An experience not to be missed! Hike along the rugged terrain of the Samaria Gorge cutting through a limestone plateau and at a length of 18 kilometres it is Europe’s longest gorge. You will visit and will surely be enchanted by the beautiful landscapes of Crete. At one point of the gorge the walls are only 3 metres apart from each other, and are known as the ’iron curtains’ with sides rising sheer up to 100 feet.
The hike is followed by the opportunity for lunch break late in the afternoon at a local traditional taverna or coffee or swimming at Agia Roumeli at the end of Gorge. After break we do a short cruise around the southern coastline to the pretty costal village of Chora Sfakion, where our journey ends and take our way back to your hotels.
Spinalonga, the last leper colony in Europe, is located in Elounda from where we take the boat for Spinalonga island. Originally, Venetians fortified the islet in 1579, by building a fortress with 40 cannons and they are actually the best preserved walls in Europe.
It used to be a leper colony from 1903 until 1957, where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economical support. The ruins of the market street with the shops, the hospital and many small houses in which lepers lived isolated, can be explored individually. Leaving Spinalonga Island we have free time to explore the unique Elounda village or go for swimming in the crystal clear waters of Elounda Bay.
Before we take the road back to Heraklion, we will visit Ag.Nikolaos, a town with 14.000 inhabitants which is built on the side of the Gulf of Mirabello. In the centre of Agios Nikolaos is the lake Voulismeni, probably created by an earthquake. There, we can have a coffee break or a walk around the lake, which gives you a great view from above, over the center and the harbor of Agios Nikolaos. Next to the lovely harbor are shady tree-lined streets filled with shops gives you the opportunity to do some “serious shopping”.
Our last stop is at the olive factory in Malia and taste the famous Cretan olive oil.
Our tour begins from Elounda where we take the boat for Spinalonga island. Spinalonga is the last leper colony in Europe Originally, Venetians fortified the islet in 1579, by building a fortress with 40 cannons and they are actually the best preserved walls in Europe.
It used to be a leper colony from 1903 until 1957, where lepers could have a better life, medical help and economical support. The ruins of the market street with the shops, the hospital and many small houses in which lepers lived isolated, can be visited by on your own. Kritsa is a village in the east of the island of Crete, located 10 km from Agios Nikolaos in Lasithi.
A beautiful small village in the mountain foothills, with narrow winding lanes and plenty of character. Renowned for the skill of the local weavers and embroiderers, many tourists visit just to see the beautiful lacework, table clothes and other cloths on display and for sale in the village. This picturesque village is built into a hillside and is very steep, adding to its charm and scenery, however it was not built for modern cars. Nearby is the ruin of the Dorian city of Lato.
Thought to have nominated in this area in the fifth and fourth century BC. Nearby also is the gorge of the same name and Katharo plateau leading through the Dikti mountains to Lasithi plateau.
Visit the most famous and popular of all attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a journey of 5000 years, into myths and legends and learn the secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoan. Enjoy a guided tour of the historical site that covers an area of 22.000 m2, on 5 floors with 1.300 rooms and hear all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur (the half-human monster). This day brings history and legend back to life and is a must see, on any visit to Crete.
Driving from Knossos, we reach Heraklion city, where we will visit the old market in the town Centre – the Lion’s square – where you will have the opportunity of shopping around. We also alternatively offer a visit to the newly renovated Archaeological Museum which exhibits traditional material from ancient period. The old Market Street is still a place for ‘Herakliotes‘ – the people that live in Heraklion, to come every day to meet, talk and have fun. As you are walking on the streets, you will grab the atmosphere of being a local and feel the buzz around you. Afterwards we will visit the Church of Saint Titos which is a beautiful church and an important monument for the town of Heraklion.
Our first stop on the scenic route towards central Crete is the Monastery of “Kera Kardiotissa”. It is dedicated to Virgin Mary; it is run by nuns and is locally known as Little Lourdes, with people making pilgrimages to pray for relief from their sins. Then we drive south and reach the Plateau of Lassithi, which may have been the crater of an ancient volcano. It numbers nearly ten thousand windmills. The Plateau is a wonderfully cool and fertile area where you will see small towns and a very warm welcome. After we will visit the Greek Mythology Park, where we will learn all about myths and civilization of ancient Greeks.
