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EUROPE • GREECE<br />
The Wonders<br />
of Ancient Crete<br />
Duration • 8 days & 7 nights<br />
Category • Superior<br />
Small-group tour • From £1,895 (incl. flights)<br />
Private tour • From £3,790 (incl. flights)<br />
This group tour features…<br />
No single supplement on<br />
selected departure dates<br />
(limited availability)<br />
Small group size – average 14<br />
people (max 18)<br />
4-star accommodation<br />
Flexible – extensions, room & flight<br />
upgrades available<br />
Direct international flights with<br />
British Airways<br />
Transfers in air-conditioned<br />
vehicles<br />
Experienced local tour manager<br />
7 breakfasts, 1 lunch & 1 dinner<br />
Guided sightseeing & entrance fees<br />
Welcome drink & farewell dinner<br />
Weather<br />
Heraklion<br />
J F M A M J J A S O N D<br />
A 14 14 15 19 23 27 28 28 25 22 19 15<br />
B 7 8 8 11 14 18 20 20 18 15 12 9<br />
C 153 118 90 38 20 8 3 1 23 95 83 122<br />
A: Maximum average temperature (°C)<br />
B: Minimum average temperature (°C)<br />
C: Average rainfall (mm)<br />
As a strategic gateway to the eastern<br />
Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by a<br />
number of great powers, from the Minoans,<br />
one of Europe’s first civilisations, to the<br />
Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires.<br />
This tour explores Crete’s scenic and cultural<br />
highlights, including the Palace of Knossos,<br />
an incomparable monument of ancient<br />
Minoan society.<br />
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES<br />
Beekeeping experience and honey<br />
tasting<br />
Visits to the archaeological sites of<br />
Knossos and Eleftherna<br />
Wine tasting with a traditional<br />
Cretan lunch<br />
Boat trip to the isle of Spinalonga, once<br />
home to a leper colony<br />
Day 1: Fly to Heraklion • Rethymno<br />
Fly from London (regional connections<br />
available) to Heraklion with British Airways.<br />
Transfer to Theartemis Palace in Rethymno<br />
(or similar) <strong>for</strong> 3 nights. Welcome drink. (N)<br />
Day 2: Aptera • Chania<br />
Morning visit to the ancient site of Aptera<br />
Continue to the town of Chania with its<br />
Venetian harbour. Also make a poignant visit<br />
to the Allied Cemetery, containing second<br />
world war burials. Continue to Rethymno <strong>for</strong> a<br />
guided city walk. (B)<br />
Day 3: Arkadi • Eleftherna • Rethymno<br />
This morning, visit the <strong>for</strong>tified monastery of<br />
Ancient ruins of the Palace of Knossos, Crete<br />
Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient<br />
Eleftherna with its impressive collection of<br />
artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet<br />
a beekeeper <strong>for</strong> an introduction to beehives<br />
and their cultivation. (B)<br />
Day 4: Phaestos • Matala • Heraklion<br />
Drive across the island to the Messara plain<br />
and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace.<br />
Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town,<br />
and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach.<br />
Drive to Heraklion, stopping en route at<br />
the archaeological site of Gortys. Stay 4<br />
nights at the Aquila Atlantis Hotel<br />
(or similar). (B)<br />
Day 5: Knossos • Wine tasting<br />
Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of<br />
Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation.<br />
According to myth, it was home to King Minos<br />
and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the<br />
Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive into the<br />
Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s<br />
most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine<br />
estate <strong>for</strong> an introduction to Cretan wine, with<br />
tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at<br />
leisure. (B, L)<br />
Day 6: Kera • Spinalonga • Heraklion<br />
Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the<br />
finest Byzantine frescoes in Crete. Continue<br />
to Elounda and take a boat to Spinalonga.<br />
Formerly a leper colony, this <strong>for</strong>tified island<br />
has been imprinted by Greek, Ottoman,<br />
Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Return<br />
to Heraklion via the port town of Agios<br />
Nikolaos. (B)<br />
Day 7: Heraklion<br />
Morning at leisure to relax by the pool or<br />
explore Heraklion’s old town. Afternoon guided<br />
visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum<br />
with its collection of Minoan treasure. Farewell<br />
dinner at a local restaurant. (B, D)<br />
126<br />
View our full range of itineraries, hotels and experiences at CoxandKings.co.uk