South Crete!

This time we set out for the South of Crete. Our first stop is at the Monastery of Paliani, dedicated to Virgin Mary, run and inhabited by nuns. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful monasteries on Crete, having the myrtle tree as its trademark. This everlasting tree is thought to be miraculous, so we can take blessed leaves from its boughs to bring us luck. Our next stop is the ancient city of Gortys, one of the most significant ancient cities of Crete, where you will be fascinated by St. Titus’ Church, the Chamber of the Law Code, the Odeon and the natural beauty of the landscape: the square with the everlasting gnarled olive trees and the evergreen plane tree, where Zeus and Europe had their wedding ceremony.

Leaving the majestic site of Gortys, we end up at Panagia Kaliviani Monastery. An old icon depicting the Annunciation gave its name to the monastery, which turned into a Christian state after the addition of an orphanage, a nursing home, a housekeeping school, a girls’ institution, a primary school, a kindergarten, a camp, as well as textile, knitting and vestments’ workshops. Here we can still see the miraculous icon of the Annunciation. After a short journey through traditional villages, we reach the famous beach of Matala. Here we have the opportunity to enjoy the dew of the crystal waters, the warmth of the sun and our lunch in one of the many small taverns by the sea, while later, as modern hippies, we can explore the prehistoric caves that are carved on the steep rocks of the area.

Please Note : The travel agency reserves the right to alter or cancel any tour, due to adverse weather conditions or insufficient passenger number or force majeure, 12 hours prior to departure time with a notification to the traveler.