Apokoronas Countryside Day Trip with Tastings & Lunch, Chania
Get a taste of traditional Cretan life as you explore tiny villages and unexplored rural countryside with an expert guide.
This was quite a charming experience. I don't think the tour description does it justice. We were able to visit different villages, see local life, eat... Read more
It was a very interesting excursion where we learned about the local way of producing olive oil, Raki etc. The countryside was beautiful which we would... Read more
Overview
Highlights
- Venture off the beaten path to discover the rural countryside and traditional villages of Apokoronas
- Snack on fresh-picked fruit as you stroll through olive and citrus groves with a local guide
- Get a taste of the region's history with stops at Byzantine chapels and Ottoman fortresses
- Experience Cretan hospitality (and delicious samples) at family-run bakeries and cheesemakers
- Dine alongside locals as you end the day with a relaxed lunch at a village taverna
Know before you go
8h
All ages
Small group, 15 people or less
Lunch Included. Greek coffee, cheese tastings, baked bread and olive oil, and a traditional Cretan lunch
What you'll do
This full-day excursion begins in Chania, where you'll meet your local driver/guide and the rest of your small group. Grab a seat in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan, and set off on a scenic drive southeast of the city and into Apokoronas, a fertile region of rolling vineyards, centuries-old olive groves, and tiny villages (some with fewer than 50 inhabitants). Your itinerary can vary based on the season and your group's interests, but you'll likely start with a stop at a 19th-century Ottoman fortress—the perfect spot to get your bearings with panoramic views over the Bay of Souda and the Cretan countryside.
As you continue south, your deeply knowledgeable guide will share charming stories of rural life and the region's fascinating history. Wind your way through traditional villages, stop to admire ancient Byzantine chapels, and get an intimate view of local life when you pause in a kafenion (café) for homemade pastries and a cup of strong Greek coffee or mint tea. When you're ready to stretch your legs, set off on a gentle, 30-minute walk through groves of olive, avocado, and citrus trees, listening as your guide explains Apokoronas' ancient farming practices and picks fresh fruit and wild herbs for you to taste.
Other highlights of the day include visits to a family-owned cheese factory, where you'll taste homemade Greek yoghurt and island cheeses drizzled with honey, and a stop at a village bakery, where you'll get a warm welcome from the baker and his son as they share warm bread and olive oil (and give you a peek at their traditional ovens and makeshift raki distillery). The day winds down at a small tavern, where you'll rub shoulders with residents as you sit down to a simple, authentic lunch of mezethes (shared plates), featuring salads, dips, and roast chicken and potatoes, all paired with local wines and lively conversation.
Start times
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Monday8:00 am, 9:00 am
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TuesdayNot available
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WednesdayNot available
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Thursday8:00 am, 9:00 am
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FridayNot available
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Saturday8:00 am, 9:00 am
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SundayNot available
What's included
- Roundtrip air-conditioned transportation from Chania
- Local English-speaking driver-guide
- Entrance fees
- Food tastings (cheese, baked goods, etc.)
- Traditional Cretan lunch with wine
- Bottled water
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The Arkadi Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery. The current catholicon (church) dates back to the 16th century and is marked by the influence of the Renaissance. This influence is visible in the architecture, which mixes both Roman and baroque elements. As early as the 16th century, the monastery was a place for science and, had a school and a rich library. Situated on a plateau, the monastery is well fortified, being surrounded by a thick and high wall. The monastery played an active role in the Cretan resistance of Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. 943 Greeks, mostly women and children, sought refuge in the monastery. After three days of battle and under orders from the hegumen (abbot) of the monastery, the Cretans blew up barrels of gunpowder, choosing to sacrifice themselves rather than surrender. The monastery became a national sanctuary in honor of the Cretan resistance. 8 November is a day of commemorative parties in Arkadi and Rethymno. The explosion did not end the Cretan insurrection, but it attracted the attention of the rest of the world.
After that you will visit Eleftherna, an ancient city-state in Crete, which lies 25 km southeast of Rethymno. Archaeologists excavated the site, located on a narrow northern spur of Mount Ida, the highest mountain in Crete. It flourished from the Dark Ages of Greece’s early history until Byzantine times.
In the systematic Eleftherna project, a team of archaeologists from the University of Crete led by Prof. N. Stampolidis has been in charge since 1984. Surveys and systematic excavations have revealed the city’s settlement patterns, sanctuaries and necropolis in Orthi Petra, even stone quarries in the surroundings of the Prines hill. The discovery of the remains of four females in Orthi Petra was declared one of top 10 discoveries of 2009 by the Archaeological Institute of America. The Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, directly linked to the archaeological site, was inaugurated in June 2016.
The next stop will be at Margarites, a scenic traditional Cretan village. You will walk on the stone paths of the village and admire the pottery traditional shops around. Then, leaving Margarites, you ‘ll have lunch in Asteri village. The unique restaurant with the folklore private collection and the traditional Cretan delicacies will take your breath away.
Traveler reviews
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