Top Crete Art & Culture - page 4

Explore Crete’s diverse palm forests, gorges, and beaches on a full-day Land Rover safari with a guide to reveal the best of the island’s scenery and culture. Rumble along remote roads, passing landmarks like Prassano Gorge and Potamon Dam, and stopping to swim in the Libyan Sea. Get a taste of Cretan country life when you visit traditional villages like Spili, and enjoy a local tavern lunch with ambience to spare.

Get to know Chania without crowded tour buses or rowdy groups on this private half-day sightseeing tour, direct from your Chania area address. Walk through the historic buildings and charming streets of the city’s Old Town and immerse yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Municipal Market. Out of the city, take advantage of some hilltop photo opportunities then explore the Holy Trinity Monastery (Agia Triada Monastery).

A great excuse to explore the outdoors, this tour takes you on a full-day walking adventure through the Samaria Gorge from the Heraklion area. This 11-mile (18-kilometer) adventure starts at Xylo kalo and takes you to the Samaria Gorge, showcasing Cretan flora and fauna. Traverse through rocky terrain, visit the deserted village of Samaria, and see majestic Iron Gates before enjoying a meal at a tavern in Ayia Roumelis.

Skip the expense of car hire and relax with this convenient transfer service for scenic Gramvousa island. Your bus will collect you at one of a range of Chania locations, and drive you to the port of Kissamos. Here, pay for your prebooked tickets and a small municipality fee, board the boat, and explore the island. Catch the boat to Balos Lagoon before returning to Chania by bus.

The best way to explore Crete is by boat, and this half-day cruise from Hersonissos visits St. George's Bay and the small towns of Malia and Stalis. Set sail aboard a traditional pirate ship, ideal for younger travelers; stop to swim and snorkel at the island’s beaches and bays; spot dolphins and sea turtles along the coast; and tuck into a delicious BBQ lunch on board.

Getting to know a new city can be difficult if you try to do it all yourself. This Heraklion Small-Group Segway Tour lets you get acquainted with the city’s main highlights and hidden gems in just a few hours. Follow a guide around on a Segway to Liberty Square, the Historical Museum of Crete, Loggia, and more, and learn about the history and culture of the area.

Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa Island are considered among Crete’s top attractions, but organizing transportation independently cuts into valuable sightseeing and sunbathing time. On this tour, reach both sites with ease by boat and discover their natural beauty. Follow winding walking routes at your leisure, soak up the rays by the lagoon, and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off at your Chania accommodation.

Getting to know the real Chania isn't always easy—but on this private, half-day tour, your guide will help you discover its local charms. Enjoy a cafe visit with a view; next, head to a winery for a sommelier-led indigenous wine tasting. Then it's on to Old Town Chania, where you'll go for a walking tour, visit a local restaurant, and enjoy a range of Cretan delicacies, from breads and cheeses to pastries and beyond.

Immerse yourself in Crete’s delectable, rustic cuisine—and leave the bustle of the city behind—when you sign up for this private, hands-on cooking class. Pick a time that works best for you, and meet your driver directly at your Heraklion hotel which then takes you to the village where you meet your guide. It’s a quick drive into the hills, where you’ll cook amidst the Mediterranean scenery. With your guide’s instruction, learn to prepare a number of traditional dishes, from dolmadakia (stuffed grape leaves) to lamb with artichokes. Then, sit down to enjoy your multi-course meal, complete with wine.

Experience the highlights of Athens from the comfort of an electric limousine with your own personal driver. On this full-day tour, take in the city at your own pace, spending more time at the attractions that interest you most. Hop out along the way to visit the Acropolis, Parthenon, and Temple of Hephaestus, watch the Changing of the Guard Ceremony at Syntagma Square, then head up to Athens’ highest point, Lykabetus Hill, for a magnificent view over the city.

Spend a day at Acqua Plus, the most popular water park on Crete. The park is divided into two sides, one for all ages and one for adults only. Facilities are clean, well-run, and safe, with multiple lifeguards on duty at all times. In addition to the many games, slides, and water rides inside the park, there is a beautiful garden in the center with Cretan flowers and trees, exotic flowers, weeping willows, palm trees, bougainvilleas,  French marigolds and more greenery, making for a nice escape form the heat and sun.

If you like to explore independently but would prefer not to risk self-driving Cretan roads or doing battle for parking in Chania, this trip with hotel transfers is perfect for you. As you travel from Rethymno to Chania, your tour leader will clue you in on the city’s history and explain everything there is to see. You have half a day to explore independently before returning to your hotel.

