Top Crete Private and Luxury - page 4

Discover the wonders of Heraklion city at your own leisure with this hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, available in eight languages. With two bus routes and a 48-hour ticket, you'll have an abundance of time to soak in the city's famous landmarks and even visit Ammoudara Beach. Immerse yourself in the captivating history and architecture of the Cretan civilization as you delve into the old and modern city of Heraklion.

Get an up-close look at the blue waters of the Mediterranean, without so much as getting your face wet, on this semisubmersible trip around Agios Nikolaos' Mirabello Bay. Watch out for fish and maybe even sea turtles as you listen to the audio guide commentary in your choice of five languages. For the second half of the tour, come up to the upper decks for glorious views of Agios Nikolaos and the Cretan coast.

Maximize time in Crete with a half-day private tour of Chania and its surroundings. Get picked up at your hotel or chosen location in Chania and set out on a sightseeing tour focused on local history and heritage. See top landmarks including the Old Venetian Harbor, Lighthouse of Chania, Firkas Fortress, and Hassan Pascha Mosque. Get to know Chania's Old Town and the many cultures that influenced its character.

Instead of tying yourself to a large group tour with a rigid itinerary, take your time exploring the ancient Minoan capital of Knossos with this private audio tour. Visit the remarkable Palace of Knossos and many other highlights of this archeological site, including South Propylaeum and the West Magazines. Leave the guidebooks behind and learn about the culture and lifestyles of people living in Minoan Crete from your audio guide.

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 the Aegean Sea with this 3-hour guided snorkeling trip from Chania. All equipment is provided. Swim in the crystal blue waters in Almyrida Chania and explore reefs, caves and see the Elephant Cave of Crete.

Relax on the paradise-like island of Elafonisi on this family-friendly day trip. Admire western Crete’s hills and traditional villages on a drive to the southwest coast, and stop for coffee at the Cave of Agia Sofia. Then, spend the afternoon on the idyllic protected islet of Elafonisi, enjoying its pink sands and clear seas. Includes round-trip transport plus select hotel pickup and drop-off.

Exploring Chania’s Old Town and Venetian Harbor without a guide can mean overlooking sights. This small-group Segway tour ensures you discover all the must-sees and hidden corners without getting lost. Get instructions and ride your Segway personal transporter behind a guide along the alleyways and waterfront to view the landmarks. Learn about the sights via the audio guide and get your guide’s tips on local things to do and see.

Exploring the locations of the Battle of Crete—an important World War II battle—without a guide could leave you with only a patchy take on this pivotal event. With this tour from Chania, learn about the battle at its key sites, hearing how Nazi forces took Crete from the Allies in 1941. Visit the Maleme airfield, monuments, and cemeteries, and discover secret shelters and sites you might miss alone.

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.

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.

Learn the flavors of authentic Cretan cuisine during a private cooking class in a traditional village outside Heraklion. Prepare local specialties including dolmadakia and lamb with artichokes before sitting down to enjoy a homemade multi-course meal paired with local wine. The peaceful countryside setting adds an authentic backdrop to this hands-on culinary experience.

Enjoy the great outdoors of Crete with this SUV tour and hike to the Richtis Gorge. After leaving Agios Nikolaos in a 7-seater Land Rover Discovery, you’ll travel past traditional villages and sweeping coastal vistas to the start of the gorge trail. You’ll then enjoy an easy hike that’s suitable even for kids, down to a pebble beach and back. Lunch and a knowledgeable local guide complete the experience.

Save time by visiting Santorini from Heraklion on a speedy sea jet vessel, a journey of just over two hours each way. Tour the beautiful island by bus, enjoying free time to explore at each stop. Visit the towns of Oia and Fira, where you’ll find some of Santorini’s most iconic vistas, and opt to take a boat trip out to the volcano in the bay if you like.

Learn all about olive oil on this private tour in the charming village of Epanos Archanes in Crete. Explore an olive grove and olive mill and learn about olive farming and different methods for producing olive oil. Afterwards, sample three different olive oils, a flavored oil, table olives, grape syrup, and a sweet vinegar.

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.

Maximize time at one of Crete’s top archaeological sites with this walking tour including skip-the-line admission. Join a group for a sightseeing tour of the Palace of Knossos and learn about the myths and legends surrounding the site. See elegant wall paintings, hear stories about advanced construction techniques, and admire the architecture during a visit to this ancient palace.

Balos Beach and Lagoon is one of Crete’s most photographed spots, but reaching it by land involves a dirt road and fighting for parking. Enjoy a much more premium experience on this small-group cruise aboard a stylish catamaran that also stops at Gramvousa Island. Besides a gourmet lunch, your day includes free-flow drinks, snorkeling gear, and stand-up paddleboards (SUP). Upgrade to add round-trip transfers from Kissamos, Chania, and beyond.

Explore a side of Crete's mountainous, dramatic countryside that many other visitors overlook—and make your sightseeing seamless—on this full-day tour. After pickup from your area hotel, head off the tourist trail when you take a motorboat to unspoiled Spinalonga Island. Next, discover the Milatos Cave, visit a local producer to sample premium olive oil, and admire spectacular views of the region's valleys, villages, and coastline in between.

Experience two of Crete’s finest natural attractions on this half day, small-group trip from Kissamos. Reaching either location usually involves a crowded public ferry, but this high-speed RIB gets you there in no time. Begin on Gramvousa Island, with free time to explore its white sands and clear waters, then head to Balos Lagoon—a shallow expanse of turquoise water that consistently ranks among Greece's most beautiful natural spots.

Spend a relaxing morning on the water as you sail from Kolymvari to the Agioi Theodoroi Islands aboard a spacious catamaran. Swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or simply unwind on deck while enjoying a light breakfast, a freshly prepared Cretan lunch, and unlimited local beer, wine, and soft drinks. Onboard amenities make it easy to enjoy Crete’s coastline at your own pace.

Sample the flavors of Heraklion while exploring the city by electric bike on this private half-day food tour. Cycle along the waterfront and through the Old Venetian Harbor, stopping to enjoy traditional pastries, Greek coffee, and classic taverna dishes while discovering local shops and neighborhoods. The relaxed pace makes it easy to combine sightseeing with Crete’s celebrated culinary traditions.

Western Crete's rugged landscapes yield extraordinary produce, yet they're tough for ordinary vehicles to access. With a small group for a more personalized service, get off the beaten track on this intimate 4WD safari experience. Taste extra virgin olive oil and five different wines at the Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill; touch an ancient olive tree; and enjoy a Cretan lunch with a round of drinks and dessert.

Half a day on land is still plenty of time to pack in the best of Heraklion and its surroundings. Skip taxi lines and public transport for time-efficient transfers to Knossos Palace—once the home of the ancient Minoan civilization—complete with a guided tour. Next, explore the Old Town of Heraklion, before convenient drop-off back in port.