Private Excursion to White Mountains with Wine and Olive Oil Tastings, Chania

Discover the history, culture, and cuisine of Crete on this guided tour of the seven villages that comprise the region of Apokoronas. Begin with a visit to the Apokoronas Folk Museum in the village of Gavalochori before continuing on to a raki distillery to sample this local spirit and see how it's made. Marvel at the cliffside Church of St. Anthony in the village of Emprosneros and try local products at a cheese factory. End the excursion with lunch at a kafeneio (café) in the village of Fres, where you can learn more about life in Apokoronas.

Immerse yourself in the local culture of Crete and learn the art of traditional Cretan cooking in a charming family-run kitchen. Led by a knowledgeable Cretan grandmother, you will be taught how to prepare and cook six different authentic Cretan dishes using fresh herbs gathered from the garden. One of the highlights of the experience is preparing a delicious lamb dish in a traditional wood-fired stone oven.

Immerse yourself in Crete's culinary heritage with a guided tour that highlights the island's renowned olive oil, wine, and beer. Begin at an innovative olive mill to explore the production process and taste various extra virgin olive oil varieties, guided by local experts. Continue to a family-owned winery for a tasting of five wines and insights into winemaking traditions. In Zounaki village, visit a brewery to learn about brewing techniques, sample four fresh beers, and enjoy a hearty lunch. Highlights include seeing the world's oldest olive tree and sampling high-quality local products, making this experience perfect for foodies, wine aficionados, and beer enthusiasts.

Combine adventure with gastronomic explorations with this semi-private safari tour taking you through the mountains and rugged heartlands of Chania. You'll cruise in your own private vehicle, and other travelers will have theirs too. It's going to be a convoy of fun! Visit the National Park of Samaria, taste various Cretan wines at Anoskeli Winery, and enjoy a delicious lunch with a magnificent view of the White Mountains. Spend a day in touch with nature and enjoy the incredible views Chania has to offer.

Immerse yourself in Crete's world-renowned cuisine in this traditional cooking class. Travel to a family home nestled high in the White Mountains (or Lefki Ori), which overlooks both mountains and the sea. Begin by gathering vegetables and herbs for your recipes from the garden. Put on your chef's hat and prepare Cretan dishes that may include dakos (Cretan salad) and the cheese pie kalitsouni, while learning about the origins of these specialties. Explore the family home, which features Cretan weaving and artifacts. Finally, relax with a glass of local wine and enjoy the meal you prepared.

Crete boasts a rich history of winemaking, with over 60 wineries to its name, including some of the world's finest producers. The island's unique terroir has given rise to a number of distinctive local grape varieties, contributing to Crete's status as the second-largest wine-producing region in Greece. Learn about the history of the wine industry on your way to Karavitakis Winery, where you'll sample six local and international wines in a beautifully renovated tasting room. Visit a 3000-year-old olive tree, and immerse yourself in the flavors of Crete at the Anoskeli Winery Olive Mill, where you'll taste organic extra virgin olive oil and five different local wines, each perfectly paired with Cretan snacks.

Follow us to a magnificent journey through the centuries! Rethymnon is one of the most beautiful towns in Greece. You will explore the hidden treasures of it and discover the greatness of an ancient Cretan civilization. You will also learn and see many things about Cretan traditions and culture through unique routes of Rethymno mainland, starting from the historical monastery of Arkadi.

The Arkadi Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery. The current catholicon (church) dates back to the 16th century and is marked by the influence of the Renaissance. This influence is visible in the architecture, which mixes both Roman and baroque elements. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place for science and, had a school and a rich library. Situated on a plateau, the monastery is well fortified, being surrounded by a thick and high wall. The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender. The monastery became a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance. 8 November is a day of commemorative parties in Arkadi and Rethymno. The explosion did not end the Cretan insurrection, but it attracted the attention of the rest of the world.

After that you will visit Eleftherna, an ancient city-state in Crete, which lies 25 km southeast of Rethymno. Archaeologists excavated the site, located on a narrow northern spur of Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete. It flourished from the Dark Ages of Greece’s early history until Byzantine times.
In the systematic Eleftherna project, a team of archaeologists from the University of Crete led by Prof. N. Stampolidis has been in charge since 1984. Surveys and systematic excavations have revealed the city’s settlement patterns, sanctuaries and necropolis in Orthi Petra, even stone quarries in the surroundings of the Prines hill. The discovery of the remains of four females in Orthi Petra was declared one of top 10 discoveries of 2009 by the Archaeological Institute of America. The Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, directly linked to the archaeological site, was inaugurated in June 2016.
The next stop will be at Margarites, a scenic traditional Cretan village. You will walk on the stone paths of the village and admire the pottery traditional shops around. Then, leaving Margarites, you ‘ll have lunch in Asteri village. The unique restaurant with the folklore private collection and the traditional Cretan delicacies will take your breath away.

Discover Crete's rich viticulture on this trip to three of its finest vineyards. Accompanied by a professional sommelier, you’ll visit the renowned Anoskeli and Karavitakis wineries for guided tasting sessions. Afterward, stop at the world’s oldest olive tree en route to the renowned Manousakis Winery, where you’ll learn about the wine-making process, taste the estate's signature bottles, and enjoy a traditional lunch accompanied by unlimited wine.

Head to the mountains of Chania to discover the history and methods of producing two of Crete's most significant exports. Begin the tour with a visit to a local family's olive mill to see the traditional way of extracting olive oil. Taste this fresh extra virgin olive oil before resting under the shade of the world's oldest olive tree and stopping in the Olive Tree Museum in the village of Ano Vouves. The second half of the tour is devoted to Crete's other specialty: wine. Learn about wine production at two family-run vineyards before sitting down to a traditional Cretan lunch and a glass of wine.

Explore Chania with a local expert on a private Trikke tour. Trikke is a three-wheeled electric vehicle that can be easily ridden by anyone, including children. It's a great way to see more of the city and have fun. You'll explore the historic Old Town of Chania and the Venetian Harbor, taking in the sights of various landmarks like the Yiali Mosque, Grand Arsenal, Ottoman Minaret, Jewish Synagogue, and the Gate of Sampioanara along the way. Learn about the city's history and unique local tidbits while taking in stunning views.