The Heraklion Archaeological Museum, located in the heart of Crete's capital city, is among the most visited museums in Greece. Secure your admission with this pre-booked ticket and discover the impressive collection of archeological treasures with a self-led audio guide. Explore the museum's world-class collection of Minoan artifacts found all over Crete.

Who has never seen the world famous pictures from a turquoise sea, dazzling white houses/churches with Aegean blue roofs on the top of the steep cliffs? A beautiful trip to one in the top most romantic islands in the world, SANTORINI. The perfect idea when you stay on Crete. A high speed boat (700 pers) brings you in only around 1h 45min to Santorini and after the excursion back. You experience the Greek atmosphere in the old capital Oia and the new capital Fira. OIA: The oldest village in Santorini. Stroll around its small alleys and stone built streets, filled with culture and tradition. The harmony of the colors of the sea and the sun, the wonderful view, bear the spirit of Hellenism and make Oia incomparable. FIRA: The capital of Santorini where you have free time to explore the picturesque traditional little alleys. Optional: visit the Volcano. They explain this option on the bus.

Excavated and restored by archaeologists at the turn of the 20th century, Knossos Palace provides insight into one of Europe’s most advanced Bronze Age civilizations. But the true significance of the site can hard to fully grasp without an in-depth knowledge of the Minoans. On this tour, learn about the Minoans people and the mythical Minotaur while exploring the vast palace complex with a licensed guide.

This full-day private tour of Rethymno focuses on the history and traditional crafts of the area. Start your day by visiting the Monastery of Arkadi, one of the most important monasteries in Greece. Continue by visiting a museum with historical items from the era of Homer and a working pottery workshop. After free time and lunch in Margarites, explore Melidoni cave with its stalactites and stalagmites.

Explore the ancient and historic places of Crete on this tour, and discover some of the most iconic Greek locations in the whole country. See the cave where Zeus was born, and stand underneath the 2,400-year-old Writer's Plane Tree. Visit Mochos and wander its winding alleyways, and dive into the colorful city of Agios Nikolaos. Swim in the sea off the coast of Plaka, or take a boat to Spinaloga.

Don't waste time waiting around on vacation—this guided tour of the Palace of Knossos includes skip-the-line tickets for hassle-free entry. Listen as your guide tells you tales of the mythical Minotaur and other ancient legends, and see the ruins of one of Europe's oldest civilizations.

Familiarize yourself with the traditional lifestyle and history that makes up the real Crete. Your tour will start at the Melidoni Cave. Dating back to the Neolithic Period, this area is full of clues into ancient lifestyles. Finally, visit the village of Apostoli. Home to a functioning olive oil factory, you'll learn about the production of olive oil before enjoying lunch at a tavern.

Discover one of the most famous beaches in South Crete on this full-day tour from Rethymno to Preveli Palm Beach. After pickup from your hotel, enjoy views of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge on the way to Damnoni Beach, where you will take a boat (extra expense) to Preveli Palm Beach. Enjoy free time to swim, relax, or explore the beach and plam forest before returning to Rethymno.

Travelers interested in nature and ancient history and mythology will enjoy this small-group day tour of Crete’s Dikti mountain range. Enjoy sweeping views and discover hidden attractions. Look out for mountain wildlife, including eagles, on the Katharo and Lassithi Plateaus. Visit traditional villages with picturesque churches, and head underground to the Cave of Diktaion Andron, said to be Zeus’ birthplace.

The Palace of Knossos, the capital of ancient Crete, is can't-miss, but it can't be understood on its own. On this easy guided tour, your guide shares history and facts about the ancient site. You'll see fabulous ruins, incredible infrastructure like underground pipes, and even the world's "first" theatre. And with this package, you'll get skip-the-line access, making the most of your valuable time in Crete.

Even if you’re not normally a history buff, a visit to Heraklion is a must when in Rethymno. The area’s home to the Palace of Knossos, home of the legendary half-bull half-man Minotaur, and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, one of Greece’s top museums. On this tour, which includes a guide but excludes entrance fees, you’ll visit both with time to explore Heraklion and enjoy hotel pickup and drop-off for convenience.

Make the most of your limited time in Heraklion with this comprehensive day tour, designed to cover multiple dispersed attractions. Beginning with convenient hotel pickup, you'll journey to the scenic Lassithi Plateau, home to charming villages and historical landmarks like Kera Kardiotissa Monastery. Along the way, enjoy numerous photo-worthy stops, including the Palace of Knossos and Psychro, known for its handmade pottery and the nearby Dikteon Cave (currently closed for maintenance).