Worldwide 2024-25

EUROPE • GREECE
The Wonders
of Ancient Crete
Duration • 8 days & 7 nights
Category • Superior
Small-group tour • From £1,895 (incl. flights)
Private tour • From £4,195 (incl. flights)
This group tour features…
Small group size – average 14
people (max 18)
Weather
Heraklion
4-star accommodation
Flexible – extensions, room & flight
upgrades available
Direct international flights with
British Airways
Transfers in air-conditioned
vehicles
Experienced local tour manager
7 breakfasts & 2 lunches
Welcome lunch & farewell drink
with your group & tour manager
Hotel porterage
Guided sightseeing & entrance
fees included
J F M A M J J A S O N D
A 14 14 15 19 23 27 28 28 25 22 19 15
B 7 8 8 11 14 18 20 20 18 15 12 9
C 153 118 90 38 20 8 3 1 23 95 83 122
A: Maximum average temperature (°C)
B: Minimum average temperature (°C)
C: Average rainfall (mm)
As a strategic gateway to the eastern
Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by a
number of great powers, from the Minoans,
one of Europe’s first civilisations, to the
Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires.
This tour explores Crete’s scenic and cultural
highlights, including the Palace of Knossos,
an incomparable monument of ancient
Minoan society.
SIGNATURE EXPERIENCES
Beekeeping experience and honey
tasting
Visits to the archaeological sites of
Knossos and Eleftherna
Wine tasting with a traditional
Cretan lunch
Boat trip to the isle of Spinalonga, once
a Venetian fortress
Day 1: Fly to Heraklion • Rethymno
Fly from London (regional connections
available) to Heraklion with British Airways.
Transfer to Theartemis Palace in Rethymno
(or similar) for 3 nights. (N)
Day 2: Aptera • Chania
Morning visit to the ancient site of Aptera.
Continue to the town of Chania with its Venetian
Spinalonga
harbour, and visit the Allied Cemetery, which
contains 1,545 burials from the second world
war. Enjoy a welcome lunch, then continue to
Rethymno for a guided city walk. (B, L)
Day 3: Arkadi • Eleftherna • Rethymno
This morning, visit the fortified monastery of
Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient
Eleftherna with its impressive collection of
artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet
a beekeeper for an introduction to beehives
and their cultivation. (B)
Day 4: Phaestos • Matala • Heraklion
Drive across the island to the Messara Plain
and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace.
Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town,
and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach.
Drive to Heraklion, stopping en route at
the archaeological site of Gortys. Stay 4
nights at the Aquila Atlantis Hotel
(or similar). (B)
Day 5: Knossos • Pediados
Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of
Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation.
According to myth, it was home to King Minos
and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the
Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive to the
Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s
most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine
estate for an introduction to Cretan wine with
tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at
leisure. (B, L)
Day 6: Kera • Spinalonga • Heraklion
Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the
168
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