train tours crete

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Pleasures of Crete

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Discover the Nature of Crete

An exciting journey that has it all! Riding by train, discover tiny colorful villages while climbing over Spatha peninsula and taste some of the islands finest products, harvested and processed in their natural environment.

Travelling by the west coast line and after passing by the small harbor of Kolymbari, the best known fishing village of the North coast, explore the 17th century monastery of Gonia. Admire the endless blue color of the sea view and wander the paths of the monastery’s centuries-old history in the mystical atmosphere of monastic life.

Climbing over Spatha Peninsula, the scent of the Cretan Sea and the fragrant herbs of the rocky landscape lead to a small village, Rodopos, for a stop in the magnificent world of the bees and their produce. A short journey from the top of the hills ends up to the North Coast for one more interesting visit at a prominent olive oil mill, where is practiced the art of producing and bottling some of the best organic and extra virgin olive oil in the world.

Magnificent sea views, rocky landscapes, mountain villages and the finest products from Crete’s fertile soil. Experience all the “Pleasures of Crete” in three and a half inspiring hours.

• Daily 10:45 am (Except Sunday)
• Journey time 3 hours 30 minutes
• Duration and departure time vary in relation to pick up location. Download the detailed schedule
• Adult 23.00€
• Child 12.00€
• *Entrance fee for the monastery €2 for adults (optional)

DON’T FORGET

• Bottle of water

Route Itinerary

• We travel along the coastline and leave behind, one after the other, the bustling central areas. We cross the villages of Maleme, Tavronitis and Rapaniana and arrive at the pebbled beach of Kolymbari, where we will have our first stop for photos, to capture the beautiful sea view.
• Very soon we reach the seaside monastery of Panagia Odigitria, which dates back to the 17th century and is located at the base of Spatha Peninsula. We will get off here for our first 20-minute stop. The imposing fortress-like building offers a stunning view of the sea and houses precious treasures from its turbulent history in the museum.
• We leave the monastery and climb the winding road that will lead us to the next destination. The endless view from the top of the hill, combined with the rocky landscape is breathtaking and we will try to capture it during the next photo stops.
• We arrive at the tiny village Rodopos and make a short stop of 15 minutes. In a modern processing and packaging facility we have the chance to admire the fascinating world of the bees and taste organic honey, which carries the aromas of the Cretan herbs and blossoms.
• We depart from Rodopos and through Aspra Nera villages we begin our slow descent, enjoying the view of the White Mountains. Arriving again in the area of ​​Kolymbari, we visit TERRA CRETA, a world-renowned olive oil mill, with products that have been awarded in international competitions. Their experienced staff takes us on a tour of the factory to learn about the production process and then we proceed to a tasting of olive oil and other products. We close our excursion in the most delicious way, having the opportunity to purchase these excellent products for enjoying them in our homeland.
• After the last 30-minute stop, we return crossing the coastline towards the central areas from where we started.

Agioi Apostoloi

Seaside area, quite close to the city of Chania. It stands out for its golden beaches with shallow waters and the park that hosts activities for all ages.

Agia Marina

One of the most important tourist resorts. A delightful village situated on the northwest coast of Crete, located 3 km to the west of Chania. Its long sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make this an ideal holiday location for young and old alike.

Platanias Village

Platanias (Greek: Πλατανιάς) is a village and municipality on the Greek island of Crete. It is located about 10 km (6.2 mi) west from the city of Chania and east of Kastelli-Kissamos, on Chania Bay. The seat of the municipality is the village Gerani.[1] Platanias is a popular tourism village with a beach, several hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops. Not far from the coast is the island of Agioi Theodoroi.

Gerani is a village and a community situated in the municipality of Platanias, Crete, Greece. It has a population of 1,189 (according to the 2011 census) and it covers 6.398 square kilometers (2.470 sq mi). It is 14 kilometers (8.7 mi) from Chania, right next to the sea. The Gerani beach is awarded with the Blue Flag. There plenty of traditional tavernas, car rental companies, supermarkets and hotels in the village.

A Late Minoan tholos tomb has been discovered in the vicinity of Maleme. The tholos tomb, located on "Kafkala" hill, was accidentally revealed and then looted at the beginning of the 20th century. During World War II a bomb caused the partial destruction of its roof and the backfill of the chamber.

A truly unspoilt Cretan coastal village at the base of the Rodopou Peninsula, with a Greek Orthodox Academy and 17th century monastery. A fishing village turned small resort, known for its fish taverns and olive oil.

Moni Gonia – Kolimvari

Just a kilometer north of Kolimvari, 26 km from Chania, lays the Monastery of Gonia, dedicated to the Virgin Odigitria. It consists of the abbot and monks' cells, bank, warehouses and cellars. To the north of the monastery is the building of the Orthodox Academy of Crete. It was built in the 17th century with Venetian influences in its architectural design and adornment. The monastery was heavily damaged by Ottoman bombardment on many occasions throughout its history, evidence of which can be seen today by the remaining cannon ball lodged in the monastery wall. During World War II the monastery was partly destroyed by German bombing and it became one of the most important areas of Cretan resistance to Nazi Germany.

