Crete: Wine & Olive Oil Safari Tour with Lunch & Pickup

Summary

Crete flavors and stories on rugged roads with olive oil and wine

You’ll taste fresh olive oil at its source, sip local wines surrounded by laughter and mountain views, touch ancient trees, and share a real Cretan lunch high above a gorge. This small group day trip from Chania lets you meet locals and feel Crete’s warmth beyond any brochure.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered what olive oil tastes like straight from the source? I didn’t, honestly — not until our guide, Manolis, handed me a tiny glass in Anoskeli’s olive mill. The place smelled faintly grassy, almost sweet, and there was this quiet hum of machinery in the background. We’d started the morning near Chania, bumping along in a 4WD that felt more like an old friend’s car than a tour van. There were just five of us plus Manolis, who seemed to know every twist of the road and every farmer we passed.

We stopped at this ancient olive tree — 3,000 years old, still giving fruit. I touched its bark (rougher than I expected) while Manolis told us how families used to gather here for stories. Coffee came next at a tiny farm where a woman waved us in with flour-dusted hands. I tried to say “kalimera” properly; she grinned and poured me strong coffee that tasted almost smoky. The air was warm but breezy, carrying hints of thyme from the hillsides.

The wine tasting was less formal than I thought — no swirling or sniffing rituals, just five glasses lined up and Cretan snacks on mismatched plates. Our host explained each one but didn’t mind when we got distracted by laughter or the view out over the valley. At lunch (somewhere above Topolia Gorge — I lost track after all those winding roads), we shared plates of lamb and greens, bread still warm from the oven. Someone asked about local history; Manolis told us about old feuds between villages but mostly joked about his mother’s cooking.

I keep thinking about that light over the gorge as we drove back — golden but soft, dust hanging in the air. It wasn’t fancy or staged; it just felt like being let in on something quietly special. If you’re looking for a polished wine tour with white tablecloths, this isn’t it — but if you want to see Crete’s heart (and eat until you can’t move), well…

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Wine and Olive Oil Tour with Lunch

• Visit Saint John the Hermit cave
• Enjoy nature belvedere view
• Touch 3000-year-old olive tree
• Have coffee at Cretan farm
• Taste organic extra virgin olive oil
• Sample 5 local wines with snacks
• Explore Chania area by 4WD vehicle
• Enjoy view from Topolia or Samaria gorge
• Have lunch at gorge restaurant

Top questions

How many people are on this Crete wine & olive oil tour?

The semi-private tour includes up to 6 guests per vehicle/guide.

Is hotel pickup included for this day trip from Chania?

Yes, pickup is included within 5km east and 25km west of Chania.

Are lunch and drinks part of the Crete safari tour?

Yes, lunch with Cretan dishes plus wine or beer is included along with tastings.

Do they offer vegetarian options for lunch?

Vegetarian options are available if requested at booking.

Can children join this wine & olive oil tour?

Yes, children can join if accompanied by an adult; minimum drinking age is 18.

What vehicles are used for this Crete day trip?

You’ll travel in comfortable 4WD vehicles with full A/C seating up to six guests each.

Is there walking involved during the stops?

There are short walks at sites like the cave and farm but nothing strenuous; suitable for all fitness levels.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup from your hotel near Chania, all tastings of olive oil and five local wines at Anoskeli’s mill and winery (with snacks), coffee or juice at a Cretan farm, a full lunch featuring regional dishes (plus dessert and your first round of wine or beer), bottled water throughout the journey, insurance coverage, and guidance from a knowledgeable local driver before returning in comfort by evening.