The day starts with a visit to the strategically located Ottoman Fortress, and its commanding position overlooking Souda and the valley of Apokoronas. While we learn about the historical significance of the fortress and the myths about the area, we will enjoy the breath-taking views of the White Mountains, Souda Bay and Fort Intzedin below.
Our next stop will be at an olive oil mill, where we will discover everything there is to know about this staple of Greek life and tradition! We will look at how it’s cultivated and processed, its nutritional and health benefits, and its role in our everyday life and impact on our civilization. The olive tree is one of the most beloved and sacred trees since Ancient Greece, and is a deep part of our mythology. On Crete it is believed that 55% to 65% of all cultivated land is covered by olive groves, which hold approximately 30 million trees! After the tour, we will try different olive oils and learn how to identify the different qualities.
As we step into the Folklore Museum of Gavalochori, we’ll be transported back in time to the days when life was simpler, and community values were paramount. The museum boasts an impressive collection of artifacts that tell the story of the village’s rich cultural heritage. From tools and utensils to household items and textiles, every exhibit in this museum is carefully curated to give visitors a glimpse into the past. The museum’s seven rooms are filled with unique handmade knitting artworks. As we wander through the halls of this charming museum, we’ll feel like we’re living in a bygone era, experiencing firsthand the authentic local lifestyle of Gavalochori.
Coffee at a local traditional coffee shop.
Religion is a fundamental part of the real Crete. So, at our next stop we will visit the Monastery of Saint Georgios at Karydi. The monastery is unique not only for its history, but also for the local Venetian-influenced architecture. However, the real hidden treasure here are the stunning 12 stone-built arches in the ruins of the monastery’s old olive oil factory.
Our next stop will be a local winery, located in the heart of the Apokoronas region. Here, we will indulge in some of the finest wines and learn about the process of winemaking from the vineyards to the bottle. We will have the opportunity to taste 5 different glasses of wine, each with its unique flavor and aroma. As we sip on the delicious wine, the experts will provide us with insights into the winemaking process, the local grape varieties, and the history of winemaking on the island. This experience will surely tantalize your taste buds and leave you with a new appreciation for Cretan wine. To make your experience even more memorable, enjoy a delicious local lunch featuring Cretan specialties as part of our tour.
Had a wonderful day exploring Crete with Mike. He took us to a great mix of must see touristy places and places only locals know. He was very knowledgeable and engaging. At the end of the tour we met the owner Maria and she was fantastic. Highly recommend this private tour.
We had a wonderful tour with our outstanding host Maria. While the weather was spotty and we had an unexpected development (positive) on our tour, Maria could not have been more accommodating and flexible in adjusting the itinerary to make the tour as enjoyable as possible. As the weather cleared, we had some spectacular views and experiences. All of the sites visited were lovely, and Maria provided quite interesting, detailed information throughout the day. We especially enjoyed the wine tasting and lunch (highly advise adding lunch). Maria was prompt in picking us up and her vehicle was very comfortable to ride in. We highly recommend this tour.
An unforgettable day with Maria. Highly recommend.
The entire experience was incredible. We were taken to places we would never have found in own. Maria was awesome, full of great stories and enough history to keep us engaged. We have been fortunate to take many tours and she was truly the best guide we have had.
Maria was a great guide. She was very knowledgeable about the island’s history, culture, and industry. We were never bored. We enjoyed the tour and the many spots we visited. We enjoyed our lunch and snacks, especially, her special gift from her own kitchen. We opted for a traditional lunch without a stop at a winery. We are not big wine connoisseurs. Lunch was so much food. Come hungry. Don’t eat before the tour! She even made a special stop to the Old Venetian Port in Chania. We can’t thank Maria enough for the wonderful tour. Would recommend.
We visited Crete back in June and booked a two-day tour with the lovely Maria. What a joy she was to work with. First, she communicated with us before the trip asking for our preferences and what we were looking for during the tour. She was extremely flexible when we had a delay. She took us around the Chania region and then to Heraklion. She made restaurant recommendations and even helped us find a local guide in Heraklion for the Knossos visit. Her mom made us sandwiches for the day trip. She was a wealth of knowledge and shared her passion and love for Crete, it's rich history and traditions. I would definitely recommend booking a tour with her.
