You will discover how ‘liquid gold’ is produced from ancient times to the present day. During the olive oil tasting experience that follows, you will be enchanted by the flavors. Purchasing products is optional.
Enjoy a stop in this charming village, where you can stroll through its quiet alley, soak in the authentic Cretan atmosphere, meet friendly locals, and experience a glimpse of everyday village life.
An optional visit to the Monastery of Aretiou may be included if time permits, offering a peaceful stop with beautiful views over Mirabello Bay. This hidden spiritual landmark provides a quiet moment of reflection and insight into Crete’s religious heritage.
Driving along forgotten paths, we will descend from the heights of Plaka, overlooking the stunning Bay of Elounda, with the mysterious island of Spinalonga in the distance. You will have time to stroll through the charming village of Plaka and perhaps hop on a boat to explore Spinalonga, uncovering its intriguing history and breathtaking views.
Visiting Spinalonga, famous for its Venetian fortress and leper colony history, offers a glimpse into Crete's layered past. A short 7-minute ferry ride from Plaka brings you to this small island, where you'll explore well-preserved fortifications and abandoned streets, uncovering the poignant stories of those who once lived in isolation. The island's haunting beauty, paired with stunning views of the Bay of Elounda, makes Spinalonga a deeply moving and memorable destination.
A drive through Elounda Square offers a charming glimpse into the heart of this picturesque coastal town. As you navigate the lively square, you'll pass by bustling cafes, traditional tavernas, and local shops, all set against the backdrop of Elounda's serene harbor. A 10-minute stop is optional.
Visiting Agios Nikolaos offers a delightful experience in one of Crete's most charming coastal cities. Known for its beautiful Lake Voulismeni, picturesque harbor, and colorful streets, Agios Nikolaos is perfect for a leisurely stroll. After sightseeing, you could enjoy lunch at a traditional taverna by the lake, where you can savor fresh seafood and Cretan specialties while soaking in the serene atmosphere and scenic views.
We had a wonderful private tour with George. He picked us up at our hotel, was punctual and very professional. He gave us lots of facts about Crete throughout the day. We had a wonderful lunch at a restaurant overlooking the sea. Thank you for a great and memorable day! We highly recommend George and SunSud Tours!
Our family travelled to Crete in early August 2026. Given that we had never been to Crete before we decided to book a tour to help see the main sights and learn about the island. We are glad we did as George took us to all the main sights and was very knowledgeable about each one. From pick up right to the end of the day, George was exceptional and really made the day that more special. Thanks George.
It was an awesome experience! We got to see many amazing sights and we were treated like first class. Highly recommend this tour!
The host was a great guide sharing so much of Crete's history during the tour. Not only were we able to do everything but we had enough time to make a stop at a small monastery which was a great experience. Loved the olive oil mill as well. The best tour I've been on in Greece so far.
The host is very knowledgeable. The tour is a great way to explore this area of Crete. The island tour by boat was a great experience.
George was a truly excellent driver-host! He communicated with us before the trip to make sure all the details were set, and picked us up directly at our lodging as promised. He even provided booster seats for the two children in our group, ages 6 and 8, which was a thoughtful touch. Throughout the day, George was courteous, professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly attentive. He went out of his way to make sure our family had the best possible experience exploring beautiful eastern Crete. Knowing that we had a special interest in the island of Spinalonga, George took the initiative to ask our boat captain to take the long way around so we could see the entire island. We hadn't even asked him to do this—he simply recognized an opportunity to make our experience better and made it happen. Another wonderful example happened in the village of Kastelli Fourni. Over coffee, I asked George about the castle the village was named after. He took the question to a couple of local residents, one of whom turned out to be a former teacher who offered to show us the remaining Venetian ruins. Before we knew it, we were on an entirely unscripted tour of parts of the village, with George translating for us! These spontaneous moments were what made our day so special. George was incredibly flexible and gave us the kind of immersive, authentic experience that you simply can't plan in advance. His curiosity, thoughtfulness, and genuine desire to share Crete with us made the day unforgettable. George is the best! We highly recommend him.
Our tour of Eastern Crete was fabulous! Our driver-host picked up our party of 7 in a nice van at our location. He was very kind; well-versed in Cretian history; easy to talk to; and patiently answered all our questions. He planned a wonderful day for us. Eastern Crete is beautiful especially the water. Our host was relaxed and flexible. He was patient with children and those with minor physical challenges. He did not blink at a spontaneous offer to see further exploration of a village by a local. We have brought home great memories and knowledge of Crete. Our host was a delight! I highly recommend.
When traveling across the world, you hope to invest your time and money into an experience that will shape you and give your life influence to carry home and share it with others. We try our best to absorb signs and placards intending to inform us of historical relevance but often fall short of a meaningful immersive experience; insert George. George gave us the most beautiful glimpse into the history, the knowledge, and most important to me personally, an interaction with the culture of Crete. We saw amazing sites, we ate amazing food, we learned rich information, we laughed together, and had the most meaningful cross cultural conversations along the way. George is a fantastic person and a fantastic person. If you are hoping to meet the culture in a way that shapes you with wonderful moments and memories, go with George. Thank you so much.
