymno. Stop at the mountainous village of Anogeia for a walk and continue towards Margarites, where our friend Yorgos will give you a demonstration of pottery, the traditional art of this village. You will then continue to the Arkadi monastery, the most famous monastery of Rethymno, with an exceptional history of the Holocaust in 1866. You can still feel the holiness of the monastery when you walk around the chambers. In the afternoon you will take place in a Gastronomy walking tour in the old town of Rethymno, to discover its history and tradition, tasting small light dishes in a traditional kafeneio, accompanied by a local french or English speaking guide.

🏚️ Accommodation: Pepi Boutique or similar.

Day 4: Experience the Real Crete (B, L)

This day you will take place in a guided visit to the villages in the Cretan mountains. You will visit authentic pastureland, an old monastery with monks, grandma Antonia, who still occupies herself with traditional weaving, and the museum of Yorgos, who is a talented Cretan that makes incredible wooden sculptures, definitely worth seeing! At the end of the day, a real Cretan meal is waiting for us, in the most famous taverna of the region!

🏚️ Accommodation: Pepi Boutique or similar.

Day 5: On the Route towards Chania (B)

Today, you will head towards Chania. On the way, you can stop to visit the mountainous village of Argiroupoli, which is 26 km southwest of Rethymno. It is a traditional village with old houses and authentic taverns, compared to other villages of Crete in Crete. It is relatively large, with around 700 permanent residents. You can also admire its water springs and rich flora. Then, you can pay a visit to Lake Kournas, the island’s only freshwater lake. Enjoy the scenery from the terrace of one of the many taverns that line the banks.

🏚️ Accommodation: Elia Palazzo or similar.

Day 6: Chania and its Surroundings (B)

Set off by car to explore the city of Chania and visit the Tsagkarolon Monastery, where monks generate unique varieties of wine, olive, and honey. You can take the opportunity to go to Seitan Limania, a beautiful secret beach to relax and admire (and maybe even dive in, if the weather is good!). Return to Chania to discover the many exceptional Byzantine, Venetian or Ottoman monuments. The Nautical Museum, the Archaeological Museum, El Venizelos, and the War Museum house are also not to be missed.

 Accommodation: Elia Palazzo or similar.

Day 7: Wine and Olive oil Tasting (B, L)

Today, you will visit the Kanakis olive oil factory to discover its manufacturing secrets and taste extra virgin oil. You then go to one of the best vineyards in the region, the Dourakis estate, where you take advantage of a guided tour, an opportunity for you to get to know the particular characteristics of Cretan wine better. The guided tour is followed by a tasting, accompanied by briquettes and olives. Finally, you go to the village of Vryses for a light traditional lunch.

🏚️ Accommodation: Olive Green or similar.

Day 8: End of your winter escape (B)

Depending on your flight schedule, you will return to Heraklion city and reach the airport to catch your flight. If you have time left, you can visit the venetian city of Heraklion and have a coffee in one of its hidden “kafeneia” before reaching the airport. Have a great fly and we hope to see you again soon!