Exploring Crete, French-speaking guide

8 days Destination Services Greece Greece, Heraklion (Iraklion) Pickup available Not Cancellable

Why we love it?

The "Exploring Crete" tour offers an immersive 8-day experience in Greece, focusing on the rich history and stunning landscapes of Crete. Participants will enjoy guided explorations of key sites, including the Palace of Knossos and a boat trip to the island of Spinalonga, with a local French-speaking guide available on the first half of the trip and an English-speaking guide on Day 5. This tour is ideal for French-speaking travelers looking to delve into Cretan culture while enjoying comfortable accommodations and meals throughout their stay. Its distinctive feature lies in the dual-language guidance, catering to a diverse audience while providing in-depth insights into the island's heritage.

Inclusions

  • Operated with a local French-speaking guide on Day 2, 3 and 4
  • Operated with a local English-speaking guide on Day 5
  • 7 nights' accommodation 
  • 7 Breakfasts
  • 2 Lunches (Day 2, 5)
  • 7 Dinners  
  • Air-conditioned shared transportation throughout the tour 
  • Inbound/Outbound air-conditioned shared transfers from/to Heraklion Airport
  • All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: boat trip to the island of Spinalonga and the Spinalonga island tour (Day 2); the Archaeological sites of Knossos and Heraklion town tour (Day 3); Chania, Rethymnon and Kournas Lake tour (Day 4); Land Rover Tour (Day 5)
  • Meet & Greet

Exclusions

  • Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals if not stated explicitly in the programme
  • Flight tickets or visa fees
  • Airport taxes for domestic and international flights
  • Travel Insurance
  • Gratuities for driver and guide
  • Optional tours 
  • Climate Change Resilience Fee. Clients will have to pay the Fee on the spot at the hotels.

Itinerary

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE
  • Upon arrival at Heraklion Airport, you will be directed to the bus that will take you to the hotel in the Central Area (Chersonissos, Gouves, Kokkini Hani, Gournes, Stalida, Malia) for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the delightful surroundings on your own. Dinner is included.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 2 CRETE: BOAT TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF SPINALONGA
  • After a tasty breakfast, you will be picked up at your hotel to start discovering the hidden treasures of Greece. Spinalonga is one of the most famous spots in Crete, and is sometimes called the ‘island of tears’ due to its past as a leper colony. It was initially a Venetian fortress but then it became the home for hundreds of Greece’s lepers who were shipped there and formed a colony. Once there, you’ll take a guided walk around the enchanting remains of the colony. See its main street, still lined with the shops and houses where the lepers attempted to live ordinary lives. Later, you’ll sail back to Elounda, where you’ll have a typical Cretan lunch. Then, walk around on your own, do some shopping or go for a swim. Lunch and dinner are included. 

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 3 CRETE: PALACE OF KNOSSOS AND HERAKLION TOWN
  • After the rich 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 past of the Greeks, take advantage of the guided tour in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (optional, not included). Your day ends with a comfortable transfer to your hotel. Dinner is included.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 4 CRETE: CHANIA, RETHYMNON AND KOURNAS LAKE
  • Breakfast in the hotel. Join our tour to the West Side of Crete. Experience the charming town of Chania, which attracts many tourists every year, walk around its picturesque streets and admire the unique Venetian old harbor of this town. Enjoy a visit to the Lake of Kournas, and relax in this beautiful landscape of Cretan nature. Lastly, visit the town of Rethymnon, walk through its streets along the port to the old town. This is a day full of discovery, beautiful scenery, and interesting history.  Dinner is included.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 5 CRETE: LAND ROVER SAFARI EXPERIENCE (IN ENGLISH)
  • Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and head towards the central part of Crete to learn about its mythology, culture, flora, fauna and local life. Your adventure starts from the moment you meet your drivers, who will take you to your first stop, the Aposelimi dam. Continuing our journey through mesmerising paths and olive trees, we reach the ruins of the Roman aqueduct of Lyttos. Admire the beauty of the site and continue towards the quaint village of Kastamonitsa, where we join the locals for Raki and olive oil tasting. Afterwards, the real off-road adventure begins! We will climb high into the mountains and follow an ancient Minoan path that leads to a local shepherd, where you will have the chance to taste homemade cheese and encounter many species of wild animals. From here, we make our way to a magnificent viewpoint where we can see the Minoan path and the first sitting of the Lassithi Plateau. Making our way down onto the Plateau to explore, and from here we cross the Plateau and stop for a delicious traditional lunch with unlimited wine (vegetarian option available). We continue the adventure until we reach the village of Krassi, our last stop of the day. Catch a glimpse of the 2,000-year-old plane tree and learn about its natural spring water source. End this thrilling day with a transfer back to your hotel.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 6 CRETE: DAY FREE AT LEISURE
  • Begin your day with a delightful breakfast. Then, relax on the beach or enjoy the day exploring the island on your own. Dinner is included.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 7 CRETE: DAY FREE AT LEISURE
  • Begin your day with a delectable breakfast at the hotel. Then, relax on the beach or enjoy the day exploring the island on your own. Dinner is included.

    Overnight in the Central Area

Day 8 DEPART CRETE
  • After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a shared transfer from your hotel to Heraklion Airport and continue with your travel arrangements.

Please Note

  • Please note that depending on the departure day the itinerary may be in a different order
  • Day 5: Long walks and climbs require appropriate shoes
  • Please note that local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice
  • Hotel early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms are subject to availability and are not guaranteed.
  • No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed

Cancellation Policy

Fully refundable until 7 days before start

Non-refundable after 7 days before start

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