One For the Memoir - You will have many wonderful experiences on Crete, but a tour with Yannis will be the best of them. The jaw-dropping countryside, from the mountains to the sea and everything in between, expertly navigated by Yannis, will continuously impress you. You will be presented with traditional, from scratch meals that allow you to taste the love that Cretans have for their island, history and traditions. Truly delicious!! Finally, Yannis will immediately make you feel at ease and will care for you like a not so distant relative. Thank you so much for this unforgettable experience, Yannis!!

Come Hungry! - Well, it's the morning after we returned from this tour and we are still VERY full from all the amazing food! I see now why this tour - the one Yannis has given since he started this venture *and* the first of its kind in the area - remains his most popular. This is the original, and you shouldn't mess with perfection! Yannis is friendly, funny and very charming. He knows a great deal about Crete, the surrounding islands, as well as more international destinations, and will comfortably swap stories about travel, Greek food and mythology, among many other subjects, all while deftly navigating the winding mountain roads. I found the journey almost as pleasurable as the meals, thanks to his easy, entertaining manner and expert driving. Not to mention the stunning scenery; every turn brings a new spectacular view. From silvery scrub, to the muted greens of olive trees heavy with fruit, to rocky outcrops, along with the occasional disinterested heard of goats, eventually coming to the vast, crystal clear expanse of the Libyan sea. This alone would make the experience worth it, but the star of the show is really the food! Starting with strong coffee by a village stream - to make sure you are all awake and STAY awake - and on to the most delicious breakfast in all of Greece, featuring spinach pastries that are among the best I've had *anywhere*, sausages that my usually pork-adverse friend had to admit were something special, yogurt and grapes, which sounds simple but blows away with its flavour, and a decadent Sfakianopita, among many other elements. Then on to 'dessert', aka the biggest slice of cake/baklava you will see in your life, at a small port on the Libyan sea, before following the coast to a fortress and semi-secluded beach which looks straight out of a holiday brochure. While the usual itinerary is to stop here, Yannis was flexible enough to accommodate my friends' preference for swimming in the lake and took us on with only a short break for a walk along the shore. He's a wonderful guide, you need only ask and he is sure to find a way to make it happen! Despite the clouds, the lake was warm enough for a quick dip, and we enjoyed watching the light play over the surrounding mountains. But, at long last, it was time for the main event. The final stop is a charming taverna overlooking the lake. To our mind, it seemed frequented only by locals, which made it all the more special to be there on a Sunday and to enjoy grilled lamb alongside families that have been going there for years. Yannis ordered so much food you could barely see the table underneath, and we gorged ourselves like the kings of old on everything that was offered. It was the best of each dish we've had - stuffed zucchini flowers, fried cheese, Greek salad, tzatziki - thanks to most of it coming from the owner's garden at the back of the restaurant and being a product of generations of mama's cooking! It was not something you can find everyday nor, I believe, with anyone other than Yannis, who - it seems - knows just about everyone in Crete! I highly recommend this tour and am sure Yannis is just as capable and kind in every other trip he offers. You will not find another experience to match it!

5 Star Experience - We had an incredible day with Yannis. His knowledge of Crete was only surpassed only by his warm and hospitable nature. All the places we experienced were little gems that we never would have had the opportunity to experience on our own. Yannis was greeted warmly at each location and everyone went out of their way to make sure our experience was amazing. It was interesting to learn why each village was unique, what they specialized in and how they prospered. This gave us a deeper understanding and appreciation of Crete. The historical perspective and amusing anecdotes rounded out a truly fascinating experience. We were a group of 6, with different experiences and needs, yet we all agreed that we just had a truly 5 star experience!

Exploring the Island of Crete end to end - Yannis provided us with a magical experience we could not have imagined. Throughout the day we were fully immersed in the Cretan culture. Learning about local traditions helped make the tour educational and fun. From the authentic Cretan breakfast at the start of the day, to a wonderful dinner overlooking Lake Kournas, every experience was made to feel special & unique. We highly recommend this tour for the value & authenticity. You will not be disappointed.