Pop-up Tour: Easter Traditions in Crete
Crete, Greece
From USD 82.23
Office phone number: +30 698 678 0970
Pop-up Tour: Easter Traditions in Crete
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
Celebrate Easter, the most popular and colourful Greek holiday, on the beautiful island of Crete. Spend Good Friday in the great outdoors, exploring the picture-perfect village of Argyroupolis, set high in the Cretan mountains. Experience the traditional Easter celebrations that have been part of life here for many centuries, including the greatest of all feasts for Greeks! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, offering you the opportunity to get off the beaten path and celebrate Easter, Greek-style!
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Highlights
- Experience the traditional celebrations of Greek Orthodox Good Friday with a local by your side to guide you
- Discover Argyroupolis village’s centuries-old history as you wander its cobbled streets, past carved tombs, old mills and mini waterfalls
- Learn how the people of Crete celebrate Easter
- Savour homemade traditional Lenten food like the locals do during the 40-day Lent period before Easter
- Discover Crete’s culinary traditions and find out why it’s home to one of the healthiest diets in the world
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Schedule details
- Duration: 10 to 12 hours
- Meeting point:
Dependent on departure city:
Chania: Chania Municipal Market at 1.00 PM
View on Google Maps.
OR
Rethymnon: The Square of the Four Martyrs in the centre of Rethymnon at 2.00 PM
View on Google Maps.
- Starting time: 1.00 PM
- Ending point:
Chania city center or Rethymnon city center
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation, nibbles (local dish with rusks, olives, tomatoes and cheese), seasonal fruit, local sweets, raki (a local spirit).
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, personal items, tips/gratuities for your guide. Light dinner will be at your own expense.
On this tour, we will experience the unique and devout atmosphere of traditional Easter celebrations in a charming village in the mountains of Crete, miles away from the usual tourist trail. We will introduce you to our local culinary traditions by tasting homemade Lenten food prepared by the women of the village and enjoy fresh fish in a lush green atmosphere, full of springs.
Our first stop will be at the church of the Holy Five Virgins located at the site of the ancient Lappa Cemetery. We will feel the eerie charm of the site, which was built inside the chamber of a Roman tomb. Listen to the tale of the five virgins who found refuge here and lived in the carved tombs until they died and were buried here.
Next, we will move to the idyllic mountain village of Argyroupolis, situated on the site of the ancient city of Lappa. We will visit a kafenion, a Greek coffee shop where we will taste Elliniko coffee and local raki. Moreover, we will have the opportunity to sample and savour homemade, traditional Lenten food like the locals do during the 40-day Lent period before Easter.
While you eat, your expert local guide will talk to you about delicious Cretan cuisine, one of the healthiest and tastiest diets in the world, dating back to the Minoan civilisation.
Moving on, after passing an old archway, we will enter the upper old part of the village where we’ll explore Venetian mansions, colourful Roman floor mosaics and old churches. From here, we’ll also admire stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
Next up, we will stop for a light dinner in a recreational area of the village, well-known for its greenery, springs and multiple mini waterfalls, and taste fresh fish from the surrounding area.
After that, we will head to the main square to witness the unique custom of lambades (meaning torches), which takes place only in Argyroupolis on Good Friday and dates back to the period when the village had no electricity. Giant torches up to 6 metres tall are made by the village’s youngsters using reeds from the nearby countryside. Carried by a minimum of three people, each torch is gathered in the square and set alight to lighten the route of the Epitaph procession (which mourns the death and burial of Christ).
Finally, we will follow the Epitaph through the village’s cobbled streets and narrow laneways and soak up the devout atmosphere of the procession.Our long day of celebration will come to an end around 11:00pm after some more culinary delights.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English-speaking guide, transportation, nibbles (local dish with rusks, olives, tomatoes and cheese), seasonal fruit, local sweets, raki (a local spirit).
Exclusions: Additional food and drinks, souvenirs, personal items, tips/gratuities for your guide. Light dinner will be at your own expense.
Dress standard: Please bear in mind that during this tour, we will pay a visit to a Greek Orthodox Church so please dress accordingly. Please do not wear shorts or flip-flops as they are not considered to be respectful. Ladies, please wear modest clothing; your shoulders should not be shown in church, so please avoid wearing anything low-cut, strapless or with thin straps. Long sleeves are advised as is at least a knee-length skirt or trousers.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 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 permitted to join this tour free of charge. Please inform us at the time of booking if you’ll be bringing a child under the age of 6. You can do so in the special request box on the checkout page.
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Dietary Notes
We can accommodate vegetarians and other dietary restrictions. Please notify us in advance if you have any dietary requests. 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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