5 Days
Day 1:
Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, Heraklion at 08:30 and drive directly to Knossos Palace, the largest Minoan palace, built between 1700 and 1400 BC. The palace features advanced architectural techniques, with sections up to five stories high. Settlements in Knossos date back to the Neolithic period, around 7000 BC.
Explore 1,300 rooms, corridors, storerooms, and a theater, and discover the ancient Minoan civilization. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos, with excavations starting in 1900 by Sir Arthur Evans, continuing for 35 years. At approximately 11:30, return to Heraklion to visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the second largest in Greece after the National Archaeological Museum of Athens. The tour includes the oldest findings of Crete from 6000 BC, the highlights of the Minoan palaces of Phaistos, Malia, and Zakros, and artifacts from cemeteries, shrines, and houses, concluding with the famous Minoan frescoes of Knossos. After the visit of the site we return to the hotel at 13:30.
Day 2:
After breakfast at the hotel, at approximately 08:30, we drive to Gortyna, the Roman capital of Crete and Cyrenaica, which was first inhabited around 3200 BC. After the visit to Gortyna, we drive through the valley of Mesara to visit the archaeological site of Phaistos and its palace, the most important center of the Minoan civilization, and the most wealthy and powerful city in southern Crete. After our visit to Phaistos, we drive to Matala, where you will enjoy some free time to swim in the crystal clear waters and lunch.
Finally, we arrive at Zaros, an attractive, refreshingly unspoiled village famous for its spring water, which is now bottled and sold all over Greece, and an ideal base for walkers to explore the beautiful nature. Zaros also has some fine Byzantine monasteries, and delicious farm-raised trout served up in tavernas around town and on emerald-green Lake Votomos, which will be visited. Overnight at the hotel.
Day 3:
Breakfast at the Hotel in Zaros. At approximately 09:30, we start our drive to the traditional Cretan village of Vatos, a small village hidden in the green, where we find all the elements of its tradition. Walking down the alleys, we visit the old school and its fountain, as well as the museum with farming tools and utensils from earlier times. We finish at a cauldron of the village where you make Raki (the famous alcoholic beverage of Crete). Spili is our next stop, known for its Venetian snake with a long line of 25 stone lion heads that run cool water from their mouths. Optional lunch at Spili. Then we visit Lampini, the church, and the museum of Panagia. The church is inscribed with a cupola and depicts frescoes of the 12th and 14th centuries.
It was an Episcopal church, since the village of Lampini once accommodated the seat of the famous Episcopate of Lampis, which had existed since 431. Drive tothe Gorge of St. Antonios, walk through a very nice hiking trail in the gorge with super green and lush surroundings up to the cave of St. Antonios. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rethymno.
Day 4:
Breakfast at the Hotel in Rethymno. At approximately 09:30, we start our tour, driving to our first stop, Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno. The village is known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque alleys, and its well-preserved architecture. Afterwards, we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and civilization, considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition, as well as the flourishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866, gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and heroism, recognized worldwide. Rethymno is our last stop, one of the best preserved medieval towns in Greece with many intact historical buildings, and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. We will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional).
At the end, we will visit the Venetian stronghold of Fortezza, which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is known as Paleokastro, which means old castle in Greek and suggests the existence of an older structure in that place. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570 by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates. More than 100,000 Cretans were forced into compulsory labor, and over 40,000 pack animals were used in the construction of this mighty fortress. However, the Fortezza was conquered by the Turks in 1646. After many upheavals during the next three centuries, only the outer fortifications of the Fortezza remain intact, and few buildings are still under restoration. The Fortezza is visible from every part of the town and provides the visitor with a panoramic view of Rethymno town. The visitors enter from the East Gate through an impressive archway. Dinner and overnight at the hotel in Rethymno.
Day 5:
Breakfast at the Hotel in Rethymno. At approximately 09:30, we start our tour driving along the north coastal road, to the city of Souda, port of Chania, to visit the Venizelos Graves at the historical location of Profitis Ilias in Akrotiri, where the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos lies, one of the long-standing Prime Ministers of Greece. We continue to the city of Chania, where we will visit all the main highlights of the city, historic neighborhoods, churches, and museums, and take a walk to the beautiful Venetian Port with the Lighthouse Faros.
During your tour of the picturesque alleys of the old town, you will come across unique monuments such as the Rimodi Fountain, the Neradze Mosque (or Gazi Hussein) with its high minaret, churches and squares. Have lunch (optional) and free time for shopping. At the way back we will stop at the resort city of Georgioupolis, popular for its fine beaches, for a coffee break. Late in the afternoon at 18:00, we return to Heraklion at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel.
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