We start our trip with a visit to an olive oil park where you can experience first-hand the standardization of extra virgin olive oil, table olives and olive paste. Here you will be able to taste the authentic Greek product, which is famous worldwide for its great taste and its nutritional value, as well as, other authentic Cretan products like “raki” and honey. Later, we visit one of the oldest villages on Crete, which even today retains elements of Venetian architecture, the village of Kritsa. Here, you will have about an hour and a half of free time to stroll around its narrow streets. There you will find a lot of little souvenir shops, picturesque paths, Greek coffee shops, many old chapels, museums and try not to miss the traditional weavings manufactured with looms exclusively made by hand. Then, we head towards Myrtos Beach, 13km west of Ierapetra, at the output of a wide valley filled with greenhouses and citrus groves. You will have plenty of free time to enjoy swimming and sunbathing at the nice beach of Myrtos, with the coarse gray sand that doesn’t stick to your body. The beach is very spacious, isolated with crystal clear water. Moreover, Myrtos has a lot of taverns where you can enjoy traditional Greek food. After 2 and half hours in Myrtos, the day will end and we will make our way back to your hotels. 10:15 Olive oil tour & tasting 11:15 Arrival at Kritsa – Free time 12:45 Departure from Kritsa 13:45 Arrival in Myrtos – Free time 16:15 Departure from Myrtos 18:00 Arrival in Heraklion Stay in olive park: app. 30 minutes Stay in Kritsa: app. 1 ½ hour Stay in Myrtos beach: app. 2 ½ hours Route: 166 km Duration: app. 8 hours Pick up Ammoudara: 08:00 Heraklion: 08:05 Karteros: 08:20 Kokkini Hani: 08:25 Gournes: 08:25 Gouves: 08:30 Analipsi: 08:40 Anissaras: 08:50 Hersonisos: 09:00 Stalis: 09:10 Malia: 09:25 Sissi: 09:40

Through this route we explore the south-eastern Crete. We head to Agios Nikolaos and stop in the traditional village of Kritsa, one of the most famous villages of Crete with its narrow picturesque alleys and its traditional shops. Afterwards we ascend through a beautiful route with magnificent views and end up at the Katharo Plateau at an altitude of 1250 meters where we stop for coffee in a traditional cafe. We cross the forest of SELAKANO and end up in the SARAKINA Gorge which will surprise you with its beauty. Continuing and after our amazing meal, we reach the southernmost end of eastern Crete, the village of Myrtos with its amazing beach where you can have a swim in the crystal clear waters of the LIBIAN SEA. Returning through a very beautiful route we arrive at your hotel. This route will leave you with the very best memories.

Visit one of the most beautiful gorges on the east side of Crete, the Kritsa Gorge, with professional adventure guides. Enjoy the special nature while on this short but challenging hike. See striking canyons and cliffs, unique plant species, and spectacular views. After a walking about 8 kilometers, enjoy small local snacks and spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing on a beautiful beach, where you can take a refreshing swim. Enjoy a perfect day that offers a combination of exercise and relaxation.

The road trip from Agios Nikolaos to Lassithi Plateau is a journey through some of the most beautiful and unspoiled landscapes in Crete. It is a journey that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime. Starting from Agios Nikolaos, the road trip to Lassithi Plateau begins with a drive through the town and then onto the winding mountain roads that lead to the plateau. As you leave the town, you will be greeted with breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. As you drive through the mountains, you will pass through small villages and towns, each with its own unique charm and character. The road is surrounded by beautiful scenery, with lush greenery and rugged mountainsides. The route to Lassithi Plateau takes you through a series of hairpin bends, which can be challenging at times. But the stunning views of the surrounding countryside and the quaint villages along the way make the journey worth it. As you approach Lassithi Plateau, you will be amazed by the vastness of the plateau and the stunning views that it offers. The plateau is dotted with traditional Cretan villages, and the landscape is a patchwork of fields, orchards, and olive groves.

Start with pickup from your hotel and first pass the Selinari monastery with its impressive gorge, and reach the small town of Neapolis. Visit the Vassilakis Estate, one of the oldest and most successful olive oil producers in Crete. Enjoy a detailed tour of their production facility and learn how olive oil is made. Continue to the provincial capital of Agios Nikolaos where you can admire the shimmering blue waters of the bay of Mirabello. Walk along the harbor and over the bridge to the freshwater Lake Voulismeni. Visit a local market and browse for specialty local products such as honey, olive oil, and spices. After a Greek coffee in one of the cozy cafes, continue to Kritsa, one of the most picturesque villages on the island. Admire the views of the whitewashed houses of the village located below a steep rocky slope. Take a break for some lunch at your own expense, followed by a stroll through the village. Finally, travel to Amazonas Park and discover a sanctuary for the conservation of endangered species. Take a guided tour of the sanctuary and see a variety of colorful parrots and curious monkeys. See rare parrot species which will eventually be released back into their natural habitat, and enjoy the fantastic views of the foothills of the Dikti Mountains.

