A Romantic Escape to Western Crete: The Perfect Couple’s Getaway

This May, escape to the breathtaking landscapes of Western Crete on a 6-night, 7-day journey designed for couples seeking romance, adventure, and unforgettable shared experiences. Wander through the charming streets of Chania and Rethymno, where ancient history and authentic Cretan culture set the stage for a truly intimate getaway.

Savor wine tastings in centuries-old vineyards, indulge in hands-on cooking classes, and explore hidden gorges together, creating memories that will last a lifetime. Whether you’re enjoying a candlelit dinner with world-class cuisine, relaxing in carefully curated boutique accommodations, or strolling along the picturesque coastline, every moment is crafted for connection and romance.

With a perfect balance of expertly guided tours and free time, this exclusive small-group experience allows you to immerse yourselves in the island’s rich heritage while also enjoying intimate moments just for the two of you.

Join us this May for a dreamy escape to Western Crete—where love, culture, and adventure come together in perfect harmony. 💙✨

Terms and Conditions

By taking any actions towards attending the retreat, including completing an online reservation/booking, making payment for this retreat, or by attending the retreat, you accept these Terms and Conditions as a binding contract between Agape Escapes LLC (sometimes also referred to as “AE”) and you (hereinafter referred to as “you” or “I”).

EMAIL ADDRESS & TELEPHONE

It is vital that we have a valid email  address. If you change this you should inform us immediately. We correspond by email. Once your booking has been made and we have received your deposit, all further correspondence is by email. We will also email you all of the information that you’ll require to get to the retreat location. We also require a mobile phone so we can contact you during your stay.

PAYMENT, RESERVATION AND DEPOSIT

Upon booking and confirmation, you will be asked for full payment or to choose our payment plan. If you choose the payment plan, a $500 reservation deposit is required. The remaining payments are due April 20, 2025.

There are no refunds for your initial deposit. However, if there is someone waiting on the wait list, we will notify them that an opening has become available, and they will pay you back your initial deposit directly.

TRAVEL TO THE RETREAT LOCATION

No travel is included, including any air travel, or any transportation from the airport by third party transportation services (i.e. cabs, private cars). You will be contacted a few weeks prior to your arrival about booking a private car or cab to the hotel in Athens. This payment is your own responsibility.

CANCELLATION AND REFUNDS

If you need to cancel, you must cancel before April 20, 2025, to give an opportunity to someone on the waitlist to take your spot and reimburse you directly your initial deposit.

After April 20, 2025, upon payment, the entirety of the amount paid for the retreat is not refundable and there are no exceptions or refunds due to cancellations for any reason. This includes any refunds or cancellations due to issues with health, transportation, or force majeure. We recommend that you obtain travel insurance. Please understand that the refund policy is in place because upon booking we reserve room, meals, excursions, and other expenses for each retreat attendee. You understand that fees paid with an authorized credit or debit card payment are not subject to a right by You to a credit/debit card refund or chargeback after signup. By making the payment, you represent you are authorized to make the payment using the card. If you later dispute the charges, you agree not to cancel, revoke, charge back or dispute any previously entered charge on your credit card. If you do so, and it is later determined that the charge was properly authorized, you agree to pay all out-of-pocket fees and costs incurred by Agape Escapes LLC as a result of the improper cancellation, revocation, charge back or dispute.  

We will try our best to fill your spot if there is someone on the wait list, to reimburse your deposit minus $500, however there are no guarantees.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

Agape Escapes LLC recommends that you take out adequate travel insurance, including cover for medical treatment, accidents and repatriation, and cancellation. It is your responsibility that you arrange, or ensure you have appropriate comprehensive travel insurance. This to include cover for illness, personal injury and travel delay/cancellation. We assume that such a policy is in force before you depart. You should bring the policy with you in case of an emergency.

PHOTOGRAPHY

We will at times take photographs and videos during the retreat for our website, social media accounts (Instagram, youtube, facebook) and promotional material, including as advertisement. You agree to have your photograph taken and that all photographs or videos are the exclusive property of Agape Escapes LLC. If you do not agree or wish to not participate in any photos or videos, please indicate this in writing prior to or during the retreat. You consent to the use of any photographs, pictures, or video taken of you for publicity, promotion, social media, and expressly waive any right of privacy, compensation, copyright or other ownership right. All photographs or videos are the exclusive property of AE.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY

Agape Escapes LLC is responsible for providing the following:  

Hotel stay in Chania, 3 nights 

Hotel stay in Rethymno, 3 nights

Group Excursions and Activities daily

All lunches, some dinners (meals during leisure time are at your own expense)

Group transportation around Chania and Rethymno and surrounding areas

Museum and pottery fees

Personal belongings. Any valuables left at the retreat property are the guests’ sole responsibility and AE is not responsible for any loss, theft, or damage of personal items or property, including money, credit or debit cards, or traveler's checks.

Force majeure and weather. There are no refunds for any reason including force majeure or adverse weather. Force majeure means any unusual and unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control including, but not limited to, threat of war, riot, civil unrest, strikes, resort technical problems, transport issues, closure or congestion of airports, terrorist activity, natural disasters, industrial disasters, fire, flooding and adverse weather conditions.

RELEASE OF LIABILITY

I agree to release AE from all liability for injuries, damages, claims or causes of action arising out of its negligence. This includes injuries or damages which may result from participation in any activity or exercise offered at the retreat or any other improper or negligent act or instruction. I fully understand that if any medical treatment is provided to me, with or without my consent, such treatment will be first aid type treatment and I waive any and all claims or causes of action arising from or based upon the provision treatment including negligent provision treatment. This release is not intended as an attempted release of claims of gross negligence or intentional acts. I acknowledge that I have carefully read this Waiver and Release and fully understand that it is a release of liability. I am waiving any right that I may have to bring a legal action to assert a claim against AE arising out of AE’s own negligence.

