From Chania: Olive Oil, Wine, Cheese & Honey Tasting Tour

The "From Chania: Olive Oil, Wine, Cheese & Honey Tasting Tour" promises a delightful exploration of Crete’s rich culinary heritage. Departing from Chania, this 8.5-hour adventure takes visitors on a journey through olive groves, wineries, and local producers, offering tastings of the island’s renowned delicacies. With convenient pickup and a knowledgeable guide, the tour offers an immersive experience at an affordable price. But what awaits beyond the itinerary’s highlights?

Contents show

Key Points

This 8.5-hour tour departs from Chania and offers tastings of traditional Cretan delicacies like olive oil, wine, cheese, and honey.
The tour includes visits to an ancient olive tree, an olive mill, a winery, a bakery, and a cheese factory.
The experience is led by an English-speaking guide and provides insights into the history and cultural significance of Cretan food and wine.
Pickup and drop-off are included in an air-conditioned luxury bus, but the transportation is not suitable for wheelchair users.
The tour has an overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars, with praise for its variety of tastings and excellent value for money.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Tour Overview and Pricing

This Olive Oil, Wine, Cheese & Honey Tasting Tour departs from Chania and offers visitors an immersive experience into Crete’s renowned culinary traditions.

Priced from $43.78 to $41.59 per person, the tour lasts 8.5 hours and features free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance. Guests can reserve their spot without upfront payment.

The tour includes pickup from 15 locations and a guided exploration of an ancient olive tree, an olive mill, a winery, a bakery, and a cheese factory, with tastings of regional specialties throughout.

Here are more experiences we've reviewed in Chania

Itinerary and Locations

The tour begins with pickups from 15 different locations, including Agia Marina, Stalos, Platanias, Halepa, and Nea Chora.

The first stop is Ano Vouves, where visitors can see the oldest olive tree, estimated to be 3,000-5,000 years old.

Visitors can witness the ancient wonder of the 3,000-5,000-year-old olive tree in Ano Vouves.

Next, guests explore a local olive mill and winery, learning about grape varieties and wine-making traditions.

The tour then visits a traditional bakery to observe the making of Cretan bread and rusks.

Finally, a cheese factory showcases the cheese-making process, followed by wine tasting and food sampling.

Highlights of the Experience

Although the tour includes a variety of traditional Cretan delicacies like olive oil, tomatoes, olives, cheese, and honey, visitors can also enjoy a refreshing swim at the beach or relax at a local tavern after the tastings.

The experience is highlighted by a guided tour with a live English-speaking guide, providing insights into the region’s food and wine-making traditions.

Guests can sample locally produced olive oil, taste a variety of Cretan cheeses, and indulge in a honey tasting, all while learning about the history and cultural significance of these regional specialties.

Transportation and Accessibility

The tour provides pickup and drop-off services in an air-conditioned luxury bus, making it convenient for participants.

The transportation isn’t suitable for wheelchair users, so it’s important to consider accessibility needs when booking.

This tour’s transportation is not suitable for wheelchair users, so accessibility must be considered when booking.

Upon reservation, travelers should provide the name of their hotel to receive pickup details.

The key transportation and accessibility details include:

Pickup and drop-off included in an air-conditioned luxury bus
Not suitable for wheelchair users
Advise hotel name upon reservation for pickup details

More Great Tours Nearby

Customer Reviews and Ratings

Customers have overwhelmingly praised the Olive Oil, Wine, Cheese & Honey Tasting Tour, awarding it an impressive overall rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars based on 18 reviews.

Reviewers highlighted the tour’s great variety of tastings, describing it as "highly recommended." Others lauded the "amazing" experience with "delicious tastings" and a "relaxing end."

One American traveler raved about the "incredible honey tasting" and convenient pickup. Customers also praised the tour’s excellent value for money, giving it a 4.8/5 rating.

Hungry for more Chania flavors? We've covered these other food and drink spots

Exploring the Oldest Olive Tree

One of the tour’s highlights is the chance to visit Ano Vouves and see the oldest olive tree in the world.

The ancient Olive Tree of Vouves is estimated to be between 3,000 to 5,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living trees on the planet.

Visitors can:

Marvel at its massive, gnarled trunk and twisted branches that have withstood the test of time.
Learn about the tree’s historical significance and its role in Cretan culture and economy.
Capture stunning photographs to commemorate the experience of standing in the presence of this living natural wonder.

Taking in Local Wine and Cheese-Making Traditions

After exploring the ancient Olive Tree of Vouves, the tour takes visitors to a local olive mill and winery to immerse them in Crete’s renowned wine and cheese-making traditions.

The tour immerses visitors in Crete’s renowned wine and cheese-making traditions after exploring the ancient Olive Tree of Vouves.

At the olive mill, guests discover the process of extracting the island’s prized extra virgin olive oil.

Next, they visit a family-owned winery to learn about the region’s indigenous grape varieties and traditional wine production methods.

The tour then visits a cheese factory, where travelers observe the art of Cretan cheese-making and enjoy tastings of the local varieties.

Savoring the Cretan Culinary Delights

The tour takes a delightful turn as visitors savor the iconic Cretan culinary delights.

Highlights include:

Olive oil tasting: Guests explore the rich flavors of premium extra virgin olive oil, marveling at the distinct aromas and notes.
Cheese sampling: Traditional Cretan cheeses, such as graviera and myzithra, are meticulously crafted and offer a mouthwatering experience.
Honey tasting: The tour showcases the pure, golden nectar of Crete’s renowned honey, renowned for its exceptional quality and depth of flavor.

Throughout the experience, travelers enjoy the vibrant traditions and flavors that make Crete’s culinary heritage so revered.

Things To Know

Are There Any Vegetarian/Vegan Options Available on the Tour?

Yes, the tour offers vegetarian and vegan options. Participants can sample plant-based foods like olive oil, olives, tomatoes, and plant-based cheeses. Let the guide know your dietary needs when booking the tour.

Can I Bring My Own Food and Drinks on the Bus?

Passengers are generally not allowed to bring their own food or drinks on the bus. The tour includes tastings of local delicacies, so bringing outside items is discouraged. However, travelers with dietary restrictions can inquire about any accommodations when booking the tour.

What Is the Dress Code for the Tour?

There is no stated dress code for the tour. Guests are generally advised to wear comfortable, casual clothing suitable for walking, as the tour involves visiting various agricultural sites and sampling local products. No formal attire is required.

Is There an Option to Extend the Tour Duration?

The tour duration cannot be extended. The tour lasts 8.5 hours, and there’s no option to add extra time. Customers must book the tour as-is, with the fixed 8.5-hour duration.

Can I Make Special Requests for the Tasting Items?

Yes, customers can make special requests for the tasting items. The tour operator aims to accommodate individual preferences and dietary requirements when possible, so they encourage guests to communicate any special requests at the time of booking.

Sum Up

The "From Chania: Olive Oil, Wine, Cheese & Honey Tasting Tour" offers an immersive culinary experience in Crete. Guests can explore the ancient Ano Vouves olive tree, visit a local olive mill and winery, and enjoy tastings of regional delicacies. With convenient transportation and a knowledgeable guide, this affordable tour promises a delightful blend of culture, history, and gastronomic pleasure.