All Inclusive Full-day Private Tour of Crete Villages from Chania
Description
Discover the heart of Crete on this all-inclusive private tour, designed to immerse you in the island’s charm, traditions, and stunning landscapes. Experience Crete like a local, with a personal touch. Our fully adapted wheelchair-accessible vehicle ensures that everyone can join the adventure comfortably. Start at the historic Aptera Fortress for panoramic views of Souda Bay, then visit a family-owned olive oil mill for a guided tour and tasting of Crete’s famous “liquid gold.” Explore the Folklore Museum in Gavalochori to discover the island’s traditional way of life. Enjoy a coffee break at a traditional café, then visit the peaceful Monastery of Saint Georgios. The tour concludes with either a guided wine tasting at a local winery or a delicious lunch at a traditional restaurant for those who prefer something different. Join us for a day of warm hospitality, scenic beauty, and unforgettable experiences.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The day starts with a visit to the strategically located Ottoman Fortress, and its commanding position overlooking Souda and the valley of Apokoronas. While we learn about the historical significance of the fortress and the myths about the area, we will enjoy the breath-taking views of the White Mountains, Souda Bay and Fort Intzedin below.
Our next stop will be at an olive oil mill, where we will discover everything there is to know about this staple of Greek life and tradition! We will look at how it’s cultivated and processed, its nutritional and health benefits, and its role in our everyday life and impact on our civilization. The olive tree is one of the most beloved and sacred trees since Ancient Greece, and is a deep part of our mythology. On Crete it is believed that 55% to 65% of all cultivated land is covered by olive groves, which hold approximately 30 million trees! After the tour, we will try different olive oils and learn how to identify the different qualities.
As we step into the Folklore Museum of Gavalochori, we’ll be transported back in time to the days when life was simpler, and community values were paramount. The museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts that tell the story of the village’s rich cultural heritage. From tools and utensils to household items and textiles, every exhibit in this museum is carefully curated to give visitors a glimpse into the past. The museum’s seven rooms are filled with unique handmade knitting artworks. As we wander through the halls of this charming museum, we’ll feel like we’re living in a bygone era, experiencing firsthand the authentic local lifestyle of Gavalochori.
Coffee at a local traditional coffee shop.
Religion is a fundamental part of the real Crete. So, at our next stop we will visit the Monastery of Saint Georgios at Karydi. The monastery is unique not only for its history, but also for the local Venetian-influenced architecture. However, the real hidden treasure here are the stunning 12 stone-built arches in the ruins of the monastery’s old olive oil factory.
Our next stop will be a local winery, located in the heart of the Apokoronas region. Here, we will indulge in some of the finest wines and learn about the process of winemaking from the vineyards to the bottle. We will have the opportunity to taste 5 different glasses of wine, each with its unique flavor and aroma. As we sip on the delicious wine, the experts will provide us with insights into the winemaking process, the local grape varieties, and the history of winemaking on the island. This experience will surely tantalize your taste buds and leave you with a new appreciation for Cretan wine. To make your experience even more memorable, enjoy a delicious local lunch featuring Cretan specialties as part of our tour.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
* In the case that your accommodation is in the pedestrian zone of the old Venetian harbor, we’ll meet you at the nearest accessible location for our vehicle. * The pickup and dropoff is included within 20km of Chania city center. Pickup and dropoff outside of this zone until the Rethymno city center will incur an additional surcharge.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour is designed to be inclusive and accessible for everyone. Our vehicle is fully adapted to accommodate guests with mobility needs, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable journey. Most stops, including wineries, olive oil mills, and historic sites, have been carefully selected for their accessibility, allowing every guest to experience the beauty and culture of Crete with ease. Please let us know about specific accessibility requirements in advance so we can ensure the best experience.
- Alcohol will only be served to guests aged 18 and older.
Reviews(87)
You will see a lot and experience a lot more. Maria is great and really knows her Crete. Everything was well planned
Can’t say enough good things about Maria and this tour. Go read all the five star reviews and believe them. She was our favorite guide of the vacation, and took us to a cafe, cultural museum, monastery, ottoman fortress, olive oil factory and winery. Maria effortlessly blended facts, legends, and modern observations about Crete, its people, the food, and culture. The day was about eight hours long, and despite everything we did, never felt rushed, and certainly never bored. Miss you already Crete, and Maria! Would give more than five stars if allowed.
This excursion provides a wealth of information on culture, traditions, history and more. Maria has amazing stories to share and loads of laughs!
We had a wonderful day with the lovely Maria. She was so warm and friendly and we learnt a lot about Cretan life as well as enjoying some fabulous views.
We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring the countryside around Chania with our fantastic guide, Maria. The tour included visits to the Monastery of St. John the Hermit, a delicious honey tasting, an olive oil tour, a winery visit, and a brewery tasting—each stop was unique and memorable. Maria was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating history and local insights at every stop. We saw so much throughout the day, yet we never once felt rushed. There was always plenty of time to take in the beautiful landscapes, ask questions, and truly enjoy each experience. The monastery was peaceful and full of history, the honey and olive oil tastings were both informative and delicious, and the brewery visit was a fun and relaxing way to end the day. The scenery along the way was stunning, and Maria made sure we didn’t miss any special viewpoints. This tour was the perfect mix of culture, local flavors, and breathtaking views. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Chania—especially if you’re lucky enough to have Maria as your guide!
We had a wonderful day touring the Crete countryside and villages. Our guide Maria was able to give us a good sense of what everyday life is like away from the tourist hotspots. We also enjoyed tasting local wines, olive oil and honey. Highly recommended!
I cannot say enough good things about our day with Maria. She is the nicest person on the planet. Maria took us to all the best spots in Crete that we would have NEVER seen without her. We toured villages, went to a historical museum, and even a winery. Maria is extremely knowledgeable about the island’s history and culture. She is prompt and professional. The length of day was perfect. She even had homemade baked goods for us, which were delicious. We are absolutely going to book with her again when we return with the rest of the family. Maria is AMAZING.
Maria is absolutely terrific. She is kind, knowledgeable, flexible and funny. She has a remarkable ability to adjust to her group. She knows the people at the stops and they clearly know, like and respect her. You will have a great day with Maria!
What an amazing day with our wonderful tour guide Maria. She was so friendly, knowledgeable and personalized our tour for us. The village meal was amazing we couldn’t believe how much food there was. We even got to take home some lemons and oranges from her own personal garden and they were so delicious! Highly recommended. 12/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you so much for your truly kind and generous review. It was a real pleasure spending the day together and sharing local moments, flavours and stories from Crete. I am very happy you enjoyed the experience and the small treats from my garden. I wish you many beautiful travels ahead and I hope to welcome you again one day on the island. Warm regards, Maria
Maria is an outstanding, real representative of Cretan hospitality, with courtesy, love for what she does. It is worth seeing Crete through the eyes of Maria. You'll love it.
