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Chania Hidden Gems: Monastery, Ancient Olive Tree, and Cretan Brewery Private Tour

5.0

5 Ratings

Chania

Discover the hidden gems of Chania with this private tour. Visit the Transfiguration Monastery, the oldest olive tree in the world, and the Cretan Brewery. Experience breathtaking views, traditional villages, and taste the local beer.

Duration: 5 hours

Cancellation: 1 day learn more

Highlights

Transfiguration Monastery - The Monastery of Metamorphosis (Transfiguration) is located approx. 10 km south of the city of Chania in the area Varypetros. This newly built monastery situated on a rocky hill under the ruins of the Byzantine castle “Kastellos” is part of the Monastery of Chrisopigi. This expansion is a continuation of the century long ascetic tradition of the monastery. The aim is the creation of an assemblage, where the structured and unstructured space is in balance so as to highlight the natural environment and its harmonious relationship with the buildings. This place was blessed with the presence, in 2002, of the Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew, who walked along the paths of the region and laid the foundation stone of the new monastery temple, dedicated to the Transfiguration of Jesus.
The Monumental Olive Tree of Vouves - The Olive tree of Vouves is probably one of the oldest olive trees in the world, which remains productive to this day. The exact age of the tree cannot be determined. While tree ring analysis demonstrated the tree to be at least 2000 years old, scientists from the University of Crete have estimated it to be 4000 years old. In 1997 it was declared a protected natural monument and, in October 2009, the Olive Tree Museum of Vouves was inaugurated in a nearby 19th-century house, displaying traditional tools used in the process of olive cultivation. As of the Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, olive branches “kotinos” from this ancient olive tree were used for the wreath of Marathon winners in every Olympic game. Every year over 20,000 people from all over the world visit this ancient tree.
Cretan Brewery S.A. - The Cretan Brewery is located in Zounaki village, just 25 km away from Chania city center in the municipality of Platanias and is accommodated in a highly sophisticated industrial installation of 1500 m^2 surrounded by orange trees and olive groves.
The Cretan Brewery uses high quality malts from both Greece and Belgium, hops from all over the world and crystal water from the White Mountains of Crete to brew the Charma beer, the first beer from Chania, blonde or dark, full flavored, aromatic, refreshing and easy to drink, an established choice for both local people and visitors.

What's Included

Private transportation
Local tour leader (English and German speaking)
Public liability insurance
On-board WiFi
Beer tasting in a Cretan Brewery
In-vehicle air conditioning
Audiovisual presentation of Cretan customs on the bus, USB charging ports in bus
All fees and/or taxes
Greek coffee and olive oil tasting in a traditional kafenion

What's Not Included

Tips

Additional Information

Chania is more than just beaches and clear skies. Get a taste of Chania’s beautiful core with SeabyBus as we journey through the lovely Cretan countryside and discover its lesser-known attractions. Join us on a half-day tour commencing from the Transfiguration Monastery at Kastelos, perched on a craggy hill, offering a fantastic panorama of the White Mountains and the Aegean Sea. Following this, we take you to the quaint village of Vouves for a trip to the world’s most ancient olive tree and the Olive Tree Museum. As we drive through charming villages and trek through olive and orange farms, we finally set foot on the Cretan Brewery, one of the handful organized open breweries in Greece. Here, visitors are welcome to relish the local Charma beer and partake in a guided tour detailing the beer-making process.

Location

Transfiguration Monastery

Κυδωνίας

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings

5.0

(5 Ratings)

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1 star

Simransethi9

Oct 20, 2023

Amazing Tour Guides! - Christine and Thanasis were great hosts and tour guides throughout our stay in Chania! They were both very friendly and very accommodating to our large group and the cost of their trips were great value for money. They had great recommendations and always ensured we were happy and comfortable, couldn’t recommend more!