• 7x nights bed and breakfast accommodation on twin sharing basis
• 2x dinners and 3x lunches with drinks
• Guided walking tour of Chania Old Town & waterfront
• Omalós Plateau wildflower walk with an expert guide
• Imbros Gorge wildlife walk with an expert guide
• Lassithi Upland Plateau wildflower walk with an expert guide
• Visit to Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete
• Visit the archeological site of Polyrinia
• Visit the archaeological site of Aptera
• Visit the archaeological site of Armeni
• Visit the archaeological site of Knossos
• Visit to the archaeological site of Vathypetro
• Visit to Cave of Diktaion
• Services of ECT Tour Manager 
• Local Guide with wildflower and archaeological expertise 
• All transfers while in Crete
• All entrance fees

Day One - Saturday 4th May

07:15 - depart London Heathrow on British Airways BA660 for Chania Terminal 5

13:20 - arrive Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis 

14:30 - depart Chania Airport and transfer by private coach to 3* Porto Veneziano Hotel

15:00 - arrive Porto Veneziano Hotel and check in

Set on Chania's Old Venetian Harbour in the heart of the beautiful Old Town, this charming hotel with its pretty wrought-iron balconies boasts views of the port, the Cretan sea, the historic Old Town and the majestic White Mountains. It is also just 5-minutes walk from the popular Koum Κapi Beach and 9 minutes from the Archaeological Museum of Chania. 

Mid pm - meet in the hotel lobby for a guided walking tour of Chania Old Town and waterfront.  A  mix of Cretan, Venetian and Ottoman elements, the beautiful narrow streets of the Old Town offer a taste of the island's history. Many of the preserved and restored mansions have been turned into bustling taverns, tempting restaurants and local shops.

Evening - welcome dinner at a local restaurant

Day Two - Sunday 5th May - Orthodox Easter Sunday 

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart hotel by private coach to Omalós Plateau for a wildflower walk with an expert guide.  A flat piece of land ringed by high peaks at an altitude of 1200 m, the Omalós Plateau is a green oasis among the harsh terrain of the White Mountains and each spring it bursts into bloom. Your guide will lead a gentle, flat walk (approximately 5-6km over a couple of hours), and point out flora including asphodels and native tulips. The area is also known for its abundant wild herbs such as oregano, thyme and the native herb known as 'dittany of Crete'. We will stop at a local restaurant before the walk for coffee or a cup of traditional mountain tea. Made from different species of the Sideritis plant genus, Greek mountain tea - tsai tou vounou - has been known since ancient times. 

After the walk will drive on to the nearby Xyloskalo entrance to the Samarian Gorge. Stretching for 16km, the Samarian Gorge is the longest in Europe and one of the most impressive in Greece. The entrance at Xyloskalo offers incredible panoramas stretching out across imposing snow-capped peaks and deep ravines.

We will spend about 1.5hours at the gorge to give you time to enjoy the landscape and incredible atmosphere before heading back to Xyloskalo village to experience one of the focal points of Greek Easter - the Easter feast. This is a wonderful opportunity to take part in an authentic Greek celebration. Expect lamb roasted on a spit, carafes of wine, traditional music, dancing, and many greetings of ‘Christos anesti!’ (Christ has risen!).

Mid-PM  - return to the hotel for an evening at leisure

Day Three - Monday 6th May

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart hotel by private coach for the Botanical Park & Gardens of Crete. Literally born out of the ashes of a devastating fire 20 years ago, the Gardens are unique in Europe and are now a haven of natural tranquillity. "Visitors stand in awe before the burnt olive tree that proudly stands its ground at the front yard of the park," says the Garden's Chairman and co-owner Petros Marinakis. "That olive tree, burnt up in the 2003 fire, is so much more than a mere memory site. To our mind, it is a symbol of hope for everything that can start anew when all seems to be lost.” The Garden is constantly evolving as new varieties of plants and trees are planted creating new paths of experiences.

We will spend the morning here and our visit includes a discussion with the creators of the Garden and lunch at the restaurant. The vegetables, herbs, and fruit used in the typically Cretan dishes come from the park and the views from the spacious balconies are not to missed!

