Crete and Northern Greece
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on a captivating 9-day journey through the heart of Greece, a land steeped in ancient history, vibrant culture, and stunning landscapes. This multi-day tour offers an immersive experience, taking you from the bustling city of Athens to the serene island of Santorini, and the historical sites of Crete. Discover the architectural marvels of Athens, the Venetian charm of Rethymno and Chania, the Minoan culture at the Palace of Knossos, and the breathtaking views of Santorini. Explore the picturesque towns of Kritsa and Agios Nikolaos, and the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora. This tour is a perfect blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, designed to give you an unforgettable Greek experience.
Included
Includes arrival transfer
ATENAS
: PRESIDENT or NOVOTEL ATHENES or SKYLARK
FERRI ATENAS HERACLION
: FERRY ATENAS HERACLION or IBIS STYLES HERAKLION or AMALIA KALAMBACA
KALAMBACA
: 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.
Basic travel insurance
Meals as stated
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
Destinations
Heraklion
AthensMap
Attractions
Acropolis Museum
Old Chania Market
Treasury of Athenians
Hadrian's Library
Monastery Panagia Kera Kardiotissa
Peristeri Park
Minoan Palace of Phaistos
Reptisland
Panathenaic StadiumDaily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Arrival in Athens
- Athens - Arrival day
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Welcome to Athens! Upon arrival, you will be transferred to your hotel. You will receive all the necessary information for your trip in the afternoon. Enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the city or relaxing at the hotel.
Day 2 – Day 2: Athens City Tour and Overnight Ferry to Crete
- Athens
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- Acropolis Museum
- Hadrian's Library
- Peristeri Park
- Panathenaic Stadium
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Begin your day with a sightseeing tour of Athens. Visit the Presidential Palace, the Panathenaic Stadium, the National Library, and the bustling downtown squares. The tour concludes near the Acropolis. In the afternoon, we will transfer you to the port of Piraeus to board the overnight ferry to Crete. Enjoy the cruise ship-like facilities and spend the night in a comfortable double cabin.
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, and travel along the coast towards the west of the island. Visit Rethymno, a beautiful coastal city of Venetian origin, dominated by its medieval castle. Next, explore Chania, a captivating city with an impressive fortress and stately mansions. Return to Heraklion at the end of the day.
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 includes a visit to the Palace of Knossos, where you'll learn about the Minoan culture that gave rise to the Greek culture four thousand years ago. After the visit, we cross the high mountains in the center of the island and travel to the southern area. Visit Agia Galini, a picturesque town with labyrinthine streets, a fishing port, and popular taverns. Enjoy lunch and, if you wish, take a swim in the sea. Return to Heraklion in the evening.
Day 5 – Day 5: Kritsa, Agios Nikolaos, and Elounda
- Heraklion
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- Monastery Panagia Kera Kardiotissa
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Today, we visit the small town of Kritsa and the 13th-century church of Panagia Kera, home to some of the best frescoes in Crete. Next, we head to Agios Nikolaos, a picturesque town with a natural port. After a walk and lunch, we visit Elounda, a beautiful tourist enclave. From here, we take a boat ride to the island-citadel of Spinalonga, an ancient Venetian fortress. Return by boat and continue to Heraklion for overnight stay.
Day 6 – Day 6: Santorini - Oia and Fira
- Heraklion
- Athens
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Early in the morning, we take a fast ferry to the enchanting island of Santorini. Upon arrival, we visit Oia, the most spectacular town on the island, known for its white streets, castle remains, and windmills. After lunch, we visit Fira, the capital of the island. You can choose to descend to the port by cable car or donkey. Later, we continue to the ferry port to take a fast ferry back to Athens, arriving at midnight.
Day 7 – Day 7: Kamena Vourla, Kastraki, and Meteora
- Athens
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- Treasury of Athenians
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We depart early in the morning towards the North of Greece. We make a stop in Kamena Vourla, a beautiful touristic hub next to the sea. We then proceed to the north, making a short stop at the gorge where the Battle of Thermopylae took place. We visit Kastraki, a picturesque village with beautiful views of the valley. After lunch, we visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Meteora, a breathtaking place with famous monasteries. Dinner and overnight stay in Kalambaka.
Day 8 – Day 8: Delphi and Osios Loukas Monastery
- Athens
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- Delphi Archaeological Museum
- Hosios Loukas Holy Monastery
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Today, we travel south through the Thessaly region to Delphi. We visit the beautiful archaeological complex that overlooks the Gulf of Corinth. After lunch, we travel to the Osios Loukas Monastery, one of the most beautiful Byzantine monasteries in Greece, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We continue towards Athens, arriving in the evening.
Day 9 – Day 9: Departure
- Athens - Departure day
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After breakfast, your memorable journey through Greece comes to an end. We hope you leave with unforgettable memories and look forward to welcoming you back on another adventure.
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