Off-road in Crete
Mountains of Crete 4x4 Tour with Taverna Lunch
Get ready to go off-road on this adrenaline-pumping 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. Explore the more rural parts of Crete and the beautiful nature as you voyage through the mountains on this small group tour.
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4x4 Sunset Safari from Rethymnon with Taverna Dinner
This sunset safari takes you off the beaten track in more ways than one. You'll follow scenic trails in your off-roader to explore hidden landscapes that few visitors see. Get ready for panoramic views of Rethymnon as you traverse traditional villages on the way to the Amari Dam reservoir. Eleni, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘Away from the coast, Cretan traditions are still strong, and many people make a living from the land. Olive groves, fields of vines and citrus orchards represent the most important crops – though avocados are now becoming a popular fruit on our farms.'Leaving Rethymnon, you'll soon be heading towards the hills. Rumbling through the tranquil hill villages of Pigi, Adelle, Saint Dimitrios and Harkia, we swap the bright lights for unpaved off-road routes, wild vegetation, and peaceful vistas. You'll get a close-up view of the real Crete, and gain insight into the heritage of the island. Eleni says, ‘Crete is one of the few islands in Greece that would still have a self-sufficient economy without tourism. Agriculture is still a very relevant industry here.'You'll climb further into the hills to a fabulous viewpoint where your gaze will sweep from the coast to the mountains, with a lovely view over Amari Dam reservoir just below. Sunset spots don't come much better than this. To round off your tour, you'll stop at a family-owned taverna, where you'll be able to try a platter of locally sourced Cretan meze specialities with a glass of wine.
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Crete 4x4 Mount Psiloritis Tour with Typical Meze Lunch
Combining inland Crete's rugged landscapes and ancient villages with a visit to a typical shepherd's hut, this small group 4x4 tour is for those who are wild at heart. You'll journey into the mountains to the Halepa Monastery from Rethymnon, venture off-road and stop to enjoy some typical meze. Georgios, one of our expert local guides, says, ‘The Halepa Monastery is thought to be the oldest on Crete, dating from the mid-16th century. Not only is it a special, spiritual place, but it boasts bird's-eye views over the valley of Mylopotamos.' Passing through areas of lush green landscapes and traditional villages such as Milopotamos, the tour gets off to a panoramic start. We'll wind our way up the slopes of Mount Psiloritis to Halepa Monastery, which was in ruins before the restoration works finished in the year 2000. The ruined structure used to be a refuge for Cretan rebels during past civil wars, but now it is as peaceful as it is beautiful. As you continue your off-road adventure, your guide will deepen your understanding of the history and the traditions of the island, introduce you to the locals, and point out the wildlife of Crete. Stop to see an original shepherd's hut – known as 'Mitato' – and taste local honey at a producer. Tracing mountain tracks, keep an eye out for wildlife such as eagles and wild goats as you rumble through the countryside. And with an appetite worked up, you'll take a break to munch on traditional meze.
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de, en, fr
Cretan 4x4 Experience from Rethymnon
Go off-road on a 4x4 adventure that will take you well and truly off the radar. You'll bump down dirt tracks, bounce over potholes and drive through blink-and-you-miss-them villages. Plus, you'll tick off plenty of must-sees on the way. Your driver actually doubles up as a guide, giving you the insider's track on Crete's hidden gems as you go.
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Leaving behind the well-trodden tourist trails, this quad bike safari takes you even deeper into rural Crete. Rev and roar your way along dusty tracks and trails through the Cretan mountains. As well as a visit to the ghost town of Achlada lined up, you'll also swing by Fodele for some freshly squeezed orange juice – grown locally. A great way to put a bit of oomph into your holiday.
