Private tour in Heraklion Alexander Y
5.0
(2) reviews
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Alexander Y.
4.9
Guide rating
81
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12 hrs
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Hello, My name is Alexander. I truly love Crete and the island's unique privilege for a rich quality of living! Especially, I am inspired by the Cretan local lifestyle, unique gastronomy, authentic culture, rich history, unspoiled nature, and stunning escapes. Not to mention the vivid feeling that the sea is everywhere, even if it's not visible! Crete is a glorious island with myriads of places to explore and a plethora of things to experience. An island to discover a sense of escapism that many forget it does so well. A place to disappear for an hour, a day, or even a week, only to re-emerge with a subtle bronze to your skin and calmness of being. Since I've started my guiding profession on Crete Island (almost 25-years ago) very soon I realized that my purpose was greater. My ultimate focus is to engage my travelers with the island of Crete to a greater extent. Connect them with history, art, and most of all with the local people and their authentic Cretan lifestyle, which is deeply family-oriented and rooted in traditions. All in all, to give them access to Crete's best-kept hidden gems and pure heavens. So, why I am chasing such personalization and tailor-made approach in my private tours and shore excursions? Simply because, I feel sad when travelers are coming home with the same stories, from the same places as their friends. An absolute absence of novelty in the travel segment! We all are looking to find our own idyllic personalized way of travel. Whether it is about a honeymoon, family break, cruise journey, unique adventure, business trip, cultural immersion, LGBT traveling, or experience-hunting millennials - we always try to find a home away from home! To this day, I literally have never followed a fixed itinerary. Every tour that I have conducted is customized on the expectations and dreams of my travelers down to the tiniest detail - this is the art of tailored travel. That's the iconic tailor-made Crete! Consequently, travel for me is to live, and for this reason, the goal is to change travel, but also travel to change us! I am a professional travel planner for private tour & shore excursion services on Crete Island. For the last 25 years, I am in collaboration with ASTA (American Society of Travel Agents), cruise companies, luxury travel agencies, DMCs, and tour operators. In addition, I am a co-owner and manager of a premium vehicle fleet that consists of Mercedes-Benz black vehicles - Minibus 9-seats VIP Class, Modern 6-seats Vehicle, limo 3-seats. This infrastructure gives me flexibility and confidence with my bookings by providing my travelers with the highest quality of service. All of my private tours and shore excursions are professionally organized in terms of guiding and transportation services without any restrictions.
Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Alexander Y.
Over the centuries, Cretans have imbued this ancient land with the vivid presence of Christianity by founding monasteries, churches, & chapels of great religious import. Come with me on a journey to the heart of Central Crete, weaving our way in the paths of Apostle Paul from North to South to the land of generosity. An untouched paradise on earth, beloved by our forefathers, where fertile soils treasure lavish vineyards & the oldest olive groves seem to stretch toward the horizon. We will visit authentic religious monuments always built-in stunning landscapes. Some of them were fortified & others are situated on the sites of archaic temples illuminating the long devotion to Christianity in Crete. Let me take you on a true passage of time meandering through the Minoan wonders of Messara plain to embrace the magnificent views of Phaistos Palace. In the afternoon, find yourself on the Southern shores of Matala. Bask in the waters of the Libyan Sea & unwind at delicious fish tavernas on the waterfront.
•Travel in the footsteps of the Apostle Paul to connect with the Orthodox Christianity in Crete that nourishes from 859 BC. •Make a stop at an altitude of 400m to discover the storied village of Agios Myron & his ascetic holy Cave where healing water still gushes from within the rock •Wallow in the ancient fertile plain of Messara to see through the eyes of a local & realize both the spiritual & unspoiled side of the island •Visit Paliani one of the oldest Cretan monasteries dedicated to the Assumption & famous for its sacred Myrtle tree a relic of the Minoan dendrolatry •Following the roads that go deeper, luxuriate in the ages unearthing prehistoric cities seemingly around every corner along with the Bronze Age Palace of Phaistos •At the Southern corners, uncover the jewel of monastic Crete: Odigitria Monastery with its fortified architecture that echoes its extraordinary cultural legacy •Unwind at Matala the prehistoric port of Gortyna with iconic caves & indulge in scrumptious seafood dishes
Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.
- For up to 3 people, I can arrange a smaller premium vehicle. Contact me to receive a quote. - For up to 9 people, I can arrange a Mercedes-Benz minibus 9-seats. Contact me to receive a quote. Note: My transportation is managed by a reputable travel company in Crete that specializes in private & luxury transportation services with premium vehicles and professional drivers.
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If your tour is valued over $200 USD and booked at least 45 days before the tour date, you can book with a deposit!
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