Knossos - Archaeological Museum – Heraklion city
Our journey begins from the Minoan Palace of Knossos, the birthplace of the first European civilization and from then on we head towards the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. From there, you will have the opportunity to walk around the city of Heraklion and see the Venetian fortress of Koule which stands in the entrance of the picturesque old harbor and opposite lie the Venetian dockyards. Heading south, you will have the chance to see the fountain of Morozini (the ‘lions’) and Lotzia (the city hall). These two architectural masterpieces are remnants of the Venetian Period in Crete.
Around the city, you can see the Venetian Fortress, the biggest citadel of the Mediterranean, where the grave of N. Kazantzakis lies. If you wish, you can visit the icons exhibition of St. Catherine as well as the Historical Museum and the Museum of Natural History. On your way out of the city walls and heading south, you can visit the traditional village of Archanes with a middle stop in the archaeological site of Fourni, which stands between the mountain of Yuchtas and Archanes.
This route, promises your guidance around the most interesting spots of Heraklion city!
Western Crete
Through a beautiful route we are heading west where you can admire from a panoramic view the beautiful village of the St. Pelagia. Our first stop is Fodele, birthplace of Dominikos Theotokopoulos (El Creco). Continuing our route, we can see the beautiful fishing village of Bali with a coastal resort built on the hilltops of a small peninsula with view to the bay and the sea beneath the Talea Mountains.
We will drive through Psiloritis Mountain (Idi) – the highest mountain, a symbol for Crete- and passing through beautiful villages, we reach the historical Monastery of Arkadi, a symbol of sacrifice and freedom for Crete and Greece.
15 km away, stands the city and necropolis (cemetery) of Ancient Eleutherna. The ongoing excavation has brought to light rich finds from the Geomteric and Archaic period. The site, has been renounced as one of the 10 most important archaeological events worldwide by the American magazine ‘Archeology’.
Continuing our journey, we pass the picturesque town of Rethymnon, with the old town and the Venetian fortress of Fortetza on the north side. Leaving Rethimnon, in a 20km distance lays the endless beach of Georgipouli and the village which is surrounded by eucalyptus trees. Further west, wonderful sites succeed one another in a full of trees route and with the view of the White Mountains accompanying us through the way. We reach the biggest natural port of Greece, Souda Bay with a destination towards the old town of Chania. The town of Chania is a touristic attraction for thousands of tourists every year, with many interesting spots and the old town being the most beautiful area of the city. A walk around the town will make you feel like taking a walk back in time, wandering around narrow streets of cobblestone and the very well preserved old houses with their people welcoming you with a genuine smile.
You can also see the fortress of Firka and enjoy the view of the old port and the small houses, cafés and taverns. If you would like, we can stop at the German or British cemetery of Maleme and in Souda. On our way back we visit the town of Rethymno. A walk around the streets of the old town, the old port and the long beach will be a memorable experience!
Psiloritis Mountain - Rethymno
Through the main road which leads to Anogeia, you can enjoy the view of Malevisi, one of the most fertile areas of Crete with numerous vines and olive trees. At the back, you can see the mountain of Youchtas in which, according to the myth, Zeus is laying asleep, a myth which derives from the anthropomorphic shape of the mountain.
The main route leads us to the village of Tylissos which includes the homonymous archaeological site and through a wonderful drive we reach the Gorge of Gonies and have the opportunity to experience the view of the wild natural beauty of the Cretan Mountains. Further, we can see the amphitheatrically built village of Gonies where the symbol of Crete stands: the mountain of Psiloriti (Idi Mountains).
According to mythology, in the Idean Cave which is right beneath the mountaintop of Psiloritis (Nida) god Zeus was born (other sources also mention Psychro mountain – Eastern Crete).
Leaving this magnificent scenery and after a short - or long!- stop to watch the view of the mountain and the area of Milopotamos, we reach one of the most historically important villages of Crete: Anogeia. Famous for the hospitality of the villagers, Anogeia combines history, tradition and modern life.