Had to ask a lot of question to understand the culture. The spots we visited were awesome how ever we did not learn a lot about the Crete island and the 4 different areas of Crete. The winery was awesome.
You will see a lot and experience a lot more. Maria is great and really knows her Crete. Everything was well planned
Can’t say enough good things about Maria and this tour. Go read all the five star reviews and believe them. She was our favorite guide of the vacation, and took us to a cafe, cultural museum, monastery, ottoman fortress, olive oil factory and winery. Maria effortlessly blended facts, legends, and modern observations about Crete, its people, the food, and culture. The day was about eight hours long, and despite everything we did, never felt rushed, and certainly never bored. Miss you already Crete, and Maria! Would give more than five stars if allowed.
This excursion provides a wealth of information on culture, traditions, history and more. Maria has amazing stories to share and loads of laughs!
We had a wonderful day with the lovely Maria. She was so warm and friendly and we learnt a lot about Cretan life as well as enjoying some fabulous views.
We had an absolutely wonderful day exploring the countryside around Chania with our fantastic guide, Maria. The tour included visits to the Monastery of St. John the Hermit, a delicious honey tasting, an olive oil tour, a winery visit, and a brewery tasting—each stop was unique and memorable. Maria was incredibly knowledgeable and passionate, sharing fascinating history and local insights at every stop. We saw so much throughout the day, yet we never once felt rushed. There was always plenty of time to take in the beautiful landscapes, ask questions, and truly enjoy each experience. The monastery was peaceful and full of history, the honey and olive oil tastings were both informative and delicious, and the brewery visit was a fun and relaxing way to end the day. The scenery along the way was stunning, and Maria made sure we didn’t miss any special viewpoints. This tour was the perfect mix of culture, local flavors, and breathtaking views. We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Chania—especially if you’re lucky enough to have Maria as your guide!
We had a wonderful day touring the Crete countryside and villages. Our guide Maria was able to give us a good sense of what everyday life is like away from the tourist hotspots. We also enjoyed tasting local wines, olive oil and honey. Highly recommended!
I cannot say enough good things about our day with Maria. She is the nicest person on the planet. Maria took us to all the best spots in Crete that we would have NEVER seen without her. We toured villages, went to a historical museum, and even a winery. Maria is extremely knowledgeable about the island’s history and culture. She is prompt and professional. The length of day was perfect. She even had homemade baked goods for us, which were delicious. We are absolutely going to book with her again when we return with the rest of the family. Maria is AMAZING.
Maria is absolutely terrific. She is kind, knowledgeable, flexible and funny. She has a remarkable ability to adjust to her group. She knows the people at the stops and they clearly know, like and respect her. You will have a great day with Maria!
What an amazing day with our wonderful tour guide Maria. She was so friendly, knowledgeable and personalized our tour for us. The village meal was amazing we couldn’t believe how much food there was. We even got to take home some lemons and oranges from her own personal garden and they were so delicious! Highly recommended. 12/10 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We went on a Mediterranean Cruise and Crete was our entire families favorite stop. Our guide Maris was such a delight. You can tell how much she loves her home and is quite versed on the history. She met us with homemade treats from her mother which was so unexpected and wonderful. The food we were treated two was fresh, beautiful and amazing. Our tour of the olive oil factory was so fun and we bought so many wonderful items here. We would highly recommend Maris for your visit to Cete!
Maria was excellent. She was a great host and tour guide. Couldn’t have been better. She knows all about Crete. Fantastic
Hands down one of the best experiences of my life. This trip was booked for a small girls trip to Crete. We had the best time with Maria as our guide and she really served as the highlight of our trip! Although it was the offseason, we felt this trip allowed us to have a more intimate experience in Chania. I highly recommend!
Our day with Maria was so special - she's incredibly welcoming and has a great sense of humor! My sister and I had so much fun seeing historical sites and experiencing Cretan culture with Maria's fantastic knowledge of history, traditions, and customs. The day went so smoothly thanks to Maria's careful curation of our stops - perfect!
