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Arkadi, Margarites, Melidoni Cave, Axos tour from Rethymno
Activities
Rethymno, Greece
4.4/5
Free Cancellation
Language:
English
Mobile voucher accepted
Duration: 8 Hours
Do this because
Discover the Monastery of Arkadi and enjoy a scenic drive to Eleutherna
Learn about traditional pottery and create your own ceramic piece
Explore the Melidoni Cave, once a place of worship for the bronze giant Talos
Learn about the cheese production process and taste the local flavours
What to expect
This village tour begins with a visit to the historic Arkadi Monastery, known for its key role in the resistance against the Turks. After this, you’ll enjoy a scenic drive to Eleutherna, where you can pause to admire the surrounding landscapes.The next stop is the village of Margarites, where you’ll learn about the traditional art of pottery. For those interested, there’s an opportunity to create your own ceramic piece in a local workshop. While not all guests may have time to participate due to time constraints, the village's rich pottery tradition offers a fascinating experience, and local artisans are eager to share their craft.The tour continues to the Melidoni Cave, also known as “Gerodospilios”. This historic cave, full of stalactites and stalagmites, was once a worship site for Talos, the bronze giant who protected Crete. You’ll have an hour to explore the cave.Before heading back to Rethymnon, you’ll visit Axos Village. Here, you can optionally enjoy a traditional lunch and experience the production of fresh local cheese. Participate in the milking process, watch cheese pies being made, and taste traditional handmade snacks. After a relaxing break, this memorable experience concludes with a return to your hotel in Rethymnon.
What's included
Guided tour
Snacks
Transportation in air-conditioned vehicle
Hotel pick-up and drop-off
What's not included
Entrance fees
What to remember
Extra fees to be paid on site:
Arkadi Monastery - 4 EUR to be paid on site by cash only
Melidoni Cave - 3 EUR to be paid on site by cash only
Know in advance:
You'll receive a second final voucher with the exact pickup arrangement (final place and time) in your e-mail one day before the tour. Kindly pay attention to your e-mails
You'll be requested to insert your accommodation address and your phone number in the dedicated fields at checkout
Provider
TRAVEL PATH
Booking Fee
Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.
Cancellation Fee
Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins
Where
Meeting point:
You'll indicate your pickup location at checkout and discuss your pickup time and location directly with the local operator. You'll find the contact details on your voucher.
Reviews
great
4.4/5
Based on
26 reviews from verified customers
E
Edward Smith
July 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 57 years old
Excellent
Nicely paced tour, no hanging about, caves were spectacular. Lunch was just about acceptable it would have been nice to have had a choice of two or three dishes.
R
Richard druuker
June 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
With friends
- 48 years old
Great
Busje was erg oud Rugleuningen van Stoelen zaten los en bekleding los van de kanten
R
Reinhold
June 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
Alone
- 69 years old
Average
Das Auto, mit dem die Tour veranstaltet wurde, macht einen total vergammelten Eindruck Eine Hauptaktivität der Tour bestand wohl darin stellen anzufahren bei dem es um Verkauf ging
A
Andi
May 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 39 years old
Great
G
Golden Travel
May 2025
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 50 years old
Average
B
Bethanne
May 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 15 years old
Excellent
A lot was fit into the day. The caves were my favourite. The staff were clear about pick up times and points. The food and restaurant we visited were really nice! I was under the impression we’d make some pottery ourselves but we didn’t.
P
PV
May 2025
From United States of America
Great
Booking via TUI Musement en bevestiging gehad en bevestiging opstapplaats in centrum R Daarna nog een bevestiging van de uitvoerder van de tour AllCreteTours met een andere start locatie. Musement heeft geen verandering van opstapplaats aan ons doorgegeven en wij stonden daar zonder bericht dat daar niemand kwam om ons op te halen die ons naar de start van AllCreteTours zou brengen. Was erg onduidelijk. Uiteindelijk toch nog goed gekomen en door de reisleidster van ACT per auto naar volgende
I
Ikke
May 2025
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 32 years old
Great
Spiros was chauffeur en gids tegelijk. Dat vind ik niet echt een veilig gevoel. Chauffeur moet echt zijn volle aandacht op de weg kunnen hebben. Tweede gids, Johny, was nieuw, denk ik. Aardig, maar geen reisleider. Zijn Duits was erg slecht. Verder leuke dag gehad.
A
Anja
April 2025
From Germany
Traveled as
With family
- 41 years old
Excellent
J
Jos
October 2024
From United Kingdom
Traveled as
As a couple
- 8 years old
Excellent
This experience was fantastic. The guide, Lazarus, and our driver, Marco, were both fantastic. The experience itself was so enjoyable travelling to villages you wouldn’t think to go to. The guide provided us with information prior to the monastery so we had 100% free time, the pottery shop and Margarites were beautiful and the food at the village of Axos was delicious. It was a very enjoyable day out and I’d highly recommend to others as it was an unforgettable experience.
