Things to do in Rethymnon Prefecture, Crete: The Best Historical & Heritage Tours

We will start our tour by visiting a beautiful well-hidden village, Margarites. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to have a small demonstration of pottery.After a 20' drive, we will continue to the religious part of our tour. Our goal is to make you familiar with our culture and religious customs. Arkadi Monastery is perhaps the best known monastery on Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866.Let’s explore together the nature of Crete. The gorge of Patsos is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. The whole area around the gorge is of particular natural beauty. If the weather does not permit our entrance to the gorge, we may visit a very interesting museum and archeological site in the nearby ancient village of Eleftherna. Enjoy a traditional lunch in the local taverna.

Inclusions: Bottled water, Lunch, Coffee and/or Tea

Exclusions: The guide will not enter with you in the Monastery of Arkadi

Cave of Sfentoni is one of the most interesting caves in Crete. In the Cave of Sfentoni extensively adorned with stalactites and stalagmites. The impressive cave provides the visitors with breathtaking sights of how Mother Nature patiently “creates” an aesthetic spectacle by using mineral-rich water drops Axos village is located on the north side of the Psiloritis Mountain, built on terraces 600 meters above sea level. Ruins of the Acropolis’ walls can still be seen today. In the village Axos, you can visit the museum with the wooden handmade statues of interesting subjects taken from the ancient mythology and the modern history of the village and all Crete, as well as the everyday life of its inhabitants ENAGRON AGRITOURISM: It is a wonderful place where you can experience the real life of the old Cretan village. It has a traditional style and many activities. You can enjoy the real life of Crete and it’s really a fantastic experience.

Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off , Transportation , All Taxes

Exclusions: Tips , Personal Expesnses , Entrance Cave Sfentoni 5 euros per person (children under for 18 free), Guide

South Trip Special This excursion begins with the traditional village of Spili. Here you will have enough time to explore the village and have a look at the Venetian fountain ‘kefalovrissi’ with 19 lion heads. Passing through the extravagant scenery of the Kroutaliotiko Gorge you reach the Preveli Monastery. After Preveli Monastery the next stop is the Palm Beach of Preveli. From the top you will see one of the most breathtaking views of the blue waters combined with the lagoon and palm forest. You then continue to walk down the steps where you will end up on the best and palm forest. Here you will have about 2 hours of free time to soak it all in before continuing to Damnoni. The boat will take you from Preveli to Damnoni where you will have a break for lunch or refreshments. Damnoni is also an amazingly beautiful place and has an organized beach. When this incredible excursion ends you will be taken back to your Hotel area.

Inclusions: Tour guide

Exclusions: Boat ticket from Preveli to Damnoni 8€ per Person

The Real Crete: On this excursion you will have the opportunity to see many places that represent the traditional lifestyle and some historical facts of Crete. The first stop is at Melidoni Cave which is a cave full of history and dates back to Neolithic Period based on tools and items found it the cave. The second stop is at the village of Margarites. Margarites is famous for its pottery that goes back many generations. The third stop is at the Museum of Eleftherna before you get to the Arkadi Monastery. The Arkadi Monastery is the oldest monastery in Crete. You then continue on the village of Apostoli. Here you will visit an old olive oil factory and see how the production of our olive oil is made. In this village you will also eat in a traditional tavern whilst enjoying the beautiful sound of live Creta music. The second last stop is at Saint Antonios Gorge for photos and finally the last stop which is the Dam known as "Fragma Potamon" which is the home of many animals and flowers.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, WiFi on board

Exclusions: Lunch, All Fees and Taxes

Chania City - Falassarna Beach The City of Chania is the first destination of our trip. You will have 3hrs of free time to explore the city. Chania is famous for its diverse cultural heritage, archeological ruins, classical buildings and fascinating history. The Old Town is the heart of Chania. It is perfectly formed by narrow labyrinth like alleyways and buildings dating back to various ancient periods of time. Don’t hesitate to wander around the streets of the Old Town, you will discover the magnificent beauty that awaits you.Our next and final destination is Falassarna Beach, which is located on the west coast of Crete. Falassarna beach has been awarded for being the best beach in Crete and one of the top 10 beaches in Europe. It has light pick coloured sand and crystal clear waters with long magical waves coming in from the Mediterranean. Here you will have 3 hrs free time to relax and enjoy the sun. After that we return to Rethymno, where you will be taken back to your hotel .

