Rethymnon 4x4 Sunset Safari with Dinner at a Traditional Taverna

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.

Acqua Plus Waterpark Ticket

Channel your inner child and head to Acqua Plus Waterpark, where you can splash, tumble and whizz your way down slide after slide. If you're up for a thrill try the extreme slides – the Spacebowl is our favourite – or, if relaxing is more your thing, check out the lazy river. Perfect for kids and big kids alike.Located just outside Heraklion, the park is easy to find. Once you're there you'll receive a digital wristband to scan so there's no need to carry money about – just pay at the end for anything you've bought. Then the fun can begin.The park is split in two, one side for the extreme slides and the other is made for younger children. You'll be spoilt for choice with over 50 slides to choose from – there's even the chance to walk on water in the W.O.W balls.

Afternoon Balos catamaran cruise in Crete

Ease into the afternoon with a chilled glass of Prosecco and a selection of canapes on board a fancy catamaran. You'll set sail to Balos Lagoon, known for its pink sand and turquoise waters, where you can swim, snorkel or unwind on deck with a cocktail in hand. After this, enjoy a few light bites as the Cretan sunset steals the spotlight. You can choose the Comfort option on the lower deck with open seating, or you can opt for VIP Flybridge upper deck access with your own sunbed, towel and a personalised waiter service.

Balos and Gramvousa catamaran cruise in Crete

Cruise in style on a luxury catamaran with two ticket choices. There's the comfort option on the lower deck with open seating, or choose the VIP option to access get on the upper deck where your own sunbed and personalised service is waiting. You'll set sail from Kissamos Port with coffee and a light brunch before an anchor drop at Balos, where you can swim, snorkel or relax on deck with a cocktail. Next, you'll check out Gramvousa Island's Venetian fortress and lagoon before enjoying a Mediterranean lunch, some R&R and a final toast on the way back to the port.

Crete day tour with monastery, winery visit and cooking class

A chance to delve into Crete's culture and eat like an islander. On this full day tour inland from Chania, you'll visit a winery in Alikambos, explore a historic monastery, and take part in a hands-on cheese-making class. Joanna, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘This tour is the ideal opportunity to taste Cretan olive oil and wine, and to try local food that you'll get to prepare during a cooking lesson'.After making your way through the scenic foothills of the White Mountains, you'll reach your first port of call – award-winning Dourakis Winery, a family-run business with decades of experience in winemaking and olive oil production. Enjoy sampling its organic Cabernet Sauvignon wines and olive oil before setting off into the countryside.Next, you'll head to the Monastery of St George. Set among sun-soaked olive groves in the village of Karydi, this early 17th-century retreat was restored after many decades of abandonment, though parts of it still retain a ruined air. You'll be able to explore the grounds and discover the remains of the old olive oil press. What's more, your visit directly contributes to the monastery's upkeep. Your final stop is Kefalas village where you'll partake in a cooking lesson to learn how to prepare a traditional dish. Then it'll be time to roll up your sleeves and have a go yourself. Prepare a meal using a recipe you can recreate when you get back home, and if you're feeling creative, you can even try your hand at making Cretan cheese.

Afternoon Balos catamaran cruise in Crete

Ease into the afternoon with a chilled glass of Prosecco and a selection of canapes on board a fancy catamaran. You'll set sail to Balos Lagoon, known for its pink sand and turquoise waters, where you can swim, snorkel or unwind on deck with a cocktail in hand. After this, enjoy a few light bites as the Cretan sunset steals the spotlight. You can choose the Comfort option on the lower deck with open seating, or you can opt for VIP Flybridge upper deck access with your own sunbed, towel and a personalised waiter service.

Balos and Gramvousa catamaran cruise in Crete

Cruise in style on a luxury catamaran with two ticket choices. There's the comfort option on the lower deck with open seating, or choose the VIP option to access get on the upper deck where your own sunbed and personalised service is waiting. You'll set sail from Kissamos Port with coffee and a light brunch before an anchor drop at Balos, where you can swim, snorkel or relax on deck with a cocktail. Next, you'll check out Gramvousa Island's Venetian fortress and lagoon before enjoying a Mediterranean lunch, some R&R and a final toast on the way back to the port.