Tailor-made Crete food and wine heritage tour - 12 days

Begin your Greece travel with a flight to Heraklion. On arrival, meet your private driver at the airport and follow the scenic coastline to your hotel in Elounda.

Spend the afternoon unwinding by the sea, strolling the waterfront, or exploring the village’s tavernas and cafés. As evening falls, settle into the rhythm of island life with local flavors and your first Cretan sunset in Elounda.

Sail from Agios Nikolaos along Crete’s eastern coast and settle into the island’s relaxed rhythm. Swim in the calm waters of the Gulf of Kolokytha, then step onto Spinalonga to explore its layered history and dramatic sea views.

Continue to Plaka’s pebbled beach for a quiet pause by the water. Later, enjoy a laid-back lunch in Elounda Bay, taste fresh Cretan flavors, and take in sights such as the ancient sunken city of Olous as you glide through clear blue waters.

Enjoy a relaxed day in Elounda. Stroll around the harbor, wander bougainvillea-lined streets, or unwind on golden beaches beside turquoise water.

Settle into a seaside café or waterfront taverna for fresh Cretan dishes, or spend the afternoon at your resort with spa time and a slow swim. Elounda is a place to pause, soak up the Mediterranean light, and enjoy the easy rhythm of coastal life.

Leave Elounda by private vehicle and travel along the Cretan coast to Heraklion, one of the best places to visit in Greece for layered history, lively streets, and distinctive local flavors.

In the afternoon, join a guided walking and tasting tour through Venetian fountains, medieval walls, and bustling squares.

Hear stories of Hercules, El Greco, and Nikos Kazantzakis while sampling local wines, artisan cheeses, and meze that reveal Crete’s rich blend of Eastern and Western influences.

Explore eastern Crete, crossing the Lassithi Plateau with its white windmills, stone villages, and quiet monasteries that still follow age-old rhythms.

Step inside the legendary Cave of Zeus, then continue to Knossos Palace with an expert guide who brings Minoan myths, frescoes, and ancient rituals to life.

At a family-run pottery workshop, learn traditional techniques and create your own piece of Cretan art. Along the way, savor authentic local cuisine, Cretan wines, and the island’s warm hospitality.

Leave Heraklion by private vehicle and travel to the seaside town of Rethymno.

In the afternoon, enjoy a private walking tour through the Venetian Old Town. Follow narrow lanes, hidden corners, and flower-filled neighborhoods as your local expert traces the city’s story from Minoan roots to modern Crete.

Along the way, admire historic architecture, lively cafés, and the relaxed coastal atmosphere that gives Rethymno its authentic character.

Begin your day with a traditional Cretan breakfast in a hidden kafeneio, shaped to your tastes and pace. This flavorful stop adds a local, personal touch to your Greece itinerary.

Taste local honey, olive oil, and raki while learning how these staples shape daily life in Crete from the people who produce and use them.

Step inside the historic phyllo workshop of Yorgos Hatziparaschos to watch delicate pastry being prepared by hand. End with a refined Cretan meal in an atmospheric Ottoman garden.

Leave Rethymno by private vehicle and travel to Chania, one of Crete’s most atmospheric seaside towns.

In the afternoon, enjoy a guided walking tour through Chania’s Old Town. Follow hidden lanes, historic quarters, and ancient ruins shaped by Venetian, Ottoman, and Minoan influences.

Along the way, taste authentic Cretan dishes and local wines while your guide shares myths, traditions, and stories of daily life that reveal Chania’s layered character and rich culinary heritage.

Discover Chania at your own pace, from its medieval Old Town to its lively Venetian harbor. Admire Venetian and Turkish architecture, browse artisan workshops, and step into small museums or archaeological sites.

For a slower afternoon, head to Nea Chora or Koum Kapi for a swim and time in a beachfront café or taverna. Taste Cretan specialties, watch local life unfold by the water, and enjoy Chania’s distinctive blend of Eastern and Western influences.

Experience authentic Crete in Apokoronas, the eastern province of Chania, known for traditional villages, fertile landscapes, and quiet rural charm.

Wander through village streets, meet residents, and visit the folklore museum in Gavalochori. In Vrises, stop at a distillery to learn how tsikoudia is made, then continue to the hidden rock church of St. Antony in Emprosneros.

Along the way, sample Cretan cheese, olive oil, and freshly baked goods before enjoying a relaxed lunch in a village kafeneio.

Head into Crete’s White Mountains for a hands-on cooking class using fresh, organic ingredients from local farms.

With your local hosts, learn to prepare traditional dishes such as dakos, tzatziki, and kalitsounia while hearing the stories and customs behind each recipe.

Enjoy wine and cheese tastings, explore a family home filled with heritage artifacts, and sit down to a homemade dinner with warm Cretan hospitality and sweeping mountain-to-sea views.

Savor a slow final morning in Chania with time for one last stroll through the old town or a quiet coffee by the harbor.

Your private driver will meet you at your accommodation and take you comfortably to Chania Airport for your flight to Athens.

Travel with ease, knowing every detail has been taken care of for you, leaving space to reflect on the flavors, traditions, and coastal beauty of your journey in Crete.