After a traditional Greek breakfast at the villa, around 10:30am, we make our way to the Old Venetian Town of Chania. Here we will meet up with our professional (and English speaking) tour guide who will take us on a walk in and around the town, though tiny cobblestone streets and provide an overview of the history and rich heritage of this ancient port.  

We will continue on a foodie tour providing you with insider information, including an age old "Battle of the Bougatsa of Chania"!  

We make our way back to the villa for a little rest and recharge, before heading out again a few hours later for a special dinner in the old port. 

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: Drive to Old Chania 20min. We'll be out for the morning approximately 10:30am to 3:30pm, and again out for dinner 6:00pm to 8:30pm.  

We will enjoy a traditional Greek breakfast before making our way to the famous and lush Botanical Gardens around 10:30am.  45 min Drive. 

Here we will be greeted by our host, Petros, who will introduce us to a wide variety of botanical teas. This is a real treat as no one else on the island provides an experience such as this!  

We will walk through the green and tropical like gardens. There are a total of 200 acres! The lush grounds speak to the enchantment of Cretan land as it's easy to find fruit trees, herbs and herbal medicines.  It is also  home to thousands of plants and animals. 

Petros will then guide us through a short cooking class onsite, where we will prepare a delicious meal and enjoy it in the serene and peaceful setting overlooking thousands of miles of mountains, breathing in fresh clean air. 

We'll make our way back to the villa, stopping for a light dinner, along the way.

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: 45MIN to and from the Gardens. 4-5 hours out at the Gardens. 1 Hour for a light snack before we head back to the villa.  

We'll enjoy an early, traditional Greek breakfast at the villa, before heading out for the day around 8:30am. 

Our journey will take approximately 1.5 hours, driving though the magnificent and rugged landscape of Crete through winding and mountainous roads until we arrive to Sfakia. A traditional Cretan village in southwest bordering onto the Libyan sea. Thankfully, mass tourism and has yet to leave its permanent footprint here, so it makes sense if you feel like time is standing still.  

We will meander around the small, sleepy village, which has some great shopping and beautiful views. We'll meet with one of our good friends and her staff who will make some fresh Sfakianopites for us to snack on. 

We will board our private sail boat and tour the coast of the Libyan sea. 

Our captain will take us to secluded beaches, uninhabited by humans,  and we can enjoy some swimming and snorkelling. We will spend a few hours touring on the boat before docking at Marmara Beach. 

Here we will have a real Greek feast at a restaurant that is owned by dear friends, who make their each and every dish with all their love! 

Our captain will will take us back to Sfakia and make our way back to the villa for some much needed rest! 

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE:  Drive to Sfakia, 1.5 hours each way. 1 hour in Sfakia, 5 Hours on boat and having dinner. 

We start our day with a traditional Greek breakfast at our villa and leave shortly after 10am for a 1.5 hour drive to Rethymno. Prepare to walk! 

Rethymno is the third largest city in Crete, but carries more of a village vibe. (I am a villager at heart :)  We will first visit a small traditional village known for its unique pottery, picturesque and narrow streets and archways, and small courtyards.  Here we will experience ancient Minoan art in a modern day setting. 

We will grab a light lunch, before heading to Rethymno and stop into a little shop to meet a famous instrument maker. This gentleman handcrafts some of the finest Lira's in all of Crete, as we drop in to say hello, we'll have a little tour of his workshop. 

We'll then head into the Old Town itself, passing through the famous archway called "Megali Porta" or, the Big Door.  Through the "door" we will meet our guide and walk through the town for another great history lesson!

We will stop in to see one of the oldest filo makers in the entire town!  He hand makes an ultra thin and very large filo pastry which he then transforms into a decadent baklava, we will certainly have to indulge in a sampling!  (I've got you!)  

We end our day with a feast at a well known and highly acclaimed restaurant in all of Rethymno. This chef is off the charts creative and has always impressed! 

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE:  Drive to Rethymno Village: 1.5 hours.  Drive to Old Town 30min. Lunch and Dinner and walk around town, be prepared to be out all day! 

