Women-Only Small Group Boutique Tour to Crete For Food & Wine Lovers

Crete

All Female Small Group Tour | May 24th to June 2nd 2026

Melissa in a flowing blue patterned dress sits on a stone ledge in Folegandros, Greece, enjoying the coastal view. A tall palm tree and a white Mediterranean-style building with arched windows are behind her, while the deep blue sea stretches into the horizon. The golden sunlight enhances the serene and picturesque setting.

Let’s Travel Solo Together

Spend 10 days in Greece meeting other solo female travelers from around the world.

This small group tour spans the charming towns of Chania, Rethymno, and Heraklion, each offering its own unique blend of history, culture, and local charm.

This tour is for women who love:

Food! Select meals are included on this trip at some of the best restaurants in Crete!
Boats! This trip includes two leisure sailing days!
Beaches! We soak up that Greek Island sun every chance we get.
Free time! While there is an organized activity every day, we have also built in free time for you to relax!

How it works

Reserve

A non-refundable deposit of 20% is required at the time of booking.

Pay

Set up your payment installements or pay in full. Trip must be paid in full 45 days prior to departure.

Bon voyage!

Prepare for your trip! All you have to do is pack your bags and book your flights!

Hotel Selection

Where We Are Staying!

We start our tour staying at the Morum City Hotel
Chania for 4 nights!

Following Chania, we head up to Rethymno, where we stay seaside at Savus Boutique Hotel for 2 nights!

Then we finish this epic tour in Heraklion at Dom Boutique Hotel! for 3 nights.

Sunset in Crete with a serene view of calm waters and a clear sky gradient from deep blue to orange. A lighthouse stands in the distance. This picturesque setting is a highlight for participants of an all-girls group tour exploring the beauty of Crete.

A vibrant red building adorned with potted plants and flowers in Chania, reflecting the charming and colorful architecture of Crete.

Close-up of a chilled glass of white wine held in a hand, with a blurry background of a historic European street at sunset, epitomizing leisurely travel moments.

A vibrant flower bed with a mix of red, yellow, and orange blossoms in front of an old stone wall and succulents, showing Crete's natural beauty and floral diversity.

Picturesque waterfront view of colorful Venetian-style buildings and calm blue waters in Chania, Crete, offering a charming urban coastal scene.

The marina in Crete with a dining table and 2 chairs

Historic ruins of an ancient building with stone columns under a clear blue sky in Crete, showcasing the island's rich archaeological heritage.

Ornate ancient Roman fountain adorned with detailed sculptures, nestled against a modern pink building in Crete, blending historical art with contemporary architecture.

A luxury catamaran anchored at a harbor in Crete during sunset, with the golden sky reflecting off the water, highlighting a perfect end to a day at sea.

Women standing under a Greek Flag in Naxos.

Our Itinerary

Sample Itinerary

Day One: Welcome dinner in a traditional tavern with live music.
Day Two: Beach time in the morning and sunset walking food tour of Chania.
Day Three: Scenic day trip to local vineyards for wine and olive oil tasting!
Day Four: Private boat tour exploring hidden beaches and caves around Chania.
Day Five: Transfer to Rethymno, followed by a guided tour of the city’s historic and cultural sights.
Day Six: Inland treasures of Rethymno, offering a full day tour through charming villages.
Day Seven: Arrival in Heraklion with free time to relax or explore the city at your leisure.
Day Eight: Dive into history with a comprehensive archaeological tour of Heraklion.
Day Nine: Luxurious catamaran cruise to Dia Island, complete with lunch on board.
Day Ten: Farewell transfer to the airport.

What’s Included

Pricing

Inclusions

Arrival & Departure Day Airport Transfers
9 Nights Accommodation
1 Dinner
10 Breakfasts
Local Guides
Ferries & Ground Transportation
Entry Fees & Tickets
Sailing Trips
Wine tastings
Food Tours

Exclusions

International Airfare
Travel & Medical Insurance (Required)
Tips for Guides
Alcohol
Meals Unless Mentioned
Gifts

Pricing

€4999 for Single Occupancy
€4499 for Double Occupancy
Includes 20% Non-Refundable Fee
Payment Plans Available

ITINERARY DISCLOSURE

THE PUBLISHED ITINERARY FOR THE GREEK ISLANDS TRIP IS A SAMPLE ITINERARY. ACCOMMODATION, ACTIVITIES, AND EXPERIENCES MAY BE MODIFIED BASED ON WEATHER, AVAILABILITY, OR OTHER UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES.

TRAVEL INSURANCE DISCLOSURE

A TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY THAT COVERS MEDICAL EXPENSES, TRIP CANCELLATION, AND OTHER TRAVEL-RELATED ISSUES IS REQUIRED FOR ALL TOURS. POLICIES OFFERED BY TRAVEL CREDIT CARDS DO NOT MEET THIS REQUIREMENT FOR COVERAGE.

Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all participants. To join us, your insurance policy must include at least $100,000 USD coverage for medical emergency evacuation and repatriation.

Credit Card insurance will not be accepted as valid travel insurance for our tours. Therefore, we strongly advise securing a travel insurance policy BEFORE you make any payments towards the trip.

While many of our guests prefer Faye, it’s important to find a policy that aligns with your specific needs. Other reputable providers include Allianz Travel Insurance, Nationwide Travel Insurance, and John Hancock Travel, among others.

Keep in mind, all payments made towards the tour are non-refundable. Travel insurance typically covers cancellations only for covered reasons, which may include unexpected illness (yours or a family member’s), severe weather conditions, or job loss.

For those interested in “cancel for any reason” coverage—which is pricier but can reimburse you for 50-75% of the trip’s total cost—consider options like John Hancock’s “Gold” Travel Insurance or Nationwide’s “Prime” Travel Insurance. Note that these policies often need to be purchased within 14 days following your initial trip deposit.

IMPORTANT: When arranging your travel insurance, please account for any extra days you might be traveling outside our official tour dates, such as arriving a day early or staying an additional night at our suggestion. For instance, if you plan to fly out on October 2nd to ensure your timely arrival for the tour’s start, make sure your insurance coverage begins from October 2nd.

NON-REFUNDABLE PAYMENT DISCLOSURE

ALL PAYMENTS MADE TOWARD THE GREEK ISLANDS TRIP ARE NON-REFUNDABLE AND NON-TRANSFERABLE. WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND PURCHASING COMPREHENSIVE TRAVEL INSURANCE TO PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT AGAINST ANY UNEXPECTED EVENTS OR CIRCUMSTANCES.

COVID-19 VACCINATION DISCLOSURE

FOR OUR 2025 GREEK ISLANDS TOURS, PARTICIPANTS WILL NOT BE REQUIRED TO BE FULLY VACCINATED AGAINST COVID-19. OUR PRIMARY GOAL IS TO SAFEGUARD THE HEALTH AND WELL-BEING OF OUR TOUR PARTICIPANTS WHILE ALSO PROTECTING THE COMMUNITIES WE VISIT. ALTHOUGH MANY DESTINATIONS HAVE RELAXED THEIR VACCINATION REQUIREMENTS, WE ADVISE ALL TRAVELERS TO STAY INFORMED OF AND COMPLY WITH LOCAL HEALTH GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS. PARTICIPANTS MUST UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO FOLLOW ANY DESTINATION-SPECIFIC COVID-19 REQUIREMENTS, WHICH MAY VARY FROM OUR GENERAL POLICY.

Book Now

Sit back & relax, you’re in good hands

I had the pleasure of being on Melissa’s Portugal trip September 2024. It was OUTSTANDING. The value for the money beyond exceeded my expectations. First of all, Melissa takes all the stress, planning, booking and things you don’t think of out of your mind. Second, everything she selected and booked was beyond perfect. There is an excellent balance of tours and free time. The tours Melissa hand picks are not mainstream and “touristy”, they are a blend of seeing all the right things and the hidden treasures. She is so well connected and focused in on creating a community with the local people that she has developed a unique, boutique style of travel. I can’t say enough about my experience. I wish I could give more than five stars. The amount of work that she puts in and takes away from you is mind blowing. WELL, WELL worth the money. I can’t wait for my next tour!!!!

Tania R.

Portugal Trip 2024

I would give this trip ten stars if I could. Everything was so well organized. It was the perfect balance of planned activities and free time. We stayed at boutique hotels that had personality. We dined at a number of great restaurants. We were spoiled with boat trips, wine tastings and jeep tours. I can’t say enough wonderful things about how Melissa conducted this trip. It was the vacation of my dreams.

Lisa B.

Greece 2025

I had a wonderful time. Melissa was the epitome of a fantastic guide, great organiser and happy travelling companion. Everything ran so smoothly, the accommodation was lovely and the organised activities and free time were perfectly balanced. Melissa could not have been more accommodating, she is very knowledgeable about the areas we travelled to. I can one hundred percent recommend a trip with Melissa and look forward to travelling with her in the future.

Trudy Z.

Portugal 2025

I had the pleasure of traveling to Greece with Melissa and eleven other amazing women during the first week of October, and I can’t say enough good things about the experience. Every day felt like the best day ever, but my absolute favorite was the day Melissa rented a private, ten-hour boat trip for island hopping. Everything was perfect, from the stunning scenery to the seamless organization. Melissa’s attention to detail and dedication to ensuring everyone had a fantastic time was evident throughout the trip. Anytime someone had an issue or needed assistance, Melissa was right there to help. Her enthusiasm and passion for creating memorable experiences made this trip truly unforgettable. I highly recommend Melissa for anyone looking to have an incredible travel experience. She goes above and beyond to make sure everything runs smoothly and that everyone has the time of their lives. Thank you, Melissa, for an extraordinary adventure in Greece!!

