GRECEE

We will meet at 10:00 AM at Heraklion Airport, where a van will take us to the historic center to explore its streets and immerse ourselves in its history. At 12:00 PM, we will enjoy a welcome lunch, followed by a visit to the Palace of Knossos, the cradle of Minoan civilization and the legendary setting of the Minotaur myth.

Later, we will head to Rethymno, Crete’s third-largest city. Strongly influenced by both Venetian and Ottoman cultures, this city is known for its well-preserved old town, fortress, and beautiful beaches. From there, we will continue to our villa in Prinos, surrounded by olive groves, with a swimming pool and breathtaking mountain views.

We will end the day with dinner at the villa, ready to rest and prepare for the next day’s adventures.

• Arrival and meeting point at Heraklion Airport (10:00 AM)
• Walking tour of Heraklion’s historic center
• Welcome lunch (12:00 PM)
• Visit to the Palace of Knossos
• Transfer to Rethymno (1-hour drive)
• Check-in at accommodation
• Dinner

We will explore the charming village of Margarites, known for its tradition in pottery production, where every alley tells stories of artisans who have shaped their legacy with their hands. It is here that the Rodakas project was born a few years ago, an initiative dedicated to rescuing and preserving the ancient tradition of weaving, blending ancestral knowledge with new perspectives.

During our visit, we will take our first steps into the art of Cretan weaving, immersing ourselves in its techniques and meanings. In the afternoon, we will have the opportunity to visit pottery workshops, meet the master artisans, and marvel at the beauty of their creations. It will be a day to connect with the essence of Margarites, its people, and its traditions.

• Breakfast (8:30 AM)
• Departure for MARGARITES (9:30 AM)
• Traditional Cretan Weaving Workshop (10:00 AM)
• Lunch (2:00 PM)
• Visit to the village of Margarites
• Continuation of the workshop
• Return to the Villa
• Dinner on your own

On our second day of weaving, we will continue exploring this beautiful tradition, diving even deeper into its techniques and meanings. Additionally, we will have the privilege of meeting an exceptional master, a pioneer in bringing digital looms to Crete.

We will visit his home-workshop, a space where history and innovation intertwine, to hear his inspiring journey and discover the fascinating textile treasures he has preserved over the years. It will be a unique opportunity to connect with his art, passion, and the cultural richness held in every thread.

• Breakfast (8:30 AM)
• Departure for MARGARITES (9:30 AM)
• Traditional Cretan Weaving Workshop (10:00 AM)
• Lunch (2:00 PM)
• Visit to Manolis’ workshop and his inspiring story
• Return to the Villa
• Dinner on your own

This day will be a relaxing one as we explore one of Crete’s most paradisiacal beaches, globally recognized among the top ten. We will enjoy a picnic by the sea and have dinner in a charming traditional village on our way back to the villa. It will be a dreamy day.

• Breakfast (7:00 hr)
• Departure (8:00 hr) is a 2 hour trip
• Boat trip
• Balos Lagoon
• Picnic (14hr)
• Dinner (19:30 hr)
• Return to the Villa (21:00 hr)

Th day we will embark on the Cretan Embroidery Trail. In the afternoon we will explore the world of olives, immersing ourselves in their flavours and textures. We will visit olive groves to harvest and learn about their processing, as well as discover the different shades they offer to the palate.

• Breakfast (8:30 hr)
• Departure for KLOTHO studio (9:30 hr)
• Traditional Cretan Embroidery Workshop (10 hr)
• Lunch (13hr)
• Olive Experience
• Return to the Villa
• Culinary Experience

In our second and final embroidery session, we will put the finishing touches on our piece, leaving in each stitch the memory of this beautiful experience.

In the afternoon, we will venture into the heart of the historic center of Rethymno, where we will explore its imposing fort and get lost among the streets full of history, charm and vibrant colors. Later, we will enjoy a wine tasting, letting ourselves be enveloped by the local aromas and flavors while watching the sunset. And, if we all wish, we will close the day with dinner in a cozy restaurant, taking advantage of the vibrant atmosphere of the city.

• Breakfast (8:30 hr)
• Departure for KLOTHO studio (9:30 hr)
• Traditional Cretan embroidery (10 hr)
• Lunch (14hr)
• Visit to RETHYMNON
• Wine tasting
• Dinner on your own
• Return to the Villa

The day will begin with a departure to Chania, where we will first visit a family-run leather workshop, a tannery that has survived over time in Crete and is the last remaining one. Afterwards, we will enjoy lunch in a traditional restaurant, and continue with a tour of the charming Old Town of Chania. Later, we will visit the workshop of the talented embroiderer Maria Galanaki, who will show us her mastery in the art of Cretan embroidery, a series of embroideries that are very inspiring. The day will continue with a visit to Stavros, where we will be able to admire a beautiful sunset by the sea.

• Breakfast (8:00 hr)
• Departure for Chania (9:00 hr)
• Visit leather workshop (10:00 hr)
• Lunch (12:30 hr)
• Tour of Old Chania
• Visit workshop of an Embroidery Artist Maria Galanaki
• Visit Stavros
• Dinner on your own
• Return to the Villa

We will start our journey at 8:00 a.m. heading to Agios Nikolaos, a journey of approximately two hours through breathtaking landscapes. Our first stop will be at Minos Palace, an exclusive enclave with spectacular views of the Aegean Sea. Then, we will head to the heart of the city to tour the mythical Lake Voulisméni, surrounded by cafes and small boats, where history and legend intertwine. We will enjoy a lunch with authentic flavors of Cretan cuisine before continuing to Kritsa, a village with a rich tradition in textile crafts.

• Breakfast (7:00 hr)
• Departure to Agios Nikolaos (8:00 hr, 2 hours drive)
• Visit Minos Palace
• Walk around Lake Voulisméni
• Lunch
• Visit Kritsa village (famous for textiles)
• Return to Villa
• Dinner on your own

On our last day in Crete, we will say goodbye with a day full of history and tradition. We will start with a visit to the Arkadi Monastery, an emblematic place of the Cretan resistance. Then, we will head to the picturesque village of Anogia, birthplace of great musicians and a bastion of Cretan culture, where we will be able to walk through its streets full of art, learn about its rich textile tradition and feel the warmth of its people. We will share a farewell lunch, celebrating the bonds created during this experience and enjoying once again the delicious local cuisine.

• Breakfast (8:00 hr)
• Departure (9:00 hr, you must carry your luggage)
• Visit Arkadi
• Visit Anogia
• Farewell lunch
• Closing of the Route
• Departure for Heraklion airport. (16:00 hr, 45 minutes drive)

Note: Each person can decide whether to return to Athens or spend more days in Crete.

Our recommendation if you are going to Athens, is to look for flights with schedules after 18:30 or later to avoid inconvenience.

• Accommodation 8 nights
• Meals (8 Breakfast, 8 Lunch, 3 Dinner)
• Ground transfers within the program
• Cretan Weaving Workshop
• Cretan Embroidery Workshop
• Culinary experience
• Wine tasting experience
• Olive experience
• Visit of the most iconic cities of Crete (mentioned in the program)
• Visit of the most important textile villages
• Visit of the most paradisiacal beaches of Crete. (mentioned in the program)

• Air tickets for arrival or departure to the country
• Air ticket out of Crete (in case you decide to stay longer or visit another island in the surrounding area)
• Taxes or tariffs entering or leaving the country
• Alcoholic beverages
• Activities not mentioned or described in the program
• Travel insurance