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Offered languages
- English
Reveal your Indiana Jones instincts as you explore a Cretan village, venture into a gorge, discover an ancient city, freshen up with the ‘healing water,’ swim in the deep blue sea, and indulge in farm-to-table local recipes. Be positive and open-minded and you’ll experience an adventure of a lifetime!
Highlights:
• Experience an amazing private adventure on the south coast of Crete by visiting unique off-the-beaten-track spots such as a charming coastal village.
• Follow a trail for a 90-minute hike through a captivating gorge to a place with outstanding views, interesting flora, and peaceful moments away from tourists.
• Discover a secret ancient city with ‘healing’ waters and mythical energy.
• Hop on a fishing boat to an impressive, secluded beach and swim into the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
• Walk around Paleochora, a coastal fishing village, and learn why the hippies had been mesmerized by it.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Traveler pickup is offered. Pick up time adjustable upon your request. We will meet you at your hotel lobby, Airbnb, airport or the cruise port. Our guide will be holding a sign with your name.
Itinerary
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1
On this Cretan adventure will drive you away from the town to the less travelled road heading to the southern coast of the island. After meeting your local guide, enjoy a two-hour ride that will take you to a seaside village away from tourist hordes.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2
Upon reaching this small, laid-back village, you’ll start your day adventure off by boosting your energy with a light breakfast made from local organic products, such as olives, rusks, and cheese.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
3
Follow an easy trail heading to the ancient city of Lissos. During ancient times, Lissos was one of the most powerful trading and fishing hubs of the area that was totally abandoned all of a sudden, due to a destructive earthquake. Till nowadays, the ancient city hasn’t been totally excavated, and believed that some important buildings such as the temple for the goddess Diktinna are still underground. Hike under the old pine trees and from the top of a hill admire the breathtaking scenery with the namesake gorge beneath you and the bright blue sea in the distance. Then, following the trail, you’ll reach a barrel plateau with views over rocks that meet the sea. This is the place of the ancient Asclepieion, a healing temple, built in the third century B.C.E and dedicated to the god Asclepius.
2 hours • Admission ticket free -
4
You’ll have an hour to explore the area of Asclepieion, walk around the ruins, drink ‘healing water’ from the spring used in the ancient ceremonies and the therapeutic sessions and point out the herbs and flora used in the Cretan diet. Then, after a half an hour of easy walk you’ll approach a sandy beach with fine pebbles. Afterwards, you’ll hop on a fishing boat to continue your exploration of the south coast.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5
For the next two hours, soak up the sun, dive into the crystal-clear waters and enjoy some fresh fruit. Then, you’ll visit a remote charming village where you’ll enjoy a 3-course farm-to-table local menu and wash it down with local wine!
3 hours 30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6
Before departing for Chania, you’ll have the opportunity to spend time for a stroll around the coastal town of Paleochora. Experience its cosmopolitan vibe as you walk along the promenade and its picture-pretty back streets.
1 hour • Admission ticket free -
7
Your Cretan exploration to this unspoilt island’s corner comes to an end but before we part ways, don’t forget to ask your local guide for more hints and tips on how to get the best of your trip to amazing Crete.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Alcoholic beverages are allowed to participants age 18 or older because of the national alcohol restrictions. Participants under the age 18 are provided non-alcoholic beverages.
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Additional info
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Alcoholic beverages are allowed to participants age 18 or older because of the national alcohol restrictions. Participants under the age 18 are provided non-alcoholic beverages.
- Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water. If it’s warm, bring your swimsuit!
- We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests.
- How you help the local community by joining this tour: - The tour promotes villages far from mass tourism and collaborating with the locals, supports small communities financially. - The tour promotes local products by enjoying a local organic breakfast/lunch made entirely with products from the area. - Local cultural heritage is preserved by learning how to make a traditional sweet from a village local.
- If you are happy with the services provided by your local guides a tip – though not compulsory – is appropriate. While it may not be customary to you, it is of great significance to the people who will take care of you during your travels, inspires excellent service, and is an entrenched feature of the tourism industry. Please consider this when budgeting for your extra expenses on this tour.
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Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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