Minoan Crete & stunning Santorini
Minoan Crete & stunning Santorini
Minoan Crete & stunning Santorini
8 Days Starting and ending in London Gatwick
Visiting: Greece
Tour operator:
Tour code:
MIN/7967
Recommended For:
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
0 - 30
Tour Overview
You'll love this tour if you like:
- Archaeology - there are many fascinating sites to discover
- History - there is 4,500 years of it to explore
- Spectacular scenery, and lots of it
- Relaxed island atmosphere
- Authentic Greek cuisine
Crete is known for its wonderful scenery and its fantastic climate but it is also a fascinating destination for a cultural and historic tour, offering a wealth of sites that reflect its ancient Minoan culture, which dates back some 4,500 years or more!
This ancient history is a prominent focus of our tour but the island has seen numerous invaders in its long history so we will also discover some more recent historic periods, particularly the Byzantine and Venetian eras, which led to two of the islands most beautiful towns, Chania in the west and, our base for the week, Rethymnon, both of which are situated right next to the sea. We also visit the spectacular island of Santorini, where a volcanic eruption is believed to have contributed greatly to the demise of the Minoan Civilisation in Crete some 3600 years ago.
Our visits include the two most prominent of the Minoan Palaces found on Crete, Knossos and Phaestos, and the late Minoan Cemetery of Armeni. We will explore on foot the exceptionally charming towns of Rethymnon and Chania, where narrow cobbled lanes, lined with quaint and beautifully preserved Turkish, Venetian & Byzantine buildings, enticing tavernas, cafes and small shops, meander picturesquely behind glorious harbours. And of course, we visit, by boat, ‘stunning Santorini’, one of the most spectacular islands in Greece, with its white-washed houses, string of picturesque villages and stunning views!
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Itinerary
Day 1: Fly from London Gatwick to Heraklion. On arrival in Heraklion, transfer by coach to Rethymnon (approx. one hour).
Day 2: Morning guided walking tour of Rethymnon’s old town with the afternoon free. A fascinating and attractive town, Rethymnon has a colourful history and owes its character to periods of rule under the Venetians and Turks. Magnificent buildings line narrow streets that are perfect for strolling and the delightful old town is full of cafes, restaurants and small shops selling local crafts and food.
Day 3: Full day tour to the Minoan cemetery of Armeni and the Palace of Phaestos. Excavation of the Minoan cemetery of Armeni has uncovered more than 200 graves and a wealth of Minoan artefacts. The vaulted tombs are hewn from rock and the numerous skeletons uncovered have given much information as to the physical appearance and health of the Minoan people. One of the four great palaces of the Minoan ‘Golden Age’ Phaestos, inhabited since around 4000BC, was excavated at the beginning of the century, with reconstruction kept to a minimum; it is a magnificent site with a commanding view of the Messara plain.
Day 4: Full day visit by boat to Santorini. The spectacular island of Santorini, located 63 nautical miles north of Crete, was formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history, which was also credited with the destruction of the Minoan civilisation on Crete. Santorini is a mass of soaring cliffs, topped with bright white-washed Cycladic houses. Visits here include the excavated settlement of Akrotiri, Thira and Oia. Lunch is included today.
Day 5: Full day to relax and explore at your leisure. An optional tour is available today (payable locally) to the monastery of Arkadi and the village of Thronos in the Amari Valley. Arkadi dates from the 5th century and is a place of great historical importance telling a terrible tale that contributed significantly to the liberation of Crete from the Turks. In Thronos we find one of the many Byzantine churches of the Amari Valley that we have the opportunity to visit to see its impressive wall paintings.
Day 6: Full day tour to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum. Little was known about the ancient Minoan civilisation until 1894 with the discovery, by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, of Knossos. Excavations began in 1900AD which revealed the remains of an extensive palace and surrounding town. Dating from 1900BC, the Palace was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700BC, rebuilt and then finally destroyed in 1375BC by fire. Knossos is now the most well-known of the Minoan sites on the island, controversially made famous by the restoration work done by Evans. The Archaeological Museum at Heraklion houses some of the most famous Minoan finds from Knossos and other sites on Crete.
Day 7: Full day tour to Chania. An atmospheric Venetian harbour town, Chania is set against a spectacular backdrop of majestic mountains and aquamarine seas. A turbulent history saw its occupation by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks and Egyptians, but this has left behind a rich and captivating architectural heritage. En route to Chania we will stop briefly at the Souda Bay Commonwealth War Cemetery and hear the tragic tale of the 1941 ‘Battle of Crete’.
Day 8: Transfer by coach back to Heraklion airport for your 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 45 passengers.
What's Included
INCLUDED
- Return flights from Gatwick to Heraklion (regional flights may be available) including all payable taxes
- Seven nights’ accommodation on bed and breakfast basis at the three-star Ideon Hotel based on shared occupancy of a twin/double room
- Transfers and excursions as detailed
- One lunch and one dinner
- Entrance fees
- Tour manager and local guide throughout
NOT INCLUDED
- Single room supplement
- Holiday insurance
- Regional flight supplement - regional flights are available from a number of UK airports including Manchester, Leeds Bradford, East Midlands, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Bristol. These are subject to availability and supplement. Please contact us for a quote.
- Meals other than those stated
- Optional half-board on request (supplement applies)
- Upgrade to a one bedroom apartment on request (supplement applies)
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
- Porterage and gratuities
Accommodation
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
Rethymnon
Rethymnon is a fascinating and pretty town, with a colourful and historical past and owes its character to periods of rule under the Venetians and Turks from the 16th century onwards that has left a 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 the delightful old town full of cafes, restaurants and small shops selling local crafts and foods. Easily accessed on foot from your hotel the quaintness of this atmospheric old town will be sure to entice you again and again.
Phaestos
One of the four great palaces of the Minoan 'Golden Age' Phaestos, inhabited since around 4000BC, was excavated at the beginning of the century, with reconstruction kept to a minimum; it is a magnificent site with a commanding view of the Messara plain and Mount Ida (the highest mountain in Crete) in the distance.
Knossos
Little was known about the ancient Minoan civilisation until 1894 with the discovery, by British archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans, of the palace at Knossos. Excavations began in 1900 AD which revealed the remains of an extensive palace and surrounding town. Dating from 1900 BC, the Palace was destroyed by an earthquake in 1700 BC, rebuilt and then finally destroyed in 1375 BC by fire. Controversially restored by Evans, a visit here gives a fascinating insight into this ancient and highly-developed civilization. Highlights include the Royal Apartments, Throne Room, giant “pithoi” storage jars and the Priest-King fresco.
The Archaeological Museum, Heraklion
The newly renovated Museum at Heraklion has a fantastic display of finds from sites all over Crete. It includes some of the most famous and well known objects found including the Phaestos Disc, the ring of King Minos, Bull's head Rhyton, double axes, frescoes from Knossos, peak sanctuary figurines and the exquisite gold bee pendant. It also now houses many finds that have never been displayed before.
Chania
Set against a spectacular backdrop of majestic mountains and aquamarine seas, Chania is one of Crete’s most alluring towns. Its troubled history of occupation by Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks and Egyptians has left a rich architectural heritage, particularly in the old Venetian quarter around the harbour. Highlights of this charming and quaint district include the magnificent harbour, Naval Museum, Mosque of the Janissaries and the covered market that sells an excellent variety of local produce.
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.
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Up to 56 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
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