Captivating Crete Adventure: Explore History, Culture & Water Fun

from $795

Duration

8 days

Type

Guided, Small Group Tours

Difficaulty

Very Easy

Reviews

(5)

4.44 /5

About This Tour

Whether your visit is for relaxation or you are looking forward to exploring and discover the many well-known and countless hidden treasures of Crete, this captivating eight-day tour will satisfy all your desires. Get in touch with the rich Greek culture and impressive history while admiring the diversity of the landscape – the rugged mountains, endless beaches, turquoise seas, as well as enchanting cities, towns and villages. Join this memorable tour and explore one of the most beautiful islands in Europe.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Archaeological Museum of Heraklion: This is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important museums in Europe. It houses representative artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history.

Cave of Zeus: The Cave of Zeus is a system of caves located on the slopes of Mount Ida, on the island of Crete, Greece. The deep cave has a single entrance and features stalagmites and stalactites.

Waterpark Aqua Plus: With pools, slides, and a host of exotic flowers, Aqua Plus Water Park is an ideal place to cool off from the island sun. Take it easy on the lazy river or feel the adrenaline pump as you race down the dark tunnels of the Black Holes.

Destinations

Chania, Elounda, Gouves, Iceland, Irakleion, Knosos, Krasi, Rethymno

Activities

Sun and Beach

Language

German

Themes

Arts / Culture

Operator

Destination Services Greece

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

Operated with qualified local German-speaking guide during the scheduled activities

ACCOMMODATION:

7 nights' accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-7 Gouves or Chersonissos area:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Central or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Maris or similar 4*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre-Night in Gouves or Chersonissos area:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Central or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Maris or similar 4*

Post-Night in Gouves or Chersonissos area:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Central or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Hersonissos Maris or similar 4*

MEALS:

7 Breakfasts
2 Lunches (1 BBQ lunch during Landrover Tour with unlimited wine and 1 Cretan Lunch in Elounda excluding drinks)
7 Dinners

TRANSPORT:

Air-conditioned shared transportation throughout the tour
Inbound/Outbound air-conditioned shared transfers from/to Heraklion Airport

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: the Archaeological sites of Knossos, Archaeological Museum, the boat trip (shared basis) to the island of Spinalonga, Spinalonga island tour, entrance ticket to the Waterpark Aqua Plus, Land Rover Tour

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
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.
Zeus' cave entrance fee.

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE (22 km - 30 min)

Upon arrival at Heraklion Airport you will be directed to the bus that will take you to the hotel in Gouves or Chersonissos area for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure, exploring the delightful surroundings on your own. Dinner is included.Overnight in Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 2 CRETE: CHANIA AND RETHYMNON (326 km – 10/11 hrs)

Enjoy a mouthwatering breakfast before your morning pick up. Today we´ll visit two of Crete’s cities, Chania, also known as Little Venice and Rethymnon, with its fascinating mix of Italian and Turkish influences. Both cities have picturesque harbour fronts. Begin your adventure with lovely Chania. Your guide will take you on a tour of the old quarter, its quaint little neighbourhoods and the graceful backstreets that have been beautifully restored. Afterwards, make a visit to the lively Chania market hall with local produce and the famous leather lane, before ending up at the charming Venetian port. Equally beautiful is the old town and harbour of Rethymnon, our second stop. You have free time in both to explore the winding back streets. This will be a day full of discovery, beautiful scenery, and interesting history. Dinner is included.
Overnight in Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 3 CRETE: BOAT TRIP TO THE ISLAND OF SPINALONGA (130 km – 8 hrs)

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 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 Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 4 CRETE: PALACE OF KNOSSOS AND HERAKLION TOWN (42 km – 7/8 hrs)

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. Your day ends with a comfortable transfer to your hotel in Gouves or Chersonissos area. Dinner is included.
Overnight in Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 5 CRETE: LAND ROVER TOUR AND THE BIRTHPLACE OF ZEUS (120km – 7/8 hrs)

Enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel and head towards the central part of Crete to learn about its mythology, culture, and local life, while having lots of fun. Your day starts from the moment you meet your drivers, who will take you to your first stop, the Potamies Reservoir water 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 a coffee break in the traditional cafeneion. Afterwards, the real off-road adventure begins! We will Climb high into the mountains and follow the ancient minaon path that leads us to the cave of Zeus (entrance not included) where, according to mythology, the father of all the gods was born. Then, you have the chance to take some memorable photographs of the Lassithi Plateau, before we drop down to the plateau for a delicious BBQ lunch with unlimited wine! The journey continues with a stop at Lassithi plateau, where time has virtually stood still and the local people are mainly farmers. 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. Lunch is included with wine and bottled water.Overnight in Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 6 CRETE: WATERPARK AQUA PLUS ADVENTURE (22km – 4/5 hrs)

Begin your day with a delightful breakfast. Enjoy a comfortable transfer as you are getting ready for a thrilling day at the best waterpark in Crete. Scream down the vertical kamikaze, enjoy the twister or just relax and work on that tan! There is a multitude of exciting slides and chilled out pools to relax in. This is definitely the ideal day out for the whole family. Dinner is included.
Overnight in Gouves or Chersonissos 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 Gouves or Chersonissos area

Day 8 DEPART CRETE (16–22km / 20-30 minutes)

After a tasty breakfast, enjoy a shared transfer from your hotel to the airport and continue with your travel arrangements.
Breakfast included

Meeting / Pickup

Pick-up only: Customers must be picked up from selected pick-up locations.

What to Bring

Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Greece. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sun glasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.

Please Note

Please note that depending on the departure day the itinerary may be in a different order
Day 6: Long walks and climbs require appropriate shoes
Local conditions prevalent at the time of travel may result in modifications to the tour contents without prior notice.
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.

Cancellation Policy

We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled 7 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 50% if booking is cancelled 20 days or less before the event
We will charge a cancellation fee of 30% if booking is cancelled 30 days or less before the event

Reviews

4.44/5

Wonderful

5 verified reviews

Location (4.4/5)

Amenities (4.4/5)

Services (4.4/5)

Price (4.2/5)

Rooms (4.8/5)

5 Comments

Aisha J. January 17, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
We had an incredible time exploring the rich history and vibrant culture of Crete while enjoying some much-needed water fun. The itinerary balanced visits to ancient sites with opportunities for relaxation by the sea, which kept our family engaged throughout the trip. One minor suggestion would be to include additional downtime in the afternoons to fully soak in the captivating surroundings.
Sofia Rose January 21, 2023
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our family had an unforgettable time discovering the captivating history and vibrant culture of Crete while enjoying fun-filled water activities.
Ocean White June 3, 2024
4.6
- Location
- Amenities
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We found ourselves completely captivated by the rich history and vibrant culture during our eight days in Heraklion (Iraklion) in Greece. One of our favorite moments was exploring the ancient ruins of Knossos, where we could almost hear the whispers of the past. Our accommodations were delightful, offering a comfy retreat after long days of exploration, and the local dining options were a culinary adventure in their own right. We particularly loved the blend of water fun at the nearby beaches; swimming in the azure waters was the perfect way to cool off after our cultural excursions. If there’s one suggestion, it would be to include a bit more time for leisurely exploration; we could have easily spent more time soaking in the charming streets and hidden gems.
David January 23, 2025
4.8
- Location
- Amenities
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This adventure was a delightful mix of history and fun, with each day bringing something new to explore. I loved my cozy accommodations, which offered a perfect retreat after a day of immersing myself in local culture and enjoying the water activities. My only suggestion would be to include more time for leisurely exploration in some of the charming towns I visited.
Michael Rodriguez January 24, 2025
4.2
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our week in Heraklion (Iraklion) was a fantastic blend of soaking up history and diving into refreshing waters. Each day was filled with captivating cultural experiences, from exploring ancient ruins to enjoying lively local cuisine. While we loved the diverse activities, a little more time to relax by the water would have made it even better.