South Crete
Through olive groves, orange plantations you will go to the center of Crete and visit the monastery of St. Myron with an extraordinary grotto, where there are springs with holy healing water. Then the path lies to the trout lake Zaros. After a walk on the lake, you can dine on freshly caught fish. And our trip will end with a swim on the magnificent sandy beaches of the town of Matala, where in the 70s hippies lived in rocky caves…
Plateau of Lassithi – the cave of Zeus
Lassithi is the largest plateau in Crete and is considered one of the most fertile in Crete. Once upon a time, thousands of windmills irrigated this plain using the waters of underground sources. After visiting the typical Cretan village of Pesa, famous for the production of wines and olive oil, and then the village of Trapsano, where ceramics are made, you will go to Mount Dikti. The road rises high into the mountains to the medieval monastery of Kera, and then to the stalactite cave, where, according to legend, the father of the gods Zeus was born and raised. In pagan times, this grandiose cave with its stalactites and a special atmosphere filled with sacred awe was the largest cult center.
Spinalonga Island
Since ancient times, a small rock island in the Mirabello Bay had fortifications to protect the ancient city of Olus – the current Elounda from pirate attacks. The powerful Venetian fortress repulsed all the enemy attacks of the Turks on the island. Heading by ship to the island of Spinalonga, you will be able to observe all the beauty of the bays and coves, sloping, with deep and clear water, the coast of Crete, giving way to a steep and impregnable coast. After a tour of Spinalonga, you will swim in one of the coves nearby and enjoy a barbecue on the ship
Cretan evening
High in the mountains, a few kilometers from the popular coastal resorts, a wonderful evening awaits you in a small Cretan village. The orchestra and dance group will introduce you to wonderful Greek and Cretan melodies and dances. During the show, you will taste dishes of the national Cretan cuisine and local wines in unlimited quantities. The village “Anopolis” is waiting for you!
Santorini island
One of the most mysterious islands of the Aegean, Santorini is unusually beautiful: a marvelous sea and beaches with white, red and black sand, a wild landscape of volcanic origin, and white houses with blue sloping roofs on it. The architecture of its cities preserved medieval walls, majestic Christian churches, Byzantine, winding, narrow streets, classical buildings with pompous decorations and traditional “skafta” houses located above the edge of the cliff, always built only inland. It still lives up to its ancient name – Kallisti, which, translated into Russian, sounds like the Most Beautiful.
Water parks
On the northeast coast of Crete are two of the largest water parks in Europe: “WATER CITY” and “AQUASPLASH”. “Black pipe”, “lazy river”, “Bungee” and many other attractions are waiting for you. The day here flies by cheerfully and instantly, and therefore you want to come back here again and again.
Private tours in Crete
Kurtaliot Gorge – Preveli Monastery
One of the most interesting (albeit a bit tedious) excursions. The current monastery of Preveli stands in a beautiful secluded place overlooking the sea. The monastery was a stronghold during the Cretan uprisings for independence, and was also used by the Allied forces during the 2nd World War as a place of refuge. To this day, the gilded Holy Cross, which is considered miraculous, has been preserved in the monastery. You can get to the monastery only by the road through the picturesque Kurtaliot Gorge, famous for its waterfalls and the small church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, where, according to legend, he once took a vow of silence. And finally, swimming in a small lagoon surrounded by palm trees.
Unexplored wild Crete
Mountain ranges cut by deep gorges, their slopes smoothly turning into fertile valleys, an extremely diverse, sometimes bare and inhospitable, sometimes wooded and gentle landscape, villages immersed in greenery, rocky coasts, often impregnable, but at the same time with many beaches covered with sand or pebbles – all this is the southern coast of Crete. But not only the diversity of its landscape, flora and fauna, the magnificent wild beaches are famous for the southern coast of Crete. You will visit the village of Sfakia, until recently living in isolation from the outside world, whose inhabitants still adhere to local traditions and wear national clothes, the Frangokastello fort, built by the Venetians in 1371 to protect against pirates. Before returning to the hotel, you will swim in the waterfalls and have lunch in one of the fish taverns.
Sitia – Toplou – Vai
Sitia – one of the cities of Crete, built in the depths of the bay, which offers a magnificent view. Beautiful coastline with clear and calm waters and a mild climate. Sitia is located on the site of ancient Itia, the port of ancient Pressos. On the site of the modern city, many Minoan burials, idols, vessels, as well as fragments of buildings and ancient Christian churches were found. Sitia was the birthplace of Misop, one of the seven outstanding thinkers of ancient Greece. Vincenzo Korparos, who wrote Erotokritos, a romantic masterpiece of Cretan literature, was born here. To the east of Sitia, 12 km, the monastery of Toplou rises like a castle, which was one of the richest in Crete. Many ancient treasures and icons were kept within its walls. Throughout the Turkish domination, a secret Christian school operated here.
Rethymno – Sfendoni
The history of the city of Rethymno with its dramatic events is kept by ancient ruins, temples with sacred Christian relics, minarets directed towards the sun and the Fortezza fortress – the same age as the city. You will be delighted by the beautiful Venetian portals and balconies of Turkish houses. Walking through this city will not leave anyone indifferent. Heading to the village of Zonana, where the largest stalactite grotto in Crete, Sfendoni, is located, you will see that the natural landscapes of Crete are no less amazing than the architectural sights. The tour ends with a fun and delicious lunch in a village tavern in the village of Axos.
