Pleasures of Crete
Discover the Nature of Crete
An exciting journey that has it all! Riding by train, discover tiny colorful villages while climbing over Spatha peninsula and taste some of the islands finest products, harvested and processed in their natural environment.
Travelling by the west coast line and after passing by the small harbor of Kolymbari, the best known fishing village of the North coast, explore the 17th century monastery of Gonia. Admire the endless blue color of the sea view and wander the paths of the monastery’s centuries-old history in the mystical atmosphere of monastic life.
Climbing over Spatha Peninsula, the scent of the Cretan Sea and the fragrant herbs of the rocky landscape lead to a small village, Rodopos, for a stop in the magnificent world of the bees and their produce. A short journey from the top of the hills ends up to the North Coast for one more interesting visit at a prominent olive oil factory, where is practiced the art of producing and bottling some of the best organic and extra virgin olive oil in the world.
Magnificent sea views, rocky landscapes, mountain villages and the finest products from Crete’s fertile soil. Experience all the “Pleasures of Crete” in three and a half inspiring hours.
Tickets
- Adult 23.00€
- Child 12.00€
- *Entrance fee for the monastery €2 for adults (optional)
- Book
DON’T FORGET
- Bottle of water
- Sun cream
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Camera
- Money
- A dress code is required to enter the monastery. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
Route Itinerary
- We travel along the coastline and leave behind, one after the other, the bustling central areas. We cross the villages of Maleme, Tavronitis and Rapaniana and arrive at the pebbled beach of Kolymbari, where we will have our first stop for photos, to capture the beautiful sea view.
- Very soon we reach the seaside monastery of Panagia Odigitria, which dates back to the 17th century and is located at the base of Spatha Peninsula. We will get off here for our first 20-minute stop. The imposing fortress-like building offers a stunning view of the sea and houses precious treasures from its turbulent history in the museum.
- We leave the monastery and climb the winding road that will lead us to the next destination. The endless view from the top of the hill, combined with the rocky landscape is breathtaking and we will try to capture it during the next photo stops.
- We arrive at the tiny village Rodopos and make a short stop of 15 minutes. In a modern processing and packaging facility we have the chance to admire the fascinating world of the bees and taste organic honey, which carries the aromas of the Cretan herbs and blossoms.
- We depart from Rodopos and through Aspra Nera villages we begin our slow descent, enjoying the view of the White Mountains. Arriving again in the area of Kolymbari, we visit TERRA CRETA, a world-renowned olive oil factory, with products that have been awarded in international competitions. Their knowledgeable staff will demonstrate the olive harvesting process and then we proceed to a tasting of olive oil and other products. We close our excursion in the most delicious way, having the opportunity to purchase these excellent products for enjoying them in our homeland.
- After the last 30-minute stop, we return crossing the coastline towards the central areas from where we started.
Agioi Apostoloi
Seaside area, quite close to the city of Chania. It stands out for its golden beaches with shallow waters and the park that hosts activities for all ages.
Agia Marina
One of the most important tourist resorts. A delightful village situated on the northwest coast of Crete, located 3 km to the west of Chania. Its long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make this an ideal holiday location for young and old alike.
Platanias Village
Platanias (Greek: Πλατανιάς) is a village and municipality on the Greek island of Crete. It is located about 10 km (6.2 mi) west from the city of Chania and east of Kastelli-Kissamos, on Chania Bay. The seat of the municipality is the village Gerani.[1] Platanias is a popular tourism village with a beach, several hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Not far from the coast is the island of Agioi Theodoroi.
Gerani
Gerani is a village and a community situated in the municipality of Platanias, Crete, Greece. It has a population of 1,189 (according to the 2011 census) and it covers 6.398 square kilometers (2.470 sq mi). It is 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) from Chania, right next to the sea. The Gerani beach is awarded with the Blue Flag. There plenty of traditional tavernas, car rental companies, supermarkets and hotels in the village.
Maleme
A Late Minoan tholos tomb has been discovered in the vicinity of Maleme. The tholos tomb, located on "Kafkala" hill, was accidentally revealed and then looted at the beginning of the 20th century. During World War II a bomb caused the partial destruction of its roof and the backfill of the chamber.
Kolymvari
A truly unspoilt Cretan coastal village at the base of the Rodopou Peninsula, with a Greek Orthodox Academy and 17th century monastery. A fishing village turned small resort, known for its fish taverns and olive oil.
Kolymvari
A truly unspoilt Cretan coastal village at the base of the Rodopou Peninsula, with a Greek Orthodox Academy and 17th century monastery. A fishing village turned small resort, known for its fish taverns and olive oil.
Moni Gonia – Kolimvari
Just a kilometer north of Kolimvari, 26 km from Chania, lays the Monastery of Gonia, dedicated to the Virgin Odigitria. It consists of the abbot and monks' cells, bank, warehouses and cellars. To the north of the monastery is the building of the Orthodox Academy of Crete. It was built in the 17th century with Venetian influences in its architectural design and adornment. The monastery was heavily damaged by Ottoman bombardment on many occasions throughout its history, evidence of which can be seen today by the remaining cannon ball lodged in the monastery wall. During World War II the monastery was partly destroyed by German bombing and it became one of the most important areas of Cretan resistance to Nazi Germany.
Rodopos – Honey Processing and Packaging Facility
A new space, which aims to safely travel the visitor to the exciting world of beekeeping. It was created by a family of second generation beekeepers, with passion and deep knowledge of what they do. They describe themselves as nomads, as they transport their beehives all over Crete seven times a year, thus producing a honey that contains all the aromas of this island. They aspire that when you open the jar of honey that you took with you to your homeland, you feel as if you took Crete with you!
Aspra Nera
Aspra Nera
Terra Creta S.A.
Terra Creta S.A. was established in 2001 in Chania and since 2009 is located in Kolymbari, West Crete. Our primary objective is the production, bottling and exports of the finest quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Kolymbari region in West Crete. New and Innovative Olive Oil Mill (common extraction procedures, quality separation of olive before extraction, two phase extraction etc) and modern bottling unit with automated filling lines and INOX olive oil storage tank in controlled environment just in the heart of the olive oil production of Chania. All facilities are certified under HACCP, ISO 22000/2005, BIOHELLAS etc.
Photo Gallery
