MWR Fleet Recreation Tours

FLEET RECREATION TOURS

NSA Souda Bay MWR

SOUDA BAY

WELCOME!

This guide features a short presentation of our tours, divided in two groups:

1) Tours available all year (pages 3-7),

2) Tours available only in summer season (pages 7-9).

Please note the following before registering for any of these tours:

-Transportation and escort provided in all tours.

Entrance fees are also included (except the Lassithi plateau trip).

-Meals are not included in all tours unless specified.

-No refunds for cancellations less than 24 hours before the trip.

-Registration deadlines upon agreement with the Fleet Recreation Coordinator

- In case of no-shows you will be charged for the number of participants you requested.

HISTORICAL/NORTHWEST CRETE

Departs: 8:30 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

Our beautiful trip begins in the area of Maleme, where we will get the chance to see the old airport, one of the most heroic places during the 2nd World War, from the top of a hill which also features the German cemetery. After that, we will visit monument of the Greek o icers that died during the war in the nearby village of Kolymbari. Afterwards we will optionally pass through the monastery of Gonia before moving on to the village of Spilia, to see a magnificent cave and the church of Hermit St John. Then, we'll drive through an amazing gorge to the mountain village of Therisos, which provides an excellent opportunity to enjoy the spectacular scenery with a traditional lunch.

Depending on available time at the end of the tour, we can also visit the tombs of Venizelos featuring the most spectacular view to the city of Chania.

(15-30 pax *minimum*)

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€26 (30+ pax)

KNOSSOS PALACE

Departs: 6:45 a.m. Returns: 6:00 p.m.

A tour to the famous Minoan Palace of Knossos, built in 2500 BC and excavated by Sir Arthur Evans of the British School of Archaeology. You will find excavations of the palace combined with the treasures of the Minoan civilization.

Afterwards we’ll either take you to the archeological museum in Heraklion city center, or you can enjoy a very interesting and unforgettable walking tour of the city, followed by some free time and a late lunch of your choice before heading back to Chania.

€65 (15-30 pax *minimum*)

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€57 (30+ pax)

LOCAL WINERY

Departs: 8:30 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

€38 (15-30 pax *minimum*),

Enjoy a full day touring the countryside surrounding the city of Chania with some of the most characteristic and heroic villages of northwest Crete. The first stop is Maleme and the top of a hill, where we will see the old historic airport from the famous Battle of Crete in WW2. Our tour continues to the village of Vouves, where we will visit the “Olive Tree Museum” and see the oldest olive tree in the world! We will also pass by the monastery of Gonia (if time allows) and continue towards a popular nearby winery for a tour and a taste of some delicious wines. The final destination will be a traditional restaurant “taverna”) in Kolymbari for some excellent local lunch of your choice.

EVENING WINERY

Departs: 4:00 p.m. Returns: 10:30 p.m.

This trip takes you to a famous local winery, where you will enjoy a guided tour around the establishment with the winery expert before heading outside to taste a variety of wines. The tour is followed by lunch in a local restaurant nearby. Departure time can be a little later upon agreement.

HANIA, APTERA, CRETAN VILLAGES & WINERY

Departs: 8:00 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

We begin the day with a stop at the public market and a shopping tour of the city’s leather district, and continue by foot to the Greek Naval Museum of Chania. Afterwards we depart from the gathering point by bus, drive through Souda bay and visit the ancient town of Aptera, a very important town during the Roman occupation of the island. Then we travel to Alikambos village through a picturesque drive, to visit a traditional wine factory aged around 100 years old. After a tour inside the cellars with the big wine barrels and the distillery building, and some wine tasting, we’ll have lunch at a traditional village nearby.

€38 (15-30 pax *minimum*),

(30+ pax)

€35

€37 (30+ pax)

€35 (15-30 pax *minimum*)

BREWERY TOUR

Departs: 10:00 a.m. Returns: 3:00 p.m.

We’ll have a chance to visit the famous “Harma” beer (the popular local beer) brewery. Our trip starts with a 20-30 minute visit at the German cemetery in Maleme. Afterwards, we’ll drive to the unique Olive Museum for a 20-minute visit featuring the oldest olive tree in the world! Then we’ll finally visit the brewery for a tour and beer tasting followed by a traditional lunch!

Registration includes lunch and beer tasting, reservations upon availability. Price subject to change by brewery.

€60 (15 pax *minimum*)

RETHYMNO & LAKE KOURNAS

Departs: 8:00 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

Rethymnon is the third largest city of the island. We will see the Venetian fort and the old town with one of the longest beaches before enjoying a co ee break. Our next stop is the beautiful Kournas lake to enjoy the fantastic scenery during lunch, or just stroll around the lake. €39 (15-30 pax *minimum*), €35 (30+ pax)

SPILI, GORTYNA & FESTOS

Departs: 7:30 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

We drive to Spili, a village filled with trees & fresh water. After that we will visit Gortyna, the old Archeological city that ourished during the Minoan Era. We will continue our trip by visiting Festos Palace, the second most important palace of Crete, famous for its hieroglyphic disc.

