Heraklion

Heraklion – Rethymnon [5 days]
from €

In this island-continent, the largest of the Greek world, the refined civilization that enlightened Greece and its islands was born and flourished, as evidenced by the site of Knossos. The Cretan landscape offers a variety with its rugged mountains, deep gorges, peaceful bays and fertile lands, astonished, surprised and delighted.

Highlights:

Heraklion
Knossos - Hersonissos
Heraklion, Fodele, Rethymnon
Arkadi – Anogia

Itinerary

Arrival at Heraklion airport, welcome by our local correspondent, who will help you when picking up the car and departing for the hotel. Take a first taste of the city by strolling through the city center on foot. Overnight in Heraklion

Knossos - Hersonissos - wine tasting

Visit the 9,000-year-old archaeological site of Knossos and discover what some consider to be the oldest city in Europe. The highlight, however, is the Palace of Knossos, located just outside of town. This archaeological site is thousands of years old and dates back to the Minoan civilization. It is larger than two football pitches and was, according to legend, the palace of King Minos. Among other things, you will find frescoes and various baths.Are you hungry after all these discoveries? Take a seat in one of the local cafes and order a "bhougatsa", a Greek pastry made from filo pastry and filled with pastry cream, cheese or minced meat.Our next destination: the famous seaside resort of Hersonissos. Hersonissos is a beautiful coastal destination, bordering the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea, surrounded by charming villages, you can explore the charming harbor before enjoying Greek hospitality in the typical tavernas of the seaside region.Then you can participate in a wine tasting. The Lyrarakis vineyard, where the wine tasting takes place, is about 30 km from Hersonissos. The Lyrarakis vineyard is a family vineyard, which has been producing quality wines since 1966. You will begin your discovery with a visit to the vineyards, before being able to access the cellar to taste different wines aged in oak barrels - all, served with rusks and Greek olives. The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours.

Return to Heraklion - Overnight in Heraklion.

(Mileage: 50 km).

Heraklion, Fodele, Rethymnon - Tasting of “glyka koutaliou” and local honey.

Departure for the visit of the archeology museum. Then, orientation tour to discover the historic heart of the city of Heraklion: 1866 street and its market, visit of the Agios Minas cathedral and the Morosini fountain, the Loggia and the Agios Titos basilica. Continuation to Fodélé, the village where “El Greco” was born. Tasting of “glyka koutaliou” (half-jam, half-candied fruit) and local honey. Continue to Rethymno. Overnight in Rethymnon.

(Mileage: 100 km).

Arkadi – Anogia - demonstration of the preparation of local cheese

Before reaching the road to wild Crete, stop at the monastery of Arkadi, high place of Cretan resistance against the Ottoman invaders, it enjoys a beautiful Cretan pre-renaissance architecture and its church is very richly decorated. Further on at the foot of Mount Psiloritis, the road begins to meander at Margarites, a village of artisan potters. In Axos, the village still proudly exhibits fewer than ten Byzantine churches, whereas there were 46 in its heyday. In Anogia, a village of shepherds, stop at a traditional "mitato" (old summer huts entirely in dry stone) and demonstration of the preparation of local cheese. Return to Rethymnon. Overnight in Rethymnon.

(Mileage: 115 km).