Highlights of Crete
Description
Summary
Description
Embark on an enchanting multi-day tour of Crete, Greece's largest island, where history, culture, and natural beauty converge. From the bustling streets of Heraklion to the serene beaches of Sougia, this journey offers a perfect blend of exploration and relaxation. Discover ancient ruins, savor local wines, and immerse yourself in the vibrant traditions of Cretan life. With guided tours, cultural workshops, and ample leisure time, this tour promises an unforgettable experience on this captivating island. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a nature lover, or a culinary adventurer, Crete has something special for everyone.
Included
6 breakfasts, 1 dinner
All Intrepid group trips in Europe are accompanied by one of our local European group leaders. ’Local’ in this context means a leader who is European or lives in Europe. The aim of the group leader is to take the hassle out of your travels and to help you have the best trip possible. Intrepid endeavours to provide the services of an experienced leader however, due to the seasonality of travel, rare situations may arise where your leader is new to a particular region or training other group leaders. Your leader takes care of logistics, will provide information on the places you are travelling through, offer suggestions for things to do and see, recommend great local eating venues and introduce you to our local friends. While not being guides in the traditional sense you can expect them to have a broad general knowledge of the places visited on the trip, including historical, cultural, religious and social aspects.
At Intrepid we also aim to support local guides in the individual cities or locations we travel to. If you are interested in delving deeper into the local culture at a specific site or location then your leader can recommend an optional local guide service in most of the main destinations of your trip.
Knossos - Archaeological Site
Agios Ioannis - Village Visits
Agios Ioannis - Live Music Evening
Chania - Wine Tasting
Chora Sfakion - Coastal Boat Ride
Sougia - Agia Irini Gorge Hike
Chania - Kalitsounia Bakery Workshop
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline only and may change. On some occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our preferred accommodation. In these cases, we will use a similar standard of accommodation.
Throughout the trip, we request that our properties prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However, this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination or on some trips, have use of shared day rooms until all rooms are available.
OCCASIONAL ALTERNATIVE ACCOMMODATION:
The style of accommodation indicated in the day-to-day itinerary is a guideline. On rare occasions, alternative arrangements may need to be made due to the lack of availability of rooms in our usual accommodation. A similar standard of accommodation will be used in these instances.
TWIN SHARE BASIS:
Accommodation on this trip is on a twin/multishare basis. We pair up solo travellers with another traveller of the same gender as per the gender marker on each of their passports. Please note there may be times where facilities will be shared rather than ensuite and rare occasions when you share a room with passengers travelling on different Intrepid trips than your own.
CHECK-IN TIME:
Throughout the trip we request that our hotels prepare rooms in time for our arrival, especially if we're arriving prior to normal check-in time. However this isn't always possible which means we won't be able to check-in immediately on arrival at some hotels. Instead, we can store our luggage and explore our new destination.
PRE/POST TRIP ACCOMMODATION:
If you've purchased pre-trip or post-trip accommodation (if available), you may be required to change rooms from your trip accommodation for these extra nights.
FACILITIES:
Your accommodation may not always have private en suite facilities or air-conditioning. European hotels generally don't provide kettles or fridges.
Hotel (3 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)
hotel: 3 night(s), guesthouse: 3 night(s);
TRANSPORT IN EUROPE:
Half the fun of travel is the travelling itself, that's why we like to travel the local way – whether that means mingling with commuters on a local train, watching the scenery roll by from the window of a long distance bus, arriving on a high speed train in the city centre of your next destination, or navigating each city's public transport system. In Europe, you are guaranteed to travel by genuine local public transport wherever possible, which puts you right in the centre of the action.
STRIKES:
Ferry strikes, bad weather and the general unpredictable nature of Greek public transport means you need to be prepared for possible delays and itinerary changes.
Public bus , Private vehicle , Boat , On foot
Destinations
Map
Attractions
Daily Itinerary
Day 1 – Day 1: Heraklion
- Heraklion - Arrival day
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- Ενετικό Λιμάνι Ηρακλείου
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Begin your Cretan adventure in the vibrant city of Heraklion, where the island's rich history and culture await. Meet your fellow travelers and local guide at a welcome meeting in the evening. Afterward, enjoy a guided stroll through the city to get acquainted with its charming streets and perhaps share a delightful dinner with your group at a local restaurant.
Day 2 – Day 2: Heraklion to Agios Ioannis
- Knossos
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- Crete Quad Safari
- Knossos Palace
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Embark on a journey through time at the ancient ruins of Knossos, Europe's oldest city. Delve into the past with your guide and then savor the flavors of Crete at a local winery. Continue your exploration with visits to the serene towns of Chora Sfakion and Anopolis, before reaching the dramatic landscapes of Aradaina. Conclude your day in the picturesque village of Agios Ioannis, where a traditional dinner and live music await.
Day 3 – Day 3: Agios Ioannis to Sougia
Day 3: Agios Ioannis to Sougia
- Preveli Beach
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Bid farewell to Agios Ioannis and set sail from Chora Sfakion along Crete's breathtaking southern coast. Arrive at the tranquil village of Sougia, where the afternoon is yours to enjoy. Whether you choose to hike the coastal trails, swim in the azure waters, or simply relax on the beach, Sougia offers a perfect escape into nature.
Day 4 – Day 4: Sougia and Agia Irini Gorge
Day 4: Sougia and Agia Irini Gorge
- Aradena Gorge
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Rise with the sun and embark on a scenic bus ride to the Agia Irini Gorge. Enjoy a guided hike through this stunning natural wonder, where tales of Greek rebels and breathtaking vistas await. Keep an eye out for the unique wildlife and flora that call this gorge home. Spend the rest of your day at leisure back in Sougia, soaking in the serene surroundings.
Day 5 – Day 5: Sougia to Chania
- Chania
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- Go Kart Chania - Pista Park
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Depart Sougia and journey to the vibrant city of Chania, a hub of culture and color. Discover the city's artistic side with visits to local artisans, learning about traditional pottery and knife-making techniques. The afternoon is yours to explore Chania's bustling markets, historic neighborhoods, and culinary delights. Seek out a local eatery for dinner and savor the flavors of Crete.
Day 6 – Day 6: Chania
- Chania
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- Old Chania Market
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Start your day with a hands-on experience at a Kalitsounia workshop, where you'll learn to craft these delicious Cretan pastries. Enjoy the rest of the day at your own pace, revisiting favorite spots or discovering new ones in Chania. As the sun sets, consider dining at a local restaurant, pairing your meal with the perfect Cretan wine.
Day 7 – Day 7: Departure from Chania
- Chania - Departure day
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As your unforgettable journey through Crete comes to a close, enjoy a leisurely breakfast in Chania. With no scheduled activities, take the opportunity to reflect on your adventures or explore a bit more of the city before departing. Should you wish to extend your stay, assistance is available to arrange additional accommodations.
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