Tour to Rethymnon Wonderful Crete with Lunch

Departing from Rethymnon port you will drive south and you will first visit the village of Spili. During your short break you will have time to walk around or enjoy traditional Greek coffee. Heading further south and driving through the scenic countryside of Crete you will reach Matala, where you can take a leisurely lunch accompanied by famous Cretan wine. After lunch you can enjoy swimming in the warm waters of Libyan Sea. During your two hours stay in Matala you are free to visit the fantastic cliff side caves which are carved into the rock in the prehistoric times. Over the centuries the caves have been used as secret churches and tombs, and more recently were temporarily home for the "hippies" of the 60s and 70s. After your long break return to your motorcoach to drive inland and visit the well-known Archaeolgical site of Phaestos. This Minoan settlement stands 200ft high above the plain of Messara and was built, as a Palace, about 1500 BC on the ruins of the former one. After having seen the well preserved ruins drive to Gortys. Gortys used to be a principal Greco-Roman town having many remains to be seen today, including the Basilica of St. Titus of 6th century. Your excursion then continues to Central and North part of Crete towards the north coastal line. You will stop, for a last time, to visit the village Fodele which is the birthplace of the famous Cretan painter D. Theotokopoulos "El Greco" from the Renaissance period. Then return to Rethymnon and the ship in time for dinner.