I was on Kim’s amazing six-day tour of the Asheville area. We covered so much ground in that time. You really need that time to see the city and the highlights of the surrounding area, which I would never have found on my own. It amazed me that she was able to coordinate the touring part with meals, events, and activities. Our van driver was very knowledgeable too. Scheduling of activities ran very smoothly and not rushed, yet we got to do and see so much. I can’t imagine how much planning goes into this trip. Thank you, Kim.
Athens and the Acropolis
Ancient Picturesque Villages
Wild Countryside and Coastal Scenery
Discover Europe's Oldest Civilization on this Athens and Crete Vegan Tour
You’ve surely seen the iconic photos of Greece, including Athens and its islands. Cretans are descendants of Cretan-born Zeus, the god of hospitality and father of all ancient Greek gods. With a profound love for their homeland, as well as their traditional ways and customs, this is a culture absolutely worth discovering. Where else can you experience high mountains, caves and ravines, plateaus and valleys, cedar forests, and a stunning coastline? Crete is a crossroads of peoples and civilizations influenced by Minoans, Mycenaeans, Ottoman Turks, Arabs, and Venetians, which have all shaped the island’s identity over 50 centuries. In addition to quaint towns and villages, you’ll see incredible archeological sites.
Why You’ll Love This Tour!
The Parthenon and a vegan food tour in Athens
Mountains, gorges, exquisite beaches, and archeological sites
Traditional vegan-friendly cuisine made with local produce
Click the Tabs to Find Out More
Essential Info
Essential Info
Price
$5450 USD/per person
*A non-refundable deposit of 25% of the tour cost, along with a registration form, are required in order to join the tour. Your space is not guaranteed until both of these are received.
Dates
October 6th – 15th, 2024
Tour duration
9 nights/10 days
Group size
8-12 people
Included
- 9 nights accommodations
- 9 breakfasts
- 7 lunches
- 9 dinners
- Sightseeing and activity admissions (except free time)
- Transportation between activities
- Transportation from and to airports
- All logistics are taken care of for you
Not included
- Airfare
- Travel insurance
What to bring
- Comfortable shoes
- Travel insurance is highly recommended for any unexpected emergency expenses.
About your guide
1 tour leader and 1 local guide
Trip Overview
Our tour starts with a private transfer from Athens International Airport (ATH). If you arrive early and your room isn’t yet ready you will be able to store your bag at our centrally located hotel. We will be staying in the Plaka neighborhood, with its narrow pedestrian-only streets and a village atmosphere within the city, in the shadow of the Acropolis. We’ll enjoy a welcome dinner at one of the city’s popular vegan restaurants.
On our first full day, we’ll visit the Acropolis in the morning, and then have a vegan food tour beginning in the late afternoon. On Day 3, we will fly to Crete for the main part of our tour.
Day 4 will be spent discovering Chania, the most picturesque Cretan city. On Day 5, we take a scenic drive, stopping at an olive oil mill and monastery . You will explore some ancient cities and villages on Day 6.
On Day 7 you will have either a free day or will be able to choose from one of four different activities (included). Day 8 will take us to the mountains and beautiful villages of mainland Crete.
On Day 9 we will visit the southernmost town in Europe. Our final day we will have breakfast and then head to the airport.
Itinerary
You will have a private transfer from Athens airport to our hotel in the picturesque Plaka neighborhood. Arrive any time during the day, because our first activity will be a welcome dinner. You can store your bags at the hotel if you arrive before check in time. In the early evening we’ll get acquainted in the hotel lobby and then walk to our dinner at a vegan restaurant.
Monday, our first full day, we will experience the Parthenon early in order to avoid the crowds. After lunch and a bit of free time, we’ll gather for a vegan food tour in the late afternoon, and this will serve as our dinner. This will be a great opportunity to sample the city’s many vegan options since our time in Athens is limited.
