KRETA
An unforgettable trip across the largest Greek island will leave us enchanted. This true ethnographic adventure will take us among friendly locals, hidden villages, deserted beaches, and historical sites. We have designed the program to explore mainly the southern part of the island, which is more authentic and less touristy. The focus will be on hidden corners of the island, which can only be discovered with the help of a car. We will also enjoy nature walks, as Crete hides its most beautiful treasures among its hills and mountains. We will hike the most stunning gorges, conquer the highest peak of the White Mountains, and explore karst caves and mysterious lakes of Cretan karst. Each day will end on beaches that are famous in their own right.
We start our journey in the capital city of Chania, where we pick up our cars and head out for our first authentic Greek coffee. Turkish coffee is not a thing in Greece 😉 On the first day, we will drive to the beautiful Balos Beach, known for its turquoise sea, and then proceed through hidden corners to our seaside town of Paleochora. In the evening, we will stroll through the town, which boasts characteristic Greek architecture, and enjoy the pleasant ethnic ambiance of taverns with delicious Greek food.
The following days will be dedicated to discovering the southwestern part of Crete. On foot, we will explore the Agia Irini Gorge, known for its high cliffs and green forests. We will visit the sleepy seaside village of Sougia, renowned for its beautiful beach and good food. We will also drive to the famous Elafonisi Beach, known for its pink sand and turquoise lagoon. We will take a walk around the hippie village of Asogires, where we will see a waterfall, an Orthodox monastery, and an old Venetian bridge. We won’t miss the famous Susy’s omelet, the most well-known dish in the village. We will walk through the gorge to ancient Lissos, known for its mystical ancient tombs, olive trees thousands of years old, and incredibly beautiful rocky beach. After visiting Lissos and swimming, we will return by boat to Sougia.
We will also explore the peaks of the White Mountains, Lefka Ori. We will climb the rocky peak of Gingilos, which at 2080 meters offers stunning views of the northern and southern valleys and all the way to the sea.
Next, we will move to Sfakia, known for its traditional lifestyle, non-touristy areas, and the best food on Crete. On the way, we will stop at the beautiful Kournas Lake and at an olive oil factory, where we will be shown the traditional method of olive oil production.
The next day will be dedicated to exploring the famous Imbros Gorge, where we will walk through the rocky canyon and gather medicinal herbs for which Crete is world-renowned. We will end the day in the village of Imbros at a local tavern with top-notch Greek homemade food and beautiful sea views.
Then we head east. First, we will explore the Preveli Gorge and Beach. Our path will lead us through the water past stunning rock walls and beautiful swimming pools. We will end up in the village of Matala, famous for its sandy beaches and caves where hippies lived in the 60s and 70s. Those interested can meet our German friend Ule, who has lived in a cave for 17 years. In Matala, we will also walk to the Red Beach, a landmark in its own right, and admire the beautiful sunsets for which Matala is famous. In the town of Noira, we will visit the Saturday market, where all the local vendors gather once a week. We will also drive to the Agiofaraggo Nature Reserve, a wild peninsula that hides a beautiful canyon, undiscovered beaches, hidden karst caves, and karst lakes. In Matala, we will also dance to Greek rhythms before returning to Chania for our final night. Chania is a beautiful ancient city with a lovely center, and we will do our final shopping before heading home.
This program is active and recommended for anyone who enjoys a traveler’s and free-spirited way of discovering the world.
Highlights of the way
Driving the route: Exploring Crete by car is unforgettable as it allows us to see the most interesting sights.
Balos: A beautiful sandy beach with a double lagoon and amazing views, turquoise water, and clear sea.
Paleochora: A relaxed seaside town with lovely architecture, good food, and a wide choice of beaches.
Elafonisi: The far western part of the island, a beach with pink sand that always impresses with its beauty.
Agia Irini: A green rocky canyon that is beautiful, just challenging enough, and very interesting.
Sougia: A sleepy fishing village that was also a hippie base, a great starting point for nature excursions.
Lissos: An ancient city that remains mystical today, with a beautiful beach and incredibly old olive trees.
Kournas Lake: A prehistoric lake full of various animal species and great for swimming.
Sfakia: Here you can feel the true traditional Crete, with very non-touristy areas and the best food on Crete.
Mt Gingilos: A rocky mountain that at 2080 meters provides unforgettable views of the sea and Lefka Ori mountains.
Imbros Gorge: Some say it is the most beautiful gorge on the island, with steep walls and abundant herbs.
Preveli: A gorge and palm grove that ends with the river flowing into the sea, stunning pools, and climbing…
Matala: The hippie center of the 60s is now a tourist village with a great atmosphere…
Red Beach: A beautiful beach, also a nudist beach, with high white cliffs and clear sea.
Agiofaraggo: A peninsula and natural reserve that hides wonderful marine and karst beauty.
Chania: An old town with a characteristic Greek atmosphere. Ethno taverns: A true gastronomic experience is only possible in genuine local Greek taverns.
Accomodation
Our program is designed so that we change accommodation only three times. We stay in carefully selected aparthotels and in double or triple rooms at prime locations. The accommodations are nice, comfortable, and suitable for all tastes.
Hotels on the way
Why travel with us?
- Because we travel by car, which is the best way to explore the island. We drive the cars ourselves.
- Because we take you to enchanting spots (beaches, gorges, villages) that most tourists don’t visit.
- Because we do a lot of walking in nature, not just lounging on beaches or suffering through “old stones” sightseeing.
- Because our tour leader is experienced and knows the island well.