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de, en, fr
Family Tour to the Mountains of Crete with Mythological Park
This action-packed day brings the essence of Crete to life for all the family. Discover Greek mythology as you explore scenic mountain trails on an off-road adventure leading to the Lassithi plateau. There's a chance to have a go at making ceramics and a visit to the Mythological Park, too. Katerina, one of our expert local guides, enthusiastically says, ‘Lassithi plateau is a personal favourite on this tour. You'll be greeted by the sight of dozens of windmills that dot the landscape. They were built in the 19th century to grind grain, and are now a symbol of the region.'Kick off on an off-road trail which climbs into the mountains, following the ancient Minoan path. You'll have a break at a local shepherd's hut where you can try some of the home-made cheese and see various animals. From here we'll make our way to a viewpoint where we can see across the Lassithi plateau, a high, fertile plain that legend states was the birthplace of Zeus.Rumbling down to the plateau, we'll head to a ceramics workshop and olive oil producer. It's a fun stop for the kids who will have plenty of time to have a go at making their own pottery creations. Next up is the Mythological park, where you'll find out all about ancient Greek myths - the special lighting and sound effects alongside the audio tour make the park enjoyable for all ages. Round off the day with lunch in a taverna, before calling in at the village of Krassi, which is famous for a 2,000-year old plane tree and has a natural spring water source.
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de, en, fr, nl
Mountains of Crete 4x4 Sunset Safari with Dinner
Off-road adventures don't get more fun than this. On this evening tour, you'll buckle up for a thrilling ride through the Cretan mountains, taking in villages, landmarks and more. What's more, there'll be a traditional dinner at a local taverna waiting for you. Vaggelis, one of our local expert guides, says 'Lassithi Plateau was said to be the birthplace of Zeus, the king of the Greek gods. According to legend, his mother, Rhea, hid the newborn in a cave on the plateau to protect him from being devoured by his father. It's one of the best places in Crete to grab a bird's-eye view of the north'.It all starts the moment you hop aboard your 4x4 and head for the mountains. You'll stop by Aposelemis basin reservoir and ancient Roman aqueducts, before following the path to the village of Kastamonitsa. Here, you'll be greeted with a tipple of fiery raki. Vaggelis says, 'After the grape harvest, the leftover skins, seeds, and stems are fermented and then distilled to produce raki, a tradition that many Cretan families proudly maintain'.You'll continue along the Minoan path, taking in the wildlife and scenery while learning all about local mythology and history. You'll stop for a glass of sweet, sparkling wine and admire Lassithi Plateau, as well as its iconic views. And once you've built up an appetite, you'll head to a local taverna for a traditional Cretan-style dinner with unlimited wine. Finally, as night draws in, you'll head back down the mountain roads, taking in the moonlit coastline and the twinkling lights of towns and villages.
de, en, fr, nl
de, en, fr, nl
Leaving behind the well-trodden tourist trails, this quad bike safari takes you even deeper into rural Crete. Rev and roar your way along dusty tracks and trails through the Cretan mountains. As well as a visit to the ghost town of Achlada lined up, you'll also swing by Fodele for some freshly squeezed orange juice – grown locally. A great way to put a bit of oomph into your holiday.
de, en, fr
de, en, fr
Cretan 4x4 Experience from Chania
This full day 4x4 tour is for designed especially for adventures. You'll journey along dirt roads, mountain passes and through Crete's charming villages as you explore the island's hidden gems and vast panoramic scenery.
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Southern Crete Mountain 4x4 Tour with Lunch
Southern Crete is awash with timeless villages, magnificent gorges and unspoiled countryside. On this off-road adventure, you'll rumble down country lanes to encounter rural traditions and experience the authentic Cretan life. Christos, one of our local guides, says “It's one of the most rewarding areas to explore in Crete. And with its privileged location off the tourist track, you'll almost have it all to yourself.”We start our journey at the Peristeronas Gorge, where red butterflies flutter amidst the flowers and bushes. From there, we'll meander through timeless villages where you can savour a coffee break with the locals in a traditional 'Kafeneion' in Oreino. As we continue, prepare to be dazzled by the views from the mountains. Take in a panorama of the South Cretan Sea, framed by rocky peaks and scented with wild thyme and sage.We'll also stop for herb picking so you can taste and learn about their healing properties. Next, a walk in the ancient Pine Forest of Thripiti, where some trees are up to 1000 years old. Relax over a traditional Cretan meal with unlimited wine at a local taverna before we continue to Agia Anna, a small church at the entrance of Ha gorge, one of the most striking landscapes in the area. Lastly, we'll stop for another spectacular view - this time of the North Cretan Sea - before making our way back to base.
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