After lunch we will drive on to the archeological site of the ancient city of Polyrinia, near Kissamos. Polirinia (the name means 'many sheep' and spellings vary) was a city state that flourished from the 6th century BC to Roman times and was the most important classical city of western Crete after Kydonia - today’s Chania. The site was re-occupied in the late 10th century and remained in use as a Venetian stronghold throughout their occupation. Most of the fortifications that are still visible today date from the 2nd Byzantine and Venetian periods but were built on older fortifications dating back to Hellenistic and Roman period. The archeological remains combine with wonderful views of the Bay of Kissamos, olive groves, and rolling hills which, at this time of year, are carpeted in a mass of wild flowers.

Late afternoon - return to the hotel by private coach for an evening at leisure. 

Day Four - Tuesday 7th May

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart by private coach for the archaeological site of Aptera. Inhabited since Minoan times, Aptera became a significant city around the 8th century BC. Located above the Bay of Souda, Aptera became an important trading post and one of Crete's greatest cities. Its inhabitants were skilful archers and fought as mercenaries bringing back wealth to their land. The city was destroyed in the great earthquake of 365AD and was only sparsely inhabited from then on. 
Within massive fortification walls, most of the area remains unexcavated but lots of work has been done on the western gate and there is an interesting Hellenistic villa excavated in a field near the site's entrance. Other highlights include impressive Roman cisterns, the ruins of Roman bath houses, a newly excavated theater and the monastery of Agios Ioannis Theologos (St John the Theologian). At this time of year, the site is also blooming with an abundant display of wildflowers growing amidst the ruins. 

We will spend about 1.5 hours at Aptera, departing mid-morning to drive to the entrance of Imbros Gorge. This 8km long gorge was the main route through which Allied Forces evacuated the island in late May 1941 after losing the Battle of Crete. History mixes with rich flora and fauna. Birders should keep an eye out for the threatened bearded vulture, golden eagles, bonelli’s eagles, and griffin vultures (gyps fulvus), as well as kestrels, doves, martins, alpine choughs, thrushes, and hawks. Trees and plants to look out for include trachea pine, Mediterranean cyprus, plane trees and kermes oaks, while the delicate pink and white flowers of the oleanders line the gorge after rain and wild herbs such as sage and dittany cover the cliff sides.

We will spend about 1.5 hours here then drive on to Hora Sfakion,  a picturesque seaside village at the end  of the gorge known as the embarkation point for British and ANZAC forces during the evacuation of Crete. You will have time for lunch* and a stroll through the village. (*Please note, lunch is not included in the tour price.)

Mid-afternoon - depart Hora Sfakion and return to the hotel. The rest of the afternoon and evening is at leisure.  

Day Five - Wednesday 8th May

Breakfast at the hotel and check out.

Depart by private coach to the archaeological site of Armeni.  The largest known Minoan cemetery in Crete, Armeni was created between 1600 and 1150BC. Excavations began in 1969 and today you can explore several dozen rock-cut burial chambers of different sizes and depths - some are more than 10m long and a few meters deep. Tombs 159 and 200 are particularly impressive. The cemetery is also popular with wildflower lovers and at this time of year, the wild orchids will be in flower.

We will spend about 1.5hrs at Armeni, before driving on to the village of Spili where will have lunch at a local taverna. Spili is famous for its 16th century Lion's Head fountain, which is fed by spring water, and for the wildflowers which carpet the surrounding plains. Between 25 and 30 species of orchid grow here, including Anacamptis pyramidalis (the Pyramid orchid), Ophrys candica, Ophrys kedra, Ophrys phaedra, Orchis boryi and much, much more.

Mid-afternoon - depart Spili and drive on to Heraklion 

Early evening - arrive at Heraklion and check in to the 4* Lato Boutique Hotel. Located opposite the old city harbour, this long-established hotel boasts views of the Venetian fortress at the old harbor and the Cretan Sea. The historic center of the city, and the main sites are all within walking distance. 

Day Six - Thursday 9th May

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart by private coach to the archaeological site of Knossos. Dating back more than 4,000 years, Knossos is the birthplace of Europe's oldest civilisation, the Minoans, and is thought to be Europe's oldest city. Knossos flourished for approximately 2,000 years boasting large palace buildings, extensive workshop installations and luxurious rock-cut cave and beehive-shaped (or 'tholos') tombs. The famous Palace of Knossos was built on the Kephala hill and, according to tradition, was the seat of the wise, mythological King Minos. The palace is connected with thrilling legends, such as the myth of the Labyrinth and the Minotaur, and the story of Daidalos and Ikaros.

