At the foot of Mount Juktas and only a 30-minute drive south from the port city of Heraklion, the village of Archanes is a retreat into traditional Cretan life—wrapped in 5,000 years of history. It's known for its award-winning, restored (and colorful) neoclassical buildings, its central, walkable Plateia square, its stone streets lined with bougainvillea, and its solid wine- and olive-oil-making traditions that supply the rest of the island. Archaeological finds link Archanes closely to the nearby Palace of Knossos (of labyrinth and Minotaur fame), including the excavations of Archanes' own Minoan palace, a satellite summer complex to Knossos, with unearthed treasures displayed at the Archaeological Museum of Archanes, while the surrounding vineyards and olive groves, and proximity to hiking trails, further add to the village's appeal as a quieter, more charming base for discovering the area over Heraklion.
Beyond wandering Archanes' pedestrian-friendly streets and charming square lined with artisan shops, traditional cafés, and tavernas that invite long, relaxed meals centered on seasonal Cretan cuisine, travelers often join olive oil tastings at a nearby family-run mill and winery visits that complement meze snacks with regional wines. History lovers pair village time with expert-led tours of the nearby Palace of Knossos and museum visits in Heraklion, while active travelers head into the countryside for a guided e-bike ride through canyons and rural hamlets, pick up a trail in the Sylamiano Gorge or on sacred Mount Juktas for a self-guided trek, or a sunset Jeep safari that ends with wine and dinner in a traditional taverna. And while the coast isn't far, some opt to cap their itinerary with a catamaran cruise to Dia Island or lounge on a beach like sandy Ammoudara or secluded and pebbly Lygaria.
Take an agricultural journey with this week-long trip to two of Greece's most dynamic islands. After your first night in Athens, you'll ferry to Naxos for an immersive food tour, then onward to Crete to see working olive groves, the seasonal harvest, and historic villages.
Some historians believe that pygmy hippos once lived in parts of Greece until they were hunted to extinction, likely for food. You won't get to sample any pygmy hippo, but this eight-day itinerary has plenty of other culinary delights to keep you intrigued, from your welcome dinner in Athens to the tavernas of Naxos's Venetian castle and stone villages of Crete.
Immerse yourself in two of Greece's largest islands with this nine-day itinerary. After a quick jaunt through Athens, you'll start with Rhodes, once home to the Colossus and now hosting a meandering medieval town along with beaches, castles, and petite villages to explore. Then head to Crete to see the labyrinth where the Minotaur once roamed and sample two keystone Greek products with wine and olive oil trips.
Toast to the friendship-creating powers of food on this nine-day itinerary. You'll meet the locals as you sample your way through the country, joining them in olive groves or around the farmhouse dinner table to discover Greece's culinary history on Tinos, Naxos, Mykonos, and Crete.
Let this 10-day itinerary take you through some of Greece's most interesting island artifacts. You'll hear the myths of the Acropolis, hike the ancient castles and villages of Rhodes, then finish up with both the culinary and Classical history of Crete before you depart.
Wheat, olive oil, and wine are sometimes known as the "Mediterranean triad," forming the basis for ancient Greek cuisine. Travel through their roots with this 10-day itinerary and then see them in modern action, with cooking classes, food tours, and village explorations all to underscore these shared ancestral tastes.
Try dakos, the traditional snack of Crete, along with many other delicacies on this 11-day itinerary. You'll see the origins of tomato, bread, and olive oil with farm visits and grove tours, then experience how they can be combined to form a vast array of savory options with a Cycladic cooking class—and as many taverna visits as you like.
Explore three islands on a single trip with this 12-day itinerary. From the beaches and medieval old town of Rhodes to Crete's Palace of Knossos and agricultural fields to Corfu's contemporary cuisine and architecture, you'll make the full circuit of some of the most interesting isles that Greece has to offer.
The phrase "take the bull by the horns" is believed to have originated on Crete, and that's how you should approach this 12-day itinerary. You'll need plenty of stamina as you eat and drink your way through Tinos, Naxos, Mykonos, and Crete, whether you're taking a cooking class, trekking the villages of Apokoronas, or trying out your moves at a demonstration of traditional Cretan dancing.
Whether you're strolling, eating, or both, you'll get a full taste of Greek culture and history on this 13-day itinerary. After a mythology tour in Athens, go down to the island of Rhodes to get lost in its medieval old town. Follow that with a trip to Crete for more history and interactive olive grove and vineyard experiences, then tours through Corfu's food and architectural scenes before you return to Athens.
Try out all the bounty the lush Mediterranean has to offer, both from the sea and the climate, with this 13-day itinerary. With four different islands on the itinerary, the seafood will be fresh, the olive oil smooth, and the wine flowing as you make your way through Tinos, Naxos, Mykonos, and Crete.
Odysseus's journey lasted 10 years as he tried to get home after the Trojan War. Your two-week journey will take a little less time but hopefully feel equally legendary with this itinerary. After a mythology tour in Athens, you'll head to the island of Rhodes to explore in its medieval old town. Proceed to Crete to wander the Palace of Knossos, once home to labyrinth of the Minotaur, then sail to some of the very places Odysseus set foot from Corfu before you return to Athens.
Greece has been growing crops ranging from chickpeas and cucumbers to pomegranates and walnuts since the days of antiquity. Spend two weeks sampling the fruits of their finely honed labor with this 14-day culinary and cultural tour. Whether you're learning to cook on Tinos or exploring the villages of Crete, the craftsmanship will be obvious in every bite.
These three Greek islands will give you a hands-on experience of Classical history and beyond. After a mythology tour in Athens, you'll travel to Rhodes for winding medieval old town streets and fortresses, Crete's Palace of Knossos and some refreshment from ancient vines, and the same spots on Corfu visited in Homer's famous epic poetry. Just make sure you don't actually touch the museum cases without permission.
This tour focuses on food, wine, and culture, highlighting bustling cities like Athens and Chania, as well as the islands of Santorini and Naxos. You'll enjoy numerous food and wine tours, allowing you to taste Greek cuisine, delicacies, pastries, and local wines and liquors, plus your own handmade dishes with a cooking class in Crete. Along the way, you'll visit an olive farm, a family-owned cheese shop, wineries, and bustling food markets, indulging your taste buds in some of the country's most beloved treats.
What better way to learn a culture than through food? This 16-day itinerary will take you into Greece's past and present via hands-on agricultural experiences. Head to the islands to learn cook in Tinos, visit a traditional farm and villages on Mykonos, and sample the home-grown products of Naxos. Then continue onto Crete, where you'll visit olive groves, historic homes, traditional dance performances, and more before your return to Athens.
The Colossus of Rhodes may be lost to the ages, but many of the rest of the island's historic wonders remain standing and ready to be explored on this 16-day itinerary. After a mythology tour in Athens, you'll venture out to explore Rhodes's beaches, castles, and villages. Head to Crete next to see the Minoan Palace of Knossos along with local agricultural traditions, then top off your trip in Corfu with both modern mansions and Homeric islets before you return to Athens.
