Sample private tour · Crete · 7 days
Culinary & Culture
A deliciously immersive private journey through Crete’s food, wine, history and warm island culture, with hands-on cooking, family-run estates, ancient treasures and time to enjoy the coast.
7 days
Customisable private tour
Custom quote
The journey
A wonderful way to
experience Crete.
Heraklion · Agios Nikolaos · Rethymno · Arkadi · Knossos
A wonderful choice for travellers who want Crete’s food, wine, history and local culture woven into one relaxed and beautifully organised private holiday.
This is simply a starting point. I can tailor the route, accommodation, experiences and pace around your own group, dates, interests and budget.
Tour highlights
What you’ll
experience.
A beautiful mix of iconic sights, local experiences and the places that make this part of the world unforgettable.
Your tour, day by day
The itinerary
at a glance.
This sample itinerary shows what your tour could include. The exact route, hotels and experiences can vary, and I’ll confirm all current details with you before you book.
Day 1
Arrive in Heraklion
Meet your private driver, settle into your boutique villa and begin with a relaxed welcome dinner accompanied by local wine.
Day 2
Olive oil and Agios Nikolaos
Taste award-winning olive oils at a specialist masterclass, visit a traditional mill and museum, then enjoy time in the charming coastal town of Agios Nikolaos before your first cooking class.
Day 3
Rethymno and Arkadi
Wander the Venetian lanes of Rethymno’s atmospheric Old Town, visit historic Arkadi Monastery and return to the villa for another hands-on Cretan cooking experience.
Day 4
Knossos and a family winery
Explore Crete’s most celebrated archaeological site before a special winery lunch, organic wine tasting and cooking class at a family estate in the Peza wine region.
Day 5
Heraklion food and culture
Discover Heraklion’s harbour, landmarks and market while tasting bougatsa, cheeses, raki and meze, then visit artisans and the interactive Museum of Traditional Instruments.
Day 6
Minoan treasures and pastry
See extraordinary Minoan artefacts at Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum, learn from expert bakers at the Pastry Museum and celebrate over a farewell dinner.
Day 7
Departure
Enjoy breakfast before your private airport transfer, or extend your stay to discover more of Crete’s coast.
The practical details
What’s generally
included.
We’ll discuss the inclusions relevant to your chosen tour, as these vary between itineraries and touring partners.
- Six nights’ boutique accommodation
- Daily breakfast and selected meals
- Private airport transfers and transport
- Four hands-on cooking classes
- Olive oil masterclass, winery lunch and tastings
- Heraklion walking food tour
- Guided cultural touring and selected experiences
Inspired by this tour?
Let me find the right
version for you.
I’ll compare current itineraries, dates, pricing and availability, then help arrange the complete holiday around the tour.
Ask Judy to find my tour ↗