Because you just can't see too many Greek Islands, we're spending the day sailing to the Saronic Gulf to visit three: Hydra, Poros and Aegina.
Viaggio European Tours
Chania, Crete
With everything from snow-covered mountains to palm tree-lined beaches, ancient walled cities to little mountain villages, Crete is the largest island in Greece, and boasts its best year-round climate.
The diversity of its land and warmth of its people makes it a spectacular place to explore. Viaggio Tours has chosen Chania (with its own international airport) on the northwest coast of Crete, as a perfect base for our Greek Island Adventure.
Our Program
We'll spend six nights in this vibrant harbor town, in the same central 4* hotel each night, and enjoy day trips from there. So unpack once, make yourself at home.
Chania has a waterfront lined with cafes and restaurants, an old town of colorful cobblestone streets perfect for wandering, great shopping, and so many exceptional activities within easy reach. All that, and beautiful beaches.
We've arranged olive oil and wine tastings, street markets, cooking class, guided walks, botanical gardens, museums, and more.
Wine and Olive Oil Tastings
The ancient Greeks considered wine an integral part of their lives. And I know some of my guests do too! Greece has over 300 native grape varieties, and we'll get to sample a few of Crete's local wines as we take a trip to the mountains to visit one of the vineyards. While there, we'll also get to sample and learn about their olive oils.
Botanical Gardens
Botanical Garden Restaurant
We'll visit Crete's enchanting Botanical Park and Gardens. Because of its unusual mix of micro-climates, there is a greater variety of plants and unusual fruit trees than I've seen anywhere. We can do a hike on well marked trails, and/or lunch at their excellent restaurant with ingredients from their vegetable gardens, and herbs and fruits coming from the park.
Archaeological Museum
This impressive museum, housed in a former Venetian Monastery has a vast collection of statues, coins, pottery and other artifacts, all found during excavations around the city. It's worth the visit just to see this building's stunning interior!
Venetian Lighthouse
It's a beautiful and easy walk from the cafes and restaurants of the Venetian Harbor, along the sea wall to the lighthouse. We'll do that stroll together one morning.
"It takes a lifetime to discover Greece, but it only takes an instant to fall in love with her”
~Henry Miller
Cooking Class
A highlight of our program and a really fun day. We head out to the countryside for a family-run, completely hands-on cooking class. We'll all learn to make several traditional Greek dishes, and get to enjoy them in a multi course lunch with wine. A wine tasting is also included as well as appetizers, and a visit through their garden (where many of the fresh ingredients come from) and their family museum.
Waterfront Cafes make perfect pauses to your day
What We Love About Chania
It is an authentic Greek Island. Not as famous as some of the more well-known (crowded) islands, Chania is surprisingly unspoiled, uncongested, and caters to local daily life. The Cretans are not as focused on marketing to tourists as they are to welcoming them as guests on their island. They are proud of their food, culture and history, and want to share it with you. And we at Viaggio Tours, are happy to be able to bring you there.
What's Included
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Six nights at our lovely 4* hotel in the heart of the city, all rooms include private balconies, free wi-fi, mini-bar , bottled water, safe, robes, and slippers
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Daily excellent hot and cold buffet breakfast
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Welcome dinner & waterfront farewell dinner
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Excursion to the countryside to visit a local vineyard for a tour, wine tasting, and olive oil tasting
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Hands-on multi-course cooking class with a local family in the country
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Excursion to the Botanical Gardens of Crete for a leisurely hike on well-marked trails and/or optional lunch. Entrance fees included.
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Visits to the Venetian harbor, Chania's old town, beach areas and Folklore Museum Museum
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Visit to the Minoos Saturday Street Market
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Several optional guided seaside strolls including the seawall walk to the lighthouse (pictured above)
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All hotel taxes and service fees
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Your English-speaking guide/host. ME! I wouldn't miss it.
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Surprises. Who doesn't love surprises......
May 9-15, 2023
Six nights based on double occupancy, $1950 pp. Private single room, $300 supplement.
All programs are land only, beginning and ending at our Chania hotel. Chania has its own international airport with direct flights to many European countries for easy connections. All programs are subject to change.