M
Marleen Baens
October 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
Alone
- 49 years old
Excellent
Leuke gids , Vertelde alles in twee talen ,Engels en Duits. Goeie afspraken om weer verder te rijden
V
Vernon
September 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 54 years old
Excellent
Minor differences between the tour and the TUI small print in the area of snacks, but otherwise a superb experience. Our guide, Lazarus, delivered a fascinating commentary based on extensive knowledge and obvious passion. The trusty 20 seater coach managed the mountain roads with power, ease and comfort. It felt like a real privilege to witness artisan skills demonstrated for our benefit - showing a clear link between the local tour provider “Spiritus” and some very talented individuals.
A
Alibob
September 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 36 years old
Excellent
Was a good day out, guide was very informative and friendly, we got to see more than what we thought we would, would recommend this trip
D
Don
September 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 54 years old
Great
Our guide Lazarus was very informative, however we did feel he overdid the sales pitch at the pottery and gift stores.
D
Daniela
August 2024
From Germany
Traveled as
With family
- 28 years old
Excellent
Es war eine sehr schöne informative Tour. Busfahrer und Reiseleiter waren top!! Es wurde angegeben das die Eintrittsgelder noch zu zahlen sind. Das funktionierte problemlos. Allerdings kamen dann noch ca 10€ pro Person für ein Mittagessen dazu, sowie natürlich die Getränke die noch bestellt wurden. Es gab leider vorab keine Information, das ein Essen bestellt wurde bzw. es wurde auch vorab nicht gefragt, ob man dieses Gericht haben möchte bzw. es gab auch keine Wahl z.B. für Vegetarier
J
JP
August 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 10 years old
Great
+ Erklärungen kamen während der Busfahrt. + Abgelegenere Dörfer wurden besucht + Vorbestelltes Essen war gut und deutlich unter a la Carte Preis - vorbestelltes Essen wurde nicht auf vegetarische Option abgefragt - von der Existenz und dem Preis (zur Vorbereitung) des vorbestellten Essens erfuhr man erst nach Abfahrt - Der Guide preist in den Läden die Waren mehr als das Personal an Man sollte also 18€ pro Person noch einplanen zusätzlich zum Preis.
M
Maes
August 2024
From Belgium
Traveled as
As a couple
- 30 years old
Great
Misschien vermelden dat de lunch 10 euro per persoon is en niet vrij te kiezen
W
Wim
August 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 32 years old
Excellent
Mooie locaties op het eiland, met ruim de tijd om ze te verkennen. De lunch was een echte verrassing op een originele locatie en hoewel simpel, heel lekker en authentiek. Een échte aanrader.
K
Kreeta fani
July 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 44 years old
Excellent
Opas oli ystävällinen ja sympaattinen. Aikaa riitti katsella paikkoja. Oli mukava nähdä paikallisa ihmisiä ja nähdä heidän käden taitojaan ja kuulla historiaa.
H
Hansi65
July 2024
From Germany
Traveled as
With family
- 41 years old
Excellent
Sehr umsichtiger und aufmerksamer Reiseführer! Der Busfahrer ist der absolute Hero - unglaublich wie sicher er uns durch die teilweise sehr engen Straßen gefahren hat. Die Tour ist gut aufgebaut und sehr informativ. Man erfährt sehr viel zu Geschichte, Land und Leuten. Ich habe es nicht bereut, die Tour gebucht zu haben und kann sie guten Gewissens weiterempfehlen.
V
Viktor
June 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 38 years old
Great
Sehr interessant, unbedingt zur abschauen Kloster Arkadi, Tropfsteinhöhle, Historische erzählte Geschichte in gut übersetzten Sprachen von travel Guide sehr gut gemacht ??
C
Charlotte
June 2024
From Germany
Traveled as
As a couple
- 41 years old
Excellent
M
M
June 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
Excellent
Tour was fantastic. Really informative and interesting. Guide was great. Mini bus could do with an upgrade. Air con not very good and seat belts need replacing
M
M. Müller
June 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
With family
- 34 years old
Great
Der Ausflug war für uns kurzweilig und interessant, lediglich den Besuch der Weberei hätten wir nicht gebraucht
D
David & Carolin
May 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 20 years old
Excellent
Unsere Guides Spiro u. Anny waren fantastisch - aufmerksam, professionell u. humorvoll! Spiro ist ein lebensfroher Mensch, der Freude macht. Er übersetzte alle Informationen ins Deutsche, als er merkte, dass Gäste aus Deutschland dabei waren. Jedoch war sein Englisch sehr gut verständlich. Zwei Anmerkungen: Es gab keine Möglichkeit, selbst zu töpfern (anders als in der Beschreibung angekündigt). Es wurde ein Mittagessen (10€) angeboten. Vor Ort schien dies nicht optional. Also bitte vermerken!
E
Emma Jones
May 2024
From United States of America
Traveled as
As a couple
- 18 years old
Excellent
Very well organised, excellent tour guides, stopped at lots of interesting places, lots of photo opportunities, great food. One of the best trips I’ve been on.
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