Chania is our favorite town in Crete and we believe that you will love them as we much as we do. It’s perfect setting with the White Mountains as a background, lively harbor, historical remains from its Turkish and Venetian past, busy market, and nearby beaches make it the ideal spot,
In the afternoon we will meet at our hotel and after an orientation meeting, we will have our first dinner together in a traditional Cretan restaurant while getting to know each other in eager anticipation of our adventure.
Overnight in Chania in a boutique hotel
Dinner included
Today, we’ll head towards the pine tree-lined Imbros Gorge on the south side of the island, driving through the rugged interior, largely untouched by mass tourism. The landscape is a dreamy mosaic of sleepy villages and fertile valleys. Here, you’ll set off on your three-hour hike, following a footpath through the gorge and discovering the aromatic herbs that grow along the trail. Keep an eye out for Crete’s ‘kri-kri’ wild goats as you go, and have your camera ready for the most spectacular section, where the gorge narrows to a passageway just two meters wide, enclosed by steep, 300-foot walls.
In the afternoon, we’ll return to Chania for a walking tour through its charming Old Town, exploring its narrow streets, historic landmarks, and Venetian architecture.
Overnight in Chania in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 6,8 km / Hiking Duration: 3 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 10 m & 580 m
Driving distance:
Chania to entrance of the gorge 52 km / 1 hr
Exit of the gorge to Chania 66 km / 1 hr 20 min
Balos lagoon is one of Chania’s most prized gems and cannot be missed. It is an exotic sandy beach of turquoise waters with a unique geomorphological shape located on the northwest side of the prefecture. It is known for its wild natural beauty and it’s among the most beautiful beaches of the country.
Once we return you will have a free afternoon to relax or explore at your leisure, and dinner will be on your own this evening.
Overnight in Chania in a boutique hotel
Breakfast and picnic lunch included
Hiking distance: 2,4 km / Hiking Duration: 2 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 160 m & 160 m
Driving distance:
Chania to Balos 50 km / 1 hr
Balos to Chania 50 km / 1 hr
Ancient Eleftherna, a Dorian built settlement, lies in the foothills of Psiloritis, the highest mountain of Crete. The Archaeological Institute of America included Eleftherna archaeological site in its top discoveries of 2009. We start our hike from the ancient Acropolis, and on our way we will pass the remarkable Roman cisterns, which are carved into the hill’s west side, the Necropolis and a 3rd century BC ancient bridge.
Our hike finishes in the tiny village of Margarites, known for its pottery. Learn about the traditional techniques from a local potter who derives inspiration for his ceramics from Minoan and Byzantine originals.
In the afternoon we will have time to explore the labyrinthine lanes of the historic quarter of Rethymnon which still preserves much of its Venetian and Ottoman appearance.
Overnight in Rethymnon in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, lunch and dinner included
Hiking distance: 6 km / Hiking Duration: 3 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 223 m & 308 m
Driving distance:
Chania to Ancient Eleftherna 90 km / 1 hr 30 min
Margarites to Rethymnon 30 km / 40 min
This morning, we will depart from Rethymno and travel east to Heraklion, Crete’s vibrant capital and one of the island’s most important historical centers. Our first stop will be Knossos, Crete’s most famous archaeological site. Around 4,000 years ago, the Minoans built a magnificent palace here, making Knossos a major center of political, economic, and cultural life in the Aegean. Afterward, we will drive to Heraklion for lunch before visiting the Archaeological Museum. Home to one of the world’s most important collections of Minoan artifacts, the museum offers a fascinating complement to our visit to Knossos.
In the afternoon, we will explore Heraklion on a walking tour. Beyond its modern façade, the city reveals a rich blend of Venetian, Ottoman, and Greek influences. It is also closely associated with two of Crete’s most celebrated cultural figures, El Greco and Nikos Kazantzakis.
Overnight in Heraklion in a 4* hotel
Breakfast and dinner included
Driving distance:
Rethymnon to Κnossos 85 km / 1 hr 15 min
Knossos to Heraklion 8 km / 15 min
Today we will catch the morning ferry to Santorini which was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions of all time. Here everything is brighter: the whitewashed cube-shaped houses, the lapis lazuli sea and the sunsets that light up the caldera.
After settling in our hotel, we will be transferred to the modern capital of the island, Fira. From there, we will hike towards picturesque Oia, the most beautiful village of the island if not the whole Aegean Sea. The cobblestone trail follows the rim of the Caldera, taking you away from the crowds, permitting you to admire the power of the natural forces that shaped this amazing environment.
Overnight in Oia in a boutique hotel
Breakfast and lunch included
Hiking distance: 11 km / Hiking Duration: 4 hr
Elevation gain & loss: 410 m & 512 m
Driving distance:
Santorini Port to Oia 15 km / 40 min
Oia to Fira 11 km / 20 min
Ferry:
Crete to Santorini 8:40-10:35
Dorians, Venetians, and Turks occupied Santorini, but its most influential early inhabitants were Minoans. They came from Crete sometime between 2000 BC and 1600 BC and the settlement of Akrotiri, dubbed as the Greek Pompeii, dates from the peak years of their civilization. Alongside with a guide you will have the opportunity to walk along the streets and squares of the city, which was buried in volcanic ash after the eruption of the volcano and frozen in time.
After the tour, it is time for kayaking. We will explore the south side of the island as few people do. Seeing Santorini from the sea level is a real treat, plus paddling gives your upper body a bit of exercise. We will paddle by the Red and White beach with stops on the way for swimming and snorkeling.
Overnight in Oia in a boutique hotel
Breakfast, picnic lunch and dinner included
Sea kayaking duration: 2 hr
Driving distance:
Oia to Akrotiri 22 km / 40 min
Akrotiri to Oia 22 km / 40 min
Breakfast is at your leisure at the hotel and following that, your Tripin Adventures trip in Greece concludes. Transfer independently from our accommodations in Santorini to the international airport of the island for return flights home or continue your explorations of this marvelous region of Greece.
Breakfast included
We are constantly updating our unique itineraries based on new information and experiences available. The walks, accommodations, and visits listed may be adjusted. The itineraries presented are subject to modification and change by Tripin Adventures. We reserve the right, without penalty, to make changes in the published itinerary whenever, in our judgment, conditions warrant, or if we deem it necessary for the comfort, convenience, or safety of participants, anything not mentioned in above program.
