Crete-Self-Drive-Tour - The Traditional

In West Crete:
Crete is a huge island with a great history. We cannot show all excursion options here, but we can show the most important ones.
+ Visit the Monastery Agia TriadaThe Holy Trinity (Agia Triada) Monastery is probably the most impressive monastic complex of the final period of Venetian rule on Crete, due to both its scale and architectural form. The organic-olive oil of the Monastery Agia Triada has won many awards, there is a small Monastery Shop where you can buy this delicious organic olive-oil. The olive-oil of Agia Triada meets our standards from our online-shop greekmarketsquare.com you can purchase this organic olive oil in our online shop.

+ The Monastery ArkadiArkadi Monastery is perhaps the best-known monastery on Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866. Arkadi was designated by UNESCO as a European Freedom Monument.

+ The nature reserve Balos Lagoonin western Crete. This day-cruise can be booked for extra charge 35 € per person

+ The nature reserves the table Omalos Tableland in western Crete
and the Xyloskalo - Panorama-Restaurant with panorama view to the Samaria Gorge and the snow covered "White Mountains". After a good dinner in the rustic restaurant at the fireside you taste the traditional delicious speciality of this region "Sfakiani Pita".

+ Visit the Botanical Park of Crete The Botanical Park consist of nearly 20 hectares full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s microclimate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals!

+ South-Coast Tour for swimming and snorkelling and visiting the Monastery Chrissoskalitisa and the Lagoon Elafonissi
this excursion can be booked for an extra charge 35 € per person (if you don´t have a car)

+ Guided Tour for western Crete "The traditional Crete":The inland of Rethymno prefecture hides many secrets. You´ll visit a Cave, Monasteries, Mountain - Villages, an old olive oil factory, and the "Dam Fragma Potamon". Explore the traditional Cretan lifestyle and of course some historical facts of Crete. The first stop is at Melidoni Cave, a cave full of history and dates to the Neolithic Period based on tools and items found it the cave. Can be booked optionally price per person including a traditional meal in a rustic taverna 40 €.

+ Guided Tour western Crete hiking day-tour through the national park Samaria Gorge the oldest nature reserve of Crete. This excursion can be booked in advance for an extra charge 35 € per person

+ Guided Tour western Crete hiking day-tour through the Agia Irini Gorge This Gorge is part of the European Walking Path E4.

In East Crete:

+ Visit the archaelogical Museum of Heraklion, it is one of the most important Museums of Europe.

+ Visit one of the oldest Orthodox Churches Panagia Kera and one of the most picturesque mountain village of Crete Kritsa

+ The archaeological site Knossos is the most important excavation of Crete. Sir Arthur John Evans the English archaeologist unearthing the palace of Knossos he discovered the oldest high culture of Europe the Minoan civilisation.

The Mammut-Tour: for this tour you must start early in the morning
+ On the wheels southwards first you visit the archaeological site and Gortys
and then you continue southwards to the excavations of Phaistos and then again towards south to the coastal town Matala in the footsteps of hippies and easy life. Visit the Hippie-Caves and get your swimming trunks wet in the deep blue of the sea.

+ Explore the vibrant capital Heraklion in the East of Crete. The city of Heraklion is the capital of Crete and has approx. 200,000 inhabitants, business and administrative Center of the island, cultural and historical highlight, chaos, and lively activity. The city has a long history. Minoans, Saracens, Byzantines, Venetians, Turks, they all gave the city a special ambience.

+Visit SpinalongaThe Spinalonga - Fort & Island Spinalonga is in the gulf of Elounda, it is one of the most famous places on the island! The rocky island is situated directly opposite the village of Plaka, the fortified islet is a classic excursion. The history of Spinalonga goes back to the antiquity when the islet contained an ancient acropolis and protected the ancient sunken city of Olous. The trips to the Island Spinalonga from Agios Nikolaos, Elounda or Plaka are organized tours. The archaeological sites are opened at least 9am to 5:45pm but it can be from 8am in Summer. In the wintertime from November to March it is closed, sometimes it may open on weekends if the weather is good.

+ Day-Cruise to the offshore Island Koufonissi This small Island is a Wildlife Refuge. Due to its stunning natural beauty and important ecosystem, it has been included in the European initiative NATURA 2000. This day-cruise can be booked in advance price per person 35 €.

+ The Palm Forest Vai and its Monastery Toplou for this day trip you must start early in the morning. You must arrive there before the crowds arrive with the huge tourist-buses. Even it is over-crowded in the summertime, it is worth to see! A real paradise for bathing when you arrive there before the crowds. We started from Agios Nikolaos at 4 AM!
+ One of the most renowned table lands of Crete is the Lassithi Plateau with its dam and its Monastery Kera Kardiotissis

Crete is a huge island with a great history. We cannot show all excursion options here, but we can show the most important ones. Explore Crete’s stunning landscapes, taking your time to visit the highlights you want to see. With one of our self-drive tours, you will discover Crete on your own terms and make memories of a lifetime! Send us your preferences and you´ll get your detailed personal itinerary after your booking. We are always on call to handle any unforeseen situations during your trip. We are your personal advisor when it comes for perfect holidays on Crete.
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