Private Tour: Discover Crete's Treasures, History & Breathtaking Scenery

from $2,126

Duration

7 days

Type

Guided, Private

Difficaulty

Easy

Reviews

(5)

4.56 /5

About This Tour

It’s hard to pick our favourite Greek island, but Crete– the largest and most diverse of all – is undoubtedly a top contender for the title. As well as the usual Greek staples like amazing sunshine, cuisine and beaches, Crete boasts a truly distinct culture, rich heritage and breathtaking landscapes. From Venetian towns to dazzling mountains, Crete’s diversity makes it really stand out from the crowd.

TOUR HIGHLIGHTS

Rethymno: explore one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Greece, and search for your fairy-tale romance in Rethymno. Venetian fortification works mingle harmonically with orthodox and catholic churches, mosques, majestic mansions of Venetian architecture, arches and cobbled paths which create a magical atmosphere.

Spinalonga: “The Island”, one of the best seller books in 2009. The story of the book takes place on the island of Spinalonga, during its years as a leper colony.

Chania: the Town is a romantic place to stroll around, with Medieval architecture, elegant mansions and a wonderful Venetian port, the most famous spot of the town.

Destinations

Chania, Irakleion, Rethymno

Activities

Sun and Beach

Language

English, French, German

Themes

Arts / Culture

Operator

Destination Services Greece

Inclusions

TOUR GUIDE:

Operated with English or German or French-speaking local guide (Day 3-5) on a private basis

ACCOMMODATION:

6 nights' accommodation

ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS

Day 1-5 Heraklion:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Heraklion or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Olive Green Heraklion or similar 4*

OPTIONAL EXTRA:

Pre/ Post-stay in Heraklion, on a half-board basis:

Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Heraklion or similar 3*

Superior Hotel Category = Hotel Olive Green Heraklion or similar 4*

MEALS:

6 Breakfasts
6 Dinners
2 Lunches (non-exclusivity at local taverns)

TRANSPORT:

Air-conditioned private transportation throughout the tour (Day 3-6)
Inbound/Outbound air-conditioned private transfers from/to Heraklion Airport

ENTRANCE FEES AND ACTIVITIES:

All entrance fees and activities mentioned in the itinerary: Spinalonga island tour & Elounda Port (boat trip on shared basis) (Day 3); the Archaeological site of Knossos and Heraklion Museum (Day 4); Rethymnon and Chania (Day 5); Land Rover tour and the birthplace of Zeus (Day 6)

OTHER:

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

Tour Plan

Itinerary

Expand All

Day 1 ARRIVAL CRETE (22km – 30 min)

Arrive at the airport, where our representative will meet and greet you. Then transfer from Heraklion airport 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: DAY 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 Heraklion.

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

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, 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 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 and have free time to walk around, do some shopping or go for a swim. Lunch and dinner are included. Overnight in Heraklion.

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

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, it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilisation and where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have lurked in the labyrinth. Your guide will explain the myths surrounding the palace and its Kings as they lead you around its treasures. Then, visit Heraklion, see the Venetian lion fountain and the loggia that is now the Town Hall before finishing up at the entrance to the old harbour. Here, time is your own to explore. Take advantage also of the guided tour in the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion. Dinner is included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 5 CRETE: WEST CRETE, RETHYMNON AND CHANIA (326km – 10/11hrs)

Enjoy a mouthwatering breakfast before your morning picks 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 with picturesque harbour fronts. Your guide will take you on a tour of the old quarter, its quaint little neighbourhoods and backstreets that have been restored beautifully. Afterwards, make a visit to the lively Chania market hall with local produce and the famous leather lane before ending up at the breathtakingly beautiful Venetian port of Chania. Equally beautifully is the old town and harbour of Rethymnon, the second stop. You have free time in both to explore the winding back streets. A day full of discovery, beautiful scenery and history. Dinner is included.Overnight in Heraklion.

Day 6 CRETE: LAND ROVER TOUR AND EXPLORE THE BIRTHPLACE OF ZEUS (120km – 7/8hrs)

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 Heraklion.

Day 7 DEPARTURE CRETE (16/22km – 20/30min)

Begin your day with a rich breakfast at the hotel. Then, enjoy a transfer to Heraklion airport and continue with your travel arrangements.

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, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay. Walking shoes recommended for Zeus Cave visit.

Please Note

Day 6: Long walks and climbs require appropriate shoes
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.

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

4.56/5

Wonderful

5 verified reviews

Location (4.8/5)

Amenities (4.4/5)

Services (4.4/5)

Price (4.8/5)

Rooms (4.4/5)

5 Comments

Aisha Williams January 12, 2023
4.8
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Exploring Crete was a dream come true for us, with breathtaking scenery and rich history at every turn. We particularly loved the local meals, especially the fresh seafood and traditional Cretan dishes, which added a delicious layer to our adventure.
Jo Miller August 8, 2023
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
We had an incredible week traveling through Crete’s highlights, blending history and breathtaking scenery in a way that felt both enriching and relaxing. Each day brought new treasures, from the ancient ruins of Knossos to charming seaside villages where we enjoyed fresh seafood that tasted like it was just pulled from the ocean. The private aspect of the tour allowed us to explore at our own pace, and our guide was genuinely passionate about sharing local stories and culture. One suggestion for improvement would be to include more options for traditional Cretan meals, as we found ourselves craving more of that authentic cuisine by the end of our trip. Overall, this experience was a perfect mix of business and pleasure, giving us the chance to discover the heart of this beautiful island.
Mohammed Brown August 20, 2023
4.4
- Location
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- Price
- Rooms
The week we spent discovering Crete’s treasures was truly unforgettable, filled with breathtaking scenery and rich history at every turn. Our private tour allowed us to experience the island’s hidden gems without the crowds, from ancient ruins to charming mountain villages, making each overnight stay memorable. One small improvement would be to add a bit more flexibility to the itinerary, as we found ourselves wanting to linger in certain spots longer than planned.
Wren Williams August 25, 2023
4.8
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
Our week in Heraklion was filled with breathtaking scenery and rich history as we uncovered Crete’s hidden treasures, especially enjoying the delightful local cuisine at charming tavernas.
Amara Nkosi February 19, 2024
4.4
- Location
- Amenities
- Services
- Price
- Rooms
From the moment we embarked on our week-long adventure, we were captivated by the stunning landscapes and rich history that unfolded before us. Each day revealed hidden gems and breathtaking views, making every stop a delightful treasure. One evening, we savored a fantastic meal at a local spot, where the flavors truly mirrored the vibrancy of the region; if only we had more time to try even more dishes!