Be sure to read the Special Notes further down this page for important requirements and restriction.

From its incomparable natural beauty of endless rolling hills, rugged mountains, and plateaus to the manmade splendors of Minoan monuments, Crete weaves a tapestry of awe and wonder. Nowhere is this more evident than in the country's charming villages, where age-old traditions, handed down through the generations, play a part in keeping Cretan's heritage alive.

You'll want to wear comfortable shoes and bring a camera to record your visit, which begins when you board your motorcoach for your engaging four-and-a-half hour tour. Sit back and relax as your 40-minute scenic journey travels into the heart of Crete. Your first destination is the quaint town of Thrapsano. Tucked in the folds of a mountain, Thrapsano is renowned for its pottery and ceramics. This ancient art form has flourished here dating back over 4,000 years and Thrapsano's craftsmen are said to be descendents of the potters from the Minoan era. To see a potter at work, you'll visit a workshop and watch how simple mud and water are turned into interesting pottery and ceramic pieces. As in ancient days, the mixture is placed on a wheel then the craftsman works the clay into a variety of shapes followed by drying and baking time. After the demonstration, the potter will ask for a volunteer to try their hand at the wheel (be careful, you may get splashed with clay) followed by some time to shop and purchase some of the items on display.

Next on your itinerary is a trip back near Heraklion to the town of Arolithos. Nestled in the hillsides and surrounded by vineyards, Arolithos may look centuries old but it's actually a modern take on a traditional Cretan village. Built in 1988, the town boasts art workshops, two houses, a hotel, a restaurant and a tavern, a café and a small church. After stepping off the motorcoach, you'll weave your way around the narrow tree-lined streets past the traditional blacksmith's shop and into the enchanting square, where you may see a wedding being celebrated in the quaint church that sits nearby. Continuing on, you'll have picture-perfect views of the traditional shops filled with local artisans creating baskets, wood sculptures, religious artifacts and more before reaching the restaurant. Here, you can sit and enjoy a delicious snack of spanakopita (little cheese and spinach pies), olives and cucumbers, and your choice of beverage including wine or raki, the anise-flavored national drink, while a folkloric show of dancers perform Greek and Cretan songs for you.

Then, with the incredible imagery, history and taste sensations from this wonderful journey in mind, you'll board your motorcoach for an idyllic drive back to the ship…hopefully with a small souvenir to show your family and friends.