Go Local

 For a genuine experience!

Go Local 

Looking for a more genuine experience? Crete is full of places to visit and if you are interested in seeing and experiencing a different side of Crete we have gathered a few “Go Local” activities for you. Get new impressions whilst discovering the true Crete, whether you have been to Crete many times or this is your first time, this is something for you!

Get to know the locals and make new friends, see Crete through their eyes and listen to their stories. Feel the Cretan hospitality and spend your time with the locals. Chances are you are making a new good friend! They will show you things from their point of view and places you probably wouldn't have discovered without them.

Discover crete

Cooking Class
LOCAL EXPERIENCE - 1/2 day Eleni and her mother Chrisoula are ready to help you prepare some fabulously tasty dishes made with hearty Cretan ingredients such as extravirgin olive oil, fresh veget...
From EUR 100
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Greek Night Experience with Beer and Wine tasting or Cooking
LOCAL EXPERIENCE  The Experience where you'll learn how to dance Greek, Drink like a Greek - All while enjoying local Cretan Cuisine and making friends with locals.  We will be wai...
From EUR 36
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Destination Platanias Botanical Gardens

Botanical Gardens

Explore the magical Cretan nature! Follow us to the famous Botanical Gardens of Crete full of plants from all over the world! DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Small traditional villages and fascinating mountain roads! This road trip is for you who love nature trails and green sceneries. The first part of our trip we will drive through orange farmers villages Patelari, Alikianos and Skines among the citrus, avocado and nut trees. When reaching up at an altitude of almost 500m in Karanou village the trees will change to apple and cherry trees. Mountainous views will take us to the foot of White Mountains where Botanical Garden was built 20 years ago to praise the unique microclimate of Crete. The garden introduces thousands of plants from all over the world along the 2,5 km walking path. By the small pond you will meet gooses, peacocks, donkeys and deers. Before return we will offer you local snack  in the park's own restaurant to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Route: Platanias - Patelari - Alikianos - Skines - Hliaro - Karanou - Lakki - Botanical Gardens - Fournes - Platanias Duration 4h

FromEUR 65
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Destination Platanias Country Road Trip with Winery

Country Road Trip with Winery

Have you ever wondered how it is behind the popular holiday area? Take a path thru Cretan lifestyle in the countryside and visit a winery! DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Our guided country tour will take you inland to the countryside of Platanias municipality. Enjoy the amazing green views and pittoresque small villages! You will also learn many interesting facts of everyday life in the countryside and the local's self-sufficient economy. There is always time for short stops for photos or simply just to breath deep fresh air and admire the incredible views. A longer stop will be at Manousakis winery in Vatolakkos where you will have a tour at their premises and hear about the wine making process in Crete. Tasting will include five different wines from winery's own production and are paired with local Cretan rusks, olive oil and sea salt. Return trip through the orange valley will complete our country tour giving you lovely memories and convincing you of the versatility of Crete! Route: Platanias - Gerani - Loutraki - Manoliopoulo - Limni - Tomadiana - Skonizo - Vatolakos - Koufos - Patelari - Platanias Duration 4h  

FromEUR 65
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Destination Platanias Honey and Cheese Tastings

Honey and Cheese Tastings

Join us for a unique tasting trip which you can only find with Destination Platanias! We will introduce you to the real Cretan tastes, honey and cheese, straight from the local producer. DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Our trip begins by following the western coastline to the Kolymbari village where we will visit a beautiful Gonia monastery which has a significant history at the area. From Kolymbari we will continue to Rodopou peninsula and you will have a unique meeting with a local honey producer at Rodopou village. Did you know that there are different varieties of honey and the honey producers are actually producing much more than just honey? The bee keeper’s mother also makes famous Greek cheese, Graviera, and yoghurt which are both delicious combinations to pair with honey. On the way back we will have a small stop at the village of Ravdoucha where we will enjoy the incredible seaviews of the Kissamos bay.  Route: Platanias - Tavronitis - Kolymbari - Rodopou - Ravdoucha - Platanias Duration 4h

