Crete Plein Air Artist Retreat

My wife and I just returned from our Kayaking Adventure in Crete. While I'm seldom at a loss for words, there are things about this trip that are difficult to convey accurately. In many ways, I felt as if I was transported back in time 2000 years...only I still had internet access and could watch Greek pro soccer on a flat screen HD TV at a seaside taverna, that was only accessible on foot or by water. It was an odd and beautiful juxtaposition of the ancient and the modern that was totally natural, comfortable and most of all fun. By way of background, my wife and I are mid fifties and pretty active. We are regular gym goers, ski 45 to 50 days a season and paddle the quiet waters around our home near Long Island Sound in Southeastern Connecticut regularly. Neither of us had ever been to Europe and after building careers, raising kids and putting them thru college, now was our time. So there was a lot of anticipation and build up to this trip. I can say unequivocally that it exceeded my expectations. Our trip was guided by Northwest Passage founder and owner Rick and his assistant guide Emily. Rick is a pretty interesting guy. A middle American small business owner and family man who's job happens to be leading adventure trips around the world to places like Crete, Italy and the North and South Pole to name just a few. Having done this trip for many years he definitely has it dialed in. Totally on top of the situation both on and off the water, you always felt he was in complete control. Emily was as adorable as she was competent and friendly. Together they made the whole trip move seamlessly. But for me, the star of the entire experience is the water around the island. I had always held a vision of that water based on travel photos that I have seen, but no photo can do it justice. The beautiful, warm, crystal clear aqua seas around Crete are simply magnificent. When the sun is overhead and the water is calm you can see down over 100 feet or more. When the sun changes or the wind kicks up they can change to sapphire or inky black. And around every turn there is endless variations of rock, cliff and sea formations that I never tired of looking at. The paddling could be challenging at times (we hit some pretty strong headwinds on a few occasions)but I never felt anxious or uncomfortable. Each day the paddling was broken into 3 legs and anyone who chose to could opt out if they didn't want to paddle one or more sections. Between Rick and Emily they adapted to both the individual and group needs, so I think that everyone got as much or as little as they wanted on any given day. On land the accommodations were clean, comfortable and waterfront. The food was simple, local, fresh and delicious. They people were universally friendly (I suspect due largely to the fact that Rick has been there so many times that when we walked in it was like the return of the prodigal son). Best of all, our group brought together a diverse selection of strangers who finished the week treating each other like friends and family. It was as completely authentic and unpretentious an experience as I can imagine having. If you want to sit on a beach all day and have a cabana boy bring you Rum Punch while you are on vacation, this might not be the trip for you. If, on the other hand, you want to literally immerse yourself in some of the most beautiful water in the world, experience life like a local and finish each day with that wonderful fatigue that comes from doing a vigorous but fun activity all day long (and makes that first cold beer taste like heaven) this is your adventure. My sincere thanks to Rick, Emily and all the Northwest Passage staff for truly making this the trip of a lifetime!! Rob and Ann Keville, East Lyme, CT.

Our Belize kayak and camping trip was not what anyone expected due to unseasonably windy, rainy and cool weather. But we had a grand adventure nonetheless! How many times in your life do you get a chance to help a Belizean captain right and bail his swamped boat? Learn the ebb and flow of life on a tiny uninhabited Caribbean island? See a tiger ray leaping from the water trying to shake off the eel attached to its middle? Backpedal furiously to avoid a collision with a huge loggerhead turtle swimming your way as you snorkel? Eat comforting conch stew at a picnic table, the taste heightened by the sweetness of plantains and sharpness of the ubiquitous Marie Sharp's hot sauce? We experienced all that and much more with our small group this February. Our guide and fearless leader CP was perpetually cheerful and accommodating even as we confronted multiple days of high seas after landing on Moho Caye. He gave us opportunities to kayak whenever conditions permitted but also kept us safe. The local support team of Ian and his son Shane were steady and resourceful even under adverse circumstances. In addition to providing information, guidance and motor transport when needed, they fed us well, including platters of fresh fruit and hot fry jacks cooked in a primitive outdoor kitchen. This was our fourth trip with Northwest Passage, and we are on the lookout for our next one. As always, the company and its excellent staff provided a personalized, unique and fun adventure trip. Derek Belize 2026

My son and I had a fabulous time. Crystal clear water for paddling and swimming. Great scenery. Clean, comfortable accommodations. Wonderful professional, competent, helpful, friendly and enthusiastic guides Chris and Sean. I'd do it again in a heartbeat but I think next time I'll try a different trip. By Chuck F on Sep 30, 2024