Crete (Heraklion), Greece

Arkadi Monastery & Rethymnon’s Old Town

VISIT A BEAUTIFUL BAROQUE CHURCH AND A CHARMING OLD TOWN Visit a breathtaking baroque monastery and a quaint seaside village as you explore Crete’s dramatic northern shore. Drive with your guide along stunning coastal roads past rocky mountains, deep-blue gulfs and soaring sea cliffs. At the Arkadi Monastery, perched on a plateau, admire the Venetian-baroque detail of its stone-white church. This fortress-like complex not only provided refuge for townspeople; it was also a scholar’s haven of science and art. Continue to the welcoming seaside town of Rethymnon, a fascinating and scenic village whose 16th-century buildings echo its once-aristocratic glory. Explore by foot with your guide, admiring the Venetian Loggia, charming arched doorways, stone staircases, Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains and the small Venetian harbor. Pause in the municipal gardens for shade and tranquility. You will have time to wander on your own and explore shop-lined alleyways, sip a refreshing drink in a café and stroll the waterfront of the old harbor. * Moderate - Walking portions may be long and somewhat challenging with occasional step-ups, stairs and inclines. Total time walking or standing normal