Authentic Crete
Authentic Crete
125 Views
Authentic Crete
8 Days Starting and ending in London Gatwick
Visiting: Greece
Tour operator:
Tour code:
CIC/19658
Specialist Group:
Fifty+
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 25
Age range:
50+
Tour Overview
If you are something of a Grecophile who loves the more traditional side of Greek life, this tour is for you, as it has been designed specifically to introduce the very authentic side of Cretan life and culture. Crete is blessed by nature, fertile and wild, everything grows here, and this agricultural side of life will very much be a focus of our tour along with some excellent local food. We will visit small villages, sample tasty local and very traditional cooking, get involved in some of the islands agriculture and visit some excellent tavernas, well-visited by locals but rarely discovered by visitors. In Spring we also experience some of the traditional celebrations of Greek Easter, the biggest religious festival in the Orthodox calendar.
View an example of Cretan hospitality here
Click here for explanation of the footprint symbols
Itinerary
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Chania. On arrival, transfer to the Ideon Hotel, Rethymnon (approx. 1 hour).
Day 2: Gavalohori and Chania.
Our visits start at the small village of Gavalohori in western Crete. It is a very typical and atmospheric village with an interesting history that we discover in its small folklore Musuem. The village is named after the Gavalades, 12 men that were sent to Crete from Constantinople to govern the region in 1182. After refreshments and a small walk in the village we continue to Chania and visit the market, which dates back to 1909 and we will have a guided tour of ‘Splanzia’, a very atmospheric area of the old town. Our visits culminate in a local taverna, situated in a shady square, where we enjoy our first delicious lunch.
Day 3: Kissos and Kendrohori.
We head south of Rethymnon to the village of Kissos where we walk through the village to an old monastery, Agio Pnevma. Until recently the monastery was a complete ruin but it has been recently renovated and now one monk lives there. It is a delightful place, with immaculate gardens and real serenity. From the monastery we continue to the neighbouring village of Kendrohori, a typical and very simple hill village where we stop for refreshments before enjoying a short walk to the ‘cave’ church of Agios Efstratios. We then return to the villages’ one taverna, ‘Agamemnon’, where Agamemnon and his wife Ourania will show us how to make the traditional Tsoureki, a sweet bread, and the red eggs that are always prepared on the Thursday (Holy Thursday) before Easter throughout Greece. They will also prepare some wonderful food for us to enjoy.
Day 4: Argiroupolis and Chromonasteri.
We visit Argiroupolis, famous for springs that flow in and around the village all year round. We will visit a Carob factory and have a walk through the village. In the past, all coastal areas of Crete produced carobs, which were exported all over the world. In times of poverty, the carob trees of Crete fed the poor as well as the rebels who hid in the mountains. Cultivation declined dramatically until recently and now the carob is becoming popular once again. We will enjoy a village lunch before returning to Rethymnon to relax, as in the evening we will visit the historical village of Chromonasteri, situated 12kms from Rethymnon, to see the traditional procession of the Epithafios, which takes place in all the villages and towns all over Greece on Good Friday.
Day 5: Day at leisure.
For those who wish to witness the Easter midnight Resurrection service and the celebrations that follow, we will travel to a small village to experience the event.
Day 6: Easter Sunday feast.
Today will be spent celebrating Easter the way the Greeks do with a feast! We will travel to a local village and enjoy an Easter feast of spit roast lamb, village pies, and local wine!
Day 7: Margaritas, Arkadi Monastery and farewell lunch.
Our final tour is a leisurely one after the celebrations of Greek Easter. We visit the pretty pottery village of Margaritas, the historic monastery of Arkadi and enjoy a ‘farewell’ lunch altogether at a traditional taverna in the Amari Valley.
Day 8: Transfer to Chania Airport for the return flight to London Gatwick.
NB: Exact order of itinerary may vary according to local conditions and tour manager's discretion.
Please note the maximum group size on this tour is 20 passengers.
What's Included
Bed and Breakfast, 4 lunches, 1 dinner
Accommodation
Rethymnon
The base for our tour is the atmospheric and historical Venetian harbour town of Rethymnon. This fantastic town has a colourful and historical past that is evident in the legacy of marvellous old buildings that line its narrow, pedestrianised streets. Perfect for strolling, sights here include the imposing battlements of the 16th century Venetian fortress, a picturesque harbour with a 13th century lighthouse and a delightful 'old town' full of cafes, tavernas and small shops selling local crafts, souvenirs and food. Easily accessed on foot from your hotel, the quaintness of this atmospheric old town will be sure to entice you again and again during your stay.
Ideon Hotel, Rethymnon
The Ideon Hotel is a three-star hotel well located right next to Rethymnon's fantastic Venetian harbour and just a 3 minute walk from the atmospheric back streets and narrow alleyways that characterise this fantastic old town and where you will find an excellent choice of tavernas, cafes and interesting small shops.
The hotel offers comfortable air-conditioned rooms with private balcony, bath/shower, TV and telephone. The hotel facilities include a swimming pool, street cafe that overlooks the sea, lounge bar and restaurant.
Ideon Hotel Website
OUR VIEW ON THE HOTEL
We chose this hotel first and foremost because of its excellent location, which is just a stone's throw from both the Venetian harbour and the atmospheric old town's historic backstreets, which makes dining out in the evening and exploring in your leisure time a very easy option. Equally importantly, we felt the hotel also offered comfortable and friendly three-star accommodation.
Places of Interest
For full details please see the detailed itinerary
Click here to go to the itinerary
More Info
FLIGHTS
Please note that all flight times are provisional and subject to airline schedules and changes.
HEALTH & INSURANCE – EHIC CARD
Please note that EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) only allows access to the same state-provided healthcare as a resident of the EU country they are temporarily visiting. It is NOT an alternative to travel insurance and will not provide the same level of cover as a travel insurance policy. The EHIC will not cover any private medical healthcare or the cost of things such as repatriation to the UK or lost or stolen property. It is also important to note that each country’s healthcare system is slightly different, so the EHIC might not cover everything that would be generally free on the NHS. On the EHIC application website, there is a section called Access to Healthcare Abroad which clarifies all the conditions and inclusions. We strongly recommend that you take out an appropriate travel insurance policy when you travel abroad.
Reviews of this Operator
Book with Confidence
-
Low Deposit
Travel Editions requires a minimum deposit of 20% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 56 days before departure.
-
Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travel editions charges.
Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 55 days before tour starts: Forfeit 45% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 60% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
Why book with tourhub?
Safe & Secure
Your money is protected in an external trust until you travel.
100% Guaranteed Refunds if your trip is cancelled.
The safest way to make overseas, multi-currency payments.
Guaranteed Best Value
Industry leading discounts, we won't be beaten on price.
No cancellation or amendment fees from tourhub.
(Operator terms may apply)
Expert Knowledge
Reliable & unbiased advice from travel experts.
Direct contact with the tour operator via our messaging service.
Inspiration & advice from a community of 6000+ real travellers, influencers & content creators.
Trusted Service
Official partners & licensed agents of 1000+ tour operators worldwide.
Don't just take our word for it...
"Tourhub: Friendliness, Professionalism & Integrity I would happily give tourhub a 6* review if I could..."