Crete from Gorge to Gulf
Crete, Greece
From EUR 170.00
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Crete from Gorge to Gulf
Crete, Greece
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Be prepared to fall in love with Crete! You will hike, swim, eat, and cruise your way around the island during this action-packed day. Soak up awe-inspiring scenery, eat traditional Cretan food, and explore old fortresses on the tiny island of Spinalonga. This the best of the Cretan countryside all in one day!
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Highlights
- Hike through one of the prettiest gorges on the island with a local guide who knows the way
- Hop on a speedboat to explore a Venetian fortress island in the Gulf of Elounda
- Learn the art of making traditional Greek dolmades and eat the fruits of your labours during a traditional Greek lunch
- Taste some of the best olive oil or ‘green gold’ as locals call it, at a local olive farm
Local Impact: How you will help the local community by joining this tour:
- On this tour you will visit a local, family-owned business where you'll learn about making the traditional Greek dish of dolmades.
- All of the food you sample during your tour is sourced from local villages, farmers, and stock-breeders of Crete.
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Schedule details
- Duration: 7 hours
- Meeting point:
Plaka: At 9:15am at the Agia Marina church, next to the Blue Palace hotel. View map
Elounda: At 9:25am at the square and roundabout at the church side. View map
Agios Nikolaos: At 9:45am at the bridge in front of the tourist information office. View map
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.15 AM-9.45 AM
- Ending point:
Same as meeting point.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, roundtrip transportation via private 4x4 vehicle, speedboat ride with professional driver, olive oil tasting, dolmades, traditional Greek lunch (seasonal dishes), 1 glass of wine and shots of raki (a local spirit), coffee, water, and refreshments (iced tea, seasonal fruits, energy snacks).
Exclusions: Entrance ticket to Spinalonga archaeological site (EUR 8), additional food and drinks, souvenirs or personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide and driver.
Your immersion into the heart of Cretan life begins with a drive away from the coast, through lush olive groves and ancient woodlands. Our first top will be the traditional village of Kritsa, the gateway to the stunning Kritsa Gorge.
Kritsa Gorge isn’t as well-known as other gorges on the island but it is just as beautiful, if not more so because the peace and tranquillity of the place is rarely disturbed by large groups of tourists being herded through it.
The entrance to the gorge is spectacular, almost as if the mountain has been torn in two. Following the old donkey path, we will reach the middle of the gorge, a valley full of olive groves. The trail is approximately four kilometres long and is relatively easy apart from one or two boulders to climb over.
The gorge ends at an ancient Minoan path, which we will follow past shepherd huts and fields. From here we will take a drive out to a traditional Cretan olive oil farm. Our hosts will show you around the farm, sharing their knowledge of the green gold, including how to cultivate it and what to look for when tasting different varieties. We will finish with a tasting accompanied by some delicious local wine.
Next you will learn the secrets of making one of the most famous and beloved dishes in all of Greece, dolmades (vine leaves stuffed with rice). Enjoy your culinary creations alongside a traditional and delicious Greek lunch of salads, tzatziki, dako (rusks with dressing), and other small seasonal plates, with a glass of wine or shot of local raki, of course.
With our bellies full, we will leave for the village of Plaka where speedboats will be waiting to whisk you off to the fortress island of Spinalonga, located in the Gulf of Elounda.
Here you will have time to wander around by yourself and discover the turbulent history of this tiny islet; conquered by the Venetians in the 16th century, the ancient fortifications were built to act as first line of defence in the ferocious wars with the Ottoman Turks.
After an hour, our speedboat will pick you up and take you for a refreshing spin around Spinalonga. If you feel the need to cool off, jump in for a swim at Spinalonga or at the beach in Plaka village, where we board the boat. (There are cabins there for you to change into your swimwear.)
After all that fun in the sun, your speedboat will escort you back to your start point. But before you say goodbye, talk to your in-the-know local guide if you want the inside track on where to eat, drink, and visit during the rest of your stay on magical Crete.
Note that we also offer this experience as a private tour. For private tours, we will pick you up at your hotel in Plaka, Elounda, Agios Nikolaos, Kritsa, or Kalo Xorio. Please indicate at the time of booking where you will be staying; if you don’t have your hotel yet, you can email us later at info@creteurbanadventures.com.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, roundtrip transportation via private 4x4 vehicle, speedboat ride with professional driver, olive oil tasting, dolmades, traditional Greek lunch (seasonal dishes), 1 glass of wine and shots of raki (a local spirit), coffee, water, and refreshments (iced tea, seasonal fruits, energy snacks).
Exclusions: Entrance ticket to Spinalonga archaeological site (EUR 8), additional food and drinks, souvenirs or personal shopping, tips/gratuities for your guide and driver.
Dress standard: Please wear comfortable shoes for walking, and bring a hat and sunscreen in the summer months.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 4 people.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Child Policy: This is a child-friendly tour. Children between the ages of 6 and 11 inclusively are permitted on this tour at the rate listed above. Please select ‘child’ above when booking. Children under the age of 6 are not permitted to join this tour.
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Dietary Notes
This tour can be customised to cater for vegetarian/vegan and gluten-free customers. Please notify us in advance if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions. You can do so in the ‘Additional Information’ box at checkout, or by emailing us at info@creteurbanadventures.com.
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Local contact
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Email address: info@creteurbanadventures.com
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