Compare Exploring Crete: Archaeology, Nature & Food by Peter Sommer Travels vs Contrasts of Crete Walking by Exodus Travels
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| Trip |
5 | Excellent
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5 | Excellent
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| Duration | 13 days | 8 days |
| Price From | $ 4,861 | $ 2,300 |
| Price Per Day | $ 374 | $ 288 |
| Highlights |
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| Trip Style | Small group tour | Self-guided tour |
| Lodging Level | Premium | Standard |
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| Flights & Transport | Ground transport included | No |
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| Meals Included |
All meals except one lunch and two dinners |
Simple buffet style Greek breakfast consists of bread/toast, butter, jam, fresh juice, milk, local yoghurt, eggs and honey, and coffee/tea. For lunch we recommend taking a picnic on most days although there may be options on some days to eat at a taverna. For dinner, in each place you stay there will be a range of different local tavernas and restaurants to choose from where you can sample some typical Greek meze dishes, olives, fresh fish, vegetables and much more. |
| Description |
Our Exploring Crete tour is the ideal opportunity to experience this fascinating island to the full. You will visit its most important ancient sites, including the famous prehistoric Minoan palaces, but also veer off the beaten track to explore many of Crete’s hidden gems. To take full advantage of the island’s extraordinary beauty and its unique wealth in spring flowers, our tour of Crete includes a series of walks, bringing you into direct contact with its coasts, mountains, gorges and fertile plains, as well as its historical villages and towns. |
There are often no roads within miles and most of the local commuting is done by boat! You'll follow ancient paths and shepherd trails through gorges and along stoney coastal paths that meander above hidden coves, along virgin beaches and across pebbly promontories, often within metres of the appetisingly clear waters of the Mediterranean. Starting in Chania, the most charming city of Crete we head towards the White Mountains (Lefka Ori) which take their name from the shining bleached limestone in summer. Explore the lush Samaria and Agia Irini gorges blanketed with colourful Cretan rock lettuce and Aubretia. Follow the southern coastline from Sougia to Ancient Lissos, known for its famous Temple of Asklepios (Aesculapium), where people came from all over Crete to be cured by the local waters. The temple was destroyed in a great earthquake, but its mosaic floor depicting animals and geometrical patterns is preserved. Continue along the coast to Loutro, passing the chapel of St Pavlos, said to mark the place where St Paul landed on Crete. There are plenty of swimming opportunities along the way and your final walk takes you to Freshwater Beach before returning to Chania. You'll be treated to historical sites, fabulous swimming spots and a spectacular variety of birds. The White Mountains have golden eagles and lammergeyers and at lower altitudes you will find bee-eaters, hoopoes, blue rock thrush and golden oreols.This self-guided walking holiday explores the most remote south-west corner of Crete. |
Day 1:
Arrival in Iraklio (Heraklion). Transfer from airport about 15 minutes away. Welcome drinks and dinner in a traditional taverna.
Day 2:
After touring the Venetian walls of Iraklio, we visit Crete’s most famous archaeological site, the great Minoan palace of Knossos. Lunch and wine tasting in the lush Peza region, the heart of Cretan wine-making. Free afternoon in Iraklio.
Day 3:
North along the coast to the extensive remains of the Minoan Palace at Malia and its surrounding town, founded over 4,000 years ago. We drive up into the Dykti mountains to the celebrated Lasithi Plateau, 1,000m above sea level and famous for its white-sailed windmills. In the afternoon we take a panoramic walk to the stupendous Dyktaian cave, a geological wonder, where according to legend Zeus himself was raised. Our village hotel to the east is situated in a picturesque mountain village.
Day 4:
Morning drive to the spectacular Zakros Gorge, or Gorge of the Dead, in the romantically wild east of the island. We walk (approx. 4km) through the gorge to the tiny coastal plain of Kato Zakros, site of a Minoan town and palace which we explore. On the way back to our hotel, we stop for coffee on the seafront of Siteia.
Day 5:
We explore the incredibly well- preserved Minoan town of Gournia and the scenic Hellenistic city of Lato boasting wonderful views over the gulf of Mirabello. We visit the Byzantine/ Venetian church of Panayia Kera with its famous frescoes and head west through central Crete into the Asterousia Mountains, towering above the rugged southern coast.
