Meet the locals

The 7 Villages of Apokoronas Tour – Explore East Chania Mainland

from
84€

Discover Chania villages’ beauties, visit family-run businesses, taste the local products, & live the ultimate countryside experience. The hidden treasures of  Chania mainland are waiting to be explored by you! 

All pick-up points for this tour are within Chania region. For pick-up from the other regions in Crete, please contact us.

  • Reviews 6 Reviews
    5/5
  • Vacation Style Holiday Type
    • Culture
    Culture, Discovery, Gastronomy, History
  • Activity Level
  • Group Size Small Group
    18
All about the The 7 Villages of Apokoronas Tour – Explore East Chania Mainland.

Tour Highlights

  • Learn about the Cretan way of life
  • Visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas.
  • Tour of a local distillery and “Raki” tasting
  • Unique hidden monasteries and churches en route
  • Learn everything about old traditional Cretan handcrafts
  • Discover the secrets of the Cretan spirit “Tsikoudia”/” Raki.”
  • Visit a cheese factory and taste the local dairy products.
  • Taste the local bread and cookies in a traditional bakery
  • Lunch at a traditional “Kafeneio” (small “meze” restaurant)
  • Explore the villages of Apokoronas through unique nature routes

 

Description

This is a tour of the unique area of Apokoronas, the eastern province of the Chania region. It aims to introduce the visitors of this island to the pure side of the Cretan mainland. Tour around the villages, meet the locals, taste the delicious local products and learn everything about Crete’s history, culture and traditions.

Following a route through nature and traditional Cretan villages, you will arrive in Gavalochori village and visit the folklore museum of Apokoronas. The seven rooms will reveal everything about history, handicrafts, and people’s everyday lives in the previous centuries.

Leaving Gavalochori, driving towards Vrises village, you will stop by a traditional distillery. You will discover the secrets of the local spirit “Tsikoudia” or “Raki” and learn everything about its production. First, you will tour around the traditional part of the distillery and then the modern one’s facilities. Tasting is following combined with delicious local products. The village of Emprosneros follows the theatre “Mikis Theodorakis and the hidden church of St. Antony, built on the rock. The experience of the Cretan cheese-making process follows. You visit a cheese factory and taste the local “Graviera”, “Mizithra” or “Anthotiros” cheese varieties. You will also taste some olive oil on warm bread, cookies and Cretan biscuits in the local bakery.

After that, you will enjoy lunch in a traditional “kafeneio” in Fres village, speak with the locals, and learn many things about the countryside way of life. You will have the chance to see pure beauty and feel the real Crete around you. Apokoronas is one of the most historical places in Crete because of its people. This great province is waiting to reveal its secrets and ready to be explored by you!

If you wish to explore more options return to the Cultural & Historical Tours page.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance
What is included in this tour?Items that are included in the cost of tour price.
  • Hotel pick up and drop off
  • Bottled water per person
  • English speaking, local driver/escort
  • Museum entrance fee
  • All tours in distillery, cheese factory, bakery etc
  • Cheese tasting
  • Distillery fees
  • Bakery fees & tastings
  • Traditional Cretan lunch
  • Transport by air-conditioned minibus/minivan
  • All taxes, fees and handling charges
  • Small-group tour (up to 18pax)
What is not included in this tour?Items that are not included in the cost of tour price.
  • Gratuities (optional)
  • Additional food and drinks
  1. Schedule All Year

    Every Monday – Thursday – Saturday

  2. Location Tour starts from

    Chania, Crete

  3. Duration of the tour Including pick-up and drop-off time

    Approximately 6-7  hours

     

  4. Booking & Cancellation Policies Please Read Carefully
    • Reservations must be made 12 hours before the tour. Cancellation must be made 24 hours before the tour for a full refund. In the case of later cancellations, no refund will be made from the company
    • If a tour is cancelled due to low participation or bad weather conditions, the company will refund 100% of made payments.
    • In the case of allergies, tolerances or food preferences, please inform the company in advance.
    • The company reserves the right to make minor changes in the program when considered necessary, for example, in unfavourable weather conditions. This can be done without prior notice.
    • Regular Stops – There are stops every 30-40 minutes, for everyone’s convenience. If a client feels sick or it is necessary to stop, please inform your driver accordingly.
  5. Pick up points- times Departures

    *We recommend you to be at the pick-up area (your hotel or the pre-arranged meeting point) 5-10 minutes prior to your pick up time. Our driver/escort will be on time to welcome you and show your seat.

