Cretan Wonders

Arrive at a mythical island with more than 4000 years of civilization, one of the first in Europe, which has left so many historical traces. When you leave customs, take the rental car to travel freely throughout Crete, this magnificent island, the largest of Greece. Direction East towards the region of Elounda, and overnight at your hotel. Possibility of going out in the neighboring villages such as Elounda or Aghios Nikolaos, a small fishing village with traditional houses.

Day to visit the east coast of the Island, Elounda, Aghios Nikolaos, and the famous island of Spinalonga, impregnable Venetian fortress. An excursion to Spinalonga Island is always a remarkable experience. A place linked to the modern history of Crete, offers timeless feelings to locals even nowadays. Starting early in the morning, you will first arrive in Agios Nikolaos, having free time to explore the town, which has developed around its famous lake "Vouliagmeni". After a moment of relaxation in the capital of the Lassithi region, our journey continues north, towards the small village of Plaka, where you will embark on your short trip to Spinalonga. Life has come to a standstill on this island since the end of the leper colony in 1957. However, the small houses, service buildings and alleys still remain, only attached by time. You will have the opportunity to discover the island for yourselves, on all the paths of this one. Then you will return to Plaka where you will have time to have lunch and rest. A small village totally combined with the community and the existence of the leper colony. Finally, our last visit will be in the seaside town of Elounda. There, we make our last stopover, admiring the Gulf of Mirabello again. When you return to our base at the end of the afternoon, you will still feel the presence of the history of Spinalonga around you. Night in Elounda.

Day dedicated to visiting Crete's most famous and best-preserved site, Knossos, where the Minoan civilization has lived for centuries. After visiting the site and the capital Heraklion, a detour to the Lassithi region will enchant you. Visit the most famous and popular of all the attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. Join your expert guide on a 5,000-year journey back into myths and legends and uncover the secrets of Europe's oldest civilization, the Minoan. Enjoy a guided tour of the historic site which covers an area of ​​22,000m2 over 5 floors with 1,300 rooms, learn all about the legendary labyrinth and the Minotaur (the half-human monster). This day brings history and legend to life and is a must-see on any visit to Crete. After our visit to Knossos, our first stop on the scenic route to central Crete is the monastery of "Kera Kardiotissa". It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary; it is run by nuns and is known locally as Little Lourdes, with people making pilgrimages to pray for relief from their sins. Then we drive south and reach the Lassithi plateau, which could have been the crater of an ancient volcano. It has nearly ten thousand windmills. The Plateau is a wonderfully cool and fertile region where you will see small towns and a very warm welcome. Here we will have a short stop to visit the "Vidiani" monastery which is dedicated to Zoodohos Pigi (The Source of Life). The monastery houses a small museum of natural history, in collaboration with the University of Crete. After the lunch break in one of the local villages of Lassithi, we will visit the Dicti cave where Zeus, the father of the Greek gods, was born. Passing through the villages of the Plateau, we make a short visit to a traditional pottery factory, seeing ancient ceramic art, which today completes more than 8,000 years of history. Leaving the plateau we will see the views over the plain of Pediada which are truly magnificent. A short photo stop will round off the day perfectly.

Departure to leave the East region and go to the West of Crete, to Rethymno, via Heraklion, but also by taking advantage of visiting the region of Matala, the archaeological site of Phaistos and Gortys, to the south of Heraklion, the archaeological site of Phaistos and Gortys where were found on an antique scripture plate. Overnight in Rethymno, at the historic small port, where more than 2000 years of history can be found, through architecture, sites, religions, and culture. 85 Kms.

Day to get closer to Cretan nature, short hike to the villages of Margarita and Eleftheria, with a little ceramic experience. For those interested in Cretan and Greek history, today's walk is enriching. From the ancient town of Eleftherna, built between 970 and 820 BC. we will have a lot to admire like the Byzantine tower at the entrance to the city, the Roman reservoirs and the Hellenistic bridge as long as the cemetery of the geometrical and late archaic eras. Continuing through the beautiful countryside, we find ourselves at the potters' village of Margarites where we will have the chance to visit the ceramic workshops and be initiated into the traditional art of pottery which has been kept alive there over the years. Night in Rethymnon.

We continue further west towards the Chanee, a small charming port or like Rethymnon, its beauty and its centuries-old history are not lacking. We will notice Venetian, Byzantine Ottoman influences. Your local guide will explain to you on a tricycle the history of the Chanee, passing through the small alleys and the large squares. Contemplate the wonders of Minoan Crete on this Trikke tour of Chania Old Town and Venetian Harbor. With an expert local guide, start the walk and discover the most beautiful buildings and monuments. Visit each district of the old town like Topanas, Kasteli, Kolombo, etc. and admire buildings with unique architecture like the famous lighthouse, Yiali Mosque, dry docks and the Grand Arsenal. Next, stroll through Splantzia Square and Crete's largest church, St Nicholas, stopping at religious landmarks such as the Catholic Church, Ottoman Minaret, Jewish Synagogue, and many other Venetian and Byzantine sites. Soak up the city vistas below, and learn about the ancient Minoan city, the ruins of Kydonia, and your guide's excavation efforts. After a short break, we will start the second part of the tour: Trikke Ride! The 3 Wheel Electric Trikke can be easily driven by anyone, including children. Take an exhilarating private walk and marvel at some of Chania's best sights. Visit Sampionara Gate and ride to Koum Kapi Beach. Enjoy the famous streets of the old town like Theotokopoulou Street, Aggelou Street and admire the imposing Chania Cathedral in Chalidon Street. And then you can end your trip after your visit to the Cretan knife-making workshops and feel the atmosphere in the narrow streets of the old town and the oldest district of Chania, Kasteli. This tour perfectly combines the intuitive and easy driving of Trikke with a walking tour of Chania. Return to Rethymnon, and overnight in this small village with Venetian scents.

Free day in the region of Rethymnon. The choices are numerous, between relaxation on the equipped beaches, or wild, excursions to Samaria, but also the splendid walk of the gorge of Imbros. For more experiences, there are tours that are closer to the people, such as Cretan cooking classes, wine or olive oil tastings. Also, small cruises are possible to Ombalos and other paradisiacal beaches. Last night in Crete, in Rethymnon.

Return to Heraklion airport, delivery of the car and flight for the return trip. 67 kms. Stages and excursions may change depending on the departure.