Cretan Villages and Countryside Tour Including Aptera Visit from Chania

The Samaria Gorge, a national park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southwest Crete, is one of the largest limestone gorges in Europe and one of the most eye-pleasing spots on the island. See the best of the gorge on this 6-hour guided hike through the ravine. A guide leads you through the mountainous rocky landscape, traversing 10 miles (16 kilometers).
Upon pickup at your Chania hotel in the morning, let the comfortable, deluxe van shuttle you to the gorge. Start hiking as the guide regales you with historical tales about the area, one of the oldest inhabited spots in Europe. Pass through tiny villages including the eponymous Samaria, which was abandoned in the 1960s to make way for the park.
One of the most spectacular sections of the somewhat strenuous hike is the passage through the Gates, where the ravine is only 13 feet (4 meters) across and the cliffs on either side climb to roughly 300 feet (90 meters) high.
At the base of the gorge, enjoy a refreshing swim in the sea or explore a village that is only accessible by boat or by hiking through the gorge. Sit down at a village tavern for a hearty seafood lunch (not included). Once your time in the village is done, enjoy an hour΄s sail to a nearby port, and end the trip with hotel drop-off.

There’s something about experiencing village life in another country that gives the traveler a feeling of deep authenticity. Get that feeling on this 6-hour guided tour through the best of Crete’s hamlets. Visit the 17th-century monastery of Agia Triada, set among olive groves and vineyards, and learn how olive oil and wine are made there. Then stop and take in the archaeological ruins of Aptera before moving on to the unspoiled village of Maheri. And enjoy a hearty lunch at a classic Cretan tavern.

Hop in a Land Rover and let it take you on a culinary and cultural journey through Crete. This Greek island is renowned for its wine and olive oil. On this full-day guided tour from Chania, see how olives are harvested and turned into extra-virgin olive oil. Visit an olive mill and check out a 3,000-year-old olive tree. Sip wine while touring a vineyard. Commune with sheep and goats while making your way around the island in the Land Rover before visiting a 16th-century house where you’ll learn all about Cretan knife production. Finally, enjoy a typical Cretan meal in a small tavern.

Uncover Crete’s incredible landscapes and rich winemaking heritage on this full-day safari around the White Mountains. With a friendly driver-guide at the wheel, hop inside an all-terrain vehicle and set off along dusty roads and dirt tracks. Learn about Cretan life and the island’s agriculture as you zoom past picturesque villages and olive fields. Sample six different wines at a local winery, then head off-road for a thrilling ride up the moutains to visit a shepherd’s hut. End your tour with a tantalizing 3-course lunch in Therissos or Fes.

Discover the scenic sights, rich wine and foodie culture of Crete on this full-day bike tour around the White Mountains. With a friendly guide at your side, pedal along dusty mountain roads and soak up breathtaking panoramas of the island en route to natural wonders such as Imbros Gorge. Enjoy free time to swim and sunbathe at Frangokastello beach before visiting a local tavern where you can choose to indulge in tantalizing Cretan cuisine. End your tour with a wine tasting at a winery near Vrisses village.