  6. What to bring with you for this tour ...except your best mood & smile :)
    • Your Camera
    • Comfortable clothing & shoes
    • Sunscreen & hat during summer months
    • During spring and autumn, we advise you to bring a jacket
  7. Meals & Alternatives Vegetarian - Vegan- Allergies
    • Meals (when included) usually contain traditional Cretan recipes.
    • Appetizers, main courses and desserts will usually be served in platters according to the local way of eating.
    • We can offer vegetarian – vegan alternatives, but we require prior notice during reservation.
    • The client has the responsibility to inform the company in advance of any food allergies to find suitable alternatives if possible.
    • Alcohol consumption is not allowed for children and teenagers under the age of 18 years old.
  8. Children Price Discount
    Children 2-6 years old – Free
    Children 7-12 years old – 55€
  9. Covid-19 Info Tour regulations

    Further to the Government’s announcements, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, to keep our guests safe and healthy, our staff will be intensely and detailed trained to meet all the requirements. The company has fully complied with all the Government’s necessary measures, The WHO and the National Public Health Organisation.

    • Our fleet will be thoroughly cleaned and hygiene after each transfer and trip. All sensitive touch areas such as seats, armrests, sidewalls etc., are intensively cleaned and sanitized daily before and after each tour.
    • Our staff is trained in the latest hygiene protocols and cleaning procedures. They use personal protective equipment (face masks/shields and optional gloves) to ensure a safe travel experience for you and themselves.
    • Hand sanitizers antiseptic will be provided during clients’ embarkation
    • Clients are obliged to use masks during their stay on the bus. (Masks will be provided from the company)
    • Our vehicles are filled up according to governmental covid-19 law of their capacity. Those governmental laws and regulations against covid-19 infections might change but are strictly followed at all times.
Tours-in-Crete-Meet-the-Locals
Tours in Crete - Meet the Locals

We keep our group sizes low so you have the freedom to move around and get involved with your surroundings, as well as more personal attention from our local guides. This intimate size ensures that your group will not crowd your experience. You can expect up to 30 travelers on a trip but the average is 10-15. Check individual trip pages for maximum group sizes.

It’s extremely difficult if not impossible to join a tour after it has begun. It is possible to leave a tour early however you will be responsible for your own arrangements from the moment you decide to leave the tour. You would also be responsible for all costs associated with joining a tour late or leaving one early. If you feel this may be necessary please consult a Fabulous Crete Specialist before you book your adventure.

Mercedes Benz & Volkswagen 9 seats buses

For privacy reasons we cannot provide you with advance details on your traveling companions. However, our tours appeal to a wide range of travellers, most of whom share an adventurous spirit and a desire to experience these destinations at a grass-roots level. Our tours are conducted in English and so they attract many travellers from North America, UK, Australia and Europe

The availability listed on our website is updated every minute however on some tours we must confirm arrangements with our people on the ground, a process which usually takes no more than 24 hours. When you book online you will receive a follow-up email confirming your arrangements or a timeframe for when they will be confirmed.

The security that comes from knowing your trip is locked-in is a feeling that can’t be topped. We like that feeling – so much, so that we figured everyone should have it.

Every departure is guaranteed to run. Yup, all of them. Once you’ve booked and paid, that’s it, you’re going. Guaranteed. Your trip won’t be cancelled by us for any reason (beyond harsh weather or safety issues). Promise.

All documentation is sent electronically by email. Shortly after we receive your payment we will send you your initial documents. Final documentation will be sent by email no later than two days prior to the departure.

