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Crete

The tour of Crete in 8 days

8 days / 7 nights

In the Eternal City of Heraklion, the beautiful Chania, the picturesque Rethymnon. You will visit famous sights, such as Knossos, Spinalonga, Arkadi Monastery and you will enjoy the wonderful Cretan cuisine!

Accommodation
Lato Boutique Hotel, Heraklion
- 4*

he dramatic views of the Venetian fortress at the old city harbor of Heraklion, and the wonder-filled waves of the Cretan Sea, are among the most photographed tourist attractions on Crete Island. Not many visitors can enjoy the full panoramic grandeur of these contemplative landscapes, the way our guests at Lato Boutique Hotel can.

Prices
2 persons
000 €
Civitel Akali Hotel, Chania
- 4*

With respect to its legacy, Akali hotel was named after princess Akalli, daughter of King Minos and Pasiphae in order to offer guests the true essence of Cretan hospitality. Set in an convenient location, only 500m away from Chania’s old town & historic center, Civitel Akali hotel in Chania takes hospitality to a whole other level.

Prices
2 persons
000 €
Optional excursions
Please ask us about the excursion you would like in addition to the basic program
View the basic program

1st Day Ioannina – Heraklion
Heraklion: Arrival at the airport of Heraklion (NIKOLAOS KAZANTZAKIS), boarding the buses and departure for the excellent hotel LATO BOUTIQUE 4 *.
Arrangement, dinner and welcome by the travel consultant of Vigo Travel.
Overnight.

2nd Day Heraklion
Breakfast and departure for a unique tour of the Eternal City of Heraklion. The city is renewed with new sidewalks and renovations in old, traditional buildings. We will visit the Koule Fortress and Agios Titos with the church square and the Venetian Loggia where the modern City Hall is located. The square with the lions. The paved Daedalus Street, the heart of trade, leads us to Korai Square. Next, we will visit the Archaeological Museum, which is considered one of the most important in the world. Finally, we will visit the tomb of N. Kazantzakis (Optional).
In the afternoon, the Tourist Advisers of Vigo Travel will suggest a visit to Knossos and the Palace of King Minos or a visit to the traditional Anogia (Optionally).
Dinner: Fun in a Cretan tavern.
Overnight.

Day 3 – Heraklion – Archanes
Breakfast and departure for the most beautiful village of Europe and Crete, Archanes. It is only 14 km from Heraklion and just 7 km from Knossos. This colorful village has been awarded in a competition of the European Union and is an example to be imitated in terms of its residential development.
We will visit the social Cooperative Enterprise “Aretousa”, the weaving art workshop located just before the center of Archanes. There you will learn about the history and revival of the Cretan Loom and we will see rags as well as traditional and modern textiles. We will buy grape, orange, fig or lemon jams, rusks with herbs, herb pies and wild pies, xerotigans and socks from the Women’s Cooperative “Archanes Gefseis”. We will dine in one of the countless traditional taverns.
Return to Heraklion late in the afternoon. Free time.
Dinner and overnight.

Day 4 – Rethymno – Chania
Breakfast and departure with our luxury coaches for the beautiful city of Chania. During our transition, before we reach Chania, we will visit the picturesque Rethymnon. It is the third largest city in Crete, with a population of about 30,000. Near the Old Town with its picturesque alleys, is the largest fortress of Crete, Fortezza. The small Venetian port with the lighthouse, the Venetian Loggia, the Municipal Garden, the Neratze Mosque, the Church of Ag. Francis and finally, the Venetian mansions, complete the enchanting image of the city.
Stop for lunch (optional) in a Cretan traditional tavern in the area of ​​Rethymnon.
We continue for Chania. We will meet the famous, holiday, coastal Georgioupolis and then we will reach the strategic Souda.
Early in the evening we will arrive at the beautiful Civitel Akali 4 * hotel.
Arrange, dinner and walk in the beautiful bars of the city.
Overnight.

