Meet your host, Kostas Mastorakis, in Chania’s Market Square at 11am, and set off on an inspiring and comprehensive 8-hour tour of the historic city.
Begin your day out with a camera in hand as you walk through Chania’s Old Town. Take in the colorful sights of its Venetian Harbor, and venture to the area’s off-the-beaten-path destinations, including the old Jewish quarter and atraditional soap-making factory. Afterwards, venture just beyond the walls of the Old Town to the neighborhoods of Koum Kapi, Splantzia, and Kasteli, all of which have Turkish origins.
As you explore, you’ll also be able to enjoy a traditional Cretan meal. Dine at a family-run restaurant, drink coffee in the Municipal Garden’s caf□, and look forward to sampling local favorites like bougatsa lordanis: a delicious sweet cheese pastry. As an alternative to a restaurant meal, you can also go shopping at the local market and enjoy a “shepherd’s meal” of local cheese, olives, tomatoes, wine, and other Cretan specialties.
Next, hop on a comfortable bus and go for a speedy tour of the city; the bus will travel along Chania's periphery, offering beautiful, aerial views of the seaside city. Disembark at the Halepa District, one of the most historic areas of Chania, and venture to the Agia Magdalini church. Halepa is also home to many government embassies and consulates, which you can stroll past as you wander.
Then, it’s onwards to the neighboring Tampakaria district, famous for its 19th-century tanneries, some of which are still active. See the craftsmen at work as you discover this evocative corner of the city.