8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide

8 days Free CancellationMin 2 participantsPickup availableInstant confirmationGuided by Destination Services Greece
8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide8-Day Cultural Tour of Crete with French-Speaking Guide
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Free CancellationMin 2 participantsPickup availableInstant confirmationGuided

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 activities mentioned in the itinerary: boat trip and Spinalonga Island tour (Day 2); guided tour of Knossos Palace and walking tour of Heraklion (Day 3); Chania, Rethymnon and Kournas Lake tour (Day 4); Land Rover Tour (Day 5)
  • Meet & Greet

Exclusions

  • Day 2: the entrance fee to the Spinalonga archaeological site (€20 per person, payable locally)
  • Day 3: the entrance fee to the Knossos Palace (€20 per person, payable locally), visit and entrance at the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion
  • 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

Pickup from Heraklion Airport

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 on Crete.

Day 2

  • After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel for a full-day excursion combining the natural beauty, history and seaside charm of eastern Crete.

    Your day begins in Agios Nikolaos, where you will board a boat and set sail across the beautiful waters of Mirabello Bay. Enjoy the scenic coastline and crystal-clear waters as you cruise towards the historic island of Spinalonga. Once on the island, a guided tour will take you through the fascinating remains of one of the world’s last leper colonies, revealing the history and stories behind this remarkable Venetian fortress and former settlement. The entrance fee to the Spinalonga archaeological site is not included (€20 per person, payable locally).

    The cruise then continues to Kolokytha Bay, where you will enjoy a swim in its crystal-clear waters and lunch on board by the beach. The excursion concludes with a visit to Agios Nikolaos, including its picturesque Lake Voulismeni, before returning to your hotel.

    Overnight in the Central Area on Crete.

Day 3

  • After breakfast, depart for Heraklion, the vibrant capital of Crete and a city rich in history and culture. The day begins with a visit to Knossos, the legendary centre of Minoan civilization and one of the island's most important archaeological sites. Discover the remains of the ancient palace and learn about the fascinating history of the Minoan world, whose origins date back more than 5,000 years. The entrance fee to the Knossos Palace is not included (€20 per person, payable locally).

    Continue to Heraklion city centre for a guided walking tour through the historic heart of the city. Explore its lively streets and discover landmarks including the Venetian Harbour and the atmospheric Old Town. There will also be an opportunity to visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion (on your own), home to an exceptional collection tracing the history of Crete, or to explore the city's old market and enjoy some time at leisure.

    After the tour, return to your hotel.

    Overnight in the Central Area on Crete.

Day 4

  • 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. 

    Overnight in the Central Area on Crete.

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 on Crete.

Day 6

  • 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 on Crete.

Day 7

  • 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 on Crete.

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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