Liz. S

Greece Trip 2024

I had a better time than I could ever imagine! It was a wonderful experience. All of the women in our group were so fun and inspiring. I can’t wait to travel on another solo woman trip . Melissa thought of everything and made everyone feel special!

Cassie H.

Greece Trip 2024

This trip was fantastic. Melissa did a wonderful job planning such that I just had to show up! I would not have been able to organize this kind of a trip by myself and been able to experience all that we did, yet the pace was relaxed. The chosen accommodations were excellent, the small group of ladies were a pleasure to travel with and I just loved Portugal! So many great memories and friendships made. Thanks A Solo Woman Traveling!

Cindy O.

Portugal Trip 2024

I recently went on a tour of Portugal (Lisbon, Cascais and Sintra) with Melissa that she organized and it was amazing!!! The communication leading up to the trip and during was clear and concise. My time was being pulled in various directions before the trip and never once did I have to worry about a thing. During the trip the tours, restaurants, activities and recommendations were thoroughly thought out with care and thought about each of us on the tour. I will be looking forward to new trips and will join again in a heartbeat.

Katherine S.

Portugal Trip 2024

The trip was amazing and for a first timer doing a group trip I could not have expected that I would have enjoyed it as much as I did.

Melissa organized this to perfection, from the arrival pick up at the airport to the last day. The hotels were perfect and the locations of each suited all of our needs and easy access to the ferries, boat rides and central to where we needed to go.

The organization of all the tours, trips and the extra special ones like the sunset cruise and taking photos of the most amazing sunsets! A day on the Aegean Sea with a private boat that included a few stops to swim in the Sea, a cave experience, traditional Greek lunch and even some dancing. The most beautiful sunsets on the boats that one could ask for! read more

Ana Marie P.

Greece Trip 2024

This experience exceeded all my expectations. To meet some of the most amazing woman and to experience this journey together was life changing. From authentic Greek cuisine to historical sites to sunset sails and some of the most beautiful accommodations. Melissa(A solo woman traveling) our host beautifully crafted the perfect itinerary combining leisure time with historical site seeing and fun activities. Her seamless planning and attention to details showed in every way possible. Melissa provided us with experiences beyond my expectations and I cannot thank her enough. I would highly recommend A Solo Woman Traveling to anyone wanting a fun, relaxing and educational journey with great company.

Lauren P.

Greece 2024

I joined the trip to Athens, Naxos, Paros and Mykonos. I was an amazing trip and experience. Melissa is the most patient person and best travel guide I could ever imagine. She had everything planned out for transportation, lodging, activities and places to go for meals. This was my first trip out of the country and Melissa made me so comfortable knowing that she had thoroughly planned and researched everything down to all the smallest details. She left us with free time but also planned activities that made me feel like I got to experience a lot of what Greece has to offer. I would love to join another trip lead by Melissa. I appreciate her so much and think she is great at what she does.

Lauren T.

Greece 2024

We had an amazing, seamless trip. Everything was more than we ever expected. All the tours, hotels, and restaurants were top notch. Will definitely book another trip with Melissa in the future.

Ashley B.

Greece 2024

The trip was perfect. All the excursions were well planned and appealed to all the different individuals in our group. Our travel guide, Melissa, even added a personal touch by planning the naming ceremony/activity. The day on a private boat was magical. I never imagined myself swimming in caves and exploring quaint seaside villages. The trip exceeded my expectations.

Pat K.

Greece 2024

A Transformative Journey Through Greece: Embracing New Experiences and Lifelong Friendships Travel has always been a pathway to self-discovery and personal growth, and my recent adventure to Greece exemplified this truth. On October 1, 2024, I embarked on a journey that would take me deeper into both the waters of the Adriatic Sea and the rich cultural tapestry of Greece. This trip, inspired by following the blog of A Solo Woman Traveling – Melissa Leigh, was not only a tribute to my late husband, who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63, but also a leap towards reclaiming my independence and zest for life. read more

Coco M.

Greece 2024

I stumbled upon Melissa’s blog in early 2024, then joined her FB page and saw she had a female group trip to Greece in October 2024. I had no expectations, other than just wanting to explore a new country that I had not been to before without having to plan the trip myself. Been there, done that and takes a lot of time to do if you’re not familiar with the area/country. So I loved the idea that it was all planned out and all I had to do was book my flight and pack my bags! The trip was beyond anything I could have imaged. From the excursions, tours, dinners, etc., I could not have asked for a better trip. Some of the things that drew me in to her trip was that you had group and alone time to explore, stayed at boutique hotels and a variety of different tours/excursions. I loved the trip so much, that I am going on my second trip through A Solo Woman Traveling to France in August 2025!

