Margarites Arkadi Patsos

Margarites Arkadi Patsos

Our magnificent journey will take you to meet the nature of Crete, observe the history and get acquainted with the Cretan culture. This particular private tour is aimed only to absolute nature lovers who want to explore and feel the heart of Crete.

Highlights:

Discover the Margarites extraordinary architecture and the lovely narrow winding streets!
Watch the demonstration of traditional pottery making, while you are enjoying a traditional coffee at the kafeneio.
Admire the remarkable scenery of Arkadi monastery and learn about the holy history of the monument.
Explore the Patsos gorge natural beauty as well as the special species of flora and fauna while you are admiring the running water from the river.
Feel the religiousness of the unique cavernous church of St. Antony and enjoy the panoramic view from the observation deck.
Taste the Cretan gastronomy in the local restaurant and enjoy the house wine as well as the traditional way of cooking.

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Margarites Gorge, Margarites, Crete Greece

You will start the tour by visiting a beautiful well-hidden village, Margarites. The tradition of pottery goes back many generations in this village and you will be able to find an elder to show you how the pots are hand thrown. The village, which has some extraordinary architecture and lovely narrow winding streets, is worth being explored. You will explore the village, enjoy traditional coffee at a small kafeneio and watch a demonstration of creating unique pottery products at an expert's workshop.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Monastery of Arkadi, Arkadi, Rethymnon, Crete 74100 Greece

The Monastery has been a continuous and inseparable part of the Cretan history during the last eight centuries.

After a 20' drive, you will continue to the religious part of the tour. The goal is to make you familiar with Cretan culture and religious customs. Arkadi Monastery is perhaps the best known monastery on Crete due to the Holocaust of 1866. However, its location and impressive architecture make it all more special. It is a large fortified complex built during the end of the period of Venetian rule. We will escort you to explore this magnificent monument, but since our guides are not official, it is forbidden to have a tour inside historical monuments.
Attention: Our Guide will fully inform you on the history of the Monastery, but will not enter inside with you for the tour as he is not an official guide.

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: St. Anthony Gorge (Gorge of Patsos), Patsos, Crete 740 61 Greece

Let’s explore together the nature of Crete. The gorge of Patsos is a small yet magnificent gorge, which begins at Ano Assites. The whole area around the gorge is of particular natural beauty. In the gorge one can see rare species of flora and fauna, which are protected by European legislation. In particular, there are 80 species of flora, of which 4 are protected, 24 species of fauna, of which 11 are protected and 16 species of birds, of which 8 are protected. You are going to enjoy a small picnic at the facilities of the gorge, as you are watching a spring of running water near the river. A beautiful attraction of the gorge is the cavernous church of St. Anthony in the rocky walls, a former temple of Hermes. From there you will follow the trail to Potami dam. On the sides of the gorge there is an observation deck for birds in the area. Usually, hiking lasts about 3 1/2 hours but depending on the weather and physical condition of the voyagers you could hike more or less. The tour ends with the most wonderful way. Full lunch and house wine in a traditional local restaurant so as to taste the Cretan way of cooking.

Duration: 3 hours