The excursion starts after collecting the participators at Malia. You're passing the north-east coast and St. George’s Gorge. After a short ride you'll visit an olive oil park where you can experience first-hand the standardization of extra virgin olive oil, table olives and olive paste. Here you will be able to taste the authentic Greek products, which are famous worldwide for its great taste and its nutritional value, as well as, other authentic Cretan products like “raki” and honey. You'll stay there for about 30 min. Later visit to one of the oldest villages on Crete, which retains even today elements of the Venetian architecture, the village of Kritsa. Here, you will have about 1 hour free time to stroll around its narrow streets. Then, head towards to Myrtos Beach, 13km west of Ierapetra the most south situated city in Europe, at the output of a wide valley filled with greenhouses and citrus groves. You will have free time to enjoy swimming and sunbathing to the nice beaches of Myrtos, with the coarse gray sand that doesn’t stick on the body. After 2 1/2 hours in Myrtos you'll go back to the hotels.

Embark on a captivating journey through Eastern Crete's rich heritage, culture, and natural beauty on this small group tour. Designed for cruise ship guests, explore the island's hidden gems and immerse yourself in local traditions with our expert guide. Your adventure begins in the picturesque Fourni village, showcasing the authentic Cretan lifestyle. Next, marvel at the stunning Spinalonga viewpoint, absorbing the island's breathtaking panoramas. Continue to the charming town of Agios Nikolaos, where you'll be enchanted by its vibrant atmosphere and stunning lake. Venture onward to Kritsa, one of Crete's oldest and most picturesque villages. Wander its narrow streets, admire the traditional architecture, and learn about the village's fascinating history. As your tour concludes, you'll be returned to the cruise ship port, filled with unforgettable memories and a deeper appreciation for Eastern Crete's diverse beauty and cultural richness. Experience the magic of Crete in a way that few others can, with our small group heritage tour.

Experience East Crete like a local on a private guided tour from Heraklion. Get the inside track as you uncover the region's best-kept secrets, venturing from village to village to marvel at sights like the Kroustas Forest Historical Landscape Park, Agia Fotia, and much more. Start your guided day trip with a convenient pickup from your hotel and travel in your choice of luxury vehicle as you set out to explore East Crete. Venture from village to village to see the island through the eyes of a local. Stop at the hanging Byzantine monastery of Kremasta, an oasis of calm. Then, head to the villages of Kritsa and Kroustas for a glimpse into the past. Connect with locals as you wander around these traditional Cretan villages where time seems to have slowed. Next, go off the beaten track and follow ancient trails across the Minoan mountains as you visit the Kroustas Forest Historical Landscape Park. Admire Crete's natural beauty as you breathe in the clean mountain air and take in panoramic views of the Libyan and Aegean Seas. From here, you'll make your way to Agia Fotia, the ideal spot to break for lunch at one of the local taverns (cost not included). Then, travel to Sarakinas Gorge to discover a canyon with gurgling water, rich vegetation, and bird life. Finally, head to Ierapetra to bask in the warm turquoise waters of the Libyan Sea. Hop back into your vehicle, sit back, relax, and enjoy some complimentary snacks as you travel back to your accommodation in Heraklion, where your tour comes to an end. 

Explore the eastern region of Crete on a guided private tour by luxury vehicle. Venture from village to village to see the island through the eyes of a local guide. Start with pickup from your accommodation in Elounda or Agios Nikolaos. Enjoy fresh fruit and snacks as you get off the beaten track and follow archaic trails across the Minoan mountains embraced by ancient forests. From a perfect mountainside peak, enjoy the bird’s eye panoramas of the Libyan and Aegean Seas. Then lose yourself in the ancient surroundings of the magnificent Sarakinas Canyon. Visit the Byzantine monastery of Kremasta with its distinctive fortified architecture. Travel to villages such as Krista and Kroustas and discover a slower pace of life. Revel in genuine tastes of Cretan cuisine with local cooking techniques on a wood oven or open fire, at your own expense. With your local guide, learn more about historic legends and culture as you explore the region. After a day of exploring, relax on your journey back to your accommodation.