Kristina A.

Greece 2024

Traveling with Melissa Byron of A Solo Woman Traveling was an absolute dream. From the moment the tour began, every detail was taken care of with care and precision. The only decision I had to make was what to order from the menu—everything else was flawlessly handled. What made this women-only tour truly unforgettable: • Stress-free logistics: Accommodations, local transportation, daily schedules—completely taken care of. I never had to think about what was next or how we’d get there. • Incredible excursions: Each day brought a new adventure—jeep tours through stunning landscapes, breezy boat rides along the coast, tastings at local wineries, and guided walks through remarkable historical sites. Every experience felt curated just for us. • Beautifully chosen accommodations: Every hotel and guesthouse felt like a hidden gem—comfortable, charming, and perfectly located. • Supportive group atmosphere: There’s something special about traveling with a group of women. The camaraderie, laughter, and shared curiosity made it even more meaningful. • Impeccable planning: Every element felt intentional and seamless. I was able to be fully present, knowing everything was in good hands. I can’t recommend Melissa enough. If you’re looking for a worry-free, inspiring, and joy-filled way to explore the world—this is it. I’m already looking forward to my next trip!

Cindy C.

Greece 2025

I had the pleasure of joining the Portugal tour in May, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! Melissa has a real gift for curating unique, meaningful travel moments that go beyond the typical tourist path. Every detail felt intentional and special. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

Ana M.

Portugal 2025

This was my second trip with Melissa, and once again, she exceeded all expectations. Every detail—from the beautiful accommodations to the amazing food and curated experiences—was perfectly planned and effortlessly executed. When unexpected weather rolled in, Melissa quickly adjusted our itinerary without missing a beat. What could’ve been a washout turned into one of the most memorable days of the trip, thanks to her flexibility and thoughtful planning. Her restaurant recommendations were fantastic, and her deep knowledge of the islands added so much richness to the experience. There’s a reason I keep coming back—Melissa makes travel easy, enjoyable, and truly unforgettable. This won’t be my last trip with her!

Katherine S.

Greece 2025

This was a fabulous trip. Melissa was a great host and planned the best itinerary. I think I saw the high points and intend to return.

Sara P.

Portugal 2025

Got Questions?

Food in Greece is more reasonably priced than in other European countries. You can find the average price of an entree around 12 to 15 euros in some traditional Greek Restaurants.

Generally, I have experienced:

Fine dining: €40+ per person for a meal at upscale restaurants.

Budget meals: €10-€15 per person at casual or street food places.

Mid-range restaurants: €20-€30 per person for a meal with a drink.

Often times when paying in a large group it is required to have some cash. Most restaurants only allow for one credit card to be used when paying the bill.

For a 10-day trip to Greece, aim to pack light but versatile. Consider:

4-5 tops (mix of short sleeves and a long sleeve)
3-4 bottoms (shorts/skirts and pants)
1-2 dresses (if applicable)
1 light jacket or sweater for cooler evenings
Swimsuit
Undergarments for 9 days
Comfortable walking shoes
Sandals/flip-flops
Sun hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen
Minimal toiletries (travel-sized)
Any necessary adapters/chargers
A daypack for excursions

Remember, most accommodations offer laundry services or facilities, allowing you to re-wear items. Stick to a color scheme for easy mixing and matching.

While a shared would would have 2 mattresses, often times these mattresses are pushed together like seen below.

We typically recommend you arrive 1 day early depending on where you are traveling from. In this case, you will need to arrange for your own accommodations for that early arrival date.

YES! Each day there is almost always time for you to explore on your own! We prioritize balancing time for yourself along with an organized activity!

Meet Your Host!

I’m Melissa

Your go-to girl for all things travel

I’ve traveled to over 40 countries solo! And I’m passionate about helping you explore the world.

My favorite part about traveling is trying the local cusine, taking photographs and making new friends!

I’m a big believer that anyone can achieve their goals if they are willing to work at it!.

Ready to begin your voyage?

Book a call Contact us

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Highlight Reel

Take a look back at our unforgettable 2024 adventure through Athens and the Greek Islands! From exploring ancient ruins on the mainland to soaking up the sun in the bluest waters, relive the magic with this highlight reel!

>> Watch now and get inspired to join our next trip!

A group photo of nine people standing in front of ancient ruins, with clear blue skies and a rocky landscape. The ruins feature a prominent stone doorway and columns.

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Women-Only Small Group Boutique Tour to Crete For Food & Wine Lovers

Crete

Let’s Travel Solo Together