Crete Hiking Tour with Cooking Classes
Explore the Wonders of Crete: Unforgettable Trails and Culinary Adventures
Length
7 Days
Group size
4-12 travelers
Travel style
Wanderer
Crete: Active Taste Adventures - 7 Days
Trip highlights
Hike the famous Samaria Gorge
Traditional Cretan cooking class
Charming old towns Chania & Rethymno
E-biking through Cretan landscape
The Feast experience
Meals and beverages included
Private hiking tours almost daily
Experience traditional Cretan farming
Slow food cooking experience
Destinations:
Arrival information:
Crete is one of the most famous islands in Greece. While it is well-known for its Mediterranean cuisine, it is also famous for its amazing hiking trails and landscapes. Get to experience both in this 7-day tour of Crete.
You will stay in the Old Towns of Chania and Rethymno during your trip. Every day a new activity awaits you. Explore the unique landscape by bike or on foot and taste the authentic Cretan cuisine through cooking classes and other culinary experiences.
Still not enough? Extend your stay by a few days wherever you like.
You can be sure that Crete will enchant you with its authentic and diverse nature and show you a Greece that hardly any other tourist experiences.
Depending on local conditions, the order of the visits can be changed, but the entire programme will be adhered to.
Accommodation may be subject to change depending on availability and season.
Why book with Feast?
✔ Book with confidence: 20 years of experience VTT
✔ Small groups of 4-12 travellers
✔ All experiences, meals, guides and daily transfers included
✔ Sustainable travel, avoiding mass tourism sights
✔ Complete and flexible rescheduling without inconvenience, complexity, and stress with our Flexi option.
Every booking supports local communities through a small donation to our V Social Foundation. By clicking on this link, you can find out more about these projects.
Map
Itinerary
Day 1
Welcome to Crete!
Welcome dinner
Meals Included: Dinner
Transportation: Private Taxi (0:30h), By Foot (2:00h)
Welcome to Crete! Today is the start of your trip and you will arrive in Chania. Your tour guide will welcome you at the hotel in the evening for a short tour, during which you can get to know the winding alleyways of this enchanting town. Afterwards, a first dinner awaits you, where you will have a first taste of traditional Crete cuisine.
Yamas and welcome to Crete!
Nefeli Hotel
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Bar
Restaurant
Internet/Wifi
Room Safe
Day 2
Slow Food and Hiking
Collect vegetables from farm
Tromarisa Hike
Farm to table lunch
Slow food cooking without electricity
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (3:00h), By Foot (3:30h)
Ready for your first full day on Crete? After a filling breakfast, you will drive by bus to the starting point of your first hike. Enjoy the lush landscape and the enchanting springs of Tromarisa during your two hour hike.
After your hike you will get the ultimate Slow Food experience. Get to know the tavern Dounias, where you will be able to experience activities like picking olives, feeding the farm animals and collecting vegetables from the garden. The farmers will cook a delicious meal with the produce you collected using a special slow cooking technique - without any electricity! Gather around a big table and enjoy the lunch you helped prepare! Did you know that in Greece dishes are shared when eating together?
After returning to the hotel and resting for a bit you will have dinner together at one of the many authentic taverns in Chania.
Nefeli Hotel
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Bar
Restaurant
Internet/Wifi
Room Safe
Day 3
The Famous Samaria Gorge
Samaria Gorge
Boat ride to Sfakia
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch
Transportation: Private Bus (1:00h), By Foot (5:00h), Boat (1:00h)
Today you will hike the famous Samaria Gorge, so prepare yourself for some unique natural spectacles! You will finish the hike around the afternoon and perhaps you will also have some time for a swim - a perfect reward for this challenging day!
You will then take a small boat to the picturesque bay of Sfakia. There, small fishing boats rock gently on the waves. From there your bus will bring you back to Rethymno where you have the chance to relax for the rest of the evening.
Hiking information: Length: 16 km, difference in altitude: 1200 m, hiking time: 5 hours
Terrain: Steep descent. The terrain is uneven. The entire hike is not recommended for people with knee problems, diabetes (instability) or similar health impairments. We advise against open footwear (e.g. sandals or flip-flops) and recommend sturdy, sure-footed and closed hiking boots.
Achillion Palace
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Room Safe
TV in room
Internet/Wifi
Day 4
Soap Making with Olive Oil & Biking
Soap making with olive oil
Myli Gorge e-bike tour
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
New day, new activity!
Today, you'll uncover the hidden gems of Crete on an exhilarating bike tour at the Myli gorge and the surrounding areas. Feel the rush of the cool wind as you pedal through picturesque landscapes, stopping along the way to hear captivating stories and fascinating anecdotes from your guide.
After your bike tour, indulge in a mouthwatering lunch at a charming local taverna, where you'll savor authentic Cretan flavors.
Have you ever made soap? Dive into the heart of Cretan culture with a hands-on soap-making workshop. Join the welcoming Kotzanioglou family and learn the traditional art of crafting fresh soap from local olive oil. Follow each step of the process and create your very own unique soap to take home as a cherished souvenir.
