Highlights
- Help make (and eat) an authentic Cretan feast alongside a local cook
- Take a guided village-to-village trek through the rural countryside of Apokoronas
- Discover the island's ancient past at archaeological sites like Aptera and Knossos
- Follow a local to uncover the hidden corners of Chania's Old Town
Brief Itinerary
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Chania, Free Afternoon to Explore | Chania |
| Day 2 | Transfer to Vamos, Cooking Class in a Village Home | Vamos |
| Day 3 | Countryside Villages Trekking & Tasting Experience | Vamos |
| Day 4 | Explore the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete, Transfer to Chania | Chania |
| Day 5 | Visit the Ancient Ruins of Aptera, Free Afternoon in Chania | Chania |
| Day 6 | Discover Chania's Old Town with a Local | Chania |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Heraklion, Knossos & Rethymno | Chania |
| Day 8 | Depart Chania |
Detailed Overview
Day 1: Arrive in Chania, Free Afternoon to Explore
Welcome to Greece! Your journey will take you to Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival in Chania, a city (and region) on the northwest coast, you'll be transferred to your hotel as you get ready to explore this remarkable island, equipped with tips from your local specialist.
Chania itself will be the main base of your operations during your trip. It's the second largest city in Crete and one of the most scenic spots on an island with stiff competition for that title. Life in this former Venetian city revolves around its charming 14th-century harbor, narrow streets with winding alleys, and colorful architecture influenced by past Ottoman and Egyptian eras.
Depending on what time you arrive, you could take a stroll around town or head for one of the western region's spectacular beaches, such as Falassarna and Elafonissi. There are also plenty of deserted coves and quiet bays where you can enjoy total privacy. For dinner, wander around Chania's harbor and check out a slew of waterfront restaurants with a sunset view.
Day 2: Transfer to Vamos, Cooking Class in a Village Home
Today, you'll transfer about 30 minutes southeast of Chania to reach the traditional village of Vamos, set within the Apokoronas region and the foothills of the Lefka Ori (White Mountains). Here, the lush greenery and rural scenery will set the stage for your discovery of local food production, as a local cook welcomes you into their kitchen and teaches you all about Cretan culinary tradition and some of the island's secret recipes. You'll then put their advice into action, helping to create a full Cretan feast to enjoy at the end of your class.
After your leisurely lunch, get settled in a traditional guesthouse (your base for the next two nights), and relax into the rhythms of village life as you take a stroll around the authentic streets or pop into tiny shops and local businesses. You can also take an afternoon drive over to beautiful Kournas Lake, a shallow freshwater lake fed by two natural springs.
Day 3: Countryside Villages Trekking & Tasting Experience
Wake up to the sounds of village life in Vamos, and grab breakfast at a local café. Then it's time to lace up your hiking shoes and set off on a four-hour guided walk through the countryside and villages of Apokoronas, stopping frequently along the way for a sampling of Cretan hospitality and some tasty treats. The gentle trek will take you between charming rural stone villages, as your guide shares stories of their history and everyday life throughout the ages. You'll keep your energy up with tastings of local food and drink at each location, capping off the day with a glass of tsikoudia, a grape-based brandy.
Later in the afternoon, transfer back to Vamos and put your feet up in your village guesthouse. As evening falls, pick a local taverna for a relaxed Cretan dinner and enjoy your final night in your rural surroundings. Don't miss the dakos salad, a traditional dish consisting of fresh tomatoes and creamy sheep or goat cheese served atop crunchy barley rusks and topped with olive oil and herbs.
Day 4: Explore the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete, Transfer to Chania
Today takes you back to Chania, but first, you'll detour southwest of the city to spend the morning surrounded by tropical gardens and the shade of avocado trees at the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete. Follow trails through almost 200 acres (80 ha) of vineyards, citrus trees, and aromatic herbs as your guide points out the Mediterranean flora and fauna that thrive in the region's unique microclimate, including endemic species like the Cretan lizard and the endangered Crete spiny mouse.
End the experience with lunch at the renowned on-site restaurant, where you can enjoy breathtaking views over the mountain landscapes while dining on traditional dishes made with produce and herbs grown in the surrounding gardens. Return to Chania in the afternoon and get settled into your hotel. Later, you might like to spend the evening at Kikbar, located in the former 16th-century Monastery of Karolos. This converted building is now home to an art gallery, theater space, and open-air bar.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
Day 5: Visit the Ancient Ruins of Aptera, Free Afternoon in Chania
Travel back in time after breakfast with a guided trip to the archaeological site at ancient Aptera. After a 20-minute drive south along the shores of Souda Bay, you'll reach the ruins of this once-powerful city that dates back to the seventh-century BCE. Your guide will bring history to life as they share how the city's elevated setting overlooking the bay made it one of the island's most important trading centers, tell stories of its renowned archers, point out the remains of public baths, temples, and cisterns, and explain its destruction from a devastating earthquake in 365 CE.
Back in Chania, you'll have the rest of the afternoon free, leaving you plenty of time for souvenir shopping and exploration at your own pace. When it's time for dinner, sample some of the area's Turkish influence with meze dishes at Tamam, a taverna located inside a former Turkish bath in the Old Quarter.
Day 6: Discover Chania's Old Town with a Local
It's time to dive deeper into Chania today as you explore its charming streets, historic buildings, scenic viewpoints, and authentic neighborhoods with a knowledgeable local guide. Stroll along stone paths where the Venetians and Ottomans once walked, and learn about the city's mythology and traditions as you chat with locals and sample classic Chanian treats.
Wander past Turkish baths and 17th-century Venetian architecture in Topanas, see church spires alongside minarets in Splantzia, and discover the oldest part of the city in Kasteli. You'll also see the ruins of the great Minoan city of Kydonia and follow the high walls of former Venetian moats. When hunger strikes, stop by the Municipal Market of Chania and the neighboring Municipal Garden to enjoy a coffee and snack amid the shade of the trees or the garden clock tower. Later in the afternoon, top off the day with a sunset drink on the terrace at trendy Pallas, overlooking the harbor and the Venetian fortress.
Day 7: Day Trip to Heraklion, Knossos & Rethymno
It's the penultimate day of your Cretan adventure, and you'll spend it on a guided day trip into the heart of the island's ancient Minoan civilization. The day starts with a two-hour transfer east along the northern coast to Heraklion, where you'll head straight to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, home to one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. Browse its extensive collection of artifacts, like carved seal stones, beautiful pottery, and frescoes from the palace, as you learn more about Minoan history from your guide.
The visit will serve as an excellent crash course for your next stop: the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops on the city's outskirts. This evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe's oldest city, and you'll learn all about its history and mythology (including its links to King Minos and the Minotaur myth) as you wander through courtyards, corridors, and interconnected rooms adorned with vibrant frescoes depicting scenes of daily life, rituals, and mythical creatures.
Break up the return drive to Chania with a stop in the aristocratic seaside town of Rethymno—the island's intellectual and cultural capital. Wander around the lively Venetian harbor, check out the 19th-century lighthouse, or take a sunset stroll along the sandy Rethymno beach, before heading back to Chania for the night.
Day 8: Depart Chania
It's time to say farewell to Crete as you enjoy a final morning in Chania. Take a sunrise stroll along the harbor or perhaps indulge in a leisurely breakfast with a view before you transfer to the airport for your departure. Safe travels!
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