Anogeia has suffered from three holocausts from the German Nazis and its people are still well-respected for their fights for freedom. The village has a long tradition of farming products, cheese, folk arts, music, dances and it is by no doubt one of the most worth visiting places of the island.
After the village of Anogeia, we can see the village of Zoniana, where the Sphendoni Cave lies. Sphendoni is one of the most beautiful caves of Greece with rich ‘decoration’ made of stalagmites and stalactites. Our next stop is the village of Axos and many other small and bigger traditional villages such as Margarites. Margarites is a very famous pottery village and it is worthy of visiting the pottery shops and industries.
Continuing west, we reach the historically important monastery of Arkadi, a symbol of sacrifice and freedom for Crete and Greece.
15 km away, stands the city and necropolis (cemetery) of Ancient Eleutherna. The ongoing excavation has brought to light rich finds from the Geomteric and Archaic period. The site has been renounced as one of the 10 most important archaeological events worldwide by the American magazine ‘Archeology’.
Heading NW and through a magnificent view of natural beauty and villages, we reach the coastal town of Rethymnon. There, you can enjoy a walk in the old town, through streets of cobblestone which will make you will feel like traveling back in time. The Venetian Fortress of Fortetza stands in the north site of the town and the old port, the endless beach with the small taverns and cafes will make your guide through the town a memorable experience!
Samaria Gorge – Chora Sfakion
Our drive follows the central north route towards west. Through our journey you can see many beautiful places, such as Bali, Rethimno and Chania. If you wish, you can stop at Chania to have a coffee or taste the Cretan cuisine and later, we can continue towards the Omalos Plateau. Through an amazing route we reach the Samaria Gorge- a wonder of nature. The Gorge of Samaria is one of the biggest in Europe, covering a distance of 18km and a width which varies from 3km (Portes = Doors is its narrowest point) to 150 km. You can hike through the Gorge it and it is absolutely guaranteed that you will be amazed by the beauty of the flora and fauna. The Gorge ends at the coastal village of Agia Roumeli. From there, you can take a boat to the Chora of Sfakia following a boat trip where small bays and isolated beaches create capturing scenery. The boat stops at Sfakia port where we will wait for you to for the way back.
It is a fascinating journey of unique natural beauty and traditional Cretan villages. An experience you will want to leave again!
Gortys – Phaistos – Agia Triada - Matala
Traveling from the fertile plain of Malevisi and other small villages of the mainland (the biggest being that of Agia Varvara), we reach the Messara Plain. Messara Plain is the productive heart of Crete with millions of olive trees, vines, and hundreds of hectares of farming products and greenhouses.
Our first stop is ancient Gortys, one of the most powerful cities of Crete throughout antiquity and capital of the island during Roman and Proto-byzantine periods.
After Gortys and through the Messara Plain, we reach the archaeological site of Phaistos. Phaistos was the second biggest Minoan city which included a Palace houses, and cemeteries. Here, the famous disk of Phaistos was discovered, a ceramic object onto which 241 symbols were inscribed on both sides in a spiral shape. Archaeologists are yet unable to decipher this inscription; it has however been an object of several archaeological discussions.
In a very near distance from Phaistos, is Agia Triada, a central archaeological site with unique natural beauty. There, stands one of the Minoan Villas and is an important remnant of Minoan architecture followed by many rich finds.
Our route continues with a destination towards the famous coastal village of Matala and its amazing beach with the characteristic rock-cut caves. The caves were both pre-historic houses but also their use continued until the 70’s where many hippies from Europe and the world, leaved there!
At the end of our journey you will have experienced an amazing trip and you will be convinced that you made the right choice!
Lasithi - Aghios Nikolaos - Elounda
Our route begins eastwards of Heraklion. You will have the opportunity to admire the wonderful beaches and the view over the village of Hersonissos. Heading towards the plateau of Lasithi, you will be fascinated by the beauty of the scenery and the traditional Cretan villages. On our way we see the monastery of Kera which lies on one of the natural passages leading to the Lasithi plateau. The monastery of Kera, due to its fortress-like architecture has been a hideout for the rebels against the Ottoman Tourks. The church, hosts the icon of Panayia (Madonna) of Kera which, according to the local myth, is associated with miracles.
