Explore the picturesque province of Apokoronas, extending from the foothills of the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) to the northern coast, where dynamic water routes carve a lush landscape. Preserving the traditional essence of its villages, Apokoronas stands as a vibrant core of modern rural life, reflecting the historical tapestry of its countryside and the evolution of Christian worship. Our tour delves into the churches that embody this rich legacy, offering exceptional examples of art and architecture set against the backdrop of unique natural beauty.
Our first enchanting stop brings us to a secluded Byzantine church nestled amidst vineyards and rare Cretan oak. Almost hidden by surrounding trees, this typical example of pure Byzantine architecture testifies to the enduring influence of Constantinople’s tradition even in the distant corners of the Empire.
Venturing to a nearby village, we encounter another church steeped in history. While the standing structure dates to the 15th century, recent excavations reveal traces of worship dating back to the 8th century. Explore the excavations within, discussing the church’s connections to Greece’s great monasteries and the burgeoning monastic tradition in the area.
A symbol of Cretan resilience against the Venetians awaits us at the foothills of the White Mountains. Founded by the emperor of Nicaea, John Vatatzis, this glorious church boasts exceptional 13th-century frescoes, showcasing the island’s enduring spirit.
Continue our journey in the exceptional beauty of a hidden 13th-century church in a charming Apokoronas village. Marvel at frescoes crafted by a renowned artist, attesting to the enduring faith in this sacred place. Our tour concludes with a sensory delight—indulging in traditional local cuisine at a local “kafeneion” (tapas taverna) nestled in the unique square of a typical Cretan village, where the essence of local daily life unfolds. Let the flavors and ambiance be the perfect conclusion to this enriching exploration.
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!Ems15/04/2024The 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 S12/04/2024Highly 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 C02/04/2024Fantastic 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 T27/12/2023Relaxing 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 S12/12/2023Cooking 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.Mobile56265616/11/2023Top 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.Compass5202779667803/11/2023It 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03/11/2023Awesome 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 Z28/10/2023A 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 historyTodd W24/10/2023
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