Every Sunday from Match till November
Duration 6 days / 5 overnights
Day 1: Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel at Eleftherias Square in front of Astoria Capsis Hotel at 08:30. The tour starts by driving along the Northern coast of the island were we will visit the 12th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera located 1km from the village of Kritsa. The church contains the finest-preserved Byzantine-era frescoes in Crete, and for that reason , has become one of the most culturally and historically significant churches on the island. We continue our tour driving through the beautiful coastal road and village of Elounda, which lies 11
km north of Agios Nikolaos Town. Elounda retains its authentic character and offers a unique landscape with many coves and pristine beaches. One of them is the sea-front village of Plaka where
we will board the boat to take us on the now deserted island of Spinalonga. Our guide will guide us through the ruins of what used to be a leper-colony from 1903 to 1957 where lepers could have a
better life, medical help and economic support. After our visit to Spinalonga, you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters of Plaka and optional lunch at Taverna Spinalonga (Plaka). After we will visit Agios Nikolaos town, the capital town of Lassithi. Here, the bottomless salt lake Voulismeni dominates the area. A narrow channel of water connects the lake with the sea, while an imposing backdrop of red rock and trees adds to the natural beauty of the scenery. A small pine tree park lies above the lake, and a stone path leads to its southern section to a cute small harbour for fishing boats. The city boasts interesting Archaeological, Folklore, and Natural History museums, Byzantine churches, a well-organised marina, bustling pedestrian streets (ideal for leisurely walks), and traditional squares with buzzing cafés and restaurants. Late in the afternoon at 18:00, we return to Heraklion. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2: After breakfast at the hotel, at 08.30, the guide will pick you up to start the visit of the Heraklion Archeological Museum, the second biggest in Greece, after the Museum of Athens. The tour begin with introduction of the oldest findings of Crete from 60 00bc, then of the highlight Minoan palaces of Knossos, Festos, Mallia and Zakros. The tour continues with objects from cemeteries, shrines, houses and ends with the Minoan frescoes of Knossos. When we finish with the visit of the Archaeological Museum, at approximately 10.30, we will drive 5km to southeast off the city to visit the Knossos Palace which was built from 1700 to 1400 BC. Advanced architectural techniques were used in its construction, and sections of the palace stood up to 5 stories high. Settlements in Knossos date as far back as the Neolithic period. Neolithic remains from around 7000 BC are found throughout Crete. Explore the ruins of the ancient Minoan civilization. Knossos Palace featured 1,300 rooms connected by corridors, and a theater and extensive storerooms, which held large clay containers of oil, grains, dried fish, beans and olives – often with gold hidden beneath.
The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 A.D. by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team and they continued for 35 years. After the visit of the site we return to the hotel at 13:30. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 3: After breakfast at the hotel, at approximately 08.30, we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica and was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit of Gortyna, we drive through valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace, the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matala where you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and have lunch. Finally we arrive to Zaros, attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos which will be visited. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 4: Breakfast at the Hotel in Zaros. At approximately 09.30 we start our drive to the traditional Cretan village of Vatos, a small village hidden in the green where we find all the elements of its tradition. Walking down the alleys we visit the old school and its fountain as well as the museum with the farming tools and utensils of earlier times. We finish at a cauldron of the village where you make Raki (the famous alcoholic beverage of Crete). Spili is our next stop known for its Venetian snake with a long line of 25 stone lion heads that run cool water from their mouths. Optional lunch at Spili. Then we visit Lampini, the church and the museum of Panagia. The church is inscribed with a cupola, and depicts frescoes of the 12th and 14th century. It was an Episcopal church, since the village of Lampini once accommodated the seat of the famous Episcopate of Lampis, which had existed since 431. Drive to Gorge of St. Antonios, walk through a very nice hiking trail in the gorge with super green and lush surroundings up to the cave of St. Antonios. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rethymno.
Day 5: Breakfast at the Hotel in Rethymno. At approximately 09.30 we start our tour driving to our first stop Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno. The village is known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque all eys, and its well-preserved architecture. Afterwards we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and civilization considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition as well as the flo urishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866, gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and heroism, recognized worldwide. Rethymno is our last stop, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. We will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional). At the end we will visit the Venetian stronghold of Fortezza which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is known as Paleokastro, which means old castle in Greek and suggests the existence of an older structure in that place. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates. More than 100,000 Cretans on compulsory labor and over 40,000 pack animals were used in the construction of this mighty fortress. However, the Fortezza was conquered by the Turks in 1646. After many upheavals during the next three centuries, only the outer fortifications of the Fortezza remain intact and few buildings are still under restoration. The Fortezza is visible from every part of the town and provides the visitor a panoramic view of Rethymno town. The visitors enter from the East Gate through an impressive archway. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rethymno.
Day 6: Breakfast at the Hotel in Rethymno. At approximately 09.30 we start our tour driving along the north coastal road, to the city of Souda, port of Chania, to visit the Venizelos Graves at the historical location of Profitis Ilias in Akrotiri where the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos lays, one of the long-standing prime Ministers of Greece. We continue to the city of Chania where we will visit all the main highlights of the city, historic neighborhoods, churches and museums and take a walk to the beautiful Venetian Port with the Lighthouse Faros. During your tour of the picturesque alleys of the old town, you will come acrosss unique monuments such as the Rimodi Fountain, the Neradze Mosque (or Gazi Hussein) with its high minaret, churches and squares. Have lunch (optional) and free time for shopping. At the way back we will stop at the resort city of Georgioupolis, popular for its fine beaches, for a coffee break. Our last stop will be Lake Kournas. Once there, explore the lake and enjoy the relaxing views beneath looming mountains. Moorhens, eels, and turtles are among t he permanent residents of this friendly wetland. Late in the afternoon at 18:00, we return to Heraklion at the terminal in front of Astoria Capsis Hotel.
Cancellation Policy:
For cancellations up to 8 days prior to departure date, no cancellation fees
For cancellations 7 day prior to departure date, 100% cancellation fees
Non-Show, 100% cancellation fees
For clarifications please send us a mail at online@travelid.gr or contact us at +30 2810 335 227
We are at your disposal from Monday to Friday 09:00 am till 20:00 pm and Saturday 09:00 till 15:00 pm
✅ Air-conditioned Motorcoach
✅ Hotel accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels during the tour on half board basis (4 overnights)
✅ Hotel accommodation in 2* or 4* hotel in Zaros on bed & breakfast basis (1 overnight - lunch included that day)
✅ Professional guide/escort
✅ VAT and all legal taxes
❌ OPTIONAL & UPON REQUEST Pick-up & Drop-off service from/to your hotel
❌ Lunch and 1 dinner in restaurant throughout the tour +120€ per person
❌ Entrance fees to the archaeological sites
❌ Drinks & beverage during the meal
❌ OPTIONAL Gratuities (at guests' discretion)
❌ Anything that is not specified in the program as included
1104€ per person in Double Room / 3rd adult in double room pays 994€
Children up to 1 year old, free of charge / Children from 2 to 11 years old pay 552€
Single supplement +307€
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