Rodopos – Honey Processing and Packaging Facility

A new space, which aims to safely travel the visitor to the exciting world of beekeeping. It was created by a family of second generation beekeepers, with passion and deep knowledge of what they do. They describe themselves as nomads, as they transport their beehives all over Crete seven times a year, thus producing a honey that contains all the aromas of this island. They aspire that when you open the jar of honey that you took with you to your homeland, you feel as if you took Crete with you!

Terra Creta S.A.

Terra Creta S.A. was established in 2001 in Chania and since 2009 is located in Kolymbari, West Crete. Our primary objective is the production, bottling and exports of the finest quality Extra Virgin Olive Oil from Kolymbari region in West Crete. New and Innovative Olive Oil Mill (common extraction procedures, quality separation of olive before extraction, two phase extraction etc) and modern bottling unit with automated filling lines and INOX olive oil storage tank in controlled environment just in the heart of the olive oil production of Chania. All facilities are certified under HACCP, ISO 22000/2005, BIOHELLAS etc.

Photo Gallery

Similar Routes

stalis club

PRIVATE TOURS

Book a tour, happy train (stalis - malia).

The train is closed on Sundays – ikaros station or garage is where the train usually starts, any departure times mentioned here corespond to this station. All other stations have slightly different times

Happy  train station in Ikaros hotel

Happy  train station in i resort hotel stalis

• Grand Tour (One and a half hour ride) with The Happy Train to explore  Malia-Hersonisoss-Stalis,   Starting 10:00 every day till late….
• Half day tour to Mochos, every Monday-Wednesday-Friday in Crete Greece.
• Half day tour to Krasi, every Tuesday-Thursday-saturday in Crete Greece.

Grand tour to Stalis-Malia or mountain tour to krasi or Mochos

The Happy Train Stalis -Malia offers local tours every hour about with trains to anyone who wants to live this unique experience. Visitors will have the opportunity to see Stalis-Malia and the surrounding area with their important sights, experiencing, simultaneously, the Cretan culture. There are mountain tours available. First of all, there is Krasi tour. The tour to Krasi is available on  Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays starting at 9:40am. Second tour is the one to Mochos, which is available on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays starting at 9:40am. Also possible private tours or even wedding tours, where the train is decorated in a special way for this special day. The Happy Train offers a more relaxing way to see the sights of Stalis-Malia and the surrounding area. There are stops during each tour where visitors can either take photographs of the picturesque Cretan landscape or taste the local Cretan cuisine in the villages of the Municipality of Hersonissos. For additional information contact us.

https://www.traditionrolex.com/20

Reviews by our travelers

Delightful hour and a half spent trundling between Stalis and Malia (round trip). Some nice views and well worth the money. This is the way to do it if you're not a quad bike person!

Privacy Overview

• Ag. Nikolaos
• Private Tours
• Book a Seat 2023 --> Book a Seat 2024

Daily Excursions in Agios Nikolaos area explore around!

Discover with us Agios Nikolaos area. Explore all the small picturesque traditional villages nearby.

Pick Up Point for Agios Nikolaos 12, Themistokleous str. Agios Nikolaos

Tour of the town

Get the opportunity to see our town through a 35 minute route! At this excursion you will see the Lake Voulismeni, which is the most beautiful part of the city, and the many restaurants and Cafes around it, the main town square with the shopping area and the marvelous organized beaches around Agios Nikolaos.

Tour Ellinika

A picturesque route as you travelling coastally along the Gulf of Mirabello! The train stops for 10 minutes to the lookout point Kallithea where our visitor enjoys the breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay of Elounda and the Famous Ireland of Spinaloga, and has also time for wonderful photographs and selfies. Finally the train returns to Agios Nikolaos to complete the round of the town.

Kritsa Village

This excursion is ideal for the visitor who loves the tradition and the nature of Crete. It is a 4 and a half hour trip up to the mountains with a final destination the well-known traditional village of Kritsa! In between our guest will enjoy two stops. The first in a modern olive oil factory with a free tour and olive oil tasting and the second at the most known Byzantine monuments in Crete, the church of Panagia Kera!

OLIVE OIL PARK

We are visiting the olive oil park, a family business. They explain to you how olive oil made today and in the past, staring at the outdoor where an original stone mill is displayed. You the opportunity to see the procedure of bottling the olive oil. Last but not least, the tour includes a free tasting of award winning olive oil and olive oil products.

DAILY TOURS ELOUNDA

Custom tours private.

Information - The timetable for all the excursions will be available from beginning of April 2023.

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Getting to Samaria gorge - Crete Forum

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Getting to Samaria gorge

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2 replies to this topic

From Sougia it is a shorter boat and bus trip.

If you go up by car , you have to pick it up again in the evening (bus 18:15) or next day.

Bus schedule https://e-ktel.com/images/pdfs/2024/JUNE_2024/CHANIA_FROM_03-06-2024.pdf

Kalispera mdexplore, from Sougia is ideal. By bus from Sougia to Xylóskalo (Omalos plateau).

Through the gorge to Agia Roumeli. And in Agia Roumeli take the ferry to Sougia at 5.30 pm.

Check beforehand whether the gorge is open.

Last year the gorge was closed for many days due to heat/fire danger and an earthquake.

https://samaria-tickets.necca.gov.gr/checkout

Samaria 2024: https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g189413-i424-k14743871-Samaria_2024-Crete.html

Many greetings from Hamburg, kv

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HAPPY TRAIN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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