Arrive by bus at the beach of Damnioni and embark the boat which will take you to the unique Palm Forest of Preveli.Arrival at the famous beach of Preveli. You will have plenty of free time to enjoy swimming, explore a unique mix of sandy beach and green river flanked by palm forests and rocky surroundings. It is certainly the most famous beach in south Crete! During the 60s and 70s, it was a favorite destination for the hippies. On the banks of the Grand River there is a large colony of Theophrastus palm trees, which give the region a sense of a tropical landscape. The river, forming a small lake, 500m long, before emptying into the sea, has water all year round. You can walk along the river, under the shade of palm trees and other trees, and start ascending in the beautiful canyon. At the exit of the river, a sandy beach with pebbles and sand is formed, with sea water being very cool due to the river. In the eastern part of the beach, there is a beautiful rock reminding of a heart. The beach is not well organized because the area is protected, without any umbrellas.Free time at Plakias Village
Plakias Village, lies on the south coast of Rethymno. Plakias used to be a small village in the early 1900s’ but during the times it grew substantially, becoming one of the largest cities in south Crete. Especially, during the 60s beaches of Yialia, as the beachfront of the wider area is called, were a favorite destination for hippies. Now it’s a popular resort and a base for visiting the natural beauties of the region. Plakias has a 1300 metre long sandy beach and there are several other beaches within walking distance.Experience the wild natural landscapes of Kourtaliotiko Gorge. You will have free time in order to admire the view of the Cretan Nature and take some pictures! The Kourtaliotiko Gorge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful gorges of Crete. Inside, the Kourtaliotis River flows, crossing its 2.5km in length and its towering slopes that reach 600 meters in height. The gorge begins from the village of Koxare in the prefecture of Rethymno and reaches the lake of Preveli. Stone steps begin from the Kokaere - Asomatous road and reach the interior of the gorge, at the church of Agios Nikolaos and the springs of Kourtaliotis.
