Explore Rethymno History with Arts and Crafts Private Tour

We start this tour by doing various sightseeing stops, to see the valleys and villages of Mainland Rethymno, a prefecture east of Chania Region.

After a lovely drive through one of Rethymno’s most beautiful gorges, we finally reach the Monastery of Arkadi with huge historical & Archaeological significance. Free time is given to explore the artefacts of the monastery, pray and meditate, as well as gather in the gunpowder room and learn about the history of self- committed suicide of monks, women and warriors during the Ottoman Rule of the island.

Margarites Village is famous worldwide for the many art workshops and handmade crafts artists that reside in the village, owning their own shops and producing souvenirs of the highest quality.

We continue to visit a unique underground cave with huge historical significance. We stand in awe admiring the numerous stalactites and stalagmites and learning about the history of the Cave, on the Foothills of Mount Ida (Psiloritis Mountain).

We make a visit and pay our respects to one of the most historic monasteries in Crete, Arkadi Monastery. Our professional historian tour guide explains the significance of this monastery for agriculture, for the customs of Crete, as well as for the Cretan divine tradition. We pay special attention to the heroic act of the monks during the revolt against the Ottoman Empire in 1866, as we stand in awe in the gunpowder room right next to the monastery premises.

A lovely sightseeing stop to a breathtaking bridge allows us to see the authentic Cretan landscape, understand the agricultural sector in Crete, as well as unveil the real scale of the island, with its picturesque valleys, gorges, villages and loads of cultivated lands.

Coffee Break/ Sightseeing stop at an elevated position, overlooking the valleys of Rethymno Prefecture.

Lunch Break at one of the many rated restaurants our professional historian tour guide can recommend in the vicinity of Ancient Eleftherna.

Visit the village of Margarites, a traditional Cretan village where artists and ceramists have found an artistic shelter. Wander around the romantic alleys of Margarites village, and interact with the various artists producing Greek folklore and contemporary art, as well as Greek ceramics. Margarites village has retained its character through the years, and being desolate from mass tourism, it is an ideal destination to see Cretan life, laid back style, as well as see how the famous Greek handmade ceramics are made.

We visit a jaw-dropping underground cave that will be the highlight of your experience! We go underground, and we are amazed by the millions of stalactites and stalagmites inside the cave. Furthermore, we learn about the history of the cave, as it still is the resting place for many Greek villagers that found a tragic death during a revolt against Ottoman empire. Our professional historian explains.

Coffee Break to stay energized, while heading back to Chania, to end this private full-day tour from Chania to Rethymno Prefecture.

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

• Explore Rethymno History with Arts and Crafts Private Tour
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  Pickup included

• Flexible Stops and Possible Alterations (Private Tour)
• Private Tour with free pickup/ drop off from Chania
• Professional Historian Tour Guide / Driver – Licensed by the Greek Ministry of Tourism & Culture

• Entrance Fees (Approximately 8 Euro’s per Person)

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Please be advised..

• This Tour is Provided by Proper Cretan Guide.
• Tour Timezone & Starts at Europe/Athens.
• Mobile or paper ticket accepted.
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
• Minimum 1 Travelers is required to book.
• Maximum 6 Travelers is accepted for booking.