Venetian Crete, Private Tour

From $1,229 • 4 days • Destination Services Greece • Greece, Heraklion, Heraklion (Iraklion) • Pickup available • Not Cancellable

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Why we love it?

The Venetian Crete private tour offers a comprehensive four-day exploration of the island's rich history and culture, centered around Heraklion. Ideal for history enthusiasts and those seeking a personalized experience, the tour includes visits to significant landmarks such as the Palace of Knossos and the island of Spinalonga. With accommodations, meals, and a local guide fluent in English, German, or French, participants can immerse themselves in the unique blend of Venetian and Greek heritage that characterizes this vibrant region. The combination of guided tours and local dining adds a distinctive touch, allowing travelers to savor authentic Cretan flavors while learning about the island's storied past.

Inclusions

Operated with English or German or French-speaking local guide (Day 2, 3) on a private basis
3 nights' accommodation
3 Breakfasts
1 Lunch (non-exclusivity on a local tavern)
3 Dinners
Air-conditioned private transportation (Day 2-3)
Inbound/Outbound air-conditioned private transfers from/to Heraklion Airport
All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Spinalonga island tour & Elounda Port (boat trip on shared basis) (Day 2); the Archaeological site of Knossos and Heraklion Museum (Day 3)
Meet & Greet

Exclusions

Zeus' cave entrance fee
Visa fees
Domestic flights
International flights
Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
Optional tours (if any)
Any visit not mentioned in the program
Porterage and gratuities
Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
Overnight city tax for the hotel overnights effective from January 1st 2018. Clients will have to pay the TAX on the spot at the hotels
Please note that the inbound and outbound transfers are included only as part of the package or if pre and post-night stay is booked as an extra. Otherwise, additional transfers should be purchased separately.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE (6km – 15 min)

Arrive at the airport, where our representative will meet and greet you. Then transfer from Heraklion airport to the hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the delightful surroundings on your own. Dinner is included.

Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 2 CRETE: BOAT TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF SPINALONGA (130km – 8 hrs)

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your selected hotel, getting ready for a memorable day. You will be picked up after breakfast, heading towards Spinalonga, one of the most famous parts of Crete. The beautiful island is known by many as the ‘island of tears’, gaining this nickname because of its past as a leper colony. It was initially a Venetian fortress, and it became the home for hundreds of Greece’s lepers who were shipped there and formed a colony. Arrive on the intriguing island and enjoy an interesting guided walk around the remains of the colony. Catch sight of its main street, still lined with the shops and houses where the lepers attempted to live ordinary lives. After getting in touch with the dark past of Spinalonga, sail back to Elounda to satisfy your taste buds with a typical Cretan lunch. After the delightful meal, explore the village on your own, luxuriate in some shopping, or go for a reinvigorating swim. The day ends with a transfer back to your hotel in Gouves or Chersonissos area. Lunch and dinner are included.

Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 3 CRETE: THE PALACE OF KNOSSOS AND HERAKLION TOWN (42km – 7/8 hrs)

After the tasty breakfast served at the hotel, you will be picked up and transferred to the imposing Palace of Knossos. The landmark dates back to 1900 BC, and it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilization and the place where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have lurked in the labyrinth. Admire the treasures of this fascinating palace during an interesting tour, while your guide explains the myths surrounding it and its kings. Afterwards, visit lively Heraklion, see the Venetian lion fountain and the loggia that is now the Town Hall. The magnificent tour ends at the entrance to the old harbour, the place where you begin to explore on your own. If you want to get even closer to the stunning part of the Greeks, take advantage of the guided tour in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Your day ends with a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Dinner included.

Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 4 DEPARTURE CRETE (6km – 15 min)

Indulge in a delicious breakfast at your hotel, before hopping on the transfer to Heraklion airport.

Please Note

Private group transfers require all participants to arrive and depart with the same flight/time or same boat/time
We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
In many hotels in Greece, the triple rooms are a double room with an additional bed or sofa bed. Their comfort conditions are lower than the international standards of the triple room
Please note that the inbound airport-hotel transfers are included only as part of the package and if pre and post-night stay is booked as an extra. Otherwise additional transfers should be purchased separately.