Greek Odyssey

Explore vibrant Chania, one of the oldest cities in Europe, during a guided walk through its Old Town. Meet your guide and set out on foot through the winding streets of Chania’s Old Town. Once a major city-state of the mysterious Minoan Kingdom, modern Chania was built upon the foundations of the Greek city of Kydonia. Its importance led to several waves of occupation over the centuries, remnants of which can be seen in the mix of eastern and western influences that permeate the city today—as you explore, you will see Ottoman mosques, Minoan ruins and Byzantine churches, reflecting this vibrant cultural and architectural blend. Continue your stroll, passing by old dockyards and viewing a 15th-century lighthouse. At the end of your excursion, you will have free time to explore further on your own, before returning to your awaiting ship.

Venture into the Cretan countryside to see a legendary palace and sample traditional flavors. Begin your journey with a drive by motor coach to Knossos, center of the mysterious Minoan civilization that flourished between 2600 BC and 1100 BC. Between 1900 and 1905, British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans led major excavation works, revealing more about this ancient culture. Upon arrival, explore what remains of the once-sprawling Palace of Knossos—the legendary royal residence of King Minos, where Greek mythology says that Minos’s wife Pasiphaë gave birth to the Minotaur, half bull and half man, and where Theseus destroyed the beast. With your guide, view the Royal Quarters and the Throne Room with its antechamber. Then, return to your coach and head to a local tavern, where you will be treated to a traditional three-course Cretan lunch before returning to your ship.

Call at a historic monastery, still home to a Greek Orthodox monastic community, and visit Chania’s Old Town. Board your motor coach and drive to the Agia Triada (Holy Trinity) Monastery, built by a pair of Venetian brothers in the 17th century after their conversion to the Greek Orthodox faith. See the main church, with its three domes and library that contains rare books, and learn about the monastic community that still resides here. Next, visit the monument to Eleftherios Venizelos, one of the great statesmen of modern Greece, and enjoy sweeping views of the bay and city below. Return to your coach and depart for Chania’s Old Town, where you will walk through its winding streets and discover the remains of the many civilizations that occupied this colorful city. See the harbor, the Ottoman mosques, Byzantine Churches, Minoan ruins and more before returning to your awaiting ship.

Visit a haunting baroque monastery and a quaint seaside village nestled along Crete’s northern shore. Drive by motor coach along coastal roads past craggy mountains and towering sea cliffs to reach the Arkadi Monastery—perched atop a plateau, this historic site has a complex and dramatic history. Recognizable by the Venetian-baroque detail of its stone-white church, this fortress-like complex not only provided refuge for townspeople; it was also a scholar’s haven for science and the arts. Continue to the welcoming seaside town of Rethymnon, a scenic village built upon an ancient Minoan settlement, whose 16th-century buildings echo its once-aristocratic glory. Gaze upon the Loggia, the charming arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains and the small harbor. Pause in the municipal gardens for shade and tranquility before returning to your ship.

Visit the archaeological site of Aptera and experience the charming Old Town of Chania. Drive by motor coach to Aptera, located atop a hill dominating the surrounding coastline. Once one of the most important city-states from the Minoan era through Hellenistic times, it was destroyed by an earthquake in 365 AD and eventually abandoned during the 7th century due to repeated raids by Arab pirates. Here, you will find impressive archaeological remains, including Roman cisterns, baths and the recently excavated theater. Enter the Byzantine monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos to watch a presentation about Aptera, then head to Chania for a walk through its Old Town. See Ottoman mosques, Minoan ruins and Byzantine churches and stroll the promenade of the harbor to glimpse historic ramparts, old dockyards and a 15th-century lighthouse before returning to your ship.

Visit two of Crete’s most historically rich communities to enjoy a selection of tastings and a traditional lunch. Begin with a drive by motor coach to Gavalochori, renowned for its historic architecture and authentic Cretan culture. Enjoy a coffee while soaking up the village atmosphere, then continue to an olive mill, where you will learn about the significance of olive oil in this region. During a guided visit, learn about production processes and the health benefits of this local product, then sample traditional snacks accompanied with freshly baked bread and extra-virgin olive oil. Next, head to Rethymnon, situated on the island’s north coast. Explore the old town, where Venetian mansions and Ottoman balconies frame the narrow streets, then cap your excursion at a local restaurant, where you will savor a lunch featuring Greek and Cretan flavors. After, return to your ship.