Breakfasts are buffets, typically with coffee, tea, orange juice, bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, marmalade or honey, tomato/cucumber and cheese (with more options in the larger towns).

A dining experience in Greece isn’t the same without spending evenings in a taverna – a small, family-run Greek restaurant – and on this trip we visit many of them.

Dishes to try in the evenings include homemade filo pastry pies, moussaka, stuffed vegetables plus a variety of other vegetarian and vegan dishes, fresh salads, crunchy bread, cheeses and locally caught fish and seafood. Also try the local meat, such as lamb, pork, chicken and beef.

Trade the final cliff path for the water and opt for a private boat taxi from Marmara to Loutro. Skim past rugged headlands where sea cliffs and hidden coves reveal the south coast’s dramatic geology.

This is an additional cost service, bookable on tour with your leader, offering a scenic shortcut and extra downtime in the bay. It’s a relaxed alternative for those who prefer to rest after the day’s hike.

Follow the shoreline east from Paleochora and walk the European E4 coastal path past thyme-scented hillsides, quiet coves and Anydri Beach. The trail leads to the sun-bleached ruins of the ancient city of Lissos, where cicadas buzz and sea views unfold.

Wander the Asclepieion to admire the Asclepieion mosaic honoring the Greek god of medicine, and trace Lissos’ prosperity through Hellenistic and Roman remains. Swim stops are encouraged, and there’s time to pause for photos and reflection before continuing toward Sougia.

Descend into one of Europe’s great canyons and hike the Samaria Gorge through cypress and pine forests, wooden bridges and clear streams. This protected landscape is part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, home to flora, birds of prey and the shy Cretan kri-kri.

Stride through the legendary Iron Gates, where cliffs soar and the chasm narrows to just a few meters, before the path eases toward pebble beaches on the Libyan Sea. Expect a full, rewarding walking day with varied terrain, big scenery and a celebratory swim at journey’s end.

Trace Crete’s wild south coast and walk the wild south-coast path from Agia Roumeli past pebbly strands and limestone headlands. Visit the 10th-century Agios Pavlos chapel, linked by tradition to St Paul’s travels, then continue to the sapphire waters of Marmara Beach.

Swim where sea caves glow electric blue, then follow the final cliffside path into the white-washed village of Loutro, a car-free amphitheatre of cubed houses only reached on foot or by boat. The day blends coastal drama, Byzantine heritage and a serene harbor arrival.

Set out from the arched 18th-century Preveli Bridge and hike to Preveli Beach along goat trails and olive terraces with sweeping views of the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. The Megalopotamos River guides the way to a crescent of pale sand and turquoise shallows.

Discover the rare palm forest of Phoenix theophrasti that fringes the river lagoon—one of Europe’s few native palm groves. Cool off with a swim in the Libyan Sea before tackling the steps back out; the route is short but hilly, rewarding you with classic south-coast panoramas.

Walk through silvery groves and tour a working olive oil farm to learn about varieties, harvest rhythms and cold-press extraction. See how fruit becomes liquid gold in modern mills that honor centuries-old methods.

Under expert guidance, sample regional oils—from grassy and floral to peppery finishes—while hearing how PDO designations protect quality. Discover oil’s central role in Cretan culinary heritage, from meze and salads to slow-cooked village dishes, and take away practical tips for tasting and cooking at home.

Step into antiquity and visit the ancient city of Eleftherna, exploring its acropolis slopes, Hellenistic bridge and Roman reservoirs. Continue to the award-winning Museum of Ancient Eleutherna, where finds from the Orthi Petra necropolis illuminate life from the Geometric to Roman eras.

Later, wander to the pottery village of Margarites to meet local artisans. Watch coil-building of amphora-like jars and glazing techniques rooted in the Minoan ceramic tradition, with time to browse studios nestled amid stone lanes and flowering courtyards.

Set off from Stylos and walk a village-to-village trail through citrus groves and olive fields linking Paidochori, Neo Chorio, Diktamo and Machairon. Stone lanes, chapel courtyards and White Mountains views reveal the rhythms of rural Crete.

In the afternoon, join a guided tour of the ancient city of Aptera above Souda Bay. Examine massive Hellenistic walls, a restored theater and monumental Roman vaulted cisterns, then pause over panoramas that sweep from the bay to Ottoman-era fortifications.

Gather with your group to meet your Tour Director and enjoy a Cretan taverna welcome dinner in the Old Town. Share classic meze—dakos barley rusks, vine-wrapped dolmades, mizithra cheese—and mains like grilled fish or slow-roasted lamb.

Clink glasses of local wine or a toast of tsikoudia as you settle into island life. This convivial meal introduces the flavors, seasonality and generosity of Cretan hospitality and typically takes place on day 1.

Celebrate your journey with a farewell dinner in Chania’s lantern-lit lanes. Savor regional specialties—perhaps herb-rubbed goat, antikristo lamb or wedding rice gamopílafo—paired with crisp Cretan wines.

Trade highlights and photos, toast your journey and enjoy one last taste of Cretan hospitality before departure. This atmospheric evening typically occurs late in the tour, often on day 7.

Stroll terraced trails and walk the Botanical Park of Crete, created after the 2003 fires. Discover endemic herbs and citrus, medicinal plants and shaded ponds alive with birdsong at the foothills of the White Mountains.

Continue to the high plain to follow the historic Omalos plateau mule path between the peaks of the Lefka Ori. This moderate outing blends natural history with pastoral scenery and offers a quiet prelude to the island’s bigger hikes.

Explore the Old Town on foot and join a guided orientation walk past narrow lanes, Venetian arsenals and waterside warehouses to the iconic Venetian lighthouse. Trace the sea walls and admire the honey-toned stone of the Grand Arsenal while your leader highlights favorite bakeries, markets and hidden courtyards.

Hear how Chania’s fabric was woven by Venetians and Ottomans, from the church-and-minaret skyline of the Splantzia quarter to merchant homes around the harbor. This immersive introduction typically occurs early in the tour to help you navigate the city with confidence.