George was so communicative as we were planning this tour for our family across 3 generations. We loved all the sites he took us to and there was a good balance of walking and driving that met everyone's needs. We absolutely loved our first stop at a family-run olive mill. The rest of the day so special including a monastery with only one monk living there. Lunch on the beach was one of the best we had. The whole day was amazing.
We had a wonderful day on Crete with our driver- host George. He met us outside the Agios Nicholas cruise dock gate and we traveled in a clean modern van. We drove thru the city and to an olive mill, and then we visited a monastery and the little village of Kastelli (included coffee stop). After, we had lunch (self pay) in Plaka looking at the island of Spinalonga. During the whole day, George kept us entertained with stories--- myths, ancient history, info about the leper colony at Spinalonga, WWII info, Crete's food, etc. We had a great day, and we were back to Agios Nicholas with plenty of time to meet our ship’s departure schedule.
We loved having George as our driver-host! His goal was to show us his island of Crete and to make sure that we were enjoying our time there. He cared about us and wanted to make sure that we had the best experience. Because of him, we fell in love with Crete! Of all the excursions we did, this one was the best!!! George is very professional and we HIGHLY recommend him!
This tour with George was everything I had hoped. We wanted to get a taste of life in Crete as well as see a few historical sites. George was so knowledgeable about the area and no question was not important to him. The monastery and the ancient island were very interesting. We made the tour private so that we could take our time and accommodate my husband who has some difficulty moving at a quick pace. George was very conscious of his limitations and it made me feel so at ease. We ended up stopping for lunch at a sweet spot on the water across from Spinolonga. That was a much needed break from the heat. I Highly recommend this tour.
What an amazing day! George was a great guide with lots of interesting information to share...we highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a beautiful day visiting the area. Flexible, relaxed agenda! Especially enjoyed the olive oil tasing and Spiralonga!
After looking at the reviews of all of the local tour guides in the Heraklion and Elounda area, I selected George Dermitzakis, of SunSud Tours, sunsudtours@gmail.com, to guide my family for two days while we were staying at the Domes of Elounda. I was with an 18-year-old and 19 year-old, and George helped to create unique itineraries to keep them interested and involved. The two days were spectacular and George is the best Guide you can hire in the area. I was so impressed that I gave his information to our concierge at the hotel. George arranged a for a wonderful Knossos tour and a fabulous Vassilakis Estate private olive tour and wine tasting visit, outstanding lunch included, that enhance the experience. The second day, George arranged for a private vessel to take us to Spinalonga where he gave us a wonderful tour, to a guided visit to Anglios Nikolaos, to a small traditional village for a Greek coffee, and to a lunch at Palieria Taverna, his favorite restaurant, in Plaka, near Dome of Elounda, which became our favorite restaurant too, with its outstanding fresh food. George taught us all so much about the area, the history, the culture and traditions. We thoroughly enjoyed all of our time with George. George also arranged for airport transportation and drove us to the port for our Seajet ferry to Santorini early morning. You will be very lucky if he is available during your stay in Heraklion and Elounda and is willing to vary any of his tours to your personal desires, and those with you. I cannot recommend his services more highly.
One of our favorite activities while staying at Acros Suites in Crete was a private tour "Spinalonga and Beyond." George Dermitzakis was an excellent guide: knowledgeable, friendly, and accommodating. The afternoon included an interesting olive oil tour and tasting at Vassilakis Estate, sampling Greek coffee and short walk through the charming village of Kastelli, followed amazing meal at Paliria restaurant in Plaka with awe-inspiring views. Highly recommend this tour.
Spent a splendid day with George, learnt some more about Greece and the area. Given a recommendation for lunch which was spot on. And the visit to Spinalonga was worth it.?. Overall would highly recommend
George is a perfect guide. So easygoing, knowledgeable, smart, considerate, and kind. We had a wonderful day touring with him. He was very flexible, accommodating to our schedule, and led us to off-the-beaten path places as well as to important sites. His minivan was comfortable, spotless, and he is an excellent driver. Thank you, George!
The places we visited were beautiful, the views breathtaking, and the atmosphere truly special. From the old monastery frozen in time and the friendly locals in charming villages and olive groves to enjoying delicious food and drinks by the sea, every moment was unforgettable. Our host had plenty of surprises, making the day absolutely incredible!
Georgios made us feel comfortable right away. He took us to hidden gems, shared fascinating insights about the local culture, and gave us a deeper appreciation for Crete. Absolutely recommend!
Exploring Spinalonga and its nearby treasures with SunSud Tours was a true delight. Yorgos went above and beyond to customize the trip to our tastes, and his professionalism and enriching guidance made it an awesome experience!