FromEUR 65
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Destination Platanias Olive oil and Wine Tastings

Olive oil and Wine Tastings

Traditional and classic road trip with private guidning! Taste the green gold, the awarded Cretan olive oil, with us and give a hug to one of the oldest olive tree in the world! DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP We will take you to the heart of Western countryside and you will learn all about collecting the olives, the olive oil process and how we use olive oil here in Crete. Wine production has developed considerably in the area in recent years as well. Besides olive oil, you will have a great opportunity to taste local wine varieties and hear about the wine making process. Our stops in Kolymbari and Vouves will deepen your understanding of the importance of these fields in everyday life in Crete. Route: Platanias - Kolymbari - Vouves - Anoskeli - Platanias Duration 4h  

FromEUR 65
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Destination Platanias Mountain Road Trip

Mountain Road Trip

Mountain stories! Experience the beautiful White mountains of Crete and enjoy the amazing Cretan sceneries. DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Our road trip will start with colourful sceneries through the orange valley and continue climbing up slowly to the west side of the mountains. After passing Meskla village we will have a short stop to visit a small Sarakina gorge where we will see the impressive rock walls of the gorge just a short walk away from the road. Curvy road will take us all the way up to Zourva where we will have a break with a simple snack with an incredible view. Breathtaking scenery will continue after the snack to the next village Therisso which played an important role in Crete's modern history. On the way back to Platanias we will drive along the Therisso gorge where you can admire the high vertical cliffs and the huge Plane trees. Route: Platanias - Patelari - Meskla - Zourva - Therisso - Varipetro - Agia - Drakiana - Platanias   Duration 4h  

FromEUR 65
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Destination Platanias Village Road Trip

Village Road Trip

A picturesque upper village of Platanias, narrow country roads, chapels and churches, orange and avocado farms... Our Guided Village Road Trip in Platanias has it all! DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Our journey will start from Platanias square, from where we will drive up to the upper village and admire the wonderful view over the sea from the main church of Platanias, Agios Dimitris, and its beautiful cemetery. We will also peak in an interesting war museum underneath the church and hear the story how the olive tree saved the whole village during the German occupation. Next we will take the small country roads through the olive groves to the orange valley called Drakiana. By the river we will have a stop for a fresh orange juice and to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere before returning back to the vivid centre of Platanias.   Route: Platanias square - upper village - Drakiana Duration: 2h  

FromEUR 59
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KNOSSOS - A Culture Trip
LOCAL EXPERIENCE - A Culture Trip - FULL DAY. Knossos palace is Crete’s most visited archaeological site. Discover the well know myths about the Minotaur and the Labyrinth while ...
From EUR 50
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Destination Platanias Brewery cooking classes - CHARMA - 79 EUR

Brewery cooking classes - CHARMA - 79 EUR

LOCAL EXPERIENCE - 1/2 day In collaboration with the local Cretan Brewery, can we offer a culinary experience in its place brewery, in Zounaki, Platanias municipality. In the open kitchen of the restaurant, surrounded by orange trees and avocado, we will prepare beer dishes as well as traditional delicacies. The taste of Harma beer and the aromas of its brewing will they accompany our culinary concerns for about 4 hours. Live this experience with us and come to know and taste from near the beauties of the Cretan land. Brewery cooking classes Live this experience with us and come to know and taste from near the beauties of the Cretan land. The course menu includes 2 starters, 1 salad, 1 main course and dessert as well as beer of your choice (lager, dunkel, pale ale). The cost includes the materials for the preparation of the dishes, beer tasting and tour of the brewery, accompanied by beer of your choice (lager, dunkel, pale ale) during the meal, copy with the recipes as well as a certificate of participation. Detailed program: 11:00 – 11:15 Welcome to the Cretan Brewery. A few words about the company and its philosophy. Description of the course and presentation of elements of Cretan Diet. 11:15 – 13:00 Preparation of the dishes with everyone's participation & beer tasting accompanied by an appetizer. 13:00 – 13:30 Guided tour of the brewery. 13:30 – 13:45 Break. 13:45 – 15:00 Lunch together with your creations!

