Modern Adventure makes the Fast Company list of the world's most innovative travel companies in 2020.

Heart & Soul of Crete
Immerse yourself in the cuisine, wine and joyful culture of Crete
May 13 - 19, 2023
One exclusive departure with Christina Xenos
7 Days, 6 Nights
The very best of Crete from Heraklion to Chania
Price from
$6,100
per person, based on double occupancy
Questions? Text or call us
+1 (855) 219-8018
Your meal this evening is Cretan barbecue, the kind that local shepherds have been preparing for millennia. You step onto a stone terrace and breathe in the salt-tinged air—along with a heady mix of savory oregano, spring wildflowers—as the last rays of sun ignite the Aegean. This is island living as you’ll only find here on Crete, packed with ancient ruins, stunning mountain ranges, breathtaking beaches and, most of all, the food—a sumptuous collision of organic tradition and experimental dishes you won’t find anywhere on the mainland. You raise a glass of crisp white wine made from grapes grown just a few steps away, and toast your journey: This is the Crete you’ve been dreaming of, with a focus on playful discovery, beach time and centuries of artisanal craftsmanship— all peppered, of course, with the best cuisine the Mediterranean has to offer.
With us on this unforgettable adventure is Christina Xenos, the Greek-American chef and noted cookbook author. Christina is no stranger to Crete: her family has a home here, and the island is a deep source of her culinary inspiration. With Christina at our side, we’ll have deep and personal access, immersing ourselves in Crete’s culture and cuisine as Christina shares the traditions and flavors of her ancestral homeland—with, of course, plenty of time to soak up the sun on Crete’s sun-kissed beaches.
This is a trip for the curious and joyful, a celebration of good company and delicious food. We’ll sit down with vintners and farmers, local producers and artisans, learning their crafts and sampling everything as we go. Join us for an unforgettable week of culture and cuisine, and the warm hospitality that is at the heart of the island.

Celebrate
Ancient ruins, rich culinary traditions, world-class wines
Discover
Golden beaches, local culture, the best sunsets
Renew
Seven days to explore, slow down, and focus on you
Connect
With Crete, Christina, and a group of passionate travelers
3 Reasons to Travel with Christina
Christina believes deeply in philoxenia, the Greek concept of hospitality that literally means 'love of the stranger'. Her hospitality—and her passion for healthy Greek cuisine—has made her Los Angeles pop-up experiences take the city by storm, landing her in the pages of Food & Wine, and in the kitchen with master chef and 'First Lady of Greek Cuisine,' Argiro Barbarigou, as part of the prestigious Les Dames d'Escoffier International.

Crete is Personal
Christina is a scholar and journalist, who digs deep into the roots of Greek cuisine. She’s traveled extensively throughout Crete to collect the recipes and traditions that have appeared in her cookbooks, including OPA! The Healthy Greek Cookbook, and on shows like the Cooking Channel’s Food: Fact or Fiction?
Lifelong Passion
From an early age, Christina cooked alongside her yiayia (grandma), baking Greek delicacies and learning to appreciate the traditions and stories behind her Greek-American family recipes.
Delicious Simplicity
“My goal is to transport you to Crete through food. This trip is an opportunity to connect with where ingredients come from and embrace the delicious simplicity of the region.” We couldn't have said it better.
Your Experience

“Greece is like many countries in one. No matter how many times I visit, there’s always something new to discover.”
Heraklion | Chania



“In Crete, the stranger is still the unknown god. Before him, all doors and all hearts are opened.”
Where We Sleep

Contemporary design and traditional Cretan warmth and hospitality combine to provide the perfect island sanctuary at both our hotels.
Aquila Atlantis
HeraklionThis classic mid-century hotel offers contemporary luxury in the heart of the ancient world—Crete's world-renowned Archaeological Museum, a treasure trove of Minoan civilization, is located just steps away. In addition to walk-in rain showers and private balconies, its rooftop pool offers stunning views of the harbor and the 16th-century stone fortress that protects the entrance to the old port.

Casa Delfino
ChaniaTucked away in the labyrinth-like back alleys of Chania’s walled Old Town, this former merchant’s house is now a boutique hotel lovingly tended to by sixth-generation descendants of Genoese merchant Giovanni Delfino. From the tranquil pebbled courtyard to the rooftop terrace, which boasts a bar, whirlpool tub and panoramic views of the harbor below, this is less a hotel than a retreat. Sit back and watch the technicolor sunset melt slowly into the waters of the Aegean, the night sky turning a hundred different shades of blue as seagulls wheel over the harbor below.

People Love MO/AD's Greece
Loved the authenticity of everywhere we ate. The food was fresh and delightful.
Every day we had a new surprise that blew my mind!
Each hotel became more beautiful, each quaint and modern and staffed by the greatest humans ever.
Book Crete with Christina Xenos
Questions?
We have answers! Read our FAQs below. Or text or call us at +1 (855) 219-8018 to speak with a Modern Adventure trip specialist.
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What does the price include?
Six nights of four and five-star boutique accommodations; most meals; private travel for all day trips and excursions; departure airport transfer; private tours with local guides and cultural experts; exclusive VIP access and tastings; entrance fees; daily breakfasts, most lunches and dinners; local beverages with meals.
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What is not included?
International roundtrip airfare to Crete; travel insurance; transportation to the trip’s starting point; activities not included in the trip itinerary; hotel incidentals including room service, laundry service and hotel bar tabs; food and beverages not included in itinerary; gratuity for Modern Adventure trip leader.
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Where does the trip start and end?
Our adventure begins at the Aquila Atlantis Hotel in Heraklion, Crete. The closest international airport is Heraklion International Airport (HER). We recommend arriving one day early in Heraklion to ensure you’re at our starting point on time. Our adventure ends in Chania; on our final day, we will organize a transfer to the airport (CHQ) in Chania.
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What travel documents are required?
US citizens are not required to have a visa for stays in Greece of under 90 days. Just bring a valid US passport. For citizens of other countries, please check with the Greek embassy or consulate for information and requirements.
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Do I need to pay a supplement for a single room?
Yes, for solo travelers there is a $1,200 single-supplement fee—paid at the time of booking—to secure a private room. These spots are highly limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Who is going on this trip?
Our adventures typically have between 10 and 16 guests, plus our Modern Adventure team. Our experiences are fun and inclusive and you can expect to be joined by a diverse group in terms of age, background and interests—including solo travelers, couples and friends traveling together. This adventure is for travelers age 18 and above.
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Who is leading this trip?
This trip is led by an expert Modern Adventure trip leader. They’re an experienced travel guide, a representative of Modern Adventure and your go-to person for questions or concerns on the trip. We’ll be joined throughout our adventure by local, expert guides who are deeply knowledgeable with respect to local cultures, customs and history and are passionate about sharing that with us.
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Do I need travel insurance?
We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance. Travel insurance allows you to seek reimbursement for your trip costs; if your trip plans change for unforeseeable reasons, or if you need to get medical help, emergency transport, and for theft, loss or damage of items while traveling. For best coverage, always insure the full trip cost within two weeks of your initial trip deposit and note that most ‘Cancel For Any Reason’ policies must be purchased on the date of your initial deposit.
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What is the cancellation policy?
You may cancel before January 13, 2023 and receive a full refund minus a $500 per-person service fee. If you cancel on or after January 14, 2023 there is a 50% cancellation fee. On or after March 14, 2023 there is a 100% cancellation fee. We highly recommend purchasing travel insurance as we are not able to make exceptions to this policy in cases of family/medical emergency or cases of the trip being canceled (see our Terms and Conditions for full details).