After you will be picked off in the morning from your hotel in Rethymnon, this unique village tour begins from Arkadi. There you will visit the historic Arkadi Monastery, renowned for its pivotal role in the resistance against the Turks. You will learn a lot about local history from the icons and the weapons there. After this enriching visit, you will enjoy a majestic route towards Eleutherna where you will stop to glaze the landscape and enjoy the view. The next station will be the village of Margarites, in which you can learn about the art of pottery and create your own ceramic in their local pottery workshop. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and the ladies there will be more than happy to initiate you to the Cretan pottery art. Afterwards, you will be heading to Melidoni cave, also called “Gerodospilios,” which is a historic cave filled with stalactites and stalagmites. This 220-meter altitude cave was a place of worship for Talos the bronze giant guardian of Crete who protected the island of Crete from enemies. You will have an hour to explore the cave. Before heading back to Rethymnon, you will stop at Axos Village, where you will have the chance to experience firsthand the production process of fresh cheese. Along with the local people you can take part in the milking process, witness the production of local cheese pies and cheese and of course taste the fresh traditional handmade snacks. After the relaxed time for snacks and resting you are ready to depart and get dropped off at your hotel in Rethymnon, with a full experience of Crete's history, art and flavors.

Premium Sunset Safari Tour with best panoramic view of Rethymnon city from above, Potamon dam, traditional Cretan villages and mountains. Allow yourself to indulge in a romantic premium off-road experience with the best panoramic views and premium service in a semi private small group tour up to 8 persons per vehicle. Our evening tour begins from Rethymnon city centre and tourist areas, heading towards the inland of Rethymnon through traditional villages and uncharted mountain routes. Our premium off-road vehicles driven by well trained escorts will help you enjoy the best service and panoramic sunset view of Rethymnon from above. Unpaved off-road routes, wild and dense vegetation, non tourist places, unique panoramic view of Potamon dam and mountains ideal for sunset capture stops, are only some of the experiences that you will receive in a 4 hours premium off-road sunset safari tour. After our exploration through traditional Cretan villages of Pigi, Adelle, Sain Dimitrios, Holy Trinity and Harkia and following an uncharted off-road route we reach an amazing point in the hill above Potamon dam at 650m altitude. From that point we will have the best panoramic view of the dam, Cretan inland and mountains to capture some great photos. Following our unpaved route and admiring the unique Cretan terrain we reach a unique sunset spot to admire the romantic view and the entire city below. We continue our road-trip until reach a small family owned tavern where our Cretan delicacies platter will be served accompanied by a glass of wine. Our sunset tour comes to an end through an easy asphalt road to reach Rethymnon city full of memories, experiences, amazing sights, romantic views and premium service that only Uncharted Escapes experienced escorts can provide.

Cretan Cooking Lessons Chrysoula’s Traditional Cretan Cooking Lessons Welcome to Traditional Cretan Cooking Lessons by Chrysoula! Immerse yourself in the rich culinary heritage of Crete as you embark on a gastronomic journey like no other. Chrysoula, a passionate cook and proud native of a charming Cretan village, invites you to her Home, to discover the secrets of traditional Cretan cuisine using fresh products sourced from her family's farm or local farmers. Our lessons take place in my house and the food is baked in an old fashioned wood oven. The menu can also be adapted for our vegetarian friends or those with allergies. Your visit to our house includes a warm welcome with Greek coffee or herbal tea, homemade lemonade, ladokouloura. (Rolls made with olive oil) and loukoumakia (Greek delight) and chatting to get to know each other. the cooking lesson The recipes are cooked using old traditional practices and most of the food is baked in the wood-oven. Starters • dakos (Cretan salad) (rusk with tomato, cheese, olive oil, herbs) • tzatziki (the famous Greek dip) • Greek salad Main dishes • gemista (stuffed vine leaves, zucchini flowers (in season), tomatoes, zucchini, and pepper) • mousaka Dessert • Tyropitakia (traditional pies with homemade cheese, local honey and cinnamon springled) Meal the meal includes the dishes we prepare and some extras: Starters • dakos (Cretan salad) (rusk with tomato, feta cheese, olive oil, herbs) • tzatziki (the famous Greek dip) • Greek salad Main dishes • gemista (stuffed vine leaves, zucchini flowers (in season), tomatoes, zucchini, and pepper) • mousaka Dessert • Tyropitakia or loukoumades • homemade ice cream • traditional spoon sweet • seasonal fruit Included: local wine and raki. • Please let us know about any special requests (food allergy, vegan etc.) Hosting you at Chrysoula's cooking lessons would be an honor, and the team would go above and beyond to ensure your comfort and satisfaction. From the warm smiles to the genuine connections forged during the experience, you will feel like part of the extended Cretan family, creating lasting memories and forging a deep appreciation for the traditions and flavors of this remarkable island.