While crossing the villages of the Plateau, we pay a short visit at a traditional potter’s factory, seeing an ancient ceramic art, which completes today more than 8.000 years of history. Leaving the Plateau we will see the views down to Pediada Plain which are truly magnificent and make a short stop to have a taste of some local products before we head for a stop for lunch in one of the local villages in Lassithi.
Last but not least we will visit the most famous and popular of all the attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a journey back of 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilization in Europe, the Minoan. Enjoy a guided tour of the historical site that covers an area of 22.000m2 on 5 floors with 1.300 rooms, hear all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur (the half-human monster). This day brings history and legend back to life and is a must see on any visit to Crete.
This excursion takes you to the west side of the island. It includes a visit to the towns of Rethymnon and Chania, as well as to the well – known Lake of Kournas. Going west on the northern axis of Crete, first we will pass the Ida range that includes the highest mountain of Crete, Psiloritis (2453m high), then our tour will take us to the beautiful town of Rethymno.
A graphic Cretan town, so characteristic and unique, that nothing similar is met anywhere else on the island of Crete. We will have time to relax at the beautiful scenery at the old port of Rethymnon. We will have time to relax at the beautiful scenery at the old port of Rethymnon.
Our next stop Chania is the capital city of the prefecture of Chania, which comes second in size on the island and is the sixth biggest city in Greece having approximately 65.000 residents. Its Venetian walls and harbor, narrow streets, and old buildings from the Venetian and Turkish period are mostly intact and take you directly to the past. The old harbor, where the small fishing boats can moor, is a perfect place to enjoy a coffee and observe the liveliness of the city. Here you can see the cross – shaped closed Marketplace and the leather – Market Street.
Next stop and last is the lake of Kournas, the only natural sweet water Lake close to Chania, where you will have your lunch. For those who want, there is a possibility to make a tour in the lake on pedals, or just walk around the lake and swim before we take the way back to Herakleio
Matala, a safe natural harbor, 65 kilometers from Heraklion, on the Bay of Messara, blessed with a gently sweeping sandy beach, where Zeus swam ashore disguised as a bull with Europa on his back. The beach is 250m long and 45m wide.
Matala has something for everyone. It has become a popular tourist destination but still retains the character of a quiet fishing village. It started at the beginning of the 20th-century, and goes back to the lifestyle of the hippies of the 60’s and 70’s lives on. Matala hippies’ history relives during the 3 days Matala beach festival, every June since 2011. Half beach is fringed by tamarisk trees, leading the eye on to impressive formations of sandstone rock cliffs with their famous caves, creating one of the most unusual beachscapes on the island.
There have been many pages of history here. Nobody knows quite who started caves but it seems that they were first hollowed out as Roman or early Christian tombs. There are other ruins at the eastern end of the village and in the clear waters of Messara Bay there are ancient ruins to be seen in the depths.
Matala it is one of just over 400 beaches in Greece that have been awarded a Blue Flag. This exclusive eco-label is given to beaches that offer cleanliness and safe bathing areas and has strict criteria dealing with water quality, environmental management and safety. There is a lifeguard and first aid facilities, as well as toilets and showers.
The beaches of Matala, come under Natura 2000, a European Union network of nature protection.
At the beach there are sport facilities as well as activities for children
An amazing day in paradise and a great adventure for all the family! This excursion leads you to the western point of the Island. West of Kissamos and north of the beautiful village of Kaliviani, stretches the impressive Gramvousa Peninsula. Starting from the port of Kissamos, followed by a pleasant voyage, we will reach Gramvousa where the ancient shipyard of Tersanas will catch your attention, as well as the geological phenomenon of land elevation by 6 to 9m above the sea level. Here you will have the opportunity to either enjoy the beach with crystal clear water and the amazing view of the never ending sea lagoon, or climb on the top of the steep rock to see the Venetian castle.
Afterwards we take a 2nd short boat trip to the fabulous lagoon of Balos, a shallow and warm water lagoon and one of Crete’s loveliest spots. Here you can enjoy plenty of time of swimming in the inviting crystal clear waters of western Crete and sunbathing at the white sandy beach.
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