Crete and Northern Greece
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through the heart of Greece, exploring its rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience into the country's most iconic cities, ancient ruins, and picturesque islands. From the bustling squares of Athens to the serene beauty of Santorini, from the medieval castle of Rethymno to the ancient Palace of Knossos, every day brings a new adventure. Enjoy comfortable accommodations, delicious meals, and expertly guided tours, all while soaking in the stunning views and absorbing the timeless charm of Greece. Whether you're a history buff, a culture enthusiast, or a nature lover, this tour promises a memorable and enriching experience.
Included
Meals as stated
Basic travel insurance
Includes arrival transfer
ATENAS
: PRESIDENT or NOVOTEL ATHENES or SKYLARK
FERRI ATENAS HERACLION
: FERRY ATENAS HERACLION or KOSTA FAMISSI
We know how important hotels are on your trip. The hotels have been selected taking into consideration quality, price and location. They are located in the cities we visit, most of them not in the city center but all of them with easy access to public transportation nearby. Our accommodation is not based on luxury hotels. Please keep in mind that standards, bed sizes and room dimensions can vary between hotels of the same class in different locations. All rooms are equipped with private bathroom and TV. Some of them also offer a mini-bar, safe box, and hair dryer. Many hotels, mainly in North Europe, do not have air conditioning or local legislation establishes limited dates of use.
Please note also that your tour guide might be changed once or several times during the tour. On some tours, according to the number of passengers, the service may be provided in bilingual (usually in English and Spanish), either accompanied by two tour leaders, one for each language, or a single tour leader for smaller groups explaining in both languages.
Ticket admission: Palace of Knossos at Heraklion with visit, Panagia Kera Church; Island-Citadel Spinalong , Monastery at Meteoras , Archaeological Ensemble of Delphi; Monastery of Osios Loukas
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Athens
- Athens - Arrival day
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Welcome to Athens, the cradle of Western civilization. Upon your arrival, you'll be transferred to your hotel where you can relax and freshen up. In the afternoon, you'll receive all the necessary information for your upcoming adventure. Spend the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the hotel surroundings or simply resting from your journey.
Day 2 – Day 2: Athens Sightseeing and Overnight Ferry to Crete
- Athens
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- Acropolis Museum
- Hadrian's Library
- Peristeri Park
- Panathenaic Stadium
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Kickstart your day with a guided tour of Athens, visiting the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, and the National Library. The tour concludes at the magnificent Acropolis. In the afternoon, we'll transfer you to the port of Piraeus to board an overnight ferry to Crete. Enjoy the cruise-like facilities and rest in your comfortable double cabin as you sail towards your next destination.
Day 3 – Day 3: Exploring Crete - Rethymno and Chania
- Athens
- Heraklion
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- Old Chania Market
- Reptisland
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Arrive in Heraklion, Crete, early in the morning and embark on a journey along the island's coast towards the west. Discover the Venetian charm of Rethymno and the historical richness of Chania, two beautiful coastal cities with a fascinating past. After a day of exploration, return to Heraklion for a restful night.
Day 4 – Day 4: Palace of Knossos and Agia Galini
- Heraklion
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- Minoan Palace of Phaistos
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Today's excursion takes you to the ancient Palace of Knossos, where you'll delve into the Minoan culture that predates Greek civilization. After the visit, journey across the island's high mountains to the southern area, where you'll visit the picturesque town of Agia Galini. Enjoy lunch and a refreshing swim in the Libyan Sea before returning to Heraklion.
Day 5 – Day 5: East Crete - Kritsa, Agios Nikolaos, Elounda, and Spinalonga
- Heraklion
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- Monastery Panagia Kera Kardiotissa
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Journey along the eastern coast of Crete, visiting the small town of Kritsa and the 13th-century church of Panagia Kera. Continue to Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port, and Elounda, a beautiful tourist enclave. From here, take a boat ride to the island-citadel of Spinalonga, an ancient Venetian fortress. Return to Heraklion for the night.
Day 6 – Day 6: From Crete to Santorini and Back to Athens
- Heraklion
- Athens
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Start your day early with a transfer to the port and a fast ferry ride to the enchanting island of Santorini. Explore Oia, the island's most spectacular town, and Fira, the vibrant capital. Enjoy lunch with stunning views before returning to the ferry port for your journey back to Athens, arriving at midnight.
Day 7 – Day 7: North Greece - Kamena Vourla and Meteora
- Athens
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- Treasury of Athenians
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Depart Athens early in the morning and head north. Stop at Kamena Vourla, a beautiful seaside town, and the site of the Battle of Thermopylae. Continue to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Meteora, a stunning valley filled with ancient monasteries perched on towering rock formations. Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka.
Day 8 – Day 8: Delphi and Osios Loukas Monastery
- Athens
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Travel south through the Thessaly region to Delphi, an ancient site that overlooks the Gulf of Corinth. Visit the Osios Loukas Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its magnificent 11th-century mosaics. After a day of exploration, return to Athens in the evening.
Day 9 – Day 9: Departure
- Athens - Departure day
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After breakfast, your memorable 9-day tour of Greece concludes. We hope you've enjoyed your journey and look forward to welcoming you back on your next adventure.
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