This was the best thing we did on Crete! I wasn’t sure what to expect of this tour but I knew from previous reviews it would be a good one. Maria and her tour far exceeded our expectations. Every stop we made was well thought out. She took care of us as if we were her own family and showed us parts of Crete we never would have been able to visit. She was wonderful with my children but more importantly with my disabled mother. She made her feel welcomed and included. She even has a van that can transport a wheelchair (although we did not have a wheelchair it was special that this was an option). Everything is included in the price of the tour so you will not be hungry or thirsty. I will tell everyone I know who comes to Crete to book with Maria and if you are not sure about this just trust me- this is the tour to book.
We had a wonderful day with Maria visiting interesting places in the hills behind Chania. We learnt a lot from her about family life and traditions of Crete.
We had an awesome day with Maria. The tour covers so many aspects of the Chania area. The small villages are very quaint and great fun to visit. Maria has vast information about the island and very fun facts about Greek family life. It was a wonderful introduction to Chania life off the beaten path. We highly recommend this tour.
This was definitely one of the top excursions my husband and I have ever done. Our guide, Maria, was fantastic and we really felt like with got to see/experience the local villages along with the historical sites. Maria was great about explaining the history and the culture of the area. All of our stops were fun and interesting!
Maria is beyond amazing. We had a wonderful tour of Chania. The scenery and learning about the history was excellent. We saw a monastery, a fort, had a drink and treat in a local coffee shop, went to a museum of a traditional home, took a tour of an olive oil company and had a tasting, had a wonderful lunch and wine, tasting at a vineyard and saw downtown Chania. Maria could not have been more gracious. She brought us spinach pies and treats that her mother had baked. We got to see her little girls (het chickens). She has an amazing extended family and they all get together, which is wonderful. It was an excellent day and highly recommend.
Maria, our driver and guide, is a well-travelled local who brings wonderful insights to the history and culture of Chania. We explored an old Ottoman fortification, wine cellar, monastery, local museum, with a morning coffee (or stronger) break, concluding with a wine tasting over a long lunch. Food was excellent, vehicle clean and comfortable, and pace of travel relaxed. The day absolutely flew by. Cannot recommend too highly and is a ‘must see’ in Chania.
Maria was an excellent guide and customized the tour so that our two young girls were able to enjoy while the adults learned a bit more about the history of Crete. Highly, highly recommend this experience in Crete!
What a fabulous chance of pace! We had a great tour through small villages in the interior of the island. Maria was a fantastic guide who took care of everything! Our trip to the fortress offered incredible views of Crete and the sea. Our trip to the winery included amazing food and wine, and a great tour of the cellar. We highly recommend this tour and Maria!
What an amazing experience! Maria, our private tour guide, gave us a tour like we have never been on! She is so friendly and her knowledge of the Cretan history and culture was so impressive! The tour of the olive oil factory was so interesting as well as the tour of a typical Greek home. The monestary was a neat stop with rich history. We finished our tour at a local wine distillery and tasted several wines and finished with a gourmet Cretan dinner! So many opportunities for great photographs all along the way! Thank you Maria for making our day so special! Highly recommend!
We selected this tour because we wanted a balance of historical education, food and insight of life on Crete from a locals perspective. This trip was absolutely perfection. My whole family, 10 people, still look back on this trip as our favorite activity on Crete and primarily bc of our “CretN Mother”, Maria. Maria is funny, smart, quick witted and shared her personal story of life on Crete, her family etc. we laughed, made jokes, learned a ton about modern day and historical Cretan life. Maria was nothing short of excellent. The stops we had consisted of old war sights, local coffee shop, museum of an old home, an olive processing plant and an incredible winery w delicious lunch prepared for us. The van was nice and clean, Maria kept everything punctual and the day could not have been better. Age of family members were 21-78 and all of us loved this tour/activity.
We had the best day! Maria picked us up on time at the cruise terminal and met us with local snacks as well as fresh baked goodies from her mom. The van was remarkably clean and she was an excellent driver who was very knowledgeable. She was able to keep us on schedule while also making sure we never felt rushed. We got an appreciation for the history and daily life of Crete. We thoroughly enjoyed everywhere we went but our favorite stops were the olive oil factory and winery. Since it was a private tour, we could go to smaller places that truly felt like we were hanging out with locals. The wines in the tasty were deliciously unique and we had probably the best lunch of our whole cruise. Our only regret is that we did not have enough space in our stomachs to eat is all. We don’t have enough good things to say and highly encourage everyone to book this tour! We can’t wait to come back, stay several days, and book another tour with Maria.