After this action-packed day, unwind with a delightful dinner, relishing the rich and delicious cuisine of Crete. This is a day packed with adventure, culture, and unforgettable experiences.
Achillion Palace
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Room Safe
TV in room
Internet/Wifi
Day 5
Meet a local shepherd
Traditional Cretan cooking class
Cheese Making
Hike Around Psiloritis Mountain
Visit Local Shepherd
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
The day begins with a hike around Mount Plirotis. You will enjoy the breathtaking scenery and also learn about the herbs, fruits and vegetables that grow in the region from your tour guide.
After the hike, you will take our air-conditioned minibus to one of the local shepherds. See how cheese is made, how the vegetables he grows are cultivated and maybe even visit the distillery where the local product tsikoudia is made! How exciting to meet locals from this region and enjoy your farm to table lunch there.
After returning to your hotel and resting a little, you can take part in a Cretan cooking class in the evening, where you will learn all about the traditional dishes and prepare your own dinner! Have you ever cooked ‘gemista’, ‘moussaka’ or ‘sfakianes pites’? These are just some of the dishes you can prepare and try yourself!
Achillion Palace
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Room Safe
TV in room
Internet/Wifi
Day 6
Plants and Herbs of Crete
Plant light show
Visit botanical garden
Hike around Preveli
Farm to table dinner
Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Transportation: Private Bus (3:00h), By Foot (3:00h)
Explore the Southern region of Rethymno today, while doing a hike around the region of Preveli. Explore the island while discovering unbeaten paths and end your hike at the beautiful Preveli beach. Maybe you are in the mood for a dip in the water?
After lunch in an authentic taverna, you will have some time to rest and get ready for a really special visit: the Maravel garden. You will learn all about different kinds of herbs and plants and have dinner prepared for you with vegetables from the garden. But the real highlight will be the sound and light plant show once it gets dark. This is something you cannot miss!
Achillion Palace
Type: Hotel
Visit Website
Facilities:
Air conditioning & private bathroom
Room Safe
TV in room
Internet/Wifi
Day 7
Goodbye Crete!
Meals Included: Breakfast
Transportation: Private Taxi (0:30h)
One last breakfast is on the programme today before you set off to leave Greece behind for the time being.
Or maybe you don't want to fly home yet? Then why not spend a few more days here or at the beach? Whatever you decide, our travel specialists will help you discover the most beautiful places!
Dates & Prices
Start date
End date
More Info
Guide
Availability
Price
15
Sep
2024
21
Sep
2024
From
EUR 2,099
Show more
Info
Save 50 Euro!
Guide
Alexandra
Your guide for this tour
Alexandra ist in Nordgriechenland im Schatten des Olympus aufgewachsen. Ihre Liebe zur Natur und den Bergen entwickelte sich in jungem Alter bei Wanderungen auf den Gottesberg. Nach ihrem Studium auf Korfu und verzaubert von Licht und Landschaft ist sie nach Kreta umgezogen. Kleine Dinge wie Steine, Krauter, Insekten geben ihrem Forschungsdrang Stoff, um Zusammenhänge zu erkunden. Immer mit Respekt zur Landschaft und Tradition, sucht Alexandra die Harmonie zwischen Natur und Kultur.
The indicated flight times and airlines may change, as we have to plan well in advance of the day of departure.
or
15
Sep
2024
21
Sep
2024
Save 50 Euro!
From
EUR 2,099
or
11
May
2025
17
May
2025
From
EUR 1,999
EUR 2,099
Show more
Info
New departure! : Due to high demand, we are offering this newly opened departure date!
Your guide for this tour
The tour guide for this trip will be announced shortly. Our guides are culinary specialists of the Mediterranean area, and are at least bilingual. Each of our guides is unique and brings their own personal touch to the trips, so you can discover the region as if you were travelling with a friend!
The indicated flight times and airlines may change, as we have to plan well in advance of the day of departure.
or
11
May
2025
17
May
2025
New departure!
From
EUR 1,999
EUR 2,099
or
Desired date not available? Get in touch with us! We will be happy to organize alternative travel dates for your private trip with family or friends (min. 4 people). Trust our experts and experience unforgettable moments. Contact us
Info
Single Room Supplement
When booking online, you can choose accommodation in a "single room" with a surcharge of EUR 320, or alternatively we will be happy to help you find a room partner of the same gender. To do this, select "Share room (if possible)". If no other participant chooses this option, you will be accommodated in a single room and feast will take care of 50% of the supplement (you only have to pay the other 50% of the supplement). We will inform you about one month before the start of the trip whether we have found a room partner. Please note that if you book the last available place or book at short notice, we can only confirm the "half double room" if a suitable room partner has already registered. Otherwise, we will offer the single room at the full price.