- Because we know that good food in great company is an essential part of ending the day on a high note.
- Because the accommodations are good, beautiful, clean, and conveniently located.
- Because we’ve done our best to keep the price reasonable!
About the country
Crete is blessed with all the natural beauty an island could wish for. It is the largest Greek island in the Aegean Sea, covering 8,261 km², and the fifth largest in the Mediterranean (over 270 kilometers long from west to east). As of 2005, it has just over 623,000 residents. It is predominantly mountainous, with the highest peak in the Psiloritis range reaching 2,456 meters.
Crete is the birthplace of the mighty god Zeus from Greek mythology and one of the largest and most populated Greek islands, boasting over a thousand kilometers of coastline. Crete, and Greece in general, are known for their friendly, hospitable people, dancing, and excellent cuisine. Crete is definitely an excellent holiday destination where you can travel worry-free and enjoy endless adventure possibilities. The northern part of Crete is more touristy, while the south is somewhat less so.
Visa and Vaccinations
A visa is not required for Crete. You can enter the country with an ID card. Vaccinations are not necessary. We will inform you of any entry restrictions due to the Coronavirus.
Group and Tour Leader
The group consists of up to 6 cars with travelers, or 12-24 people. The group is led by Gregor. The entire trip requires 10 days.
Before the trip, we have a mandatory meeting with everyone to avoid problems and ensure everyone is well-informed.
When to Travel?
Due to the Mediterranean climate, travel to Crete is ideal from March to November. The best times are May/June when everything is in bloom, and September/October when the sea is warm and pleasant. Rainfall is minimal.
CHAR Departure organized by Huda Tura is in June, September, and October. You can check the exact departure date under the “PRICE” tab or on the homepage or right side under “DEPARTURES.” Spaces are limited!
PRICE
For the current price please visit the Slovenian page. (CLICK HERE)
The Price Includes:
- Organization and Slovenian tour leader for the entire trip
- Rental cars with comprehensive insurance
- Aparthotels and hotels along the route
- Breakfasts during the trip (6x)
- Fuel, parking fees, and ferry tickets
- Road tolls, parking fees, and fuel for driving in Crete
The Price Does Not Include:
- ransfer to the airport in Venice/Vienna from €55
- Additional luggage (10 to 20 kg) from €30 to €70
- Food and drinks during the trip, personal expenses (taverns, markets)
- Single room supplement approximately €250
- Entrance fees (discounts available for students and seniors)
- Travel insurance and cancellation insurance (5.2%)
Personal Expenses: We recommend bringing at least approximately €300 for food, drinks, entertainment, and souvenirs.
Additional Costs: €30 per person if traveling with three people in the vehicle, €200 for a single room supplement
Hiking Options:Agia Irini Gorge: 5 hours (optional), Lissos: 3 hours (optional), Imbros Gorge: 5 hours (optional), Gingilos Peak: 5 hours (optional), Agiofaraggo: 2 hours (mandatory).
Payment method:
Upon Registration: A deposit of €100 is required along with a non-refundable registration fee of €10. The registration fee is non-refundable. The price is valid for payments made via UPN (Universal Payment Order). The deposit secures your spot in the group. The trip is confirmed with a minimum number of participants. In the event of insufficient registrations, the trip may be canceled or the cost for organization and leadership may be proportionally increased. For 6-8 participants, the cost increases by €120; for 9-12 participants, it increases by €80. Cancellation Policy: If you cancel your trip, cancellation terms as stated in the general conditions apply. You may use the paid amount for any of our trips within one year, if you cancel up to 60 days before the trip or before the invoice is issued. For more details on the general terms and conditions, please read here.Car Rental: Car rentals are governed by our business conditions. The agency is not responsible for any damage to the vehicles. Vehicles must be returned in the same condition as they were rented. Cars are covered by comprehensive insurance (CDW) with a deductible of €1500 (200,000 ISK). Always read the rental agreement carefully. A credit card in the driver’s name is required for the car rental.If the Trip is Canceled: In the case of trip cancellation due to insufficient registrations, the deposit will be refunded. Before departure, expenses for registration, flights, escort and trip preparation, cars, insurance with assistance, and transfers to the airport must be settled. All other costs are to be paid locally, on-site.
Destinations and Prices: Travel destinations are subject to change and prices may fluctuate. We can only guarantee the price for organization and the flight invoice.
PHOTO MOMENTS
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Pozdravljena ekipa,
potovanje se mi je zdelo eno boljših…..pot je bila ravno prav dolga, termin super, boljšega si ne bi mogli želeti, vsakega je bilo po malo ( aktivnosti, kopanje, plaža). Način potovanja z avtomobili mi ustreza. Ogromno se vidi in ni vedno ob premiku porebno vsega natančno spakirati. Se mi zdi, da tak način potovanja res omogoča, da deželo bolj podrobno spoznaš in nisi v minuto odvisen od prevozov.
Čez vodenje nimam pripomb. Gregor nam je na lokacijah tudi povedal veliko zanimivega in se izkazal za precej potrpežljivega.
Za potovanje na Kreto sva se z Romanom odločila tudi zato, ker nama je septembrski termin res ustrezal. Slišala sva, da če obiščeš Kreto, je južni del tisti, ki ga je vredno videti in doživeti. Program in način potovanja naju je prepričal…..zadnja dva dneva smo že razglabljali, kako bi bilo, če bi Gregorja nakibicali, če v podobnem slogu pripravi Korziko oziroma Sardinijo.
Porabila sem cca 250 Eur.
Lep pozdrav
Mirjam