€59 (15-30 pax *minimum*), €50 (30+ pax)

GORGE OF

5:00 p.m.

Marathi is the village where will start our trip. Taking the south way to Hora Sfakion, through the beautiful village of Vrysses full of plane trees and lush vegetation, famous for the fresh yogurt and honey, we will continue our trip through Krapi plateau, and then further up the hill we’ll see the plains & the historical village of Askyfou with the two Turkish castles in the middle. We will continue our trip until we reach the village of Imbros and the entrance to one of the narrowest, deepest and most imposing gorges in Crete. Imbros gorge is approximately 8km long and 300 meters deep. The gorge ends at the village of Komitades, where you will have your traditional lunch. The return trip features an impressive view of the Libyan Sea, the two islets of Gavdos & Gavdopoula, Imbros Gorge and the White Mountains. , €35 (30+ pax)

LASITHI PLATEAU

Departs: 7:00 a.m. Returns: 8:00 p.m.

We will depart from Marathi for a long drive towards the village of Gonies, where we will admire Lassithi plateau with its thousands of windmills. Afterwards we will visit the famous cave at Ida mountain, in which, according to the Greek mythology, god ¨Zeus¨ was born. We will have lunch at the biggest and most important village of Tzemianto, located on the north side of Lasithi area, before driving back to Chania through Mohou & Stilida.

CRETAQUARIUM & HERAKLION WALKING TOUR(HIKING)

Departs: 7:00 a.m. Returns: 7:00 p.m.

We will drive all the way to the village of Gournes and the famous Cretaquarium, the biggest aquarium in the Mediterranean sea! You will be issued a set of headphones for the tour to learn interesting facts about each exhibit, compliments of the Mediterranean Marine Research Center. Afterwards we will drive to the city of Heraklion for a walking tour and some free exploring time where you will get the chance to do your shopping and have lunch in a restaurant of your choice.

€59 (15-30 pax *minimum*), €55 (30+ pax)

SAMARIA GORGE

Returns: 8:00 p.m.

We will drive you all the way to Omalos, one of Crete’s highest mountains, where you will get the chance to enjoy the breathtaking view of the mountains and the river below, as we slowly descend into the gorge.

Almost halfway through the gorge, we will find the village of Samaria, where we can take a break and refresh with cold, crystal clear water. Near the end of the gorge we will see the blue waters of the Libyan sea, followed by the ancient village of Agia Roumeli, a place ready to welcome the tired and hungry travellers.

Afterwards, we'll take the ferry to Sfakia or Sougia where we’ll drive back to the pickup point.

(15-30 pax *minimum*), €40 (30+ pax)

ELAFONISI ISLAND

8:00 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

Experience sunbathing at the famous "pink sand" of southwest Crete. After an adventurous bus journey through the mountains, we visit the picturesque village of Topolia, with the beautiful church of Agia Sofia, and the village of Elos for a morning co ee break. Shortly afterwards we will arrive at our destination and get to spend the remainder of the day enjoying the crystal clear water, basking in the sun, and admiring the panoramic scenery. At any point during the day we have the chance to taste delicious seafood dishes in the traditional local taverns.

On the journey back we stop at one of the oldest monasteries of Crete, "Hrisoskalitisa" (monastery of the golden steps). (15-30 pax *minimum*), €33 (30+ pax)

PLAKIAS & PREVELI

Departs: 8:00 a.m. Returns: 5:00 p.m.

Driving through the mountain of Psiloritis mountains and the Kourtaliotiko gorge, we will come upon the monastery of Preveli, which presents the rich and historical Cretan culture of the past. After admiring Preveli and the fantastic view of the south coast, we will go for lunch and a refreshing dip in the clear water of Plakias bay.

On our way back, we will follow the coast and visit the Venetian castle of Frangokastelo built near the sea in 1371. As the legend has it, in late May during the morning dew, strange shadows called "drosoulites" (the ghosts of villagers killed by the Turks) appear and disappear to once again fight the Turks for their homeland. €35 (15-30 pax *minimum*), €30 (30+ pax)

CRETE GOLF CLUB

Returns: 9:00 p.m.

We will be leaving Marathi pier for a 2.5 hour drive that will take us to this 18-hole championship course with driving range and putting green which hosts a European PGA tour event annually. Registration includes transportation, green fees, required 2-person golf cart and rental of one golf bag that can be shared between two people in a cart. Golf balls can be purchased (15 pax *minimum*)

SPECIAL CRETE/GREEK EVENING

Departs: 6:00 p.m.

Returns: 11:00 p.m.

An evening tour to a traditional Cretan village where we will enjoy the famous Cretan cuisine, taste the local wine and entertain ourselves with live Greek/Cretan music and see the traditional dancers who will teach us the Greek/Cretan dances.

Includes:

- Transportation to the village.

- Full menu, wine from the barrel and shots of “raki”.

€39 (50 pax *minimum*)

Maximum 250 pax