Day 6:
A morning visit to the beautifully located Minoan town of Agia Triada, which may have been a summer residence of the Bronze Age rulers of southern Crete. In the afternoon, we explore the Minoan palace at Phaistos, the most impressive of its kind, in a panoramic setting overlooking the huge Mesara Plain and the snow-topped peaks of Mt. Ida.
Day 7:
We investigate the island’s Roman capital, Gortyn, with an array of excavated buildings and other largely unexcavated ruins scattered among the olive groves. We continue into the western half of Crete, to enjoy lunch and a tasting at a famous winery in the most fertile part of Crete. We end the day at a lovely seafront hotel in the beautiful Venetian city of Chania.
Day 8:
Free day, yours to relax or explore the lanes and vistas of Chania. You are free to choose your own options for lunch and dinner.
Day 9:
A stunning drive along the edge of the White Mountains to Souyia on the south coast. We walk (approx. 3km) through a rocky gorge across to rarely visited Lissos, one of the loveliest ancient cities in Crete, set in a cove only reachable by foot or boat.
Day 10:
A morning drive to the Akrotiri peninsula to visit the small monastery of Gouverneto. We walk down a magnificently scenic hillside to view the famous ‘Bear Cave’ and its chapel overlooking a gorge leading to a rocky cove below. After a village lunch, we explore the vast Classical and Roman city of Aptera, overlooking the grand bay of Souda. We end the day in the grand Venetian city of Rethymno, where we stay in a 16th century palazzo.
Day 11:
We explore the highlights of Rethymno: its archaeological museum, Venetian castle and Ottoman mosque. Southeast to Eleftherna, one of the oldest most important ancient cities, set in the beautiful Amari valley and still undergoing excavation.
Day 12:
After dropping by the Late Minoan cemetery at Armenoi, we return to Iraklio to visit the Archaeological Museum, one of the world’s most important exhibits of prehistoric art and artefacts, a magnificent showcase of the Minoan culture. Afterwards, we head out for another lunch-and-wine-tasting and a visit to the Minoan town surrounding Knossos Palace. The day concludes with a final gourmet dinner.
Day 13:
Transfer to Heraklion airport about 15 minutes away.
Day 1 Arrive in Chania
Arrive in the charming city of Chania. Its perfect setting with the White Mountains as a background, lively harbour, historical remains and busy market make it the ideal starting point. You'll be met in the afternoon by our local representative for your briefing.
Day 2 Chania to Agia Irini and Sougia Bay
Today starts with a transfer to the White Mountains. The walk takes you through the narrow gorge of Agia Irini where areas of humidity and shade sustain a variety of plants, and gigantic plane trees grace a large clearing half way up. Ending at Agia Irini village a short transfer takes you to Sougia bay on the Lybian coast.
Day 3 Sougia Bay to Ancient Lissos
From Sougia walk along a path towards the ancient city of Lissos waterfront, the walk follows a beautiful small canyon with narrow yet high walls, after which the Temple of Asclepius appears in front of you. You walk amongst the scattered ruins of the ancient city discovering tombs, the Roman theatre and the church of Saint Kirikos. Return to Sougia the same way and time permitting relax at the beach before taking a boat transfer to the fishing village of Agia Roumeli where you spend the next two nights.
Day 4 Samaria Gorge
Walk from Agia Roumeli up part of the Samaria gorge, Europe's longest gorge. Watch out for lammergeyers as you go over trickling streams and through forests of scented pines tp the 'Iron Gates' the narrowest point of the gorge where the rocks on either side are 600m high. Head back down the gorge to return to Agia Roumeli.
Day 5 Agia Roumeli to Loutro
Enjoy a wonderful coastal walk today to the picturesque 13th century chapel of St Pavlos,where the apostle supposedly first arrived in Crete, stop for a swim before heading on to Marmara where you can enjoy lunch in a taverna and stop for another swim, continue on along the coastal path to Loutro or take a water taxi from Marmara (payable locally). A shorter walking option is also available.
Day 6 Optional walk to Aradena
Spend the day relaxing in Loutro or take a leisurely hike via Foinikas to Marmara beach to the entrance of Aradena gorge. Return the same way or take a water taxi back to Loutro (payable locally).
Day 7 Loutro to Hora Sfakion (Chania)
Follow the coastal path to Freshwater beach, so-called because of the fresh spring water that bubbles just under the surface. Enjoy a swim and a picnic before continuing on to Hora Sfakion where a transfer takes you back to Chania for your last night.
Day 8 Leave Chania
The tour ends after breakfast in Chania.
