5 h. tour (Private tour)
(transportation from Heraklion and back + visit the Fodele village + visit and explore Rethymnon)
Crete is a very large island and is divided in four provinces. Heraklion is the largest city and doesn't really give you that much of a feeling that you are on an island. Driving a few kilometers, either east or west, of it, you get a totally different feeling. Rethymnon is one of the prettiest cities in Greece and it's worth a visit if you are not interested in visiting Knossos. Therefore we can arrange for you this exclusive expedition of Crete, off the beaten track.
You will be met by your private vehicle and licensed tour guide once you get off the ship in Heraklion and start driving along the northern coastal road to the charming village of Fodele, located in a pretty valley full of orange groves. The village is the birthplace of the famous painter El Greco who was born there in 1541. You can take a short walk through the village before continuing to Rethymnon with its aristocratic XVI century buildings and fascinating mix of Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains.
When in Rethymnon you will be fascinated by the beauty of the mixture of different architecture from the Venetian and Turkish times and see the medieval Venetian fortress and town. You will have time to wander the narrow streets, admire the architecture and browse the local shops as well as eat at any of the small restaurants in the old city, many of which have received several awards from taste academies.
At the end of the tour you will return back to Heraklion and the port on time for your ship’s departure.
