Crete - A Joy to Behold
***NEW TOUR***
Crete is Greece's largest island and encompasses beautiful sandy beaches and exhilarating mountains. The capital Heraklion exhibits a plethora of historical sites such as the Palace of Knossos and the world famous Archaeological Museum which houses Minoan artefacts. It is an often overlooked and seldom enjoyed paradise for the curious traveller. Crete will surprise and tantalise you
The island is resplendent with monuments ancient and modern such as Bronze age, Greek and Venetian histories all working to reflect the ancient civilizations that ruled the Mediterranean for eons. Crete was important battleground in the Second World War as well. We take in all there is to offer including the distinctive cuisine and ever present vibrant dances that have been passed down through the ages. And after all of that why not a dip in the turquoise waters of the ‘true’ Mediterranean
| 7 Day Itinerary | ||
| Departure: | 19th September 2020 | (Saturday to Friday) |
|---|---|---|
| Price: | EUR€1690 | |
***THIS TOUR CAN BE EASILY COMBINED WITH OUR ALBANIA - EUROPE'S HIDDEN TREASURE OR TURKEY REVEALED TOUR*** |
Day 1 - arrive Athens Arrival day in Athens and we recommend for those in early a visit to the stunning new Acropolis Museum as well as the Acropolis site itself. This evening after a group meeting we will enjoy dinner in the Plaka neighbourhood Day 2 - Athens to Heraklion (fly) We take a morning flight to Heraklion the capital of Crete and check into our base for our stay in this bustling port town. On arrival we will visit the world renowned archaeological museum of Heraklion. Then a walk on the ancient Venetian walls before immersing ourselves in the historical centre of the town. We will take in views of the market, loggia, the Koules fortress and the Saint Titus church. The afternoon is free for more exploration Day 3 - Heraklion (Elounda, Spinalonga) This morning we drive to Elounda which was once a picturesque fishing village in the lovely Mirabello Bay. We sail to Spinalonga where we tour the island and have time for swim. The island is an arid and barren rocky islet with an area of 8.5 hectares lying at the mouth of the natural port of Elounda. Due to its strategic location, it was fortified and served a variety of roles and purposes over the centuries. In 1579 the Venetians built a mighty fortress here on the ruins of an ancient acropolis. Our visit today is to enjoy the most popular archaeological site in Crete other than Knossos. On the way back to our base we may have time for a coffee at Agios Nikolaos Day 4 - Heraklion (Knossos, Phaestos, Gortys) This morning we visit Knossos, considered Europe's oldest city and the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete. We enjoy a guided visit of the ruins unlocking the secrets of this astonishing ancient site. According to tradition, it was the seat of the legendary king Minos. The Palace is also connected with legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth with the Minotaur, and the stories of Daidalos and Icaros. The Minoan Civilization built many beautiful palaces and Phaistos, in the fertile valley of Messara, was the second biggest one. After a visit to the Phaistos palace we continue through the valley to the ruins of ancient town of Gortys. We will be impressed by ruins of the Saint Titos basilica, built as a copy of Saint Sofia cathedral in Constantinople. Inside of the Odeon’s walls are written the “Code of Gortys”, which constitute the first known legislative system from ancient Greece Day 5 - Heraklion to Chania (Rethymnon) We head west today to the city of Rethymnon spending time comparing the old and new sides of this regional locale. Here we have one of the best preserved medieval cities in Greece with Venetian fortifications, orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, and majestic mansions surrounded by cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere. A more modern history relates to WWII when German soldiers fought against a combination of Greek and Australians in the Battle of Rethymno in 1941. We continue on in the afternoon to the town of Chania the second largest city in Crete Day 6 - Chania Chania’s Old Town is resplendent with maze like alleys, beautiful Venetian mansions, fountains and the elaborate churches. It was the former capital city of Crete from 1847-1972. Today it is one of the most beautiful and picturesque cities in Greece and for food lovers, it is a paradise. We enjoy a fascinating tour of the old and new towns admiring the different architectural styles on show. Our final day is broken up by a wonderful winery visit and incudes wine tasting in the countryside at Manousakis. Returning to Chania we have a last evening together in this gorgeous location Day 7 - depart Chania Departure day from Chania where we can assist with your arrangements back to Heraklion or Athens and beyond |        |
Trip Options
| Single Travellers: | EUR€340 | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Accommodation: | Single Inquire | Details |
| Double Inquire |
***THIS TOUR CAN BE EASILY COMBINED WITH OUR ALBANIA - EUROPE'S HIDDEN TREASURE OR TURKEY REVEALED TOUR***
Local Payment
Your Local Payment is collected by your group leader in cash at your group meeting on Day 1 of the trip and is part of your tour price. The money is spent locally on your tour.
Inclusions and Exclusions
Extra Accommodation
Pre and post trip accommodation is offered on most journeys pending availability. Please indicate in your enquiry if you require any rooms before or after your tour and the amount of nights requested.
Single Traveller
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for our all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
However, for those that would prefer a single room for the tour we do offer a single supplement.
It must be stated however that on many of our tours we stay in small family owned guesthouse accommodation. In certain instances with full groups the passenger combinations may not always allow you to enjoy a single room. Please keep this in mind when booking your single supplement. We will however, always do our best to accommodate you.
Please make your request for this service a minimum of 3 months prior to your journey.
The quoted extra payment is for the entire trip.
Single Travellers
Global Drift encourages interactive experiences for our all of our travellers. As such we presume that you will be happy to share accommodation with a same sex person should you be travelling alone.
Due to the exploratory nature of this journey no single supplement is offered.
Airport Arrival Transfer
Global Drift offers an optional arrival transfer to your hotel at the quoted fee.
In your trip dossier you will receive directions on how to make your way to your starting point hotel. It is quite easy and possibly cheaper than we are able to offer it.
Should you require this service please advise us at the time of your booking.