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Destination Platanias Charma Brewery Beer Tasting

Charma Brewery Beer Tasting

BEER TASTINGS - HALF DAY  Taste the first fresh local beer in Chania! The Harma Brewery is located in Zounaki village, in the municipality of Platanias, a short drive from Platanias village. The beer production at Harma is aiming to pure and natural beer with excellent flavor and aroma along with a high nutrition value.  It’s not a surprise that Harma beer has become one of the favorite beers among the Cretans as well as the visitors!  Details of your trip The driver will pick you up from your accommodation at the time you like. The drive will take approx. 20 minutes. (Add the transfer when you proceed with the reservation) Guided tour for 30 min, from Monday to Sunday between 10:30 and 19:30. At Charma brewery you will learn the brewing process, first-hand, while watching brewers doing their magic. Get the chance to smell the aromas and feel the beer ingredients in your hand; learn all about the flavors you will discover in different beer styles. Accompany your tour and beer tasting with local Cretan meze prepared with fresh ingredients from the area. The presence in the production area is not allowed. However, the brewery and the visiting area are constructed in such a way, that the visitors can have direct contact with the production. (bird eye perspective). 1. BREWERY TOUR & BEER TASTING Follow our experienced staff around our brewery facilities and get the chance to know all about the brewing process and brewing ingredients in our final stop in front of our brew house. The tour is followed by a beer tasting experience with 4 fresh beer samples (100ml each) accompanied with Cretan breadsticks. Duration about 45 min (guided tour & beer tasting) 2. BREWERY TOUR & BEER TASTING ACCOMPANIED WITH SNACK Follow our experienced staff around our brewery facilities and get the chance to know all about the brewing process and brewing ingredients in our final stop in front of our brew house. The tour is followed by a beer tasting experience with 4 fresh beer samples (100ml each) accompanied with beer snack as follow: 2 sorts of cheese, 2 sorts of cold cut, cherry tomatoes, salty olives & croutons Duration about 1 hour (guided tour, beer tasting and snack) 3. BREWERY TOUR & BEER TASTING ACCOMPANIED WITH LUNCH Follow our experienced staff around our brewery facilities and know all about the brewing process and brewing ingredients in our final stop in front of our brew house. The tour is followed by a beer tasting experience with 4 fresh beer samples (100ml each) accompanied with Cretan lunch. The dish includes 2 sorts of meat, barley rusk, cherry tomatoes, salty olives, borek with vegetables & tzatziki. This dish can be offered also as vegeterian, meat is replaced by spinat pastry and potato salad. Duration about 1 1/2 hour (guided tour, beer tasting & Cretan lunch).   The participation of children up to 16 years old in the guided tour is free of cost. You can book both the transfer and the tastings with us.  If you book transfer: The driver will pick you up from your accommodation at the time your prefer, and pick you up for the return at Charma upon agreed time..

FromEUR 50
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Destination Platanias Karavitakis Winery Wine Tasting

Karavitakis Winery Wine Tasting

WINE TASTINGS - HALF DAY  Sophisticated Karvitakis winery, surrounded by 150 acres of vineyards in Pontikiana village on the hilltops of Kolimbari area, provides a beautiful environment for a fabulous wine tasting experience. Karavitakis winery is producing wines from local and international grape varieties but also experimenting with more rare varieties from all around the world. Details of your trip The roots of wine production are very deep in Crete. The Cretan soil together with the sun and the right temperature creates the unique taste for Cretan wines. Wine has always been an important part of Crete and nowadays the more developed wine producing methods have raised the quality and respect of the Cretan wines among the wine lovers. The  tasting takes between 1 to 1.5 hours. The tastings start at 11.00, 12.30, 14.00, 15.30 and 17.00. After the tastings you will be seated in the beautiful atmosphere of the winery to enjoy their fine wines.  Some of Karavitakis wines are: Kotsifali Merlot, Klima White, Elia Blend.    Notice: Transfer Prices valid for departure from Platanias and Chania region

