Unforgettable Crete

(Option: Customized Itineraries)
Crete, Greece - 6 nights
Available April to October

Embark on a unique private tour of Crete that will take you on a journey of flavors and culture. Crete is a unique island that offers different people, cultures, and experiences that will leave a lasting impression on your mind and soul. During this tour, you will visit three of Crete's famous towns - Heraklio, Rethymno, and Agios Nikolaos. For centuries, Crete has been known for its local cuisine, unparalleled products, beautiful sites, and hospitable people. Crete is a haven of rare natural beauty, Mediterranean culture, and history. In his book "Reference to Greco," the great Cretan writer Nikos Kazantzakis wrote, "Whoever touches this island feels a mysterious power through their veins and into the soul." This tour is perfect for anyone looking for a unique experience in Crete. Crete is famous for its products and its culture. 

During your visit, you will explore the Cretan cuisine, learn about the Mediterranean diet, and enjoy local food, wines, and Cretan products. You will also discover amazing sites and places, including an archaeological site, a winery, and museums. This trip involves three cooking lessons in three of the four prefectures of the island, two food tastings in Heraklio and Rethymno, a tasting of olive oil, honey, and wine. You will explore beautiful places, unique tastes, and a lot of Cretan local products, and live like locals. If you're looking for an unforgettable experience and want to live like a native of Crete, then follow us on this tour! 

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES 

· Experience the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, with its stunning lake and port.
· Participate in two cooking classes and one pastry lesson.
· Enjoy lunch at a winery and visit a pottery workshop. 

· Taste honey and olive oil in Rethymno.
· Indulge in 9 wine tastings.
· Take a walking food tour in both Heraklio and Rethymno.
· Learn about olive oil and cheese making.
· Explore the historic town of Rethymno, which has a rich and diverse history.
· Visit the palace of Knossos, built 3,500 years ago, and learn about its myths and legends.
· Admire Heraklio city and its castle Koule, old port, and Archaeological Museum.
· Taste authentic Cretan food and products.  

ITINERARY

DAY ONE

HERAKLIO - ARRIVAL - WELCOME DINNER

Upon arrival at Heraklion airport, you will be welcomed and then taken to the hotel where you can check in and relax before enjoying a welcome dinner. 

Dinner is included in your stay.

Welcome to Crete! 

DAY TWO 

FREE HERAKLIO - ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM - CITY/FOOD TOUR/PASTRY LESSON

Join a food and cultural walking tour that is suitable for all ages. It involves an easy 1.5-mile walk, which allows you to explore the heart of Heraklion city while discovering its unique history and culture. During the tour, you will get to taste local "mezedes" and Greek coffee with bougatsa while immersing yourself in the city's ambiance. The sights and flavors will take you on an unforgettable journey. 

Afterward, visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, which was established in 1908 to house the first collections of Cretan antiquities. The museum's cultural riches span over seven millennia, from the Neolithic period (7000 BC) to Roman times (3rd cent. AD). With the restoration work completed in May 2014, the exhibition is now displayed in 27 rooms. Next, head to the Unique Pastry History Museum, which opened its doors on July 1st, 2021. The museum currently features 400 rare exhibits, with 32 of them being unique in the world! 

Take a brief tour of the production area to see the utensils, materials, and machines used by the chefs. Learn about the production conditions, specifications, and even the daily life of a confectioner-baker. Enter the specially designed space where a seminar will take place, focusing on chocolate and its history. Witness how chocolate is processed and learn to make filled chocolates. You will also learn how to make your cornet out of paper and write your name or draw on it. 

DAY THREE

CHEESE MAKING - COOKING CLASS - AGIOS NIKOLAOS

Participate in a hands-on cheese-making experience with a local shepherd and learn the secrets of cheese-making in Crete. Afterward, enjoy a cheese tasting of different types of Cretan cheese, including "Gruyere" and "Anthotyros." 

Then, with the guidance of a local chef, learn how to make authentic Cretan dishes using fresh, organic ingredients from the garden. After the cooking class, enjoy the meal you’ve learned to cook, accompanied by local wine. Drive to Ag. Nikolaos afterward. 