We start the day with a leisurely breakfast at our villa, poolside or in the gardens. 

We will make our way further west today to explore the Kissamos region of Chania. 

Our first stop will be in Kasteli, because you simply have to try the bread at the towns oldest bakery!  The little town is located on an elevation and if you walk down towards the sea, you will run into a series of incredible fish taverns, lining the whole boardwalk. It is great spot for taking photos.

We jump back in the car and head to Falassarna Beach. One of the most famous beaches in Crete known for its pink-ish sand (depending on the time of day and the winds) here we will rest and recharge, so bring a book and get ready to plunge, if you're a swimmer! We'll also enjoy a simple and yummy lunch by the sea. 

As it gets closer to sunset, we'll dry off and make our way up to a beautiful outdoor restaurant for dinner.  It's impressive how swimming and just being at the beach all day helps you work up a healthy appetite!  

With magnificent views of the entire bay a mesmerizing colourful skyline and  magical sunset will be our back drop as we indulge in out of this world flavours and senses. A food lovers dream.  

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: We will leave the villa around 11am and return around 9pm.

We'll enjoy a traditional Greek breakfast at the villa and a leisurely morning. There will be an option for travellers to head back into Chania for some shopping or sightseeing today, or simply rest and recharge with a book and a heated pool!  

We will leave our villa in the late afternoon for a road-trip to one of the most incredible organic olive oil stone mills in all of Crete. 

Here we will meet Chloe and her husband Mihalis. This is a dynamic couple are full of energy, love and fiery passion for what they do. You are going to love them too!  

We will enjoy a private olive oil tasting, tour of the facility and grounds, and a dinner catered for just us!!  

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: We will be out of the villa for half a day, returning after dinner and sunset. 

After a scrumptious Greek breakfast, we will have some free time around the villa before heading out to a highly acclaimed Cretan Winery today. 

Today we will meet our friends at Manousakis Winery, where passion for the land and tradition give strength for the continuation of their family legacy. The Manousakis family have taken their winery from a small vineyard nestled in the foothills of the mountains to the beautiful thriving winery they are proud for you to visit. Their philosophy is simple:  cultivate carefully and thoughtfully so that the integrity of all aspects of the grape remain pure. 

We can't wait for you to experience this special day with the Manousakis team. From learning about the history of the winery, the family, the land, to visiting the orchards, wine tasting and eating.....we are certain this experience will provide you with a heart full of love and mouth full of wine! 

Today is all about getting back to nature, because tomorrow, it's all about the party! 

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: We will leave the villa in the afternoon for about 5 hours today. 

We'll enjoy our last full, and leisurely breakfast together at the villa. 

Today you will have the option of staying at the villa to read, swim, rest and recharge, OR, we can take you into town for some shopping in Old Chania. 

Or, you can do both!  

Tonight there is a very special and traditional Greek festival that's takes place to honour the Saint of Eleni and Konstantinos. Festivals start in the evening and can last until the wee hours of the morning! 

Here you will eat traditional Greek "street food", think souvlaki, pita, potatoes, and, of course sweets such as "loukoumades". Live music will create the ambience and opportunity for you to "party like a Greek"! 

The festivals as outdoors and usually take place in the town square or at a local community centre.  We will find the right one and take you there for an unforgettable experience. I may even get you up there dancing with me too :)

It will be a night to remember. 

TIMING IS APPROXIMATE: We will have a lot of free time during the day where you can sit by the pool, go to a nearby beach or head into the Old Town of Chania. We will leave the villa as a group in the evening around 6pm and head to the town square for the festival for the night. 

It's our last day together, friends!  Our Retreat ends today at 10am.  

We will spend the morning hours making our last Greek breakfast for you, and will provide transportation to the airport, or helping you in any way to get to your next destination.  

We will reminisce about our time together, special or favourite moments, and hope for there to be a next time. 

Something very special happens when people spend their time and energy together. They form a bond, they gel, they jive. This is the foundation of what we call  a good PAREA! 

And that's what PAREA Retreats is all about. 

Thank you for joining and we hope to travel with you again soon.