Yes, all of our Tour Managers and Tour Drivers speak English, some speak additional languages as well, but your tour will be conducted in English

If your group consists of 6 or more people, then please contact our friendly staff who will be happy to assist you with your inquiry and see what we can arrange for you at info@gstours.gr

You will automatically receive an e-voucher to your email address. Please print your voucher/ticket or keep a picture to your mobile phone which contains your unique reference number. Please remember to bring this with you on the day. You will not be allowed entrance to an attraction without a valid ticket.

If there is any problem with your booking or payment details, we will contact you on the telephone number or email address stated in your booking. Sometimes tours may not operate due to insufficient numbers, and we may need to contact you to advise you of any such changes.

All entrance fees and costs are included in the tour price except unspecified fees.

If you book more than 2 tours with us, then please contact our friendly staff who will be happy to assist you with your inquiry and see what we can arrange for you at info@gstours.gr

As you can expect some landmarks take more time to get to on coach tours and some are more time-consuming than others. With this in mind, we have no set time for the exploration of each attraction. Our tour guides are trained to watch how their group progresses at each landmark and they adjust each tour accordingly. You should keep in mind that some tours cover three landmarks over a single day, so there are a limited number of hours in which to do a lot of sightseeing. Consequently, you may not have an extensive amount of time to spend at each attraction.

You could lose your seat to a walk-up passenger. We encourage you to arrive at the pickup point a minimum of 15 minutes before departure. Once on the tour, your guide or driver will give you a time that the coach will depart each location. You must be at the coach at least five minutes before this time. If you are late and miss the time given, the coach will depart without you in order to not keep the other passengers waiting. If you are in any doubt about a departure time whilst on your tour, you must ask the guide or driver.

Any items we find on our coaches are taken to our office at Episkopou Chrysanthou 37 str. Chania old town and are kept there for 72 hours before being destroyed or given to charity. Please call our office on +30 28210 43243 for any lost items.

5 days before the tour starts –> 50% refund, no refunds after that

 

35% Deposit on booking time and final payment 7 days before the tour date.

Overall Rating
5/5
Martine Claus
Reviewed On 06/06/2018
5/5

We were but 4 with Maya the Guide and teacher come der included so think of the few out there who are an experience can experience, the sweetheart for the country and the population is of so just get bigger and bigger. thx for the beautiful experience

Brenda MacIsaac
Reviewed On 06/06/2018
5/5

The 7 Villages trip with Dimitrius was phenomenal. The experience of having our own guide who was personable, knowledgeable, and attentive to all our needs and questions was one we will not soon forget. This is the best tour we have ever taken in Europe!! Dimitrius' knows this area so well and has so many personal connections that he made it come alive for us. We loved that we got to see an authentic part of Greece. The cheese and Raki we were offered during our tour of the cheese factory (yamas) and Maria's unforgettable lunch were definitely highlights as was the visit to San Antonio Church. Thank you for such a memorable experience!! John and Brenda MacIsaac, Canada

Jay
Reviewed On 27/03/2018
5/5

This is a really excellent trip. Demetrius was such a lovely man and so informative and obliging, the villages were really interesting and a trip to a raki distillery and local cheese factory were the icing on the cake. Lunch in a local village square was also fantastic and the food was scrumptious. We would definitely recommend this trip to any visitor to Crete as you visit so many places and it's something you would never do on your own. It's also very good value for money.

Vishnu Rao
Reviewed On 22/09/2017
5/5

One of the best tours I have been on! Dimitri was very friendly and knowledgeable. We went a little after peak season and there were not enough people for the wine and cheese tasting tour so the two tours were combined. Not only did we get to see the 7 villages of Apokornas we also got to do the wine and cheese tasting free of charge. The tour was intimate and provided an inside look at Cretan culture. A major reason we want to come back to Crete is so we can go on another tour with Dimitri

Hein D
Reviewed On 17/03/2017
5/5

We are an 'elderly' couple who have travelled all over the world and we don't like organized tours... We toke a gamble and booked a 4 hour trip to interesting places around Chania at GS tours. Dimitri was our driver and guide and it was wonderfull! We booked another trip the next day and the day after, with Dimitri. He became our friend (a term I don't use easily) and showed us the real cultural and social life in Crete. Whenever we will come back to Chania (and we will) he is our man.

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