Create lasting memories in Crete as you enjoy an olive oil tasting experience under the shade of olive trees. This entire experience will be enjoyed in the middle of a 2,000-year-old monumental olive grove. Discover the history, culture, and Cretan civilization of olive oil throughout the centuries. During your walk around the peaceful olive groves such as the holy Gethsemane Garden, you will discover the beauty of the Cretan landscape as well as the myths, flavors, and aromas of olive oil. The activity includes an olive oil tasting of 4 different olive oils at a tasting table in the shade of some olive trees. During the tasting you will be pairing food with more types of olive oil, and you will receive tips on how taste, preserve, choose, cook, and fry olive oil. You'll also receive more information about harvesting and olive oil extraction.

This experience begins at noon from Merichas. Our first stop will be Mirsinia beach. We approach the northwest side, enjoying the beauties of the island along the way, stopping for a swim in the most crystal clear waters of the Aegean or sunbathing admiring the pure colors of nature. In a few minutes we will visit the beach of Kolona, known for having water on both sides. Along the way we will explore all the beauties of the bay to swim in one of its small coves where hot thermal waters gush. Get ready for water games provided by our boats, enjoying coming out of the sea, the hospitality and the delicacies that our Skipper will have prepared for you on the boat. Otherwise you can get off and eat at the restaurant "Kolona Experience". After that, we pass by Apokrousi beach, the largest beach of the island, immortalizing with a camera the small caves of this large bay overlooking the east side of Kolona. We continue at low speed to approach Vryokastro, the place where Ancient Kythnos existed. A highly touristy place where one can access only by boat the small beach overlooking Vryokastraki, an uninhabited rocky islet where it is a part of the tip of ancient Kythnos with its turquoise waters. A walk from the beach of the diocese can not be missing from our cruise. Episkopi is one of the busiest beaches with clear blue waters and stretches in front of the homonymous settlement. You can swim or drink wonderful Cocktails at the "Pountaki Beats Bar" located on the beach. There is a dock where you can disembark if you do not want to get wet. * If there is more mood for exploration and you do not want to stay longer at this point, we can go to our final destination for the port of Merichas, make a stop at a bay just before Martinakia to see a small shipwreck. Shipwreck 16.10. An old boat that is sunk to a depth of just a few meters where we can take unforgettable underwater photos.

This excursion is a trip back in time, exploring the tradition & the art of the Minaon Pottery, visit the richest monastery in Crete, Agarathos Monastery, and the birth place of N. Kazantzakis the village Myrtia and finally enjoy a tour in a wine fabrica, in the production area and the rest area of the estate. Our first stop in Agarathos Monastery, the richest monastery in Crete. It is considered the first in the hierarchy of the monasteries of the island. In front of the church you will see a pomegranate tree with a candle near its trunk. The pomegranate is said to be the initial plant of agarathia, which was turned miraculously to a tree. Visitors of the monastery can be hosted in the guesthouse and the dining room of the monastery and admire the library with the old manuscripts. Outside the monastery, there is the old church of St. Raphael. Second stop, is in the village Thrapsano. Thrapsano is referred as “The village of potters” in official papers of 16th century underlying its long-lasting tradition in hand-made pottery. Nowadays, the production of pots and ceramics is still continued in this workshop “Minoan Pottery” in Thrapsano, following the traditional patterns and techniques. The same movements of the hands, the same tools, and the same relationship between the chief potters and their apprentices. Even if they use modern tools, they only serve the pace of the line of production without affecting the quality of our pots. At the lunch time, we arrive in Myrtia village. A small traditional Cretan village that displays characteristic samples of Cretan architecture. Myrtia is also the birth place of Nikos Kazantzakis and has a Museum dedicated to the famous Cretan writer. It exhibits personal objects and memorabilia that refer to the life and work of Kazantzakis as well as copies of his books. Local taverns are available for your lunch under the big ancient trees in the village`s square and as you walk in the narrow streets of the village you will meet local Cretan men drinking their coffee in the traditional café “kafenia” where only men are allowed. Our last stop is in Skalani village in order to visit one of the best-equipped, state of the art wineries in Europe. Visitors can enjoy a tour of the cellar and they can enjoy the impressive multimedia show which has gained major awards at international competitions.