Top Crete 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.

Book reliable transportation in Crete for up to six passengers with this private transfer from the airport to Heraklion. Meet your driver at the airport arrivals hall and receive help with luggage. Travel in a spacious minivan to your hotel or the address of your choice in Heraklion. The reverse route back to the airport is also available.

Go to hidden-away corners of Crete few travelers get to see with this guided all-terrain vehicle tour. Follow your guide off-road to quiet tracks far from the traffic and crowded resorts. Explore the near-abandoned ghost village of Achlada, where only a few locals still live, and Fodele, the birthplace of El Greco.

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.

Explore Crete’s mountains and countryside by Polaris ATV (all-terrain vehicle) on a 4-hour buggy expedition from Rethymno. Traveling on- and off-road, rumble up mountains and through gorges and shallow rivers to experience the island’s wild side. Pause for photos, visit medieval villages, look for wildlife, and stop for snacks, including coffee at a lakeside coffee house. Choose a morning or afternoon departure, with equipment, instructions, and central Rethymno or Rethymno hotel pickup included.

Step aboard the 'Mikros Naftilos' for a private cruise to the islands of Gramvousa and the Balos Lagoon. With a well-established local operator as your skipper, you'll relax on a carefully planned route that showcases the area's coastal highlights. Enjoy a lunch of regional dishes and unlimited drinks as you cruise, and stop for cool-down dips in the sea along the way.

Explore the delights of the Knossos Heraklion Museum and learn where European civilization began during an easy day tour. After hotel pickup in an air-conditioned coach, explore the museum at your own pace, learning about the importance of the Minoan collection and much more. Also take a guided walk of Heraklion, where you can stop for lunch (own expense) or souvenir shopping.

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.

Go off the beaten path and get a glimpse of Chania that most first-time visitors miss on a private tour of Crete’s countryside and Chania’s Old Town. You’ll enjoy the flexibility to tweak your itinerary as you travel between top attractions—including the Old Venetian Harbor, Firkas Fortress, and Chania Old Town—in air-conditioned comfort, without having to navigate.

Set sail on a semi-private catamaran cruise from Heraklion to Dia Island for a day of sea, sun, and swimming. Your journey begins with a warm welcome featuring coffee and local pastries. Enjoy stunning coastal views, refreshing sea breezes, and unlimited drinks as we sail. Upon reaching Dia Island, anchor in a secluded bay to swim in crystal-clear waters before indulging in a freshly prepared Mediterranean lunch onboard.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

Skip crowded beaches and sail to uninhabited Dia Island or St. George Bay (dependent on tour option selected) on this intimate, small-group cruise, limited to just 10 guests. As you journey across Cretan waters, listen as your captain shares history and local secrets about the area. Upon arrival, enjoy free time to swim, snorkel, fish, sunbathe, or stroll to a charming church, before savoring a freshly prepared Cretan meal and included drinks. Choose between a 5-hour daytime trip with two island stops or a shorter 3-hour sunset cruise to St. George Bay.

See more of Crete on your vacation, and take a tour of island’s southern stretches with a private guide. Perfect if you have a day free but no transport, this excursion takes you through the Messara valley to visit the archaeological site of Gortyn and two Orthodox monasteries — sites that would be tricky to find alone. Time for swimming at Matala Beach and a coastal dinner complete the experience.

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.

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 no need to worry about parking.

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.

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.

Explore the two most beautiful cities on the island in a day on a must-see tour for tourists in Crete. The tour starts at Skaleta market for coffee at a coffee shop; then, you proceed to Chania town, where you explore civilization in different shades. Have lunch at the harbor or tour the famous Agora market. Stop for a relaxing swim in Lake Kournas before lunch, and take an early afternoon walk before strolling through the narrow streets and alleys of Rethymnon Old Town.

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.

Enjoy an evening to remember in Crete—and immerse yourself in the local culture, cuisine, and traditions—on this one-of-a-kind excursion. In the evening, travel via shuttle directly from your hotel to a local olive producer, where you’ll see how olive oil (and olive soap) are made, can taste local products (including Cretan wine), and more. Next, enjoy a generous buffet meal, accompanied by Cretan dance and music performances.