Arkadi Monastery, Chania and Rethymnon

This tour starts from Heraklion and combines a relaxed scenic drive along the northern coast with visits at an historical monastery as well as the two most picturesque towns on the island.

All Greeks regard Arkadi monastery as a bulwark and symbol of freedom. The site of the 1866 battle between Cretans and Ottoman Turks, the monastery was destroyed and only a few of its occupants escaped the massacre. But the brave and stubborn resistance exhibited by the martyrs of Arkadi, including the abbot of the monastery, proved the stimulus for widespread resistance throughout the island that attracted the attention of several foreign countries and finally resulted in the liberation of Crete.

Many consider Chania as the most beautiful city on Crete. We will stroll along the harbor area of the old port, admire its Venetian and Ottoman architecture, with its Naval Museum housed in the Venetian ship-sheds, wander through the narrow back streets, visit the famous Agora and leather market, and enjoy lunch by the blue waters of the Aegean.

Our last stop is Rethymno, a well-known university town. The old Venetian area of the city features a harbor area as well as an impressive fortress; its narrow alleys sponsor a wide variety of unique shops and skilled artists who display their skills on street corners. Our stop here marks the perfect time for a delicious Rethymno ice cream or a refreshing freddo by the old port. Return to Heraklion.

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