Loading Private Mediterranean Cruise Shore Excursions
Samaria Gorge.
By Lapplaender (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0-de], via Wikimedia Commons
Designed for cruise passengers seeking more personal service, or a more upscale way of enjoying shore excursions. Arrive on Princess Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Royal Caribbean Cruises, or other Mediterranean cruises.
Port trips, shore excursions and ground transportation in the Mediterranean for those who wish to break away from the crowd and are looking for a more intimate experience. We cater to your needs and can custom tailor your experience from 2 to 2000 passengers. Families and children are always welcome. You will always have your own PRIVATE air conditioned vehicle and private guide.
KNOSSOS – MUSEUM
Knossos is not simply foundations but a three story Palace complex of rooms, halls and passengers, dating from 2.500 B.C. and the center of Minoan civilization (when in most parts of the world people were still living in caves).This is the labyrinth were Theseus slew the Minotaur, and where history and legend go hand in hand. All the best finds of Knossos and other sities are housed in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion.
Video by loraraan
PHAESTOS-GORTYS-MATALA
South to the mountains and more of Crete’s unique scenery and stoping first at Gortys, the Capital during the Roman occupation. The ancient forum and theater the famous Doric law code, chiseled forever into stone and publicly displayed in Dorian times. Gortys is one of the best & most beautiful of ancient churches on Crete — St.Titus dating from 5-6 AD. Phaestos, the second major minoan site, is situated overlooking the beautiful Messara plain.There you can see evidence of the original complex destroyed by fire and earthquake, and also the second rebuilt complex. Since we believe that too much culture is not the best way to spend a holiday, the afternoon is spent on the beach of Matala, overlooked by the famous Neolithic caves.
RETHYMNO – CHANIA (WEST CRETE)
Our major excursion travels along the north west coast with breathtaking scenery on both sides — spectacular mountain ranges and sleepy little fishing villages. First stop is in Rethymno, known as the city of scholars. Here you can stroll through the narrow streets with their venetian flavour, or maybe take coffee in a harbourside coffeebar. From there we move on to Chania for lunch. Chania is the little Venice of Crete. It reputedly possesses the largest market in the Balkans, and a street dedicated mostly to leather goods, where you can see items such as hand made boots, shoes, handbags, etc.
CRETAN EVENING
A not to be missed opportunity for an evening out amidst the flavour and atmosphere of a Cretan Tavern. We travel into the mountains to a village no more than an hour away, and our evening is spent eating, drinking and dancing in the local style. During the meal which will be typical there is unlimited free wine, and you will be serenaded by local musicians. Afterwards there will be a demonstration of energetic Cretan dancing and you will be enthusiastically invited to join in.
PLATEAU OF LASSITHI
Through the impressive scenery of the road that clamps from the coast up to high Lassithi. A narrow road, with tight bends, weaving its way between the hills onwards and upwards, brings you to a vast plain, as far as the eye can see with windmills. This is the Plateau of Lassithi. Here is where the history and legend go hand in hand once again and your guide will tell you about, and give you a chance to visit, the Dicteon cave where Zeus was born.
SPINALONGA ISLAND
This excursion journeys along the north east coast and first visits the village of Elounda. If the name doesn’t ring a bell, think of “who pays the ferryman” – it was filmed here, a small but charming fishing village. We take a boat trip from Elounda to the island of Spinalonga, fortified by the Venetians, and used this century as a leper colony. Free time for BBQ lunch and swimming at the island of Kolokytha. Having returned to Elounda we travel down to Agios Nikolaos amd enroute you will have a wonderful view over the bay of Mirabello. Agios Nikolaos is possibly the most chic spot in Crete.
SAMARIA GORGE
Samaria gorge is 18 km of breathtaking scenery in the longest gorge in Europe, with imposing sheer rock faces and the pine filled atmosphere of another world. We begin our descent early in the morning to avoid being in the gorge when the sun is at it’s hottest. As you reach the bottom you will be making the same exit as the British soldiers and the Greek partisans made during their escape in the last war. Waiting for you at the bottom will be the crystal-clear waters of the Libya Sea and the small village of Aghia Roumeli where after a good rest, we will board the boat to Chora Sfakion for the return to hotel.
WATER CITY
If you are looking for an escape from reality — action, fun, adventure, games, relaxation, excellent food, cool refreshing drinks and a lot of other suprises — then come to Water City for non-stop fun.
PREVELI-FODELE
Excited view of the Libyan sea at the south coast of the island. At the mouth o the river Kroutalioti you will discover the unique beach of Preveli. In the Monastery of Preveli we will see unique old icons. On the return back short stop at Fodele village, the birth place of El Greco, the famous painter.
IERAPETRA CHRISSI
In a distance of 36 klms south of Ag. Nikolaos lies the picturesque city of Ierapetra (the pride of the Libyan Sea). With a traditional caique thorough the Lybian Sea we sail to the unique island of Chrissi. A deserted sandy island surrounded by crystal clear water.
Regular cruise shore excursions are generally a good introduction to any city, however most seasoned cruise travelers prefer to go sightseeing with a private guide.The difference between organized and private shore tours is best described as “package versus tailor-made.” Some people may feel all right joining a large tour group but sometimes it is difficult to hear the guide and the group moves only as fast as its slowest participant. Others may not get their questions answered at all as there may be twenty other people in the group trying to do the same.In contrast, a small tour group with a tailor-made program is way more enjoyable and ensures personal attention for everyone. You can spend as much time as you want. Therefore, if you want to maximize your limited time, the private escorted tour — tailored to your unique wishes and interests — is an ideal solution.All our private shore excursions tours are carefully designed to give you the best possible experience. Our knowledgeable, friendly and qualified tour guide and driver will ensure that your visit ashore is truly memorable. When you tour with us as part of a private shore excursion, your tour guide will get you into sites without waiting in lines. That is especially valuable given the limited time you have to spend on ashore.
