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  • Things to do in Pappagiannades
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Day trip

From Rethimno: The Cretan Way of Life at the mountains

5  / 5
3 reviews
Activity provider:Eco Events
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Day trip

From Rethimno: The Cretan Way of Life at the mountains

Activity provider:Eco Events
5  / 5
3 reviews

From US$ 170.62 per person

Learn the traditional ways of a nunnery, goat-herding, and beekeeping on a private tour to the countryside of Crete. Be welcomed into a local home for an authentic meal and learn about their lives.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
Reserve now & pay later
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Covid-19 precautions
Special health and safety measures are in place. Check your activity voucher once you book for full details.
Duration 7 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Host or greeter
Greek, French, English
Pickup included
Pickup from your hotel in Rethimno.
Small group
Limited to 8 participants

Experience

Highlights
  • Indulge in the rich traditional flavors of loukoumi, honey, and pitakia
  • Meet the only nun at the Vossakos monastery and learn about her life
  • Join a traditional Cretan family in their home in the mountains for a meal
  • Watch 100 goats be released from their pen to run free into the high hills
  • Walk through a field of orange trees in the very ancient village of Apladiana
Full description

Immerse yourself in the traditional customs of Crete on a private tour from Rethimno. Meet the only living nun at Vossakos monastery and be introduced to Mr. Andreas and Mrs. Eleni at a local pasture. Learn about goat-herding and beekeeping from the experts and indulge in delicious Cretan cuisine.

Get picked up from your accommodations in Crete and leave the city center behind for the picturesque countryside. Arrive at the historical Vossakos monastery, settled in a landscape of beautiful flowers, lush trees, and aromatic herbs.

Walk towards the monastery and be welcomed within by the one remaining nun who lives here. Be treated to her smile and a taste of the sweet loukoumi, learning about the stories surrounding these holy walls.

Depart from the monastery to visit a local pasture. Pass through the entrance of three huge trees and meet Mr. Andreas, the resident shepherd. Listen to him detail his daily routine, including taking care of the goats and the process of producing milk.

Indulge in the delicious flavors of traditional Cretan appetizers, such as cheese, olives, and a glass of raki. With a happy stomach, follow the shepherd out to his flock and watch as 100 goats rush out of their pen into the high hills.

Say goodbye to Mr. Andreas and be introduced to his wife, Mrs. Eleni. Slide into your beekeeping uniform as she leads you to the hives, demonstrating her mastery over the honey-loving insects.

Observe the procedure for honey extraction that Mrs. Eleni undertakes with her bare hands! Learn the family secrets behind why she has no need for her own beekeeper's uniform.

Bee welcomed into the home of Mr. Andreas and Mrs. Eleni, situated high up in the mountains with breathtaking views over the village. Take a walk through the peaceful environment, relaxing into this fairytale-like world.

Open a bottle of wine and enjoy a glass while a traditional lunch is prepared for you. Tuck into a range of local organic products and finish off your meal with a delicious dessert, such as pitakia with honey on top.

After lunch, be guided to the heart of Apladiana, one of the most ancient villages on the island which still adheres to Cretan customs. Cross through a field full of orange trees, reveling in the citrusy breeze, and finish your tour in the village square.

Includes
  • Pickup and drop-off from Rethymno (maximum 12km arround the city)
  • Local guide
  • Local driver
  • Transportation by air-conditioned car or mini bus
  • Entry ticket to the monastery
  • Lunch
  • Lots of raki
  • Gratuities
Not suitable for
  • People with mobility impairments
  • Wheelchair users

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Important information

Not allowed

  • Unaccompanied minors

Know before you go

  • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Seating is available for infants
  • Vegetarian options are available
  • A minimum of two people are required for this activity

From US$ 170.62 per person

Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
Reserve now & pay later to book your spot and pay nothing today
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Customer reviews

Overall rating

5 /5

based on 3 reviews

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Exceptional driver Michalis, informative and friendly. Superb monastery visit and most importantly, the hosts at the goat farm and beehives(Andreas and Eleni) who made our Cretan stay the highlight of our European trip with their generosity of spirit and hospitality at their home. If I could give this trip 10 stars, I would! Sure to be a best seller if you a seeking a real experience of village life.

Read more

September 1, 2023

T
Tina – AustraliaVerified booking

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Product ID: 342226

  • Greece
  • Crete
  • Things to do in Pappagiannades
  • Vossakos monastery

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