DAY FOUR

OLIVE FOOD & WALKING TOUR OF OLD TOWN OF RETHYMNO - POTTERY WORKSHOP - OLIVE OIL & HONEY

Enjoy a food and walking tour of the old town of Rethymno and taste the products of the Cretan diet. Visit a traditional place in the heart of the old town, where you can taste local cheese, honey of thyme, local wine, Cretan olives, and the famous Cretan traditional drink raki. Discover historical monuments and see the Venetian architecture of another era. Visit the olive mill, where you can tour three different olive mills and learn how olive oil was produced in the old days with manual tools and with the help of animals. Take part in a honey-tasting tour to learn about the history and production of honey in Crete.

Finally, visit a pottery workshop in Margarites village to see how Cretan ceramic art is made.

DAY FIVE

VISIHERAKLIO - KNOSSOS PALACE - WINE & OLIVE OIL TASTING - COOKING CLASS WITH WINE EXPERIENCE

Visit the Palace of Knossos and explore the rich history and culture behind Cretan cuisine. Our two executive hosts will guide you through the experience. Our chef will demonstrate and teach you how to make four different Cretan dishes, while our certified sommelier will share their knowledge about wine- making in Crete. You will learn how to make authentic Cretan Dakos, handmade Cretan pasta or pies, a traditional dessert, and a homemade recipe from scratch. Afterward, you will enjoy a food and wine pairing with a selection of four different wines from our Estate. 

The Domaine Paterianakis is located in Melesses, in the Peza wine region, right in the center of Crete. Founded in 1988 by Giorgos Paterianakis, the winery has a focus on creating quality Cretan wine. The third generation of the Paterianakis family, Emmanuela and Niki, continue the wine tradition of organic farming, creating authentic Cretan wines with a strong personality. The winery is built within its vineyards, a pioneer facility that makes use of gravity to create wine in the most natural way possible. You will be treated to a guided wine-tasting with five select Domaine wines, tasting our tsikoudia from a local grape, and tasting a virgin olive oil accompanied by a platter of selected Cretan cheeses, deli meat, and handmade marmalade.  

DAY SIX 

HERAKLION - FREE DAY & FAREWELL DINNER 

Today is a free day for you to explore Heraklion, the largest city in Crete. The city has a multicultural influence, which has contributed to the plethora of Byzantine, Venetian, and Ottoman structures to explore. The city's landmark is the 16th-century Koules fortress on the westernmost side of the old Venetian port, along with the fortification walls dating back to the same period, which are among the most significant and imposing sights. You can take a walk and see its beautiful corners and monuments. The city of Heraklion is also the commercial center of Heraklion, offering a wide variety of shopping options. 

In the afternoon, you will have a rich farewell dinner.

Meals included: breakfast and dinner with wine.

Overnight in Heraklion.

DAY SEVEN

HERAKLION - DEPARTURE

Enjoy breakfast at the hotel before departing for the airport. Thank you for coming, and we hope you have a pleasant flight back home!

KALO TAXIDI! 

*The content or order of the itinerary may change depending on dates, availability of services or activities, local festivals/holidays, weather constraints, etc.

*Menus are samples and may vary according to the season

GROUP SIZE

A minimum of 2 participants is required to run this tour and the tour is limited to a maximum of 14 participants.

(The number of participants refers to how many persons are required to run the tour, not to how many persons you must have in your party. Please inquire.)

HOW TO ARRIVE

The closest airport is Heraklion Airport - 11 minutes from accommodation

BOOKING INFORMATION

For further inquiries or to register, click here.

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CANCELLATION POLICY

Please contact us for cancellation policy information. Travel insurance is highly recommended.

CLIENT REMARKS

Furnished upon request.

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MAP*

This exciting region is depicted below. You can also access Google MapsTM by clicking HERE.

*In some cases mapping may give clients a general sense of location due to changes in venue. Please inquire about specific location.

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