Odigitria Monastery

We start driving through the route of the vineyards of Crete. The villages we will cross are famous for the grape varieties and their wines and that is why there are many well-known wineries on our way. Our first stop is at AGIOS THOMAS a village at an altitude of 760 meters, dating back to 1371 AD. In the village there are Byzantine churches, ruins of the Byzantine aqueduct as well as Roman era tombs. Going down, we will cross the MESSARA valley and following a route through olive groves, we will reach the MONASTERY of ODIGITRIA one of the most famous monasteries of Crete, dating back to the 14thcentury. You will be amazed by the beauty of the monastery and you will have the opportunity to visit the museum with objects of the daily life of Cretans. Following we driving through a beautiful dirt road we reach MATALA, the famous village of southern Crete where the HIPPIES lived in the 70s. You will have free time to admire the beauties of the village and visit the caves of the HIPPIES. We return to the hotel through a beautiful route. This journey will amaze and fill you with pictures that will stay with you for a lifetime.

Explore the wild beauty of the secluded beaches of southern Crete with this tour starting from the North coast of Heraklion. We will lead to the vertical road passing through vineyards and olive groves, and as we will reach the rich plain of Messara with scattered greenhouses for vegetable production. Our first stop will be at a local award-winning winery where we will meet the people behind these amazing wines. We will take part in a tasting of five different labels based on local varieties. The next stop will be at an undisclosed beach on the south coast of Crete. Crystal Waters perfect spot for a nice swim. The second stop is in a magical place. A Greek Orthodox Monastery was founded in the 14th century and related to the Kallergides family to which it belonged. The next stop will be our secret beach spending time swimming and sunbathing and then we will head to Kaloi Limenes fishing village for swimming and lunch

Over the centuries, Cretans have imbued this ancient land with the vivid presence of Christianity by founding monasteries, churches, & chapels of great religious import. Journey to Central Crete from North to South in the paths of Apostle Paul to the land of generosity. An untouched paradise on earth, beloved by our forefathers, where fertile soils treasure lavish vineyards & the oldest olive groves seem to stretch toward the horizon. Succumb to the expert knowledge of our local guides as you visit religious monuments always built-in stunning landscapes. Some of them were fortified & others are situated on the sites of archaic temples illuminating the long devotion to Christianity in Crete. Let us take you on a true passage of time meandering through the Minoan wonders of Messara Plain to embrace the magnificent views of Phaistos Palace. In the afternoon, visit the village of Matala. Bask in the waters of the Libyan Sea & unwind at the delicious fish tavernas on the waterfront.

Discover the remnants of centuries-old Christian monuments in central Crete. Take a private day trip from Agios Nikolaos or Elounda to dive into the rich religious history of the island. Follow the path walked by Apostle Paul thousands of years ago and admire imposing monasteries. Get picked up from your Agios Nikolaos/Elounda hotel or villa and take a journey to central Crete from north to south. Explore the land where Apostle Paul found fertile soils with lavish vineyards and olive groves stretching toward the horizon. Allow your guide to take you on a journey through history. Explore the village of Agios Myron and its holy cave, as well as the Pailani and Odigitria Monasteries. Meander through the Minoan wonders of the vast Messara Plain to take in magnificent views of Phaistos Palace. Finally, visit the village of Matala to unwind at the typical fish tavernas on the waterfront.