Tagesausfluge Tour mit kretischen Höhlen, Olivenöl und Töpferei

Nat Geo Day Tour: The Millenary History of Olive Oil

Approximate itinerary and duration of activitiesIntroduction - 15 minutesWalking tour through the olive trees - 30 minutesPause for questions and raki drink - 15 minutesOlive oil factory tour - 40 minutesOlive oil tasting and questions - 55 minutesCooking demonstration and tastings - 30 minutesPlease note the order of activities may vary at your guide's discretion With millennia of experience behind them, it's no wonder the people of Crete produce some of the finest olive oil in the world. You will appreciate the timeless bond between Cretans and their revered olive trees as you trace the long heritage of olive cultivation on the island. Just outside Kritsa village in the hills of eastern Crete, you'll follow Nikos Plevritakis on a brief walk to his olive groves where some trees are 600-800 years old, and learn about olive cultivation from a true specialist. In the shade of the olive trees, you can try local raki known as ‘tsikoudia' with olives to nibble on while discussing the cultural and societal significance of olive cultivation in Crete. Then it's time to visit a local cooperative factory, to see up close how olives are processed into world-class olive oil. Back on the Olive Path, seize the chance to taste fresh figs, almonds, and grapes, see what the locals are growing, and find out all about the Cretan lifestyle and diet. Then, at an olive farm, you can sample olives, fresh tomatoes, and raki before your olive oil tasting session begins – a great opportunity to learn how to taste oils like a professional and compare the flavor profiles of different varieties. Finish off the day with a cooking lesson on various ways to use olive oil in Cretan cuisine. Authentic dishes, such as tzatziki and Greek salad will feature, and you'll find out why the traditional Cretan diet is so beneficial to health and longevity.

Nat Geo Day Tour: Discover Cretan Farm Life

Small-scale, family-run farms are integral to the Mediterranean diet that Crete is so famous for. A local family will welcome you to their Mitato, a small farmhouse, where you'll be greeted with the genuine warmth of Cretan hospitality. Listen to the local farmer tell the intriguing tale of King Minoas who watched from his observatory, and alerted locals to incoming pirates. Greetings over, it's time for a hands-on bread-making lesson, learning the techniques for typical Cretan bread, made with wheat and barley flour. Then, witness their cheese-making skills using goat's milk from the farm. Next, it's time to roll up your sleeves and get stuck in, helping out with daily farm tasks like feeding the goats, pigs, chickens, and rabbits, and tending to the gardens. The adventure continues with a snail hunt over the mountainside, exclusive to National Geographic travellers, peeking under rocks, and among shrubs and flowers. As the day unfolds, your collected treasures, including snails, eggs, fruit, and vegetables, become the ingredients for lunch. Alongside the family, you'll prepare a feast of local delicacies, all made from the products of your day's work. Finish off the experience with a taste of Crete's spirit, Raki, and why not sing along to their traditional Cretan ‘Mantinades,' - traditional Cretan couplets that express sentiments about Cretan daily life.

Spinalonga Island guided tour with seaside villages and lunch

The tiny isle of Spinalonga is just a short hop away from Crete but a visit is like stepping back in time. Centuries of history are packed within the walls that encircle it. See it through the eyes of a true local on this full-day tour of its must-see monuments.

4x4 off-road tour of Crete’s mountains with taverna lunch

Get ready to go off-road on this adrenaline-pumping 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. Explore the more rural parts of Crete and the beautiful nature as you voyage through the mountains on this small group tour.

Mountains of Crete 4x4 sunset safari with dinner

Off-road adventures don't get more fun than this. On this evening tour, you'll buckle up for a thrilling ride through the Cretan mountains, taking in villages, landmarks and more. What's more, there'll be a traditional dinner at a local taverna waiting for you. Vaggelis, one of our local expert guides, says 'Lassithi Plateau was said to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. According to legend, his mother, Rhea, hid the newborn in a cave on the plateau to protect him from being devoured by his father. It's one of the best places in Crete to grab a bird's-eye view of the north'.It all starts the moment you hop aboard your 4x4 and head for the mountains. You'll stop by Aposelemis basin reservoir and ancient Roman aqueducts, before following the path to the village of Kastamonitsa. Here, you'll be greeted with a tipple of fiery raki. Vaggelis says, 'After the grape harvest, the leftover skins, seeds, and stems are fermented and then distilled to produce raki, a tradition that many Cretan families proudly maintain'.You'll continue along the Minoan path, taking in the wildlife and scenery while learning all about local mythology and history. You'll stop for a glass of sweet, sparkling wine and admire Lassithi Plateau, as well as its iconic views. And once you've built up an appetite, you'll head to a local taverna for a traditional Cretan-style dinner with unlimited wine. Finally, as night draws in, you'll head back down the mountain roads, taking in the moonlit coastline and the twinkling lights of towns and villages.