5th day – CHANIA
Breakfast and departure from the Venetian port of Chania.
We will start with our visit to the Tombs of Venizelos east of Chania, at the beginning of the Cape with the unique view. Here is the tomb of the great Greek politician Eleftherios Venizelos and his son, Sophocles.
We continue our tour in the Old Town of Chania, the Municipal Market, the Municipal Garden and the well-known Park of Peace and Friendship of Peoples.
Free time for shopping and lunch.
In the afternoon the Tour Leader of Vigo Travel & Tourism will suggest us to visit Souda and the beaches in Marathi, where we will have time to enjoy our swim.
Return to our hotel. Dinner and evening walk in the bars and hangouts of Chania.
Overnight.

Day 6 – CHANIA – ARKADI MONASTERY – HERSONISSOS
We leave the beautiful Chania and depart for the Holy Monastery of Arkadi. Historical and widely known, the Holy Monastery is built at an altitude of 500 meters, in an environment full of olive groves, vineyards, pines, cypresses and prinos, while around the Monastery there are many picturesque chapels. The most important point of the Monastery is the central two-aisled church, the Katholikon, which is dedicated to the transformation of the Savior and to Saints Constantine and Helen.
We continue to Heraklion, where we will make a stop in Agia Pelagia for food, coffee and swimming. Departure for Hersonissos, the largest tourist resort of Crete, located east of Heraklion.
Arrival at the wonderful resort. After enjoying coffee or ice cream on the beautiful beach of Hersonissos, we depart for Heraklion.
Accommodation at our hotel.
Dinner and overnight.

Day 7 – MALIA- ELOUNDA – SPINALOGA – AGIOS NIKOLAOS
Breakfast and departure.
On the way to Agios Nikolaos we will visit Malia with the traditional buildings and the churches from the time of the Venetian occupation. Today it is a popular tourist resort and is famous for its clean beaches as well as its clubs and restaurants.
We continue for Elounda which will offer us a view genuine and traditional, but at the same time a modern breath from its settlement, which today is a very popular tourist resort.
Following is (optionally) a cruise to Spinalonga, with the Venetian Fortress surrounding the area. From 1905 to 1957 the lepers of Greece lived in isolation on the Island and it was known as the island of the Living Dead. In 1970 Spinalonga was declared a protected archaeological site and today is considered as an important sight in Crete. We continue to Agios Nikolaos, the capital of Lassithi.
Arrival and settlement at our beautiful hotel.
Dinner and evening walk in Agios Nikolaos.
Overnight.

8th Day – Ag. NIKOLAOS – IERAPETRA – HERAKLION AIRPORT

After breakfast and a last walk in the center and the beach of Agios Nikolaos, we will depart for the beautiful Ierapetra, about 35 km southeast.
The city is built in an extremely strategic position. A lively and full of action city has developed into a central tourist spot of the Island of Crete.
Meal.

Places & attractions
City of Agios Nikolaos

Agios Nikolaos is the capital of the Prefecture of Lassithi in Crete. The area of Agios Nikolaos was inhabited in antiquity, when it was called Kamara. During the Venetian period it had a castle, also known as Mirabello Castle, but the settlement was deserted during the Ottoman era, to begin to be inhabited again in the 19th century. The name of the city came from the Byzantine church located in the bay of Agios Nikolaos.

Spinalonga

The island of Spinalonga, has a Venetian Fortress that surrounds the area. From 1905 to 1957 the lepers of Greece lived in isolation on the Island and it was known as the island of the Living Dead. In 1970 Spinalonga was declared a protected archaeological site and today is considered one of the most important sights of Crete.

Arkadi Monastery

The Holy Monastery of Arkadi (Moni Arkadiou) is a historical Monastery in Crete. It was founded by a monk named Arkadios. The first form of the monastery is probably built during the period 961 to 1014.

Archanes

The most beautiful village of Crete and one of the most beautiful in Europe. It is only 14 km from Heraklion and 7 km from Knossos. This colorful village has been awarded in a competition of the European Union and is an example to be imitated in terms of its residential development.

Hersonissos

Hersonissos, meaning “peninsula”, is a town and a local government unit in the north of Crete, bordering the Mediterranean / Aegean Sea. The town is about 25 kilometers east of Heraklion and west of Agios Nikolaos.

City of Rethymno

Rethymno is the capital of Rethymno regional unit in Crete, and has a population of more than 30,000. 
Rethymno was originally built during the Minoan civilization. The city was prominent enough to mint its own coins and maintain urban growth. One of these coins is today depicted as the crest of the town: two dolphins in a circle.