Phāea Blue

The Chania area is blessed with some of the island’s best beaches, and those warm, crystal-clear turquoise waters make this an excellent destination for a relaxed snorkelling adventure as well. Your day begins at a dive centre where you’ll be kitted out with a shortie wetsuit, fins, mask and snorkel and given some handy tips on making the most of your time in the water. Then it’s time to hop on a speedy RHIB – as in rigid-hull inflatable boat – for a 20-or-so-minute zip across the waves to your first guided snorkelling session. With superb visibility, you have a good chance of seeing starfish, sponges, crabs and an array of fish, and maybe even glimpsing an octopus. After a reviving snack, you’ll be off to the second, equally breathtaking snorkelling site for the day, where you’ll have another opportunity to discover the marine life of the Mediterranean. • Duration: half day • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience Good to know — You’ll need to be able to swim, but otherwise the trip is suitable for all.

If you love Rethymno’s small-town charm, you’ll be just as enchanted with the unspoiled countryside of its hinterland. It’s an area packed with fabulous scenery, glorious villages and other impressive sights that are just made for visiting in your own chauffeur-driven Land Rover. Among the many quaint villages that you’ll see en route is Giannoudi with its appealing Venetian-style architecture; Spili, whose famous lion-head fountain is fed by ice-cold water from mountain springs, and pretty Armeni, surrounded by olive, orange and avocado groves. Then there are the dramatic landscapes, from the wonderfully wild gorge of Prasses – home to rare vultures – and the equally ravishing gorge of Kourtaliotis to the picture-perfect beach at Preveli. Naturally, the day also includes a pause at a traditional tavern where you’ll have a chance to catch your breath over a lunch of Cretan cuisine at its most authentic and a glass or two of the local wine. • Duration: full day • Time: 9am to 5pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience

• Duration: Half day • Private experience Good to know — Specialist guides are available at Knossos and Heraklion Archaeological Museum for an extra fee.

Pull on your hiking boots and embrace a day of adventure as we set out to the scenic Samaria Gorge. Wearing the crown for the longest gorge in Europe, you’ll journey 18 km south before winding up at the mouth of Crete's sparkling south coast. For a soul-soothing end to the day, take to the glistening waters of Agia Roumel for a refreshing paddle before regrouping and relishing a restful coach ride back to Corfu. • Duration: Full day • Departs: Tuesday • Operates: 15th May - October • Group experience

The main draw is its ancient frescoes, only rediscovered recently during renovation work, though the cheese pies with honey from a nearby coffee shop – a local speciality – are also well worth investigating. Your next stop was one of western Crete’s most important cities during Roman times, before being destroyed in 828 AD. You’ll find traces of ancient Lappa in what is now the village of Argyroupolis, where you can enjoy lunch in one of the local taverns. On the return to Chania, there’s one last pause: the stunning Lake Kournas, in a beautiful setting backed by hills. • Duration: full day • Time: 9am to 4.30pm • Daily departures • Operates year round • Private experience Good to know — Lunch and drinks are not included.

Soak up an endless series of cinematic panoramas on this day-long trip to Dia. An uninhabited isle flanked by the rolling waves of the azure Mediterranean, clamber over 5km of pearl-grey rockery before hunkering down to soak up those majestic golden hour vistas. For the history buffs, an insight into the mythology of Dia is bound to score a big thumbs-up, while a suite of sailing trips welcome you to cruise the cobalt deep at your own leisurely pace. • Duration: Full day • Daily departures • Operates: April - October • Group experience

Witness the wonders of the Cave of Zeus for yourself on this exclusive Land Rover Discovery tour. Placing you right at the heart of the action, our adventure begins in the cosmopolitan city of Agios Nikolaos before journeying west to historical Krista. A guaranteed hit with the history buffs, this traditional Greek village plays home to a lattice of religious monuments, archaeological sites and glistening gorges. You’ll wander a rugged path canopied by verdant Pine forestry before arriving at Katharo Plateau and journeying onwards to the impressive Lassithi Plateau, The Dikteon Cave and beyond. • Duration: Half day • Private experience

Hop aboard The Black Rose and join us as we cruise from the sapphire shores of San George’s Bay, stopping off at lively Malia and family oriented Salis on the way. A handful of swim stops invite you to plunge into the invigorating ocean depths, and if you’re keen to uncover what lies beneath the shore, you can pop on your snorkelling gear and explore. A delicious meal on deck will keep your flavour cravings at bay and for the kids, the fun never ends with on-deck face painting, music and dancing. • Duration: Half day • Daily departures • Operates year-round • Group experience Good to know Lunch is included, as well as soft drinks and water. Please bring swimwear and snorkelling equipment if you wish to go in the sea.

If you love being out on the water, there’s an optional boat trip to Caldera. Or, if you want to witness the island’s fire-forged core up close, carve extra time to visit the Volcano of Santorini. With the day’s discoveries behind us, we’ll sail back to Heraklion and Rethymno, taking in sweeping vistas across the Aegean and Cretan seas. Good to know Ferry return tickets and bus transfers are included in the cost of your ticket.

• Duration: Full day • Daily departures • Operates: 15th May - 15th October • Group experience

Storied by a tapestry of jaw-dropping vistas, be sure to keep your eyes peeled if you want to catch a glimpse at the ancient venetian fortress. Kolokitha will instantly win you over with its untouched beauty, while the opportunity to swim, snorkel and paddle will keep you endlessly energised and entertained. Once you’ve worked up an appetite, hop back on-board and indulge in a flavour-filled gourmet Grecian feast mounted by a mesmerising ocean panorama. • Duration: Half day • Daily departures • Operates: 16th May - 15th October • Group experience