An escape for a few hours that will give you the opportunity to visit Aptera Archeological site which is one of the most important ancient city-states of Crete. Our next stop will be Ally Cemetery, a well-preserved place in a peaceful and relaxing location. Our last stop will be at Agia Triada Tsagkarolon Monastery which is one of the most important monasteries of the end of the Venetian Empire in Crete.

Aptera Archeological site

One of the most important ancient city-states of Crete, Aptera, constitutes a unique area of history, civilization and scientific interest. The “little Pompeii of Crete”, as it has been called, because of its monuments preserved so high, Aptera is a unique place that has an unprecedented effect on the visitor, who, rambling in the archaeological site, travels back in time, exploring, discovering and feeling that he walks among the highly skilled Apteraian archers and warriors. Dominating Souda bay, ancient Aptera constitutes the best to date organised archaeological site of Chania. It is located close enough to the city in a unique landscape with an impeccable view. It is not by chance that it has been chosen as the right place to celebrate the August full-moon.

Ally Cemetery

In the area of “Vlites”, west from the gulf of Souda, lie the graves of the ally soldiers who fell in battle during WW2. The cemetery was constructed after the war to contain the remains of all the Common State soldiers that fell in the Cretan battlefields and to express the gratitude of the Greek people. It contains the remains of: 862 persons from the United Kingdom, 5 persons from Canada, 197 persons from Australia, 446 persons from New Zealand, 9 persons from South Africa, 1 person from India, 7 persons from other ethnicities; a total of 1527 persons.

Agia Triada Tsagkarolon Monastery

The Monastery of Agia Triada (Holy Trinity), or Tzagarolon Monastery as it is also known, is one of the most impressive monasteries you will see in Crete. The Monastery of Agia Triada is located on the Akrotiri Peninsula, in the north of Chania Prefecture. It was built in 1634, on the site of a small church dedicated to the Holy Apostoles. Tzagarolon Monastery is a square building complex with the monastery church standing in the centre of the verdant courtyard. Inside the complex there was an olive press and a cellar for the wine produced by the monastery, while on the south side is the monastery library, formerly the Abbot’s Room. Even if you are not into religious tourism, the Monastery of Agia Triada Tzagarolon is well worth a visit. It is a lovely, peaceful and impressive place, something different for visitors who want to see the historical monuments of the island. In recent years the Monastery of Agia Triada Tzagarolon has developed the systematic cultivation of organic vines and olives. It has won international prizes and is mainly sold abroad. Naturally all the products of Agia Triada are available for sale from the monastery shop.

Schedule

09:30 Pick Up
10:00 Aptera Archeological site
12:00 Ally Cemetery
12:45 Agia Triada Tsagkarolon Monastery
14:15 Return

Importance Notices:

• The above prices do NOT include admission fees, wherever those apply.
• For most of these destinations we can arrange your lunch break for you and suggest a traditional “taverna” nearby, in order to experience the traditional Cretan cuisine (please contact us for pricing details).
• A surcharge of 10€ per hour/vehicle (1-4 & 5-8 persons) will apply, if the time duration of the excursion exceeds the scheduled time.
• A surcharge of 20€ per hour/vehicle (9-12 & 13-20 persons) will apply, if the time duration of the excursion exceeds the scheduled time.