South trip is an interesting trip while you see a lot of villages like Arkadi,Agia Galini,Matala and Spili.Arkadi is famous for its Orthodox monastery which is very old with baroque and roman elements,with a big yard and a lot of trees and flowers.The monastery was a place for science art and had a school with big library.The other destination is Agia Galini a large village with nice beaches,bars and restaurants.Matala is next a very interesting and beautiful village with artificial caves,it was a fishing village and it was full of hippies, with clear waters flower drawings everywhere and quotes around the village,you can enjoy the fresh food while watching the caves.The last station is Spili where you can enjoy the cooling shady plateias and running waters.the whole trip takes 10 hours it starts at 8 in the morning and the come back is at 6 in the afternoon.

Take a private day trip with a Mercedes Vito van from Rethymno to Arkadi Monastery - Museum Of Ancient Eleftherna - Margarites Village and Melidoni cave Arkadi Monastery The most important and historic Venetian church in Crete history. The heroic revolution of the Cretans until the complete liberation has its own reference point, and it is none other than the Arkadi Monastery. Museum Of Ancient Eleutherna The first Archaeological Site Museum in Crete, the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna, covers an area of 1700 sq.m. while the total area of the archaeological site is 13 acres. The construction of the Museum, which began in 2012, includes three rooms hosting the entire history of the city from 3000 BC. to 1300 AD, with objects of everyday life and works of art from prehistoric, geometric, archaic, classical, Hellenistic, Roman, early Byzantine and Byzantine periods. Margarites Village The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to find an elder to show you how the pots are hand thrown. The village, which has some extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow winding streets, is well worth exploring. Duration 6 hours If selected Melidoni cave Melidoniou Cave, the well-known Gerontospelios in the prefecture of Rethymnon, is one of the most important historical caves of Crete. An admirable creation of nature at an altitude of 220 meters, to the south of Kouloukona mountain, near the village of the same name. Duration 8 hours

Morning Pick up: We will pick you up from your hotel. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive will differ. 1st stop: Margarites Visit Margarites village which is known on Crete for its pottery, with ceramics shops and workshops lining the streets of this charming small village. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village. You will visit the pottery workshop Keramion where you will enjoy a professional workshop to see how traditional ceramics are made and why not try to create your own (optional)! Moreover, you will find a special and unique product, the famous cup of justice. It was an ingenious wine cup which had a line that determined the limit of fulfillment and an axial or curved siphon. When one filled it excessively, the level of liquid covered the siphon and emptied automatically. It is considered an invention of Pythagoras who wanted to teach his students the necessity of complying with moderation in our lives. 2nd stop: Arkadi Monastery Explore the Monastery which has an architecture and history that will captivate you. It is one of the most impressive monasteries of Crete, which is played an active role in the Cretan resistance of Ottoman rule during the Cretan revolt of 1866. Places of special interest in Monastery -The Church which is a basilica with two naves; dedicated to the Transfiguration of Christ and to Saint Constantine and Saint Helen. It was built in 1587 in the place of the smaller church of the 13th century. -The bullet tree which witnessed the 1866 great battle, stands wounded by the Tourkish bullets, the superannuated cypress in the space of the cross showing towards the church. -Monk cells which were the personal area of the monks, a place of pray and inner though. -Museum where many icons and monastic relics as well as weapons are exhibited. 3rd stop: Thronos Village Afterwards, you will visit the traditional cauldron of the village where you will be able to watch all the stages of distillation, but also taste fresh raki, along with all those Cretan delicacies that accompany the company of raki, and also have fun! At the end of the day we transfer you back to your hotel, happy and smiling after a unique experience.