Wildflowers of Crete
Wildflowers of Crete
Wildflowers of Crete
8 Days Starting and ending in United Kingdom
Visiting: Chania, Crete
Tour operator:
Tour code:
FGRSC
Guide Type:
Fully Guided
Group size:
15 - 35
Physical rating:
Relaxed Touring
Age range:
18-99
Special diets catered:
Vegetarians, Vegans, Please make us aware of any specific dietary requests
Tour operated in:
EnglishTrip Styles:
Interests:
Activities:
Tour Overview
Wildflowers and nature walks are at the heart of this holiday, as well as incredible history. From your base in the lovely seaside resort of Agia Marina, head into the Omalos Upland Plain, Crete’s orange-growing region that boasts spectacular scenery, quaint farms and an abundance of wildflowers including daphnes, tulips and peonies. You’ll also visit the Samaria Gorge, home to a further 450 types of plants. You might opt to join an excursion to the magnificent Minoan Palace ruins at Knossos, before we head to Heraklion to admire the Old Town’s Venetian walls and the ancient fortress. Discover more wildflowers during a botanical ramble around the Akrotiri Pennisula, and then it’s off to Chania to discover Greek coffee. The Minoan cemetery of Armenoi displays a mass of spring flowers, and the hilltop city state of Aptera is home to a variety of ancient ruins sat amidst the beautiful flower-strewn landscape.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 Uk - Crete
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: D
Today you will fly to Chania. On arrival we'll transfer you to the lovely seaside resort of Agia Marina, on Crete's north-west coast. Your 4-star accommodation here is a boutique hotel located on a sandy beach.
Day 2 The White Mountains
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
You should see plenty of wildflowers on today's tour, which takes you into the Omalos Upland Plain, Crete's orange-growing region. As you ascend into the spectacular scenery of the White Mountains, past traditional farms and fragrant citrus groves, your Tour Lecturer will share their knowledge with you. They'll tell you about the various types of flora you might see, including daphnes, tulips, peonies and anemones. You'll also learn about the many types of endemic flowers that only grow in this part of the island.
Your next stop is the viewpoint at the entrance of the Samaria Gorge, which is believed to be the largest in Europe. It's said that at least 450 types of plant grow here, so you're sure to notch up more wildflower spots. Keep a lookout too for Crete's most famous inhabitants, wild goats.
Day 3 Agia Marina - At Leisure
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
How you spend today is entirely up to you. You could choose a day of relaxation and take the few steps from your hotel to the sandy Blue-Flag beach.
Alternatively, if you'd like to delve into Crete's fascinating history, join an optional excursion to the north coast and the magnificent Minoan Palace ruins of Knossos. The seat of the legendary King Minos, this multi-storeyed palace covered an area of 22,000 square metres. The Minoans were Europe's first advanced civilisation, and as you explore this incredible site in the company of a Local Guide, you'll learn all about them. You'll also hear about the mythological labyrinth – the dwelling of the Minotaur, a beast with the head of a bull and the body of a man.
You'll then head to Crete's capital Heraklion. There's time to stop for lunch if you wish, and admire the Old Town's Venetian walls and the ancient fortress that dominates the harbour.
Day 4 Akrotiri Peninsula & Chania
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
Spend time with your Tour Lecturer today as they host a botanical ramble around the Akrotiri Peninsula on the north-west coast of the island. You'll also visit the Byzantine monastery of Agia Triada, one of the most significant monuments on Crete. Built in the 17th century, the monastery also has a library which contains some rare books and a museum displaying a collection of artefacts and icons.
We're going to end our day in Chania. One of Crete's most beautiful cities, it boasts a picturesque Old Town with Neoclassical buildings and an enchanting Venetian harbour. Maybe stop for a drink in a waterfront café and enjoy views out to the sea and Chania's historic lighthouse.
Day 5 Spili
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
We drive east today towards Rethymno, and visit the Minoan cemetery of Armenoi, which in spring displays a mass of wildflowers. We then continue our journey to Spili, hunting for orchids and other flowers along the way. This charming mountain village is well known for the spring water fountain in its main square, which features a row of sculptured lion heads.
Day 6 Aptera
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
A morning of exploration takes you to the hilltop city state of Aptera, the most powerful city of western Crete during the Minoan period. In the company of your Tour Lecturer you'll discover the remains of an ancient city whose impressive walls date back to the 5th century BC. Temples, Roman cisterns and a Byzantine monastery stand in a beautiful landscape strewn with wildflowers.