Our guide, Maria, was amazing. Very knowledgeable, ultra friendly and communicated in English fluently. We had wonderful experience. Highly recommend this tour.
This was a 10 out of 10! Maria was so warm, friendly and knowledgeable. We walked away feeling like we understood the culture in Crete! Went to a variety of sites and each was special. One of the best things we did on this trip to Greece! Worth every EURO :)
Our guide Maria was awesome. She was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. This was a great trip, highly recommend if you are on Crete.
Maria is incredible - warm, personable, intelligent, and even well versed enough to talk about the flora and fauna as easily as she does about the history and culture of Crete. Our tour began with the pick-up from our hotel where homemade treats for each of us were waiting in the van. We shared an introduction and snippets of our lives as we traversed the roads to our destination. Everything was in bloom since it was mid-Spring, and we drank in every bit of scenery. The tour was a great mix of history, the land, the culture, the people, food, and wine - did I mention the wine? We began with sweeping views of the surrounding waters from an old fort on the precipice of a hill. We went to the folklore museum where she pointed out how the Cretans of hundreds of years ago lived and their day to day lives. I didn't expect to enjoy this part of the tour as much as I did. From there we went to a local restaurant for coffees. This was followed by a trip to a Monastery where an ancient olive press had been operated. We then went on to modern olive processing facility for tastings and where products available for purchase. The tour culminated with a wine tasting, lunch and a tour of the winery. It could not have been a more perfect day. If you look through the other reviews here, you can see that Maria's sweet and attentive character is both consistent and marvelous. You can't go wrong booking a day with her.
Our tour of Crete with Maria and Michilas was absolutely outstanding! They are such lovely, gracious people—you feel like part of their family from the moment you meet them. Their warmth, kindness, and deep love for Crete shine through every part of the experience. We visited charming little villages off the beaten path, met wonderful locals, and enjoyed an incredible winery that was a true highlight. Every detail was thoughtfully planned, and we felt completely immersed in the authentic beauty and culture of Crete. When I accidentally booked the tour for the wrong date, Maria handled everything with incredible grace. She quickly adjusted the schedule, arranged for her wonderful cousin Michilas to step in, and went above and beyond to make sure everything still worked out smoothly. Then, when Viator unexpectedly canceled our tour due to a credit card issue, Maria personally worked with us to reinstate the reservation and even allowed us to pay the day before the tour. She’s amazing. We visited special little villages that felt untouched by time, met wonderful locals, and enjoyed an unforgettable winery. Every part of the day was thoughtfully curated and deeply authentic. When I accidentally booked the tour for the wrong date, Maria handled everything with incredible grace. She quickly adjusted the schedule, arranged for her wonderful cousin Miklas to step in, and went above and beyond to make sure everything still worked out smoothly. Then, when Viator unexpectedly canceled our tour due to a credit card issue, Maria personally worked with us to reinstate the reservation and even allowed us to pay the day before the tour. She’s amazing. If I could give Maria 10 stars, I absolutely would! This was more than just a tour—it was a heartfelt journey, and we are so grateful to Maria and Michilas for making it unforgettable.
We so enjoyed our tour with Maria. She was a lovely person and guide. So knowledgeable and attentive. We saw so much and ate so well. The village meal was delicious and the people wonderful. The villages tour was a highlight of our Crete experience.
This was the perfect day for us to visit Crete while at port of Chania for the day on our cruise. Maria (owner) of Imable Travel met us at the port with water and homemade treats and she gave us a palate of options for things to see and do while only there for the day. Maria was detailed in explaining all the sights she took us to. We visited ancient ruins, had beautiful scenic views, visited historic monastery and we chose to visit a working olive oil processing facility. Good thing we did not have to worry about weight of our luggage because we purchased about 25 pounds of various olive oils & balsamic. So delicious and fresh! Maria included a stop for lunch at an authentic restaurant for what we thought would be a light lunch and the hosts treated us to a multi coursed feast that was over and above any expectation we had. Delicious! As we were finishing our tour, Maria escorted us through Chania's old town historical district to sightsee and some quaint shopping. This was by far more than what we expected or could have hoped for. Was a beautiful day with a professional, friendly, comprehensive guide. Maria was the best and I would not hesitate in the least to recommend her services or to have her spend a day together again. Maria can accommodate a small group to mid size group and her van is wheelchair accessible. Was one of the best stops on our cruise and hope to get back again soon!
