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Lassithi – Dyktaion Andron Cave – Kera – Krasi
5 hour excursion
Dyklaion Andron is the most important and most famous cave of Crete since 3000 B.C… In the striking Dikteon Cave ,which is rich in stalagmites and stalactites, the legend says that Zeus was born.
After the Dikteon Andron cross, the route through the Lasithi plateau with the hundreds of white-washed windmills follows driving through the beautiful villages of Agios Konstantinos and St. George arriving in the capital of the Lassithi province, the small town of Tzermiado.
Ten minutes from the plateau we find the Kera vilage, a traditional village that got its name from the Panayia Kera Kardiotissa monastery – one of the most important religious monuments of the island. We can then take a stop for lunch at a local Traditional Cretan Taverna were you can try delicious cretan dishes cooked in the wood oven. Five minutes from the Kera village we reach the Krasi village, a village with a huge tree in the center of it, with its estimated age being over 1000 years. It is great spending time under its branches catching a breath next to the natural springs of the village.
Then leaving behind us the Lassithi Plateau we descend to Malia which is a well-known touristic area. The descending route to Malia is really breath-taking with the fantastic view of the deep blue sea emerging in the background as we go through the mountains reaching the coast line.
Rethymnon – Gortyna – Phaistos
day trip
Rethymno began a period of growth when the Venetian conquerors of the island decided to put an intermediate commercial station between Heraklion and Chania, acquiring its own bishop and nobility in the process.
Today’s old town (palia poli) is almost entirely built by the Venetians. It is one of the best preserved old towns in Crete. The town still maintains its old aristocratic appearance, with its buildings dating from the 16th century, arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains, the small
Venetian harbour and narrow streets.
The city’s Venetian-era citadel, the Fortezza, is one of the best-preserved castles in Crete. Other monuments include the Neratze mosque (the Municipal Odeon arts centre), the Great Gate (Meyá^n opa. Porta Guora), the Piazza Rimondi (Rimondi square) and the Venetian Loggia.
The remains of Gortyna to the south of Heraklion tell a later tale than that of the other archaeological sites in Crete, particularly the important inscribed stones, known as the Gortyn Law Code, dating back to the 5th century BC: a complete code of law based on Minoan tradition. The Code stones are still preserved and exhibited in the north round wall of the Roman Odeon at the Gortyna site (although of course the theatre was built much later in the 1st century).
Other highlights at Gortyna (which was capital of Roman Crete and Cyrene) include the Church of St Titus, where Christianity was first introduced to the island and the Temple of Apollo Pythios, dating from 700 BC.
South of Heraklion lies Crete’s second most important Minoan archaeological site, the Palace complex of Phaistos, considered by many to be a finer example of Minoan architecture than Knossos. The west propylon, the monumental entranceway to the palace, is particularly impressive, and the ceremonial staircase and great court are breathtaking. Like Knossos the site has actually been built on twice, with the original palace, built about 2,000 BC, having been destroyed by fire and replaced with a new palace around 300 years later.
Minoan Palace of Knossos – Archaeological Museum – Heraklion
5 hour excursion
Knossos is the most important archaeological site in Crete. It holds the second position of the archaeological sites in Greece after the Acropolis in attracting visitors. It is just 5 kilometers away from the city of Heraklion. Knossos was inhabited since the seventh millennium BC. This is the earliest Neolithic culture in Crete People lived here over 3000 years. During the third millennium BC an Early Minoan city was built over the settlement of the Neolithic period. The first palace of Knossos was built around 1950 BC but it was destroyed by an earthquake around 1700 BC. A second palace more impressive and magnificent than the first was constructed shortly after, but it had the same fate as the last in the great disaster of 1400 BC. Knossos was inhabited until Roman times.
Five hour trips can be organized, that include a visit to the archaeological site of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, as well as a stroll in the market of the city of Heraklion.
Chania – Samaria Gorge
day trip
The largest city in western Crete and the most attractive, Chania is a historically charming labyrinth of jumbled Venetian and Turkish buildings surrounding a small harbour, with colourful markets, town squares, craft shops and fine dining possibilities. Narrow, winding lanes are lined with tavernas, cafes and shops, and ancient alleyways lead to endless photographic opportunities that encompass overhanging wooden balconies, delicate stonework and white Orthodox churches. The port area of Hania is the oldest and most interesting part of town. There are a few museums worth visiting, including the Archaeological and Naval Museums.
The Samaria Gorge is in the White Mountains in western Crete, it is an arduous trip but well worth it to see one of the great natural wonders of Europe. From the top of the gorge it is a 10-mile (16km) hike through the dramatic geological formations and wildflower-strewn cliffsides of the National Park. From the village of Agia Roumeli at the end of the gorge hikers board boats to sail to Khora Sfakion or Paleohora where you will be picked up for your return.
Kritsa Village – Kera – Lato
3 hour excursion
An unforgettable trip to a traditional Cretan village.
Following this route you will have the opportunity to visit a Cretan Olive Oil Farm and learn all about the production of olive oil and the methods used 100 years ago to produce it. You wil be able to create ceramic objects and buy green eco-friendly products. You can also visit the Bioaroma factory a newly-founded production unit of essential oils from wild and organic Cretan herbs.
On the way to Kritsa village you will have the chance to admire the most famous Byzantine monument, the Panayia Kera church with its rich and unique frescos. When reaching the Kritsa village you will have time to walk around the village, shop souvenirs in the various gift shops or even have a traditional Greek coffee with the locals. A visit to the archaeological site of the ancient Lato follows.