What's included
All described activities & entrance fees
All transfers during the trip
6 Overnight stays in hotel with rooftop swimming pool and standard hotel
Overnight tax
Daily breakfast
9 meals (water and 1/2 bottle of wine included): Lunch/dinner (5 in traditional local tavernas, 3 farm to table, 1 cooking class)
German/English-speaking Feast tour guide on site
3 hikes
Samaria gorge hike
e-Bike tour
2 Farm visits
Soap making workshop with olive oil
Cretan cooking class
Botanical garden visit
Travel documents, detailed information and packing tips
Your trip supports the vSocial project for holistic environmental protection
Small daily extras: the Feast+
What's not included
Transportation to and from destination
Additional drinks
Tips
FAQs
Can I cancel my trip?
If the traveller withdraws before the start of the trip or does not start the trip, Ventura loses the right to the travel price. Instead, Ventura may demand reasonable compensation from the traveller. This shall not apply if Ventura is responsible for the cancellation or if unavoidable, extraordinary circumstances occur at the destination or in its immediate vicinity, which significantly impair the performance of the package tour or the transport of persons to the destination; circumstances are unavoidable and extraordinary if they are beyond the control of the party invoking them and their consequences could not have been avoided even if all reasonable precautions had been taken.
Ventura has defined this claim for compensation to which it is entitled in the following cancellation fees. The calculation is made taking into account the time of the cancellation declared by the traveller up to the contractually agreed start of the trip, the expected saving of expenses and the expected acquisition through alternative use of the travel services. The compensation shall be calculated as follows according to the time of receipt of the declaration of cancellation by Ventura or the travel agent:
a) General cancellation fee (as a percentage of the travel price):
For bookings in the CLASSIC fare: up to 65 days before departure 20% from the 64th to 30th day before departure 25% 45% from the 29th to 15th day before departure from the 14th to 7th day before departure 60% from the 6th day before departure 80% 90% on the day of departure and in the event of a no-show
For bookings in the FLEXI fare: up to 65 days before departure 0% from the 64th to the 45th day before departure 10% from the 44th to the 30th day before departure 20% from 29 days before departure, the cancellation fees are identical to those of the CLASSIC rate
b) Special cancellation fee:
Special offers/specials, individually prepared package tours and group tours may be subject to special cancellation conditions, to which explicit reference is made in the respective service description or travel advertisement/offer and the travel confirmation in accordance with Art. 250 §§ 3, 6 EGBGB.
Ventura reserves the right to demand higher, specifically calculated compensation instead of the above cancellation flat rates, insofar as Ventura can prove the occurrence of significantly higher expenses than the applicable cancellation flat rate.
Do I need travel insurance?
We advise you to take out travel cancellation insurance, as it can always happen that you are unable to travel shortly before the departure date due to unforeseen illness, an accident or for other reasons. Repatriation assistance insurance is strongly recommended!
If you pay for your Feast trip with your VISA credit card, you are normally insured, but please ask your bank to confirm this. If you do not wish to take out insurance, Feast cannot be held liable.
Feast's travel insurance offer:
We offer 3 types of insurance (cancellation cover/all-round cover/travel cover) when you book online through our partner HanseMerkur. Of course, you can also contact other insurance companies of your choice.
The following links will take you to the insurance booking portal. After booking, you will receive your insurance documents and invoice directly from our partner HanseMerkur.
For Germany, Austria and Belgium, click here https://secure.hmrv.de/rvw-ba/initBa.jsp?baid=419&adnr=4562815&fTypId=0&locale=de_DE
For Switzerland, click here https://secure.hmrv.de/rvw-ba/initBa.jsp?baid=800&adnr=4577797&fTypId=0&st=HMINT&locale=de_CH&mId=21
You can book your travel insurance at any time from the moment you book your trip up to 30 days before the start of your trip.
Is the flight and transfer to and from the airport included?
No, all our tours include an individual journey in order to avoid unnecessary national bundled flights and to give you the opportunity to organise your journey individually.
We are happy to help you plan and decide on flights, train connections or intermediate stages.
If you need a transfer from the airport or train station, we can organise this for you.
What are the payment terms?
A deposit of 20% of the tour price is due upon receipt of the invoice. Please transfer the remaining payment no later than 21 days before departure. Bank transfers from Germany and other EU countries via IBAN and BIC are fast and inexpensive. You can also pay conveniently by credit card.
What happens if the minimum number of participants is not reached?
According to our terms and conditions, we can cancel the trip if the minimum number of participants is not reached up to 21 days before the start of the trip. As a rule, we will inform you one month in advance to discuss alternatives. You can then, for example, choose another date or an alternative trip. If these options are not suitable for you, we will refund the full travel costs already paid. However, it is rare that a trip cannot be realised. As soon as a trip is guaranteed to take place, we will highlight this on our "Dates & Prices" page.
When should I book my flight or train tickets?
You can start organising and booking your journey as soon as we have confirmed that the trip is guaranteed to take place. This happens at the latest approx. 30 days before the start of the trip. If the minimum number of participants has already been reached, you will of course be informed immediately.
Crete: Active Taste Adventures - 7 Days
From
EUR 1,999
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Your contact
Anna
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