Pirates of Crete half-day family boat trip

Pirate Tim and Calypso the Parrot need all hands on deck to help track down their long-lost treasure. But first, you'll have to be fully trained in all the skills you need to become a TUI pirate. Setting sail from Chersonissos Port, our shipmates will make sure you get into the pirate spirit, with face painting and exciting themed games for the little scallywags, and challenges for the older crew members. Plus, there's a treasure map and clues to follow, so make sure you have your sharpest seafaring instincts at the ready.Then, to take a break from all the swashbuckling fun, you'll drop anchor at St. George's Bay for a dip here – this quiet spot is ideal for relaxing and soaking up the views of the rocky cliffs and surrounding greenery. From here, you'll hop back on board for a Greek barbecue to refuel before another stop in Malia.

Family tour to the mountains of Crete with Mythological Park

This action-packed day brings the essence of Crete to life for all the family. Discover Greek mythology as you explore scenic mountain trails on an off-road adventure leading to the Lassithi plateau. There's a chance to have a go at making ceramics and a visit to the Mythological Park, too. Katerina, one of our expert local guides, enthusiastically says, ‘Lassithi plateau is a personal favourite on this tour. You'll be greeted by the sight of dozens of windmills that dot the landscape. They were built in the 19th century to grind grain, and are now a symbol of the region.'Kick off on a trail which climbs into the mountains to reach the first stop at the Aposelimi dam. From here we'll make our way to a viewpoint where we can see across the Lassithi plateau, a high, fertile plain that legend states was the birthplace of Zeus.Rumbling down to the plateau, we'll head to a ceramics workshop and olive oil producer. It's a fun stop for the kids who will have plenty of time to have a go at making their own pottery creations. Next up is the Mythological park, where you'll find out all about ancient Greek myths - the special lighting and sound effects alongside the audio tour make the park enjoyable for all ages. Round off the day with lunch in a taverna, before calling in at the village of Krassi, which is famous for a 2,000-year old plane tree and has a natural spring water source.

Tour of western Crete with winery and olive oil estate

From quality local produce to postcard-perfect beaches, western Crete has it all. This full day tour showcases the area's best bits, with wine tasting at Karavitakis Winery, sampling organic olive oil at the Biolea Estate and relaxing on Falassarna beach. Vasso, one of our expert local guides, says: ‘This is one of my favourite excursions, as it gives a good taste of many aspects of Cretan scenery, lifestyle and monuments. You get to visit an olive oil factory and a winery that produces some of the best wines in Crete'.The day starts with some viticulture on a guided tour of the family-run Karavitakis Winery. Delight your taste buds by sampling local wine and tasty snacks at the state-of-the-art visitor centre. Next, you'll head for lunch to a traditional Cretan restaurant by the sea, where food is prepared using locally sourced products. Plus, you'll have some time to relax on the blond sands of blissful Falassarna beach, which, says Vasso, ‘has been voted as one of the best beaches in Europe several times'.You'll then be taken to the Biolea Estate, a family-owned olive oil factory that specialises in the artisan production of organic olive oil. Find out everything you need to know about olive oil production, from how the olives are grown to how the oil is pressed and then bottled. What's more, your visit contributes to a local business and helps the wider island economy.

Cretan 4x4 adventure from Rethymnon

Go off-road on a 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. You'll bump down dirt tracks, bounce over potholes and drive through blink-and-you-miss-them villages. Plus, you'll tick off plenty of must-sees on the way. Your driver actually doubles up as a guide, giving you the insider's track on Crete's hidden gems as you go.You'll kick off this full day tour just as you mean to go on – driving along country roads and tracks to experience the real Crete. You'll head for the mountains first, stopping off for photos and a coffee in a village, before reaching Spili, home to the 25-head Lion Fountain and some gorgeous views.Now you'll really get to grips with the land as you go off-road towards the village of Kerame where you'll be treated views over the south coast. There's a beach nearby where River Kourtaliotis flows into the sea, Preveli Beach, which makes an idyllic spot to take a dip. A Cretan lunch then awaits before a walk between the vertical cliffs surrounding Kourtaliotiko Gorge.

Western Crete tour with Agia Triada Monastery and Chania

This tour takes in the historic Agia Triada Monastery, a guided tour of Chania and time to unwind at Crete's only natural lake. Angeliki, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Agia Triada offers a glimpse into Crete's rich cultural heritage. It was built during the Venetian period and boasts an impressive array of frescoes and religious artefacts. The monastery is an oasis of tranquillity, surrounded by olive groves and vineyards.'After exploring the monastery, you'll head up to the Hill of Prophet Elias, also known as Profitis Ilias, to soak up the insta-worthy views here. Then, you'll continue to Chania, one of Crete's most appealing port towns. Steeped in history and renowned for its atmospheric Venetian harbour, you'll explore its narrow streets on a guided tour. You'll also have the chance to shop along the famous ‘Leather Lane' and enjoy some free time to stroll around the harbour or delve further into the old town.To round off the tour, we'll visit Lake Kournas, a jewel of a freshwater lake surrounded by hills. The lake is home to a wide range of wildlife, including turtles and a variety of bird species. You'll have free time to explore, take a swim in the limpid waters, or enjoy a walk around the lake. Angeliki says, ‘Local myths claim that the lake is bottomless, but science has intervened and in fact it's only 22.5 metres deep.'