Itinerary
- Day 1
Heraklion
You'll arrive at Heraklion airport and get transferred to your hotel. After checking in, you'll have time to settle into your room, walk around the area a bit, and get oriented before heading out for dinner.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
- Day 2
Heraklion
Start the morning at the Palace of Knossos, where you can see what's left of this 3,500-year-old palace and get a sense of Minoan life. Next, the archaeological museum shows more artifacts from that era. Then you'll join a walking food tour through the city streets, checking out local food spots. Later, you'll take a cooking class where you'll prepare a meal, and then you get to eat what you made with local wine.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner (Meal prepared during cooking class, accompanied by local wine)
Included Activities
- Visit Palace of Knossos
- Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
- Walking food tour
- Cooking class with dinner
Landmarks Palace of Knossos Archaeological Museum of Heraklion - Day 3
Spinalonga Island - Agios Nikolaos
You'll drive along the north coast with views of Selinari Gorge on the way to Elounda. Once there, a boat takes you to Spinalonga Island, a former leper colony from 1913 that has old stone houses and empty streets. After exploring the island, you'll head to Agios Nikolaos, a seaside town with a distinctive lake right next to the water and a nice harbor to walk around.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Drive along north coast with views of Selinari Gorge
- Visit Spinalonga Island
Landmarks Selinari Gorge Elounda Spinalonga Island Lake Voulismeni - Day 4
Rethymno
You'll spend the day in Rethymno, a town with layers of history showing different periods. There's a sandy beach to check out, then up on a hill sits Fortezza castle overlooking everything. The Lotzia museum has archaeological pieces, and you can see the Rimondi Fountain and old Venetian fortifications around town. Later, wander the narrow streets and shop a bit. At lunch, you'll eat at a well-known tavern with traditional Cretan food and learn about how they make local cheese.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Lunch (Real Cretan food at a famous tavern with cheese production learning opportunity), Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit Fortezza Castle
- Visit Lotzia archaeological museum
- Explore Rimondi Fountain
- Explore Venetian fortifications
- Walking tour of narrow streets
- Lunch at traditional tavern with cheese production demonstration
Landmarks Fortezza Castle Rimondi Fountain - Day 5
Kissavos Mountain - Chania
You'll drive through scenic areas toward Kydonia Mountain to reach a traditional winery where you'll taste local wines like Vidiano and Muscat of Spinas, plus some international options. Then you'll visit the Olive Tree Museum to see one of the oldest olive trees in the world, around 3,000 years old. Next, there's another winery on Kissavos Mountain for more tastings paired with food. Before wrapping up, you'll tour an olive oil factory to see how they make extra virgin olive oil.
- Meals
- Breakfast, Dinner
Included Activities
- Visit traditional winery with wine tasting
- Visit Olive Tree Museum
- Wine tasting at second winery with food
- Visit olive oil factory
Landmarks Olive Tree Museum - Day 6
Chania
This is a free day to explore Chania on your own schedule. The city mixes traditional character with modern conveniences and shows influences from various cultures that ruled it over time. The cross-shaped market from the 1900s has over 65 food shops with fresh produce, meat, cheese, bread, and more, plus cafes and restaurants. You can wander the old town at your own pace and take in different architectural styles.
- Meals
- Breakfast
Optional Activities
- Visit Chania town market
- Explore old town of Chania
Landmarks Chania Town Market - Day 7
Departure
After breakfast, you'll transfer to the airport for your flight home.
- Meals
- Breakfast