We had a wonderful time exploring the elegant side of Crete, including the renowned Spinalonga and picturesque Agios Nikolaos. We gained fascinating insights into olive oil production and savored some truly exceptional varieties. The charming villages, the monastery, and the historic Spinalonga created lasting memories that keep us warm through the winter. We were incredibly fortunate to have Yorgos, a dedicated professional, as our host. The next day, we asked him to share another one of his favorite sides of the island with us.
It was our first time in Crete . George was excellent taking us to very interesting places l, mingling with locals and having a nice idea of the island . Recommend !
Our second trip with George was nothing short of extraordinary. Having experienced an olive press on our first journey, George adjusted the itinerary in ways that left us absolutely enchanted. Driving through charming villages felt like stepping back in time, especially as we witnessed the timeless art of preparing rusk bread—a tradition filled with warmth. At Areti Monastery, the peaceful atmosphere embraced us completely. The winding roads led to stunning views of Elounda Bay, with its tiny island glimmering like a hidden gem. After a stroll through Plaka, we sailed to Spinalonga, where George’s storytelling brought the island’s moving history to life. The day ended in Agios Nikolaos, enjoying a delicious lunch at a soulful lakeside tavern. George’s expertise turned this trip into an unforgettable journey through Crete’s beauty and culture—an experience we’ll treasure forever!
An amazing and brilliant day with Georgious. He knew what we would like and places visited were fabulous. The day went too quickly it was that good. It was so much fun and had time to eat and drink and spend some time with the locals who were lovely. Recommended. 👏👏👏👍
Where to start about our most wonderful outstanding day! SunSud and George did us proud! George is a great host with a marvellous sense of humour (he fitted right in with us), has a wonderful knowledge of Heraklion and its charming, beautiful area. We meandered into charming typical Cretan villages off the tourist path, visited an olive press where we sampled yummy Greek olives. The beautiful and ancient Areti monastery was amazing! Most beautiful! Such a treat to see the ladies making bread in the traditional way in an ancient little room. As well as Elounda and Platka, another of the highlights was when George organised for a boat to take us around Spinalonga. To end our outstanding experience we went to Agios Nikolaos, which is a beautiful, busy place where George took us to a great restaurant by the lake where the locals eat. Thanks for the memories George, we couldn't have asked for more. The highlight of our week in beautiful Heraklion.
The whole day was fantastic from pick up to drop off. We saw some amazing sights and George provided so much interesting information. We had loads of laughs and so much fun along the way. George became part of our group immediately . Can't praise this day out enough. Amazing!!!
**Amazing Experience with George!** My experience with him was absolutely fantastic. From the very beginning, George was incredibly attentive and professional, helping me plan every detail of my trip. Their knowledge of destinations, activities, and local recommendations is unmatched. What impressed me the most was how personalized their proposals are. This isn't a company that just sells you a generic package; they truly take the time to understand your interests and needs to create a tailor-made experience. During my trip, everything perfectly I highly recommend George without hesitation. If you're looking for a travel agency that will make your trip truly unforgettable, he is the perfect choice! I will definitely trust him again for my next vacation.
George gave us a great day! He completely adapted the planning of the tour to our wishes! told many interesting facts everywhere! We felt very special in his company and he did everything to make us feel at home! He also took us to the most amazing pictures of the island! Highly recommended! Away from the pre-chosen tourist trips! George provides an exclusive tailor-made trip! Just book it!
A flawless organization for a dive into a not-so-distant past (1956). A bilingual guide well-informed about the history of the region and suggesting reading Victoria Hislop's book "The Island of the Forgotten" to relive that period.
The weather was perfect to discover the wonders of Crete. We were able to visit a charming traditional Greek village to enjoy a good Greek coffee, it was like going back in time. We met farmers harvesting olives in a picturesque olive grove, it was an unforgettable experience. Our host, George, exceeded all our expectations — we couldn’t have dreamed better. I highly recommend it
This is an absolutely beautiful place to visit. The food is good, the people are very nice. Big nod to our guide Georges who was very professional and super pleasant. I highly recommend it.
Very beautiful trip, from nature and history to sea and forests to small towns and beautiful villages A rustic eatery is superb Beautiful island and land trip Highly fixed by trying this trip
We entrusted George of SunSud Tours with our excursions on both visits to Crete, and he exceeded all expectations. His warmth and knowledge made Spinalonga, Agios Nikolaos and traditional villages unforgettable highlights. A perfect host and driver!
Nasza wycieczka z George’em była po prostu niesamowita! Jego profesjonalizm, serdeczność i ogromna wiedza dodały ogromnej wartości do całego dnia. George doskonale wiedział, kiedy podzielić się fascynującymi historiami, a kiedy pozwolić nam cieszyć się pięknem Krety we własnym tempie. Od wizyty w tłoczni oliwy, przez Spinalongę, aż po Agios Nikolaos – każdy moment był idealnie zaplanowany. Jego obecność wzbogaciła naszą wycieczkę, a jednocześnie dawał nam przestrzeń, byśmy mogli cieszyć się sobą i otaczającą nas przyrodą. Nie mogliśmy wymarzyć sobie lepszego przewodnika. Gorąco polecamy!
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