Following pick-up at your hotel, journey to the traditional village of Spili to admire the Venetian fountain of Kefalovrissi with its 19 lion heads. Sit back and enjoy the dramatic scenery of the Kourtaliótiko Gorge as you make your way to the beautiful beach of Preveli. Get breathtaking views of the blue waters of the Aegean Sea contrasting with the lush green of the palm forest and lagoon. After your visit to Spili the next stop is Damnoni beach. From here you will take the boat over to Palm beach. Take some free time to soak in all the beauty of the clear blue waters combined with the lagoon and palm forest. Enjoy time to purchase lunch and refreshments in Damnoni and admire its beautiful clean beach. Journey back to Rethymno and get dropped off at your hotel on arrival.

Benefit from pickup at your hotel in the Rethymno region in your shared or private group. Start by taking in a breathtaking view of the Prasses Gorge. Look for resident wildlife, including the impressive vultures that live in the gorge. Continue to the Potamon Dam and admire the small church built by the lake as a reminder of the importance of religion on the island. Pass through typical villages, such as Karines and Spili and learn about the local customs and habits. Savor an authentic raki produced in the village along with other specialties at a traditional tavern overlooking the Libyan Sea. Swim in the crystal clear waters of Preveli and explore the palm forest. Feel the wind in your hair as you get back to nature in the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. End with a panoramic view of Rethymno before drop off at your hotel.

Morning Pickup: We will start collecting participants from pick-up points in the morning. Depending on the place of your hotel/apartment the bus drive to the destination will differ (between 2.5 - 4 hours). 1st stop: Damnioni Beach Arrive by bus at the beach of Damnioni and embark on the boat which will take you to the unique Palm Forest of Preveli. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 2nd stop: Preveli Palm Beach – 1 hour 30 minutes Arrive at the famous beach of Preveli. Our participants will have plenty of free time to swim and explore a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. Chill out and enjoy the exotic landscape of the south coast. Boat Trip: 30 minutes 3rd stop: Damnioni Beach – 1 hour Arrival at Damnioni, free time for 1 hour to enjoy lunch at a local tavern (optional, with extra charge). Bus Drive: 20 minutes 4th stop: Kourtaliotiko Gorge – 10 minutes Experience the wild natural landscapes of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Our participants will have 10 minutes of free time to admire the view of Cretan Nature and take some pictures! Bus Drive: 30 minutes 5th stop: Rethymnon Town – 1 hour 20 minutes Visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno. Enjoy your free time walking along the old port, its iconic small streets with local cafes, and its beautiful beach road. End of the tour – Arrival at resorts: Embarkation in the buses and drive back to the hotels where we gathered participants in the morning. Bus Drive: between 2-3 hours Depending on traffic and the hotel location, the time of the journey back to the hotel will differ.

Enjoy a full-day excursion from Heraklion to Preveli Beach on a bus trip with a local guide. Discover South Crete's Grand River, Kourtaliotikos Gorge, and a colony of Theophrastus palm trees. Sunbathe on the sandy beaches, swim in the turquoise waters, watch for wildlife, or hike regional trails.  Begin your tour with a bus ride from the north coast to Preveli Beach, where you can swim in the turquoise Mediterranean water or stroll the sandy beaches. Look for a rock shaped like a heart, known as The Stone of Lovers, and marvel at the steep cliffs and misty hilltops of nearby Kourtaliotikos Gorge.  Continue your tour by hiking along the banks of the Grand River to discover the Forest full of Theophrastus palm trees. Hike further up the river trail to a canyon and beach where you can further swim, hike, or sunbathe, before heading back down the path to the bus and returning to Heraklion.

Start your day at the breathtaking Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Walk through the rising rock walls and admire the incredible natural scenery, before you reach the lonely chapel in Agios Nikolaos. Listen to the ethereal sound of the wind, created by its movement through the gorge. Reach the springs of Kourtaliotis, where you can purchase rare herbs, which only grow in the mountains, from the locals. Arrive at the exotic coastal resort of Kalypso, an old pirate shelter. Relax on Karavos beach, which has recently become a national park. Clamber across the towering rocks and dive into the turquoise water of the Libyan Sea. Travel to the village of Mariou and enjoy a delicious local lunch, complimented with their traditional drink, raki. Finish your adventure at the stunning village of Spili, carved into the heart of the mountains. Escape the sun as you relax under the trees and view the famous Lion Fountain. 