FromEUR 55
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Destination Platanias Manousakis Winery Wine Tasting

Manousakis Winery Wine Tasting

PRIVATE TRANSFER & TASTINGS - HALF DAY Come and enjoy a wine tasting! The family-owned Manousakis Winery in Vatolakkos still follows the traditional ways of growing their grapes and producing the wine. Try five different kinds of  wines with local Cretan rusks. Book your transfer and tasting with us!   Details of your trip Terroir Tasting Tour A tasting of 5 different wines (type of wine is dependent on availability and is subject to change) paired with local Cretan rusks, olive oil and sea salt.  The tasting takes about one hour. After the tastings you will be seated in the beutiful atmosphere of the winery to enjoy their fine wines.  Transportation If you would like to book transportation, please choose the type of vehicle when you proceed the reservation. The driver will pick you up at your accommodation and it takes approx 20 min to drive to  the winery. Please inform the driver the time you wish to be picked up. The tasting takes about one hour.    

FromEUR 15
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Destination Platanias Olive Oil & Wine Tasting at Anoskeli

Olive Oil & Wine Tasting at Anoskeli

PRIVATE TRANSFER & TASTINGS - HALF DAY  Come and enjoy a tasting at an authentic Cretan Olive Oil fabric and their Winery Production. During their tour you will have a chance to attend the presentation and to hear about the oliveoil and wine making process.  Details of your trip Visit Anoskeli olive oil mill and winery in a rural area of Western Crete and join a fully guided tour by specialized staff to get a first-hand experience of olive oil production and winemaking. Taste the products with excellent quality of this family-run business which values the traditions and supports the local society.  Included in the trip is the two way transfer to Anoskeli and one guided tour. The transfer driver will pick you up at your accommodation and after approx 30 min you will arrive at the winery. At this point you will decide with the driver the time he will return to pick you up. The tour and tasting takes 1 1/2 hours. The guided tours start at 11.00, 12.00, 13.00, 14.00, 15.00 and 16.00. After the tastings you will be seated  and you will have the opportunity to taste the extra virgin bio-olive oil, 5 different wines and tsikoudia (raki) accompanied by Cretan snack  Included in the wintasting price is: Tasting of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and 5 brands of Wine. Tasting is  accompanied with dish of fresh bread with olive oil oregano-lemon-salt and a dish of Cretan delicacies (such as two local cheese varieties, tomato, cucumber, olives, smoked ham)

FromEUR 75
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Destination Platanias Village Life & Cretan Cookery Lession

Village Life & Cretan Cookery Lession

AUTHENTIC CRETE - countryside and cooking! A unique guided tour with wonderful scenery as well as a real insight into traditional Cretan life and an opportunity to try your hand at Cretan cookery. It begins with a visit to a typical village house where a Cretan welcome awaits you with tales of Cretan past, present and tradition. DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Village Life & Cretan Cookery Lession There is an optional small walk through pretty countryside to the local cafenion where you will have the opportunity to pick local produce to use in your cookery lesson. Whilst you wait for your traditional cretan lunch to cook, you can have a relaxing drink and enjoy the panoramic views from the cafenion veranda. The day ends with you enjoying your lunch Cretan style! A true taste of Crete!

FromEUR 70
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A day as a beekeeper
An exiting and a playful tour of apiary. Experience a day as a beekeeper!  DETAILS OF YOUR TRIP Learn about honeybee biology and lifecycles, colony jobs, honey production, pollin...
From EUR 45
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DESTINATION PLATANIAS

- WE PLAN & YOU ENJOY!