18 Days on the Island of Crete
Land Only Price; $4250 (Cdn)
Day 1 |
Heraklion |
The group will assemble mid-afternoon at Heraklion airport where you will be met by your guides and transportation. Accommodations have been arranged in a centrally located hotel, ideal for exploring the town.
The Fountain of the Lions. Heraklion
Day 2 |
Heraklion |
In the morning we will visit the remains of the Palace of Minos at Knossos, the famous Labyrinth, a short drive south of the city. The ruins were extensively restored by Sir Arthur Evans who first excavated them at the start of the last century, discovering Minoan civilization in the process. Evans’ reconstructions are somewhat controversial but still represent a unique opportunity to put some flesh on the bare bones of the evidence.
Day 3 |
Heraklion |
We will spend morning visiting the Heraklion Museum, one of the finest in the world with an unsurpassed collection of Minoan art. The afternoon will be free to explore the city of Heraklion. Of particular note are the Venetian Loggia and the church of Saint Titus.
Interior of Saint Titus
Day 4 |
Heraklion |
We will spend the day exploring the countryside around Heraklion. In the morning we will drive to the lovely town of Arkhanes, set among the vineyards and orchards of the rolling hill country south of the city. Nearby is a Minoan villa at Vathypetro and the town has a charming museum.
View from Vathypetro to Mount Ida
Day 5 |
Ayios Nikolaos |
In the morning, we will drive to the seaside town of Ayios Nikolaos where we will spend four nights. Along the way, we will visit the ruins of the major Minoan palace at Mallia. We should arrive in Ayios Nikolaos in time for lunch, leaving plenty of time to visit the local museum in the afternoon.
View of the Central Court of the Palace at Mallia
Day 6 |
Ayios Nikolaos |
In the morning we will visit the Minoan town of Gournia, beautifully situated overlooking the Bay of Mirabello. The site covers the top and sides of a long hill and the streets and buildings are exceptionally well-preserved. In the afternoon, we will drive to Kritsa, stopping to look at the magnificent frescoes in the small Byzantine church of Panagia Kera. In the hills outside the village is the early Classical site of Lato, which commands wonderful views up and down the valleys—a great picnic spot.
Byzantine Church of Panagia Kera
Day 7 |
Ayios Nikolaos |
We plan to spend the day touring the Lasithi Plain, high in the hill country of central Crete and famous for its windmills. A highlight of the day will be a visit to the Cave of Dikte, the birthplace of Zeus. The scenery is spectacular and we will take plenty of time to drink it all in.
The Lasithi Plain from Mount Dikte
Day 8 |
Palaikastro |
We will head east along the coast to Palaikastro, site of an ancient Minoan town, where we will spend the next two nights. Along the way, we will take a short boat ride to the island of Mochlos, the site of an important Minoan settlement and town. We will also visit the small hilltop sanctuary at Chamiazi.
Aerial View of Chamiazi
Day 9 |
Palaikastro |
In the morning, we will drive south through the hills to the Minoan palace at Kato Zakro on the east coast. Discovered in the 1960’s, the site is located next to a broad beach that sweeps along the bay and we can have lunch at one of the tavernas along the shore. In the afternoon, we will explore the ruins of ancient Palaikastro, a major Minoan centre and seaport.
View of Kato Zakro from the South
Day 10 |
Myrtos |
Today we will make our way across to the south coast of the island, stopping to visit the Early Minoan sites at Vasilikí and Myrtos-Phournou. Each of these sites provides key information for our understanding of the later palaces. We will spend the night in the charming fishing village of Myrtos.
Day 11 |
Matala |
We will continue along the south coast to the resort town of Matala, famous for its beach and caves and as a haunt for hippies in days gone by. We will be staying for two nights and it will be our base for exploring the Mesara Plain. Along the way, we will visit the classical site of Gortyn, famous for its law code.
Matala at Dusk
Day 12 |
Matala |
Two of the most important Minoan sites in Crete—the palace at Phaistos and the large villa at Ayiá Triadha—are also among the most beautiful, commanding wonderful vistas of the Idaean Mountains. We will spend the better part of the day exploring their remains.
View of the Palace and West at Phaistos
Day 13 |
Chania |
We will drive to Chania through the White Mountains by way of Spilli and along the coast from Rhethymno. There is a Late Minoan cemetery at Armeni and we will stop to examine the tombs. Accommodations have been arranged for four nights in a charming hotel by the old Venetian harbour. You will have ample opportunity to explore the narrow streets and delight in their charms.
The Village of Meronas in the White Mountains
Day 14 |
Chania |
On Friday morning, we will tour the local Museum, which houses the material recovered from the Minoan palace that once stood on the Kastelli Hill. Sadly, there is not much of the ancient palace to be seen but the streets of the old port are a mosaic of different architectural styles—Byzantine, Venetian, Turkish and Greek. The people of Chania have even incorporated the bomb damage from World War II.
View of the old harbour at Chania
Day 15 |
Chania |
We will spend the morning visiting the monasteries of the Akrotiri peninsula including the Monastery of Ayiá Triadha, a cruciform church showing strong Renaissance influence, and the Monastery of Theotokos Gdernetos with its church built into the cliff face. In the afternoon, we will visit the remains of the Roman city of Aptera, up in the hills overlooking Souda Bay.
Day 16 |
Chania |
Today we will visit the remains of the classical cities of Polyrinia, in the hills south of Kastelli. After that, there should be time for a leisurely drive through the hills to Elos and back up the scenic west coast of the island.
Polyrinia
Day 17 |
Rhethymno |
In the morning we will make the short drive to Rethimno where we will spend our last night in Crete. The town has been occupied since Minoan times but nowadays is dominated by the Venetian Fortetsa. We will have the afternoon to explore the fortress and the nearby archaeological museum.
Day 18 |
Departure |
End of Crete tour.
Note:
The price of the trip includes:
hotel taxes
accommodation based on double occupancy
overland transportation via mini bus
all visits and sightseeing as per itinerary
the service of your tour conductor, William Rowbotham or Margaret Morden
The price of the trip does NOT include:
gratuities for individual services
meals, apart from hotel breakfasts
all items and expenses of a purely personal nature
travel to and from Crete
10.02.2012