Michealis was an amazing guide! We learned a lot and saw some beautiful views. The tour owner was nice enough to pack us some snack for the ride and some cold waters and lemonade. Our highlight was seeing the small winery as we bought a few bottles and had some amazing food. Try the meatballs!
Don’t miss this tour with Maria! She has a wealth of information about the area, easy to communicate with, and adapts the tour based on your choice of activities. We had a wonderful day in Crete with her!
Spent two days touring with Maria. She is genuine, caring and knowledgeable. Her Mothers “special treats” were amazing and a nice surprise!!! She is a must guide for any visitors in the area.
Maria was a very knowledgeable and friendly guide I would highly recommend this very interesting tour.
This tour was the highlight of our trip to Crete! Maria is an incredible guide whose love for her island shines through every step of the journey. We loved exploring the monastery’s old olive oil factory, a fascinating glimpse into Crete’s past. The visit to the winery was equally memorable—amazing wine, a stunning setting, and a lunch of authentic Cretan flavors that we’ll never forget. Maria’s knowledge and personal touch made this experience feel truly unique. Don’t miss the chance to explore Crete with IMable Travel—it’s an experience you’ll treasure!
Absolutely worth it! Maria was exceptional and the tour was perfect! We saw a variety of sites, ate delicious foods, relaxed in quaint towns, and loved all that was provided. Maria, as a local, was extremely knowledgeable, friendly, and really helped us to understand the history and beauty of Crete. I would highly recommend using IMable for your tour!
Typical cretan lunch and the Monastery and the view from the hill top Maria was an excellent Guide. She took the time to answer questions and ensured that the tour was conducted in a very relaxed and personalized way. Absolutely the best tour we've ever had with Viator.
We enjoyed the olive oil tour, monetary tour and winery very much. Maria made each stop memorable with a fabulous lunch at the winery.
Our guide picked us up at the cruise terminal and showed us some lovely places that we would not have found on our own. She also brought homemade local treats for us to taste. Thank you Maria for a lovely day.
Maria started our trip with a humerous quip about relaxing which set the tone for our day. We never felt rushed and we always felt that our tour really introduced us to the people of Crete as much as seeing the sites. Don't eat a heavy meal before your tour since your coffee stop and lunch will provide you with an abundance of delicious food options. There are several opportunities for amazing scenery.
When my husband and I decided to visit Greece, my mother-in-law immediately told us we had to book a tour with Maria. She toured with her two years ago and still talks about it. We were not disappointed. We have been fortunate to travel a lot, and this was one of the top tours I have ever done. Maria took care of everything. She made sure we had ample cold water, snacks throughout the day and a meal, and even sent us back to our hotel with homemade pies. She was extremely knowledgeable about Crete and its history and took us to several beautiful small towns in addition to the "main attractions". I feel like after her tour I have seen the real Chania. She is such as lovely person, fun to talk to, and cared tremendously that we had a good time. My husband's stomach was unfortunately acting up from all the travel, and she took the time on our way back to take us to a pharmacy and helped us talk to the pharmacist to get him the medication he needed. Ahead of our tour, she was extremely communicative by Instagram, and asked us for any specific things we wanted to see or do in addition to any dietary needs. You can definitely customize your tours with her--just ask. And while we didn't need this, her van is wheelchair accessible. Crete is hot, and being able to see it from an air conditioned van was amazing, and Maria is an amazing driver through what were some very small, winding streets. Just book a tour. You will not regret it for a second. While our trip is not yet over (I am literally writing this review one hour after her tour because she is that amazing), I know this will be a highlight. We will absolutely take another tour with her next time we are here, and I am already kicking myself for not spending more time in Chania with her this trip. Thank you Maria!
We had an incredible day with Maria! She is a fantastic tour guide and so much fun to spend a day with. She cracked jokes with us while we were driving, explained the history of each place we went to and shared excellent recommendations for things to do and places to eat and drink on the island. We cannot recommend her tour enough!
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