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The Palace
of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum
 
Tour to the Palace of Knossos,
where you will be guided to the excavated Minoan capital of Crete
which was built around 2000 B.C. Knossos was the seat of King Minos,
the personification of the Minoan civilisation. This civilisation
was all powerful at an age when the rest of Europe was going through
its Palaeolithic stage of development. Excavations at Knossos during
the turn of the 20th century revealed the origins of European civilisation.
The palace features countless rooms and halls, which are associated
with the legendary Labyrinth. The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
hosts a wide collection of Minoan treasures.
Gortys - Phaestos - Matala
 
We pass through the most picturesque landscape of central Crete
. Our first stop is the ancient town of Gortys , a capital of Crete
during the Roman period. Gortys is known for its Law Code carved
on stone blocks and for the church of St. Titus . Gortys was the
first bishopric of Crete . From the palace of Phaestos the view of
the Messara plain and of the Ida range is superb.
At the coastal village of Matala you will have lunch and the chance
for a swim. Matala is known worldwide for its numerous caves hewn
in the great promontory that forms the arm of a cove.
Rethymnon - Chania - Arkadi
 
This tour runs along the panoramic coastal road to the west. Rethymnon,
with its well preserved Venetian structures, is a true representative
of recent past. Once a capital of Crete , Chania is a beautiful town
with a rich background in the history of Art. In 1866 the holocaust
of the Arkadi monastery became a national symbol of freedom and sacrifice
in the struggle against the Turks. Finally, the beach of Rethymnon
offers a good chance for a swim.
Ierapetra - Sitia - Toplou - Vai
Come with us to Ierapetra, the southernmost town of Europe
. Leaving the area of Ierapetra and its long strands of beaches,
we travel north en route to the idyllic town of Sitia . There we
visit the monastery of Toplou which is famous for its 18th c. icons.
Next, the tour continues to the palm forest of Vai - unique in Europe
- where you will have the opportunity to relax and swim.
Lassithi - Knossos 
We travel along the picturesque terrain to Mt. Dikti . Just before
the plateau we come across the nunnery of Kera which is dedicated
to the Virgin Mary. The plateau, with its thousands of windmills,
is 800 m above sea level, while Mt. Dikti rises majestically near
by.
From the village of Psychro we ascend to the cave known as
Diktaeon Antron where, according to myth, Zeus was born.
After a lunch
break in Lassithi we drive through a scenic route to arrive to the
archaeological site of Knossos .
Gramvoussa the emerald of Crete 
Driving west, we go through CHANIA suburbs and
our ride lasts for two hours on the new National Road . We arrive
at the KASTELLI harbour. From there, the boat takes our guests to
the small island of Gramvussa .The view from the Venetian fortress
on the island is breathtaking.
After an hour and a half, a
small snack will be served on the boat.
Our route continues to the
island of Balos , which is only 10 minutes by boat. Here, our guests
can spend two hours swimming in the fresh water bay enjoying the
white/pink beach. The boat takes us back to Kastelli where our bus
is waiting for the return journey.
Elafonissi - Pearl
of the West
After 2 hours bus ride heading west, we continue going
southwards. The first stop is at the church of Ag . Sophia. We stay
for approximately one hour and our guests are guided in the Ag. Sophia
cave. Next, we make a short coffee break in a nearby tavern. Driving
through the mountains for 30 minutes, we arrive at the Monastery
of Chryssoskalitissa. Our final tour destination is not far from
here. Libyan Sea can be seen from a distance. In fifteen minutes
we arrive in Elafonissi, the South West part of Crete . We can spend
about 3 hours here to enjoy swimming in the crystal clear waters,
admire the fantastic surroundings and have something to eat. Then
we set out for our return trip going northwards. Just before entering
the highway we make a short stop for a drink in a cantina and then
we return home.
Samaria Gorge
Crossing the gorge of Samaria is more like an adventure
than a tour. We arrive at the plateau of Omalos at an altitude of
1000 m. on the White Mountains ("Lefka Ori") where the adventure
begins.
The Samaria gorge is the longest in Europe . The trail leads
18 km south through a wonderful terrain and exits on the south coast
of Crete drenched by the Libyan Sea . From the fishing village of
Agia Roumeli we take the boat for Chora Sfakion.
There we board the
coach for our return trip. For a comfortable crossing of the gorge,
we suggest that you use walking shoes or a pair of shoes that would
keep your feet steady.
Samaria Gorge
(Easy Way)
If for some reason you cannot follow the entire scheduled tour to
the gorge of Samaria , but you do not want to miss the unique chance
of enjoying its beauty, you board the coach and travel south to Chora
Sfakion. From the point you may choose to enter the gorge and walk
through up to its narrowest point (4 km. from the coast) or spend
your afternoon enjoying the waters of the Libyan Sea .
Jeep
Safari
 
During this trip we head off the hidden track into
the heart of real Crete , amid places untouched and unspoiled. Our
professional Jeep-Safari guides will show the guests off-road tracks
and also bring them to isolated coast parts where the variation of
the Cretan nature is noticeable. The guests will also visit the Cave
where Zeus, the Olympian God, was born. Trip is ending in Malia enjoying
the beautiful view of the gulf of Malia and Chersonissos. Discover
secluded coves, ancient caves and winding roads that run through
olive groves and ancient villages enjoying an interesting and funny
excursion.
Cretan Greek Folk-evenings
 
Folklore Festival. The most
famous show!!!
Traditional Villages
We are driving south through the well known vineyards
of Crete . Our first stop is at the village of Archanes , which is
famous, not only for the wine produced here but also for the very
many Minoan excavations in the area surrounding the village. You
can see some of the findings in a small museum. Then we visit the
Peza village where you can taste and enjoy the local wine. The wine-making
tradition here goes back for 4.500 years. We drive on and we arrive
at the village of Myrthia for our lunch break. You can visit here
the Nikos Kazantzakis museum. Our visit here lasts approximately
two hours.
Finally, we visit the traditional village of Thrapsano
where, in a potter's workshop, you can watch the oldest handicraft
of Crete .
The Island
of Chrissi
This is one
of the 81 uninhabited isles round the island of Crete . It takes
about 45 minutes by boat from Ierapetra - the most southern town
of Europe - to take you to the isle of Chrissi. When you set foot
on its beach, you are not sure whether you are in the Mediterranean
or in one of the islands in the Caribbean Sea .This isle was inhabited
during the Minoan period, while its trade flourished during the Roman
and Byzantine periods. Later in became a pirate's shelter. The tropical
vegetation and the cedars provide ideal living conditions for hares,
partridges, quails, and pheasants. Thousands of sea-shells turn white
under the scourging sun before the air and sea grind them into fine
specks of golden sand - hence the name of the isle (Chrissi = Gold).
This island is ideal for day-dreaming, swimming, and trekking. There
are two taverns which cater of your nutritional needs.
Spinalonga
Discover the shore line between Agios Nikolaos and Elounda in a
boat trip that will also take you to the isle of Spinalonga. The
Venetians constructed there a most impressive fortress in 1575, which
was later converted into a leper colony.
Following a noon break at Elounda, the boat takes you to a small
bay for a swim. A short stop at Agios Nikolaos concludes the tour.
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