Continuing our journey, we pass through the numerous watermills which lie on the summits of the Diktean Mountain. We stop at the village of Psychro and its homonymous Cave, where god Zeus was born according to Hesiod (other sources also mention the Idean Cave). The Cave is rich in stalagmites and stalactites and it has been famous ever since antiquity for the many rituals that took place and until today, it continues to welcome travellers from all over the world.
Continuing to the northeast, we reach the town of Aghios Nikolaos. It is one of the most famous touristic and picturesque areas of Crete, and the homonymous Lake – symbol of the town- lies in the middle. Leaving behind the town of Aghios Nikolaos we are heading towards Elounda. Throughout this route, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Elounda and the area of Plaka. Just opposite Plaka, is the small island of Spinalonga. This legendary island was used as a fortress during the Venetian and the Ottoman periods. In the beginnings of the 19th century however, Spinalonga was used as a sanatorium for thousands of patients suffering from Hansen’s disease. Lepers from various areas around Greece and Europe were exiled there and after the cure for the disease was found, the island stands there as a reminder and a monument of torture.
The area of Plaka, is a picturesque coastal village which is well-known for the delicious, fresh fish-food. There, you can enjoy a meal or a cup of coffee, before we set of for our way back.
East Crete
Travelling eastwards, from the very first moment you will realize how promising this route is going to be. Passing through the traditional villages of Chersonissos, Piskopiano and Koutouloufari, we reach the areas of Stalida and Mallia with the homonymous archaeological site of the Minoan Palace. The many years of excavations (started in 1915) have brought to light one of the most important archaeological discoveries – the golden jewellery of the two bees- (Heraklion Archaeological Museum). The palace enclosed storage rooms in which many pithoi and other kinds of pottery were found, royal chambers, workshops for copper smelting such as those of the Palaces of Knossos and Phaistos.
Continuing our route, we reach the famous monastery of Aghios Georgios of Selinari, where the spring of Aghios Georgios is situated. On the mountain across the monastery, lie the nests of the biggest local bird (the opening of their wings can reach up to 260cm) known as Kanavos or Skara (Gyps Fulvus). Leaving the monastery and until we reach the town of Aghios Nikolaos, you have the opportunity to indulge yourselves in the view of the thousands of olive trees and the overall scenery. At the town of Aghios Nikolaos, one can admire the panoramic view of the lake of Aghios Nikolaos and from there, we continue eastwards until we reach the village of Istron and the archaeological site of Gournia. Gournia, is a well preserved Minoan settlement also known as ‘the Pompeii of Crete’. The settlement encloses small chamber rooms and a large building at the top of the hill, which is suggested to be the mansion of a local administrator. At about 3klm away from the site of Gournia, is Pachia Ammos. This is the narrowest point of Crete from north to south (a distance of 13klm). From there, we continue reaching the coastal town of Sitia, with numerous tavernas and cafés. Sitia, is the birthplace of Vitsentzos Kornaros, one of the most famous representatives of Cretan Literature and a writer of the narrative poem of ‘Erotokritos’ and the religious drama of ‘Abraham’s sacrifice’.
From Sitia, we can visit the well-known monastery of Moni Toplou where thousands of visitors arrive each year. The monastery has a monumental belfry of 33 meters long and is situated in a wild - almost desert spot-surrounded by enormous wind power generators.
Our final destination is the palm-forest of Vai, the only palm-forest of Europe which attracts thousands of visitors every year. How this forest was first created is a mystery but according to the myth, Arab pirates who reached the shore used to throw the cores of dates, and from these, 5000 palm trees grew at the forest of Vai.
After Vai, we start our journey back and we are certain you will have experienced a wonderful travel, saving the best of memories from your stay at the island of Crete.
