Highlights of Crete

Upon arrival in Heraklion, you will be met by our local representative at the airport before being transferred to your hotel. As you travel to your hotel, your guide will share some information about the local region, suggest activities for you to enjoy and answer any questions you may have.

Take the day to explore your surrounding area in Hersonissos, or relax at your hotel. If you want to explore further afield, our guide will be happy to advise your on local attractions and excursions. End your evening with a relaxing drink while watching the sun set over the beach.

After breakfast at your hotel, depart for a full day guided excursion to Knossos and Heraklion. In the morning you will enjoy a guided city tour of Knossos, the ancient capital of the great king Minos, constructed around 1900 BC. A visit to its Archaeological Museum (entrance included), which houses a unique collection of artifacts from the Minoan civilisation, will give you an insight into this artistic-minded community.

In the afternoon you will have the chance to walk around the sites of Heraklion accompanied by your guide, followed by some free time to discover the town at your own pace.

After breakfast at your hotel, depart for a full day excursion including the Botanical Park and Chania. In the morning visit the Botanical Park in Skordalu, where you will see more than 150 species of fruit trees together with the dozens of herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants, while enjoying your walk through a lush natural environment.

Continue to Chania to visit the old city, including its beautiful Venetian and Ottoman buildings, the cathedral, the market, the mosque of the janissaries and the Venetian docks. You will also enjoy a guided tour of Agia Triada Monastery, the most impressive monastery of Crete, with beautiful wall paintings in the Byzantine style. Then you will visit Akrotiri, where you can enjoy views of Chania before returning to your hotel.

Today you will have a free day to enjoy the delights of Crete at your leisure. When out and about, you might like to try some regional dishes, such as the famous Dakos (a Cretan barley rusk topped with local cheese, olive oil and tomatoes) or Chania's speciality ; Kaltsounia, a cheese pie in both salty and sweet versions. Your guide will be delighted to make suggestions for places to try these local treats.

After breakfast at your hotel depart by coach along the scenic Chania-Rethymnon highway that runs along the north coast of Crete. On arrival at the family-run Dourakis winery and cellar, enjoy a wine tasting. Afterwards, transfer to Rethymnon for a visit to the Arkadi Monastery (entrance included), which is set in spectacular scenery and represents the symbol of freedom for the Cretans. Afterwards, you will have a guided walking tour of the old part of Rethymnon, with its little narrow streets and innumerable shops in Venetian style. You will also have some free time for discovering the town at your own pace.

Today, you will have a day free for shopping and sightseeing. Your local guide will be delighted to suggest activities to suit your interests and advise which highlights are a must-see, or take the time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.

Spend your final day soaking up the blue skies and convivial atmosphere of Crete. Pay a last visit to the Venetian Lighthouse, located at the entrance to the port and considered to be the symbol of Chania, before you bid farewell to this lovely town.

You will be transferred with guide assistance from your hotel to Chania airport, for your flight home.