We will spend a couple of hours exploring Knossos before driving on to the archaeological site of Vathypetro. This Minoan villa dates back to 1580BC and is believed to have been the residence of a local ruler. Conceived as a 'Little Palace', it has a central and west court, a small tripartite shrine, a three-columned portico, storerooms, and workshops. Although building went on for 30 years, only the west wing was completed - construction of the interior wall of the east wing had just begun when the whole structure was destroyed, possibly by an earthquake, and abandoned in 1550 BC. The site was excavated in the summer of 1979 by Yannis Sakellarakis. The site is surrounded by wildflowers.

We will spend about 1.5hours at Vathypetro and then stop for lunch at a local taverna. 

After lunch we will depart Vathypetro and return to the hotel for an afternoon and evening at leisure.

Day Seven - Friday 10th May

Breakfast at the hotel

Depart by private coach for the Lassithi Upland Plateau.  This is the largest of the upland plains that are characteristic of the mountain ranges of Crete. At around 840m, Lasithi is a high plateau, but the whole area is flat and crossed with tracks and quiet, rural lanes making it perfect walking country. Wildflowers cover the ground - look out for Anemone coronaria (poppy anenome), wild Gladiolus, Cretan Cistus, Daucus carota (wild carrot), Silene vulgaris (bladder campion), Lavatera, and an abundance of wild grasses. 

We will spend a couple of hours here before visiting the Cave of Diktaion. Also known as the 'Cave of Zeus', this  is one of a number of caves believed to have been the birthplace, or hiding place, of Zeus and is famous in Greek mythology as the place where Amalthea nursed the infant Zeus with her goat's milk. Archaeological findings here attest to the site's long use as a place of cult worship.

After an hour exploring, we will drive on to the village of Krista for lunch.

After lunch we will return by private coach to the hotel where the rest of the afternoon and evening are at leisure.

Day Eight - Saturday 11th May

Breakfast at the hotel

The morning is free for you to explore Heraklion at leisure. Alternatively, you can opt to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum* where the major finds from Knossos and other of the island's important sites are on show. The wealth of pottery, weapons, wall paintings, inscriptions and sculptures demonstrate the extraordinary sophistication of Minoan culture. 

(*Entry to the museum is automatically included with the ticket to Knossos on Day Six)

13:00 - check out of the hotel and travel by private coach to Heraklion Aiport N. Kazantzakis for your return flight to the UK. 

 

Outbound - Saturday 4th May 2024

07:15 - depart London Heathrow on British Airways flight BA660 Terminal 5

13:20 - arrive Chania International Airport Ioannis Daskalogiannis

Flight time 4hrs 5mins

Inbound - Saturday 11th May

Heraklion Airport N. Kazantzakis to London Heathrow with British Airways

1645 depart Heraklion Airport N. Kazantzakis (HER) BA745

1900 - arrive at London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 5

Luggage Allowance

BA Economy plus includes:

1 checked bag
Max. 23kg; Up to 90 x 75 x 43cm

1 cabin bag
Max. 23kg; Up to 56 x 45 x 25cm
1 handbag
Max. 23kg; Up to 40 x 30 x 15cm

 3* Porto Veneziano Hotel

Set on Chania's Old Venetian Harbour in the heart of the beautiful Old Town, this charming hotel with its pretty wrought-iron balconies boasts views of the port, the Cretan sea, the historic Old Town and the majestic White Mountains. It is also just 5-minutes walk from the popular Koum Κapi Beach and 9 minutes from the Archaeological Museum of Chania. The streamlined bedrooms feature balconies and soundproof windows, and have free Wi-Fi, flat-screens, safes and minibars, as well as tea and coffeemakers. There is an intimate cafe/bar with a garden, a lobby lounge and a terrace where blossom blooms. The hotel, which has been awarded Green Key certification, is one of the few to have invested in a complete geothermal heating and cooling system.

4* Lato Boutique Hotel

Located opposite the old city harbour, this long-established hotel boasts views of the Venetian fortress at the old harbor and the Cretan Sea. The contemporary bedrooms come with balconies and have recently been renovated to include all mod cons including air conditioning, free Wi-Fi, mini bar and LCD satellite TV. The daily American and buffet breakfast is enriched with Cretan flavours and the gourmet restaurants 'Brilliant' and 'Herbs' Garden' serve set, 4-course lunch and dinner menus. The stylish rooftop restaurant-bar over looking Heraklion's Venetian Fortress is the perfect spot to enjoy a candlelit dinner and watch the sunset over the Mediterranean Sea. The historic center of the city, and the main sites are all within walking distance.