ASSUMPTION OF THE RISK. I agree that I engage in any and all activities at or during the retreat at my own risk, including, but not limited to, yoga, meditation, exercise, hiking, excursions, swimming, and any other physical activity or use of any facility on the premises. I understand that participation in any activities offered by AE carries with it certain risks, known and unknown, including the risk of personal injury. I fully assume that risk of injury. I hereby release AE and any of their related companies, members, managers, officers, directors, instructors, employees, agents, and co-participants from their own negligence and any duty of reasonable care to protect me from injury.

INDEMNIFICATION. I agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless AE from and against any third party losses, damages, actions, suits, claims, judgments, interest, penalties, expenses, attorneys fees, and costs of any kind, which arise from or relate to personal injury, loss of life, or damage to property, which is sustained by reason of or arising out of my use of the premises at the retreat or participation in any activities at or during the retreat.

You will be requested to sign a document with terms similar to those stated herein upon arrival at the retreat. If you would like to review an exact copy of the language outlined in that document at any time (including prior to your payment for the retreat, booking of travel arrangements, or your departure to the retreat location) please send us an email.

Governing Law and Venue. This agreement will be governed by New York law and any action arising out of this agreement must be brought exclusively in any state or federal court located in New York.

Compliance with Laws. I agree and warrant that I will comply with all applicable laws, rules and regulations.

Severability. If any provision or portion of this agreement shall be held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, invalid, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions or portions shall remain in full force and effect.  

Entire Agreement; Modification; Binding Effect. This is the entire agreement and supersedes any prior agreement, whether written or oral, including advertisements or promotional materials on websites or social media. I disclaim any reliance on all prior representations. No change, modification, amendment, or addition of or to this agreement shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the parties. This agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the successors, assigns, and legal representatives of the parties.

Early Arrival Day: Sunday, May 18, 2025

Walk & Eat Your Way Through Chania 

Perfect for those that just want to get in a day early, settle down, fight jet lag and get a feeling for the week ahead to come!

• Morning & Afternoon:  Arrival at CHQ Airport  
• Explore Chania:  Visit local bakeries and the Municipal Art Gallery of Chania. 
• Evening: Take a scenic walk through Chania Old Town and participate in a hands-on Cretan cooking class. End the day by savoring the meal you’ve prepared.

Day 1: Monday, May 19, 2025

First Impressions Matter 

• Morning & Afternoon: Additional arrivals at CHQ Airport with transfers to the hotel. Guests settle in and relax.  
• 5:00 PM: Welcome event at the hotel, where updated itineraries and swag bags will be distributed.  
• 6:00 PM: Enjoy sunset drinks with breathtaking views.  
• 8:00 PM: Dinner at the old harbor of Chania

Day 2: Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Wine & EVOO Adventure  

• 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM: Embark on a full-day wine adventure with the most established wine tour company in the region and a certified sommelier as our guide.  
  • Includes visit to olive mill and the world’s oldest olive tree.  
  • Enjoy a guided wine tasting and lunch at a beautiful winery.  
• Evening: Free to explore Chania Old Town and shop at your leisure. Take advantage of our dinner recommendations or let's eat together.

Day 3: Wednesday, May 21, 2025

From farm to table - cheesemaking & slow cooking

• All day: Engage in a cultural tour focused on cheese-making and traditional Cretan slow cooking.  (with break for traditional lunch, included in cost)
• 8:00 PM: Dinner set against the backdrop of a stunning seaside location (optional, extra cost)

Day 4: Thursday, May 22, 2025

On to “Gorge-ous” Rethymno!  

• Morning: Depart Chania for Rethymno, with scenic stops along the way:  
  • Visit Lake Kournas and the springs of Argiroupolis.  
  • Explore Kotsifou and Kourtaliotiko Gorges, with an optional waterfall swim (temperatures permitting).  
  • Light lunch at traditional village
• Afternoon: Check into your hotel in Rethymno. Explore the Venetian old town and its romantic cobblestone alleys.
• 8:00 PM:  Dinner at a renowned restaurant offering a delightful mix of traditional and modern Cretan dishes. (optional, extra cost)

Day 5: Friday, May 23, 2025

You’ll “Cave In” From the Beauty 

• 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM: Explore the natural and cultural wonders of Rethymno:  
  •  Guided tour of Melidoni Cave and Apithano Honey Museum.  
  •  Lunch at a traditional restaurant followed by a visit to the Ancient Eleftherna museum and local pottery studios.  
• 8:00 PM:  Dinner at an awarded tapas-style restaurant, meet & greet the executive chef (optional, at an extra cost)

Day 6: Saturday, May 24, 2025

City Slickers

• 10:30 AM: Begin with a walking tour of Rethymno’s old town, visiting key sites like the Rimondi Fountain, Museum of Contemporary Art, and more.  
• Stop for a snack at famous street food eateries  
• 8:00 PM:  Conclude your journey with a farewell dinner at an award-winning seaside restaurant

Optional Extension: Sunday, May 25, 2024

Theme:  Mountainous Rethymno – Psiloritis Experience 

• Early am departure from hotel to drive up to the mountains
• 10:00 AM: Enjoy coffee and a mid-morning snack at Psiloritis Retreat Chalet.  
• 11:00 AM: Participate in seasonal activities in the mountain where we will be toured by a real-life shepherd  
• 1:30 PM: Lunch at the picturesque village of Axos
• 4:00 PM:  Stroll around the traditional and historic village of Anogeia. Coffee & dessert.