MAINLAND CRETE - 9 DAYS
AVAILABLE DATES - Sunday 28th September – Monday 6th October 2008 AND Sunday 3rd May to Monday 11 May 2009
ITINERARY
There are no direct Schedule Flights to Crete from UK thus we have included a stop over in Athens with the advantage of experiencing both Classical and Minoan Archaeology and Greek and Cretan Culture and hospitality.
In Crete you have the choice of two Hotels –
ITINERARY 1: Hotel Hermes (Grade A) – In an excellent position 5 minutes walk from Aghios Nikolaos Town Centre and Marina ‘close enough to visit the centre yet far enough away to be peaceful’. Lovely views and pool.
ITINERARY 2:Istron Bay Hotel (4*) – A Self Contained Superior Hotel Complex 13klm from Aghios Nikolaos. Stunning views, beach, pool, tennis courts,choice of Restaurants and Bistro, evening entertainment.
ITINERARY
Day 1 – Sunday
Depart Heathrow Olympic Airlines Flight OA 260 at 1225hrs. Arrive Athens International Airport 1800hrs. Transfer to central Hotel (4* Jason Prime Hotel) for Welcome Drinks, Introductions and Dinner. Evening Walk via Ermou shopping district to Syntagma Square to view archaeological strata in new Metro, watch the changing of the Guards (Evzones) at the Parliament Building (Boule) and either drinks in Kolonaki whilst people watching the ‘rich and beautiful’ Athenian Café Society.
Day 2 – Monday
Escorted Walking Tour to Areopagus Hill (site of St Paul’s Sermon), the Athens Akropolis (Propylaea, Parthenon, Erechtheion and Nike), new Akropolis Museum (due to open September 2008), Greek Agora and Roman Forum (Ancient Markets and Civic Centres). Afternoon and evening at Leisure.
4* Jason Prime Hotel, Athens B+B
Day 3 – Tuesday
Escorted Walking Tour to the National Archaeological Museum.
Afternoon Escorted Coach Transfer to Athens Airport via Temple of Poseidon, spectacularly set on the edge of Cape Sounion.
Depart Athens on OA Flight Nos. 514 at 1840hrs.
Arrive Heraklion Airport 1930hrs
Escorted Transfer to either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos H/B.
Welcome Drink, Introductions and Dinner.
Aghios Nikolaos (your base for the remainder of the Tour) is a small harbour town with large esplanade, beach, Archaeological and Folk Museums, tree lined avenues, picturesque lake surrounded by Cafes and Restaurants. It has one of the best shopping centres in Crete – ubiquitous tourist outlets and superior boutiques selling clothes, rugs, leather goods and jewellery.
Day 4 – Wednesday
Full Day Escorted Excursion to the Palace of Knossos, legendary home of King Minos and the Cretan Labrys (Double Headed Axe) which gives us our modern word Labyrinth. The setting for the legendary defeat by Theseus of the Minotaur and the historical venue of the dangerous Bull Leaping and ritualised cannibalism. Heraklion Museum, repository of amazing archaeological evidence of the Minoan Palace Civilisation of Crete, including the famous Bull’s Head Rhyton, ivory Bull Leapers and snake entwined Priestesses.
Free Afternoon in Heraklion with time to explore the Cretan capital and outdoor markets selling everything from home made BBQs to Turkish antique jewellery. Lunch (not included/optional) at non Tourist family run Taverna.
Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos B+B
Day 5 – Thursday
Full Day Escorted Excursion through the Southern Mountain Range to Bronze Age Aghia Triada. The ‘Summer Place’ is beautifully situated on a hill at the mouth of the Ieropotamos River. Palace of Phaestos – excavation Site of the Disc which aided decipherment of Linear B. Lunch at seaside resort of Matala, overlooked by Cave Dwellings of 1960’s Hippy Colony. Gortyn, Capital of Roman Crete with public Codex, largely unexcavated and set amongst olive groves in the foot hills of Mount Ida.
Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos B+B
Day 6 – Friday
Half Day Cruise to Spinalonga (former Leper Colony) with BBQ.
