Captivating Crete and Aegean Cruise

Day 1 - Hersonissos

Join your tour group at the hotel.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 2 - Heraklion

Our Crete tour kicks off with a trip to Heraklion. The dynamic capital of the island is the fifth largest city in Greece. Its inner harbour is guarded by the well-preserved Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare and the bustling city has a rich cultural history, some of which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum. After a guided tour, it’s a delight to explore its streets of cafés and small shops.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 3 - Lasithi Plateau

We journey to the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its centuries-old white-sailed windmills, formerly used for irrigation. We’ll stop at the monastery of Panagia Kera, for a guided visit, before heading to the village of Psychro and nearby Dikteon Cave. In Greek mythology, the cave was recognised as the birthplace of Zeus and is still a significant place to visit today. The energetic may wish to walk 200 steps and through five chambers into the cave, to see the stalactites and stalagmites. Elsewhere on the fertile plateau, we’ll enjoy some free time in the picturesque village of Tzermidao.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 4 - Hersonissos

The island of Crete is well known for its ancient Minoan past and the power of this civilisation is illustrated on an optional visit to the Palace of Knossos. Visit the vast Minoan Palace, believed to be more than 4,000 years old. The complex has a number of buildings on four levels and most of what remains belongs to those built after 1700 BC. In Greek mythology, it is said that the Palace was the home of King Minos, whose wife bore the Minotaur who was imprisoned within the labyrinth and slain by Theseus.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 5 - Hersonissos

Our holidays in Crete also have some leisure time. Today you can relax on Hersonissos’ small sandy beaches, enjoy excellent shopping facilities, and sightseeing boat trips. The main centre has plenty of relaxing cafés and Greek tavernas from where you can watch the world go by. Or learn more about Crete’s folk traditions and culture at Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 6 - West Crete

The wild and rugged landscape of western Crete, including snow-capped mountains, delightful villages and beautiful coastlines, are highlighted on today’s excursion. We visit Chania for a guided tour, the former capital, known as the ‘Little Venice’ of Crete is home to a street devoted almost entirely to leather goods. There’s also a beautiful Venetian harbour, which was the location for some of the scenes from the film Zorba the Greek. We continue to Rethymnon, Crete’s third-largest town, on the north coast. Known as the ‘City of Scholars’, the old part of the town has numerous Venetian palazzos, Turkish houses with wooden balconies and a number of small 18th-century mosques. After a tour, there’ll be free time to wander the old streets of the town, or perhaps spend time in a harbourside coffee bar.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 7 - Hersonissos

There’s more time today to relax in your surroundings, or perhaps join an optional excursion to visit the island of Spinalonga. The island has had a varied past, from Venetian rule in the 16th century to the setting for a leper colony four centuries later - a subject covered in Victoria Hislop’s 2005 novel ‘The Island’. It’s now an uninhabited island skirted with small pebble beaches.

Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)

Day 8 - Heraklion

Later today we’ll transfer to embark our ship, ready to set sail this evening.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 9 - Santorini

With an early arrival, we have a full day to explore one of the world’s most spectacular islands. You could choose to take a cable car to the capital, Fira, and wander through the picturesque streets of whitewashed houses cascading down the cliffs. Or excursions are available to visit the newly reopened excavations at Akrotiri, the ‘Pompeii of the Aegean’, and the stunning clifftop village of Oia, known for some of the best sunsets in the world. Ship to shore tender service.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 10 - Mykonos

The playground of Hollywood A-listers and footballers, Mykonos was the first of the smaller Greek islands to open up to tourism in the 1960s. Its picture-postcard harbour leads to a charming labyrinth of tiny streets full of fashion boutiques, high-end restaurants and blue-shuttered houses framed by pink bougainvillea. A short boat ride away is the small uninhabited island of Delos, sacred to Apollo and the largest archaeological site in the Aegean. Ship to shore tender service.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 11 - Milos

Laid-back Milos is known for its amazing coastline, full of hidden coves, grottoes and unbelievably crystal-clear water. It’s far less busy than its near neighbours and if you venture inland, you’ll discover a thriving and unique island culture. Ship to shore tender service.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 12 - Piraeus (Athens)

The birthplace of democracy, Athens was the intellectual powerhouse of the ancient world. Today’s lively metropolis is still crowned by the awe-inspiring Acropolis, but there’s lots more to discover: the winding lanes of the Plaka district are like walking through a picturesque village, the National Gardens are the cool lungs of the city and the Archaeological Museum houses the most extraordinary ancient art from the whole country.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 13 - Thessaloniki

Greece’s second city is known for its vibrant food scene, fascinating old town and seafront promenade with its lively cafés. Maybe join an excursion to visit Pella, Alexander the Great’s capital city and the UNESCO site of Vergina, where the Macedonian royal tombs (including that of Phillip II, Alexander’s father) have yielded priceless treasures.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 14 - Kusadasi, Turkey (Ephesus)

Today we visit Turkey’s buzzy port of Kusadasi, for the opportunity to explore nearby ancient Ephesus, the second largest city in the Roman empire. It’s remarkably well preserved and walking through the Hercules gate you’ll gaze wide-eyed at the two-storey Library of Celsus and the magnificent 25,000-seat open-air theatre, said to be the largest in the ancient world.

MS Celestyal Journey (4-star)

Day 15 - Heraklion

Disembark and say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.

Heraklion