Inclusions: Hotel pickup

Exclusions:

Enjoy a 1-day bus excursion from Chania to Knossos. Visit the Palace of Knossos, the Archaeological Museum, the city of Heraklion and more.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle, English guided tour in Knossos Palace, Roundtrip bus transfer to all locations, Free time in Heraklion city

Exclusions: Lunch, Entry ticket for the Knossos Palace €15 and if you want the Archaeological Museum €5 , Personal expenses

For this excursion, you will be picked up from your hotel area by our airconditioned mini bus. The first stop is at the Spili village. You will have a chance to see a 100% traditional village with its well know lion-head fountains in the middle of the village. Walking along its cobbled streets you can explore the tourist shops which are full of traditional Cretan products. The next stop is at the amphitheatrically built village of AgiaGalini. Here will have 2,5 hrs to explore the village. The next stop is at Matala where you will have 3 hr of free time to enjoy the golden sandy beach. Matala is not only known for its beautiful beaches but also for its artificially carved caves that date all the way back to the Minoan period. These same caves were later occupied by a hippy commune in the late 60’s and 70’s. Many musicians have composed song about the beauty of Matala including Bob Dylan and Cat Stevens. The bus will then take you back to your hotel ending this amazing excursion.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: Lunch

Discover the seaside village of Elounda and walk amongst history on the island of Spinalonga. Finishing our touring on this much afflicted place, we head for the small bay of Kolokitha. It’s one of the most beautiful beaches on Crete. It is a remote beach with white sand and deep blue serene water, side by side with old olive groves. There we can swim and taste the delicious BBQ served on the boat. After our short respite, we go back to Elounda. Then we move to the picturesque town of Agios Nikolaos, where we have our last stop. We have the chance to enjoy our coffee getting a perfect view of the magnificent lake, do our shopping in the traditional local shops and relax for a while before we hit the road for our going back.

Inclusions: Professional guide, Air-conditioned vehicle, ▪︎ Hotel pick-up in Malia,Stalis,Hersonisos,Anisaras,Gouves,Heraklion,Ammoudara,Ag Pelagia,Fodele

Exclusions: Entrance to Spinalonga (8 Euros or less for children/EU citizens over 65), Personal expenses

Rethimno segway tour, is an incredibly spectacular tour, which takes place in the context of the new and the old city and not only focuses on points of interest, but its purpose is to have a pleasant time for customers and to get to know new parts of the city that they can visit during their vacation.

Inclusions: Use of Segway, In gonden tour we have a station to drink a soft drink or a coffee

Exclusions: Tickets to enter onto the arcailogical place of fortezza Castel.

Our first stop will be to a picturesque "kafenio", to have a Greek coffee exactly as the locals do, with the traditional extra thin handmade cheese pie "sfakianopita" with thyme honey on top, the perfect way to begin your day. There is nobody, either Cretan or not, who is not going to visit the oldest "phyllo" workshop while in Rethymno and won't try his baklava! In the old town of Rethymno, a Venetian mansion houses the workshop of Mr Hatziparashos, the last traditional phyllo master, making traditional pastry. Just give it a try! Discover the narrow streets and stone-built old magnificent traditional houses in the alleys on our way to "mezedopolio''. One of the first of its kind in the city, learn how a local enjoys a homemade raki with the appropriate mezedes. Following stop, a stone-built bakery with the most crunchy, scrumptious loukoumades with honey, in the whole city! They will surely accompany you till the last stop at Fortezza castle as we will finish our gastronomic trip.

Inclusions: Snacks, Coffee and/or Tea, Bottled water, Raki, Breakfast

Exclusions: Ticket to the Fortezza, Extra charge if the pickup is not in Rethymno district