Afternoon at leisure.
Evening of food, wine, dance and song at the Anopolis Village Fiesta – inclusive of Coach Transfers and Courier Assistance.
Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos B+B
Day 7 – Saturday
Full Day Escorted Excursion through spectacular mountain ranges to the volcanic Lassithi Plateau. The floodlit Diktaean Cave is the reputed birthplace of Zeus and the Trapeza Cave an important centre for pilgrimage from its Neolithic occupation to 7C BC. This highly fertile area with natural Sink Hole and eight natural passes has been the focus for rebellion and revolt from ancient times to WW2. The Folk Law Museum charts the family history of a peasant farming family throughout the early years of the last century. Afternoon at leisure in plateau village of Tzermiado.
Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos B+B
Day 8 – Sunday
Full Day Escorted Excursion to Doric Lato with threshing floor and remains of rectangular Minoan theatrical area and 13C Byzantine Panaghia Kera, famed for its frescos depicting the life of the Virgin – including ‘Joseph’s Sorrow’ (his early misunderstanding of Mary’s pregnancy). Afternoon in small unspoilt fishing village of Mokhlos to either relax or explore the small early Minoan settlement and necropolis on adjacent island (easily accessible by wading, swimming or hire of local fishing vessels)
Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel, Aghios Nikolaos B+B
Day 9 – Monday
Fully Escorted morning visit to either a local Olive Oil Farm (wine, olive and food tasting) and functioning 150 year old Oil Press OR wine tasting at Local Vineyard before transferring to Heraklion Airport for return Flight to Heathrow Airport via Athens.
Depart Heraklion Airport Flight OA 511 at 1655hrs Arrive Athens Airport 1745hrs (automatic luggage transfer)
Depart Athens Airport Flight OA 265 at 1915hrs Arrive Heathrow Airport 2115hrs
Included –
Schedule Flights – Heathrow/Athens/Crete
Coach Transfers, Taxes, Tolls in Greece/Crete
Airport Assistance on departure from Heathrow, arrival and departure from Athens/arrival and departure from Crete
Tour Manager throughout
Archaeological Guides on included Sites
Entrance Fees to named Sites, Museums and Olive Oil Farm/Vineyard for food and wine tasting
Spinalonga Boat Trip and BBQ
Welcome Drinks and Evening Meal 1st and 3rd Night
Evening Meal at Jason Prime Hotel Day 1
Evening Meal at Either Hotel Hermes or Istron Bay Hotel Day 3
Buffet Breakfast Days 2 - 9
Not Included –
UK Transfers
Flight supplement from Regional Airports
Public Transport and /or Taxi Fares in Greece if chosen instead of walking Tours
Travel Insurance
Visas (non EEC Passport Holders)
Evening Meals Days 2 + 4 - 9
Lunches (bar Spinalonga BBQ)
Drinks and Snacks
Gratuities
ITINERARY 1: Hotel Hermes (Grade A)
PRICES - Sunday 28th September – Monday 6th October 2008
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,215.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£111.00 per person Single Room Supplement
WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£940.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£111.00 per person Single Room Supplement
BOOK ONLINE HERE
Terms & Conditions
PRICES - Sunday 3rd May to Monday 11 May 2009
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,336.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£122.00 - per person Single Room Supplement
WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£1,034.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£122.00 - per person Single Room Supplement
BOOK ONLINE HERE
Terms & Conditions
ITINERARY 2: Istron Bay Hotel (4*)
PRICES - Sunday 28th September – Monday 6th October 2008
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,373.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£140.00 per person Single Room Supplement
WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£1,098.00 per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£140.00 per person Single Room Supplement
BOOK ONLINE HERE
Terms & Conditions
PRICES - Sunday 3rd May to Monday 11 May 2009
WITH FLIGHTS
£1,510.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£154.00 - per person Single Room Supplement
WITHOUT FLIGHTS
£1,208.00 - per person based on 2 people sharing a twin room
£154.00 - per person Single Room Supplement
BOOK ONLINE
Terms & Conditions
