The tour begins at Aptera, a City-State continuously inhabited from the Minoan period through the Byzantine era. Visitors can examine the ancient city walls, a Roman theatre, a peristyle villa, monumental underground cisterns, and the remains of public baths, all set against views across the Bay of Souda toward the Lefka Ori.

The route descends to Vrisses, a spring-fed green village that is also home to what is considered the oldest bridge in Crete. A working olive oil factory here provides a direct look at the process behind one of the island's most important agricultural products.

Georgioupoli sits where the Almyros river meets the sea, its small harbour sheltering local fishing boats beneath eucalyptus-lined streets. The riverside setting is a natural stopping point for a coffee before continuing inland to Kourna Lake.

Kourna is the only natural freshwater lake on Crete and sits in a bowl of low hills with clear water and abundant birdlife. Rowing boats are available for a short excursion on the water, and lakeside taverns serve fresh fish dishes.

The final stop, built over ancient Lappa, preserves Roman street mosaics, Byzantine frescoed churches, carved necropolis tombs, and Venetian mansions still in residential use. Below the village, the springs of Argyroupoli flow from a cave through old watermills that now operate as traditional taverns beside the river.