Back at the hotel, a lazy afternoon beckons, so why not relax on the beach or by the pool.
Day 7 Agia Marina - At Leisure
Location: Chania
Accommodation Name: Santa Marina Plaza
Meals Included: B, D
If relaxation is high on your list, you may want to head to the beach today, or enjoy your hotel's facilities.
If you choose to join today's optional excursion you'll head to Apokoronas, an area located at the foot of the White Mountains and renowned for its wildflowers. Also included is a visit to the Folklore Museum of Gavalochori. Run by a women's co-operative, here you'll learn about the peasant lifestyle of the region, and see how silk and lace are produced. Your tour ends in the lovely beach resort of Almyrida, where, if you wish, you can enjoy lunch by the sea.
Day 8 Crete - Uk
Meals Included: B
Transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK.
What's Included
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Accommodation
4 star hotel -
Return flights from London
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7 nights half board in a 4-star hotel
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14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and welcome drink
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Overseas transfers, local transportation and porterage
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Tour Lecturer
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Travelsphere Holiday Director and Tour Lecturer
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Portable audio headset system on excursions
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Return flights from London
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14 meals: 7 breakfasts, 7 dinners and welcome drink
What's Not Included
Excursions Included
- Wildflower meadows and the White Mountains tour
- Explore the Akrotiri Peninsula
- Chania and its Venetian harbour
- Discover Spili and the Minoan Cemetery
- Visit the ancient city of Aptera
Accommodation
- Santa Marina Plaza
- 4-star Santa Marina Plaza in Agia Marina which lies just steps from an idyllic Blue Flag beach. Facilities include a restaurant, bar and pool. Guest rooms feature en suite facilities, tea/coffee making facilities, air conditioning, wi-fi, TV and hairdryer.
Optional Excursions
- Knossos Palace and Heraklion
- Wildflowers of Apokoronas and visit to a womens co-operative to discover how lace and silk are produced
Check out our Q&As
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Are the local guides on the tour English speaking?
Yes
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Are flights included in this tour?
Yes
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Are children permitted to take part in the tour?
No. Min age is 18 years.
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Are airport transfers included in this tour?
Yes
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Are vaccinations required for this tour?
Requirements do change, and you must check the up to date position in good time before departure so that you have the correct documentation and are adequately vaccinated. Information on health is available from your GP surgery and from the National Travel Health Network and Centre www.travelhealthpro.org.uk
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Will I know the names and details of all the accommodation before I depart?
Yes
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
Travelsphere’s Flexibility Promise has been created to give you complete peace of mind and make you feel confident when booking your holiday with us. We have also been awarded the WTTC safe travels stamp which recognises businesses and destinations worldwide that have adopted a new set of global protocols to support the return of 'Safe Travel' around the world.
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How long has the tour company been trading?
Travelsphere has been operating escorted touring holidays for 60 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
At Travelsphere, we are committed to operating our business operations responsibly, with integrity and always act ethically in all our business dealings and relationships. We are committed to implementing and enforcing effective systems and controls to ensure slavery and human trafficking does not take place in our own business or in any of our supply chains
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You will receive Holiday conformation upon booking, and then several documents detailing any adddiotnal information and the optional excursions that you can book before you travel. The final information covering your flights, hotels and itinerary will be sent to you around 14 days before your departure date.
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Do you operate a “single share” option and how does it work?
No, we do not offer single share options
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Can I join the tour once it has departed?
No, Im afraid not
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
If we can accomadate a change in date - we will always do our best to help you. Just pick up the phone and ask one of our friendly advisors - and make sure you have your booking number to hand.
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Am I contributing to any charity by booking the tour?
Our Travelsphere Cares programmes, in partnership with the Planeterra Foundation, support local projects and social enterprises by helping them earn an income from tourism. We simply donate a portion of the funds from our tours, so it’s great to know that when you travel with us you are helping to change lives and turn travel into real impact.
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Who will be my travelling companions on the tour?
Like minded travellers
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
All of our accommodation providers will be working to the very highest standards of hygiene – you already always enjoy a private room of your own on all of our trips, all of our partners will be guided by local government operational standards of hygiene and the new protocols we have issued to them.
Reviews from Travellers on this Tour
Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Travelsphere allows you to make 4 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Travelsphere allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform travelsphere, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Travelsphere requires a minimum deposit of 21% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 84 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of travelsphere charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.
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