VENETIAN TOUR OF CRETE

VENETIAN TOUR OF

CRETE - 2017 all around the year

Venetian Heraklion-  city tour of the Old Town

In Heraklion you may wander around the city to see the Venetian buildings and castle, the impressive Cathedral, the fountains, the open street market Heraklion  is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete. It is one of the largest cities in Greece and the capital of Heraklion regional unit.

In 1204, the city was bought by the Republic of Venice . The Venetians improved on the ditch of the city by building enormous fortifications, most of which are still in place, including a giant wall, in places up to 40 m thick, with 7 bastions, and a fortress in the harbour. Chandax was renamed Candia and became the seat of the Duke of Candia, and the Venetian administrative district of Crete became known as "regno di Candia" The main sightseeing’s  are : the Lion’s square, the Venetian Loggia, and the Cathedral of St Minas.

Chania  Old city Tour & the venetian port
Our tour starts with a stop in Chania Town .Chania  is the second largest city of Crete and the capital of the Chania regional unit. It lies along the north coast of the island, about 70 km (43 mi) west ofRethymno and 145 km (90 mi) west of Heraklion. The city of Chania can be divided in two parts: the old town and the modern city which is the larger one. The old town is situated next to the old harbour and is the matrix around which the whole urban area was developed. It used to be surrounded by the old Venetian fortifications that started to be built in 1538; of them the eastern and western parts have survived. From the south, the old town is continuous with the new, and from the north the physical border is the sea. The center of the modern city is the area extending next to the old town and especially towards the south.

Visit of Cape Akrotiri, the Tomb of VENIZELOS & the Monastery AGIA TRIADA

Today our first stop will be in Akrotiri. Akrotiri is a rocky promontory on the northern side of the island of Crete, in the Sea of Crete. It is roughly circular in shape, connected to the rest of the island by a wide causeway between Chania and the town of Souda. To the south, Souda Bay is found between the peninsula and the island. Most of the peninsula is a plateau somewhat elevated from the sea. There is a string of hills along the northern coast. A variety of flora occur on the rocky promontory of Akrotiri including the herb Taraxacum minimum Three monasteries are found in the hills to the north. Aghia Triada dates from the 17th Century and was founded by two Venetian monks who had joined the Orthodox church, Jeremiah and Laurentio Giancarolo. These brothers renovated an older monastery endowed by the Mourtari family. The imposing buildings are visible across the plateau and from planes arriving at the airport and are set in olive and orange groves. A little way into the hills, accessible by car through a small gorge, is the Gouvernetos Monastery, 5 km north of Aghia Triada. Here the buildings appear fortress-like, with a large square building around a central courtyard, in which stands the church dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Venetian Rethymno Old Port & City Tour

This region as a whole is rich with ancient history, most notably through theMinoan civilisation centred at Kydonia east of Rethymno.Rethymno itself began a period of growth when the Venetian conquerors of the island decided to put an intermediate commercial station between Heraklion andChania, acquiring its own bishop and nobility in the process. Today's old town (palia poli) is almost entirely built by the Venetians. It is one of the best preserved old towns in Crete.

Visit of the Minoan palace of KNOSSOS -The WINERY of  MINOS & the village of Archanes

A visit at the Minoan Palace at Knossos, symbol of the Minoan civilization, which is widely acknowledged as one of the founding cornerstones of European civilisation, is an absolute must.

The age-old practice of viniculture is still an integral part of Cretan life: we cordially invite you to continue your journey through fertile vineyards to the traditional village of Skalani. Think of a spectacular multimedia show where Cretan history comes to life; A stately wine cellar with superb wines maturing in oak barrels; A guest hall where wines are enjoyed next to delicious plates of the local, yet renowned Mediterranean cuisine. And then, imagine all these inside a magnificent estate vineyard called Fantaxometocho. This is the Boutari Winery in Crete, worthy of the island's history and a landmark for the vinicultural future of Greece.The Fantaxometoho Estate lies just outside the village of Skalani, on the road towards the village of Myrtia, birthplace of the famous Cretan author Nikos Kazantzakis. It is situated within the Arhanes vine-growing region, a district producing “Appellation d’ origine de Qualité Supérieure” wines.

The above rates include :

All legal taxes

Private Tours as per schedule

Private car or Mini Van or Mini Bus

Fuel

Professional escort in tours

Road assistance

Private Transfers (arrival & departure)

Do not include

Entrance fees to the archeological places & museums

€15 pp Knossos Palace

€7 pp (wine tasting)