Meals Included
Day 1: Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, lunch and dinner
On Day 3 we’ll depart for the airport and take a one hour flight to charming Chania, Crete. This is the largest island in Greece, and also one of the most vegan-friendly areas. Yet, it’s not heavily populated with tourists. We’ll meet our local Cretan guide (he’s vegan too!) and have a group orientation before dinner.
Day 4 will start by exploring the beating heart of the region, Chania town. The scenic old town is centered around a Venetian harbor, where we will have a short guided tour before visiting the exquisite Archaeological Museum to learn about Crete’s ancient, roman, and medieval history. After lunch there will be some free time for a stroll and/or shopping in the city until dinner.
Meals Included
Day 3: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 4: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On Day 5 we’ll have a scenic drive on a private bus, learning about culture, history, and religion. Our first stop will be an olive oil tasting tour in one of the last two oil factories in Greece that are still using the traditional method of olive oil extraction via stone mills. We’ll then visit the oldest olive tree in Crete, which is over 3000 years old, and learn about its relation to the modern Olympic Games. Next we’ll visit a monastery and museum to learn about the Christian Orthodox religion and view some art. We’ll also learn about the modern history of Crete and Greece at the German Military Cemetery. After returning to Chania in the late afternoon, you’ll have a couple of hours down time before our group dinner.
Day 6 takes us on another scenic drive to known landmarks but also off-the-beaten-track villages east of Chania all the way to Rethymnon. We’ll spend some time in the ancient city of Aptera, and then explore the rural area of Apokoronas with its many picturesque villages. Our last stop will be the old Venetian port, town, and fortress of Rethymnon city. We’ll have a late dinner upon our return to Chania.
Meals Included
Day 5: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 6: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 7 will be a free day, but you’ll have several included options from which to participate in if you choose to. Otherwise, you may use the day for relaxation. Options will include a cooking class at a farm, a pottery workshop, an e-bike tour, or a hiking tour. We will ask you for your choice on Day 2 so that we can make the necessary arrangements. Lunch will be on your own. After the various activities, we will gather again for a group dinner.
On Day 8 we’ll experience beautiful villages such as Vatolakos, Skins, Fournes, Meskla, Therisso, Zourva, Drakona, located in the mountains in the interior part of Crete. Lunch will be in a slow-food tavern and after a few hours of down time back in Chania, we’ll have a group dinner.
Meals Included
Day 7: Breakfast and dinner
Day 8: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
On Day 9 we’ll have a last scenic drive by journeying to the Princess of the Libyan Sea, Paleochora town. You will step foot on the southernmost town in Europe. Along the drive through the mountains, we will experience the wild beauty of the unique Cretan scenery and hold our breath overlooking the archipelago between Europe and Africa. The beautiful town is located on a small peninsula surrounded by exquisite beaches with sand and pebbles. We’ll enjoy the city’s authentic Greek feel at a slow pace and will have plenty of time for beach strolling and/or last minute souvenir shopping.
Day 10 we will have breakfast and then a drop off at the Chania airport (CHQ). Your return flight will need to be from CHQ, as the group is not returning to Athens.
Meals Included
Day 9: Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Day 10: Breakfast
Good to Know
Amount of walking: 5 miles per day (approximate)
Please plan to fly into Athens International Airport (ATH).
Please plan your departure from Chania International Airport (CHQ).
Previous Guests Praise Veg Jaunts and Journeys
A little extra payment for your time! Thanks so much for all the help and research, it decreased my stress a lot to work with you. Our trip was so great! Excellent recommendations, and we can’t thank you enough! The resort was a real treat, very very nice. La Gomera was the perfect counter balance. Our stay at the inn was magical-charming, cozy and perfect. Thank you so much for the great recommendations!! It really did make for an amazing vegan honeymoon and vacation!
I love having a vegan travel agent. Thank you so much for thinking of these details. It will be great to have this all planned out and all I have to do is execute the plan.
