Price Includes
- Pickup and Drop-off
- SUZUKI VITARA vehicle & fuel
- Experienced driver
- Bottle of water per person
- Trekking poles
Price Excludes
- Any Private Expenses
- Lunch or snack in a tavern or cafe
Recommended
- Extra walking shoes & socks for the hiking
- Sunscreen / Hat & sunglasses
- Swimsuit / Flip-flops / Sea towels
Note
- Drinking, eating or smoking inside the vehicle is not allowed
- Seat belt use is mandatory
We will pick you up from your hotel or apartment at 9.00–10.00 in the morning (by agreement) and go to the Orthodox monastery of Toplou. It is one of the most beautiful and historically important monasteries of Crete. Founded in the Late Middle Ages, but completely rebuilt in the 17th century and constantly renovated until recently, it is surrounded by a 10 meters high wall and thus resembles a fortress from afar. Its walls sheltered the villagers from the nearby area, when the fierce Mediterranean corsairs approached the coast. Another conspicuous landmark is a 33 meters high belfry. When not participating in construction works, the monks of Toplou have played a prominent role in the spiritual life of Crete. In the monastery museum you will see icons, manuscripts and liturgical objects created or preserved by them, and in its church there are fragments of the medieval frescoes. Finally, the monks produce their own wine and olive oil, which you can buy in the monastery shop.
After the monastery we will head to the famous palm beach of Vai. Its grove, growing right on the sandy shore, consists of about 5000 trees and is the largest natural grove − or should we say forest? − in Europe. Its natural beauty is preserved both by the Greek government, which established a national park there, and the European Union, which included it into the Natura 2000 network. You will have enough time on the beach to swim, sunbathe and admire the views, and then we will bring you back to your residence. If you wish, it will also be possible to stop at some tavern for a cup of Greek coffee and some snacks. In any case, our program is designed that way so you will be at home at around 5 or 6 o’clock in the evening, hopefully having accumulated unforgettable memories.
We can pick up our dear guests from their hotel or apartment from any location in the municipality of Sitia and the eastern part of the municipality of Ierapetra, from the Pachia Ammos – Ierapetra road, including Ierapetra town (on the map area highlighted in yellow).
MAP OF THE PICKUP AND VOYAGE AREA
