Explore Crete through a variety of high quality private and organised tours and excursions that we offer. Just a few examples are the following:

KNOSSOS and HERAKLION MUSEUM, CRETAN EVENING in ANOPOLIS, SAMARIA GORGE, SPINALONGA, LOCAL LIFE, WATER CITY, BEST of the WEST, CHRISSI ISLAND, PHAISTOS, GORTYS and MATALA, DIA DAY CRUISE.

Special Interests: Scuba Diving, Botanical Walks, Horse Riding, Mountaineering.

Join us for an unforgettable night out in the mountain village of Anopolis.

The friendly locals from the taverna greet us with a warm welcome and a glass of Raki - maybe firewater is a better word for it - and a few snacks are also offered to help it down.

A short stroll will take you along to the village church, which is beautifully decorated with frescoes and icons. The gold chandeliers are stunningly impressive, but are lit only for special occasions.

Making your way back to the taverna, you may not be able to resist the lovely handicrafts displayed in the little village shops.

Our evening starts with a delicious variety of traditional Greek dishes, and of course there's plenty of wine to get the taste buds tingling.

Cretan and Greek music and dances are performed by the talented local musicians and dancers in their colourful costumes. There is a story behind every song, and every dance, dating back as far as the 17^th century when the Lyra was first introduced. Songs were used by the Cretans as a method of communication during the Turkish occupation.

During this lively evening you'll have the opportunity to join in the dancing yourselves, but,

WATCH OUT FOR THE TABLE

-it could be your turn!

This night is highly recommended by all guests - everyone enjoys it, and it is popular with the whole family.

Experience a Cretan night out the Cretan way!

PHAISTOS, GORTYS and MATALA

A visit to Phaistos completes the "Minoan Experience".
The journey, heading southwards from Heraklion, takes us through some of Crete's most magnificent countryside, up and over the mountains.

The palace of Phaistos was built as the king's winter palace and the retreat of the priesthood, around the same time as Knossos. But somehow you will sense a totally different "feel" to the place. Mysterious and beautiful, the setting of Phaistos is spectacular, overlooking the broad sweep of the Plain of Messara and out to the sea, while the Psiloreitis massif rises to the north-west.

Phaistos was excavated by Italian archaeologists, and unlike Knossos has not undergone much reconstruction. However, you'll see a similar layout of labyrinthine corridors and stairways, also with a central court, all on a smaller scale.

Many of the treasures in Heraklion Museum were unearthed in the area, for example the Boxer, Chieftain and Harvester vases; but undoubtedly the most famous find is the Phaistos Disc.

This exquisite little clay disc, only seven inches in diameter, has on each side a hieroglyphic inscription, as yet undeciphered, spiralling towards the centre. Its 241 tiny figures include people, animals, birds, insects, ships and vases.

If the Phaistos Disc fascinates you, the visit to Gortys will intrigue you further. (In fact usually the first stop on this day out). The site of Gortys was a Roman city, established in 67 B.C. as the capital of Crete. It is where the first Dorian settlers set down their Code of Laws - some 1,700 characters carved on massive blocks of stone. These laws dealt with matters as diverse as divorce, mortgages, and the treatment of slaves.


BEST of the WEST

Our first stop is the village of Fodele, birthplace of the famous painter Domenikos Theotokopoulos, better known as El Greco. Here you can have a drink and perhaps a stroll around the pretty, leafy village before we head off to Chania. You'll see rugged mountain masses, snow-capped for most of the year, but lush and green where they slope down to the sea. Our professional guide will point out the "Best of the West" and tell you the history and legends surrounding this region and its people. Chania is Crete's second city and, until as recent as 1971, was the capital until Heraklion took over. Chania's indoor market in the shape of the cross, and its "Leather Street" completely dedicated to shops brimming with leather goods, are ideal places to shop for souvenirs and presents

WATER CITY

We haven't forgotten the little ones though. They have their own pool with slides and a water fountain, but they'll also love floating along in the rings on the Lazy River. There's also a play area for the children, with swings and things to keep them happy for hours. By the time you have exhausted yourselves on all the rides and soaked up enough sun, you'll have a good appetite for lunch. There's a wide choice of snack and cold drinks at the poolside bar, or full meals in the restaurant. We are sure you'll have a whale of a time at Water City!


SAMARIA GORGE

The vast and mysterious gorge of Samaria is like no other in Europe. Amongst the many fascinating sights to see on Crete, the Samaria Gorge cannot be missed. Europe's equivalent to the Grand Canyon, some people come to the island just to walk it - all eleven miles! The steep descent commences from the Plain of Omalos, high up in Ta Lefka Ori - The White Mountains - in the province of Chania. A rough path twists its way through the gorge, with the amazing scenery changing from mile to mile. You'll cross crystal-clear streams, and see wild flowers scattered over the sheer rock faces rising up from the paths.


KNOSSOS and HERAKLION MUSEUM

The site of Knossos is the most well-known after the Acropolis in Athens.
A visit to Crete would be incomplete without witnessing this phenomenon.

The palace, excavated and reconstructed by Sir Arthur Evans, was built during the "Old Palace" Minoan period, circa 1900 - 1700 B.C.
At this time, power and wealth were becoming concentrated in a few centres on the island, leading to unprecedented cultural development in the Aegean area.

Steeped in mythology, Knossos was the powerful domain of King Minos, and from here derives the legend of the Minotaur - the half-man, half-bull creature slain by Theseus in the Labyrinth.

Amongst many more fascinating things to see are the huge urns, used to store provisions such as olive oil and grain. Wonder at the first-ever flush lavatory, and see the earliest European wooden throne. The colourful frescoes of the dolphins are spectacular, but many others, like the beautiful and elegant Prince of the Lilies, can be seen in Heraklion Museum.

During the day, we make a stop in Heraklion city centre, where there is the opportunity to explore, perhaps do some shopping, have a bite of lunch, or visit the lively local market.

The Archaeological Museum of Heraklion is a highlight of the day. This concrete block of a building, designed to resist earthquakes rather than appeal to the eye, boasts the world's most comprehensive collection of Minoan art. No other city, anywhere, has a museum to match it.

By the end of the day you will feel that you have relived a part of Cretan history.


LOCAL LIFE

A day to experience local culture and ways, panoramic scenery and superb views. The village of Archanes has won European acclaim for its clever and attractive renovation. The surrounding countryside is masses of vineyards, famous for the rich red wines of the Archanes appellation. The village is an ideal spot to take in the aromas, sights and sounds of the Cretan landscape. Another renowned wine-making area is the village of Peza. Here you may sample several varieties of wine from this region, and witness the creation of next year's vintage! A relaxing stop is the village of Myrtia, for a well-earned rest point during our day. Lunch is served in the village taverna by the hospitable owners, who have prepared traditional Cretan specialities for us to enjoy. Myrtia is famous for its little village museum, once the home of the author Nikos Kazantzakis.

SPINALONGA

We travel eastwards to the picturesque port of Aghios Nikolaos, from where the boat sails across the bay to the island of Kolokitha, where we drop anchor. There's plenty time for swimming, sunbathing and working on your tan while our Captain prepares the barbecue lunch - it's all hands on deck for the crew. After lunch we set sail again, this time for the tiny, enigmatic island of Spinalonga. This place was, until 1957, the last leper colony in Europe. The ruins of many small houses, shops and businesses in which 200 lepers lived their isolated lives can still be seen. Our professional guide will explain the fascinating history in more detail. A memorable day for all aboard.