DESCRIPTION :

Away from the touristic places , deep into tradition on this tour we will explore the “Real Crete” .

Our first stop in the most traditional village of the island, Anogia. This village is a large mountain village with population of 5,000 and lays on Mount Psiloritis in the central Cretan prefecture of Rethymno. In this village you are more likely to see men wearing the Cretan baggy trousers tucked into their boots, heads decorated with nets, here than just about anywhere else.  As we walk through the small streets of this traditional village we shall visit one of the traditional houses in Anogia to see the handmade souvenirs and watch the old way that women were used to fix handmade blankets and clothes.

Our tour continues to the famous Sfedoni cave, in Zoniana village. The cave is one of the most important caves in Greece, covering an area of about 3.000 square meters. Visitors are allowed to explore a route of about 270 m full of  stalactites and stalagmites of different colors and shapes which decorate the cave’s chambers.

After encountering the cave we will have worked up our appetite so we will have lunch in Anogia village, in a very traditional tavern where you have magnificent view of the village and the surrounding area, a perfect place for your photos. The secret of Cretan diet is the rich variety of products of Cretan land and the olive oil, which is used in all the dishes. Cheese, honey, aromatic plants and many other products of Psiloritis are the basis for the miracle called the cuisine of Anogia. Top tastes are “ofto” and cheese.

Driving  back to our hotels, we make a stop in Axos village and visit the Monastery Dioskouri.  In Axos village we will visit the museum and the workshop and find out the aesthetic and artistic proposal, traditional elements, folklore elements (for example, the marking of the animals), sociological data (the family structure, the position of man and woman), historical evidences etc. After the museum we make our last stop in Dioskouri Monastery, one of the oldest monasteries in Crete.  In the center of the courtyard there is the church of St. George. The old icon of St. George is famous to the Cretan herders who swear on that when they are accused of stealing animals.

PRICE INCLUDES:

• Hotel pick up and drop off
• Air-conditioned bus transportation
• Escort Guide ( English or German or French speaking)

NOT INCLUDED:

• Personal expenses ( lunch and drinks)
• Sfedoni Cave entrance fee: 4.00€ per adult, children until 11 years old free
• Axos museum entrance fee: 3.00€ per adult, children 5-18 years old 2.00€
• Dioskouri Monastery: 1.00€

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

• Upon booking this tour please mention your hotel name and location. You will be notified by email about the nearest pick up point and time. For pick ups from the Heraklion city center please note that there is an extra cost of 3€ for the transfer.
• Tour duration : about 12 hours
• Things you must have with you:
  1. Proper shoes
  2. A hat and sunscreen
  3. A bottle of water
  4. Cameras
• Please bring your own face masks to wear during the bus drive as a Covid-19 precaution.

CANCELLATION POLICY:

• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.