The Private Tour Of Ancient Eleftherna & Rethymno Villages from Chania

From: 600

Value for Money

Indulge in an exceptional historical tour without breaking the bank, as you embark an off the beaten path experience.

A Unique Experience

Explore the stunning mainland of Rethymno & unique landmarks. Visit traditional villages, Arkadi Monastery, Eleftherna Ancient City & more.

History, Myths and Legends

Learn the history of Crete and the amazing story of Arkadi, Eleftherna and Margarites the by the local experts. Explore Crete like never before.

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Tour Overview

Tour Highlights

  1. Visit The historical Arkadi Monastery
  2. Visit the dead-city of Ancient Eleftherna (closed on Tuesdays)
  3. Discover the history and mythology of Crete
  4. Explore Rethymno mainland villages & nature
  5. Visit the scenic village Margarites – admire the pottery artworks
  6. Lunch at a traditional Cretan family restaurant
  7. Chauffeured private tour ensures a more relaxing and personal experience

Description

Embark on a captivating journey through time as we guide you through the historic marvels of Rethymnon, a gem in the heart of Greece. Unveil the secrets of an ancient Cretan civilization, immersing yourself in the rich tapestry of traditions and culture. Our adventure commences at the Arkadi Monastery, an Eastern Orthodox masterpiece dating back to the 16th century, adorned with Renaissance influences. A national sanctuary commemorating Cretan resistance, its hallowed halls resonate with the echoes of Greek-Turkish wars. Venturing further, discover Eleftherna, an archaeological wonder 25 km southeast of Rethymno. This ancient city-state, nestled on the northern spur of Mount Ida, unfolds its splendor from the Dark Ages to Byzantine times. The hauntingly beautiful dead-city of Eleftherna will leave an indelible impression. Our journey continues to Margarites, a picturesque Cretan village adorned with charming stone paths and traditional pottery shops. Following this sensory delight, our journey pauses for a delectable lunch at a unique restaurant. Immerse yourself in the ambiance of a unique restaurant boasting a private folklore collection, offering an unforgettable taste of traditional Cretan delicacies. Join us on this immersive experience and let the treasures of Crete unfold before you, weaving tales of history, culture, and gastronomic delight.

Inclusions

  1. Hotel pick up and drop off
  2. English speaking, local driver/escort
  3. All entrance fees
  4. Transport by air-conditioned minivan
  5. All taxes, fees and handling charges
  6. Traditional Cretan Lunch

Exclusions

  1. Gratuities (optional)
  2. Additional food & drinks
  3. Personal expenses

Guest Stories

Great Tour What a great tour! We chose the tour on a windy day in Chania and were so glad we did! It was excellent. Andreas was so knowledgeable about the area and the wine and he answered all questions we had. The group was small enough that it felt personal and the wineries we visited were absolutely brilliant! We loved the stop off at the oldest olive tree too. Great way to spend a day of our holiday!
Ems
15/04/2024
The World War II battle for Crete Yanis, our driver and guide, was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He shared a lot of facts and photos of the battle for Crete and he explained the significance of each stop along the tour. The stop at the military collector’s mini museum was excellent. There were many unique and rare items in his collection that are tied to the battle. The pace and timing of tour was just right, along with a fresh sandwich from a local shop. I would recommend this tour to any interested in the history of the battle for Crete.
Rich S
12/04/2024
Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Battle for Crete. As a former New Zealand Army officer I was very much looking forward to this tour and it did not disappoint. The whole tour was excellent and covered so much ground literally and figuratively. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and a great person to spend the day with. Being able to visit the actual battlefield sites really put so much into context. Highly recommended.
Tata C
02/04/2024
Fantastic cooking class on Crete Everything about this experience was wonderful! The driver, Nikkoli was very knowledgeable and hospitable, the hosts for the class were gracious and warm, the good was amazing and the other guests were terrific. I am so lucky to have found this class and highly recommend!
Sue T
27/12/2023
Relaxing excursion This was such a nice relaxing tour. Very simple and easy day! We were picked up at our hotel, it happened to be one of the pickup locations luckily. We drove to two different wineries but also made some stops along the way for cool lookout spots and even a 3,000 year old olive tree.
Sarah S
12/12/2023
Cooking in Crete!!! ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. The staff and tour were excellent. We had such a good time being taught how to cook stuffed peppers, zucchini and tomatoes. I highly recommend this tour. The food that we created was simply delicious. Just a high quality experience.
Mobile562656
16/11/2023
Top bloke as guide Our guide had superb knowledge about the area we went to. He was friendly and accommodating. Despite our lack of knowledge and messing this company around we still got to Di our tour.
Compass52027796678
03/11/2023
It was a great tour! This tour allows you to learn more about the culture and history of Crete. They will explain in detail about the food and the background to it. I thought it was a little pricey due to the strong yen, but it was a valuable experience that money can't buy. I'm really glad I participated. I recommend it.
ゆか
03/11/2023
Awesome Wonderful experience. We were taken up into the mountains of Crete to a host house. Over the next 4 hours, we had a tour of the house, learned about Cretan history, had a local wine tasting, and made an incredibly delicious meal. It is vegetarian friendly and comes with a few surprises. I gained a newfound appreciation for olive oil—there can never be too much. One of the highlights of my trip.
Richard Z
28/10/2023
A Real Cretan Cooking Experience Yannis led us on a wonderful trip to a farm in the countryside with great views, warm and gracious hosts and cooks, and a night of fun and friendship. This was well worth the time to learn about Crete style cooking and Greek history
Todd W
24/10/2023

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