Preparation and gear briefing Arriving in the entrance of Kourtaliotiko gorge, we are immediately amazed by the majestic walls that stand hundreds of meters high. We take the stone steps that lead us to the source of the river that formed this scenery through the ages. There, we can visit the little church of S. Nicolas Kourtaliotis, the local saint that lived here as a hermit, and learn about the old myths of the gorge. We take some time to put on our neoprene suits and our personal gear, distributed by the team leaders. Then, the instructors will give a safety briefing so that we can understand the use of our gear and learn to trust it. Now we are ready to get the fun started! Canyoning games in the river The source of Kourtaliotiko river becomes a natural playground for us! You are welcome to rappel down the steep canyon wall next to the waterfall and try adrenaline jumps in the water as many times as you wish. We swim around, we take pictures, and we play like kids. Our specialized instructors and guides will be next to you at all times to ensure your safety and guide you through the different activities. Short river trek Our adventure continues further down the river. Hiking towards the south, we soon discover a small cave called “the fairy cave” – if you are lucky enough, you may see one hiding behind the stalactites and stalagmites.

Start with pickup from your and meet your guide for the day. Drive up into the White Mountains to the famous Askifou Plateau. After a short coffee break, travel along ravines and gorges to the village of Chora Sfakion, a former rebel stronghold against Venetian and Turkish occupations in centuries past. Following the rugged south coast, enjoy the views of Gavdos, the southernmost island of Europe. Arrive at the picturesque village of Plakias and enjoy some free time for relaxation and swimming in the crystal-clear Libyan Sea. On the way back along the north coast, stop at the Kourtaliotiko Gorge. Walk down approximately 200 steps to the bottom of the gorge and enjoy the views of a beautiful waterfall. Finally, be returned to your hotel.

Pair up with a local insider and journey along the golden expanse of west Crete in the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle on this day trip from Heraklion. Choose from a range of vehicles that range from 3-12 seats. Visit destinations like the mountain village of Argyroupoli.  Be picked up from your accommodation in Agia Pelagia, Heraklion, or Hersonissos and begin your journey into western Crete. Sip on mineral water and snack on fresh fruit during the drive. Wander the village of Spili which is known for its monuments and medicinal herb garden. Travel to the foot of a mountain to visit the Byzantine Monastery of Preveli which overlooks the vast blue Libyan Sea. Expereince views the Kourtaliotiko and Kotsifou gorges. Encounter hospitable locals who live close to untouched nature.  Visit the village of Argyroupoli a local spring give birth to the Mouselas river. Get local recommendations on where to tuck into the genuine flavors of Crete. Unearth the archaic hamlet of King Agamemnon where water resources are pure, the temperature is ideal, and the food is an art.  Prepare to be mesmerized by the delicious aromas of slow-grilled lamb, melt-in-your-mouth river fish placed around an open fire. Go for a stroll in the seaside town of Rethymno and admire the charm of the labyrinthian streets and Venetian fortifications. Revel in the glamour of the old town's authentic street markets and eclectic wine-cocktail bars. Return to your accommodation at the end of your tour. 

Pair up with our top local insider and journey along the golden expanse of West Crete by the comfort of a luxury chauffeured vehicle. Submerge into a bespoke adventure fueled by the shimmering authenticity of ancient villages, hospitable locals who live close to untouched nature, lavish gorges spilling their rivers into the sea, and storied Byzantine Monasteries nestled among utopian wonders. Tuck into the genuine flavors of our legendary forefathers. Unearth the archaic hamlet of King Agamemnon where water resources are pure, the temperature is ideal, and the local knowledge of food is an art. Prepare to be mesmerized by delicious aromas of slow-grilled lamb and melt-in-mouth river fish placed around an open fire straight in front of you. Luxuriate along the seaside town of Rethymno basking in the charm of the labyrinthian streets and Venetian fortification. Revel in the glamour of the old town that makes it a minor playground for authentic street markets and eclectic wine-cocktail bars.