More of this Feature • Part 2: The Destinations - Coastal Villages of Crete • Part 3: The Sightseeing - Beaches, Fortresses, and Minoan Palaces • Part 4: Crete Photo Gallery • Part 5: My Sea Kayaking Journal

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Then it's back in the kayaks to return to Matala bay, where participants can choose to jump from the cliffs into the sea. Then, it's time to enjoy some shopping or sunbathing before a sunset hike to enjoy champagne on the bluffs before dinner, this time at Lions Taverna where chef Dimitri shows off his skills. For the jet-lag resistant, there's the chance for barhopping and dancing.

Day Three: - Leaving Matala, there is a stop at the ancient Minoan palace site of Phaistos on the way to the trailhead of the Samaria Gorge, where group members have the opportunity to trek eleven miles down the longest gorge in Europe. The less hardy will take the ferry to the town of Agia Roumeli at the bottom of the gorge.

Day Four: - Starting early from Agia Roumeli, eight miles of paddling takes the kayakers to a couple of famous beaches, Agios Pavlos with its ancient chapel of St. Paul and the nudist-friendly marble cliffs of Marmara Beach, ending the day's journey in the small, picture-perfect bayside town of Loutro. Paddled out already? There's also the possibility of travel via van and ferry.

Day Five: - From Loutro, paddlers explore up the coast, stopping in Chora Sfakia for a delicious lunch before returning to Loutro. There's also a chance to visit the monastery of Mons Preveli, renowned for its key role in achieving independence from Ottoman rule.

Day Six: - Paddling gets serious with the opportunity to travel about 25 miles by kayak, with a number of stops and opt-out points. There is an alternative shoreline hiking path; both kayaking and hiking includes a visit to the intriguing Venetian fortress of Frangocastello. The ultimate destination: famous Ammoudi beach just outside of Plakias, where lodgings are at the charming Hotel Ammoudi.

Day Seven: - Addicted paddlers get an 18-mile fix today along the scenic and geologically unusual cliffs, reaching the beautiful, sophisticated town of Agia Galini just before sunset.

Day Eight: - This final morning starts early with an optional eight-mile open sea crossing back to Matala. Lucky kayakers may see sea turtles, dolphins, flying fish or sea lions. Rooms at the Hotel Zafiria are available for showering and changing. Then it's back to Iraklion for connections.

Next page > The Destinations - Coastal Villages of Crete > Page 2 > The Sightseeing - Beaches, Fortresses, and Minoan Palaces > Page 3 > Photo Gallery > Page 4 > My Sea Kayaking Trip Journal - Or How Your Guide Found Out Why They Call It "Adventure Travel" > Page 5