Captivating Crete
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Getting lost in the bougainvillea-draped backstreets of Chania, before emerging onto its 14th-century Venetian harbour for a drink.
Crete is one of the most beautiful, interesting and diverse Greek islands to explore - we'll tick off some of its highlights on our Captivating Crete holidays. Stroll along the harbour - guarded by a Venetian fortress - of the island capital, Heraklion. Look out across the Lasithi Plateau, dotted with white-sailed windmills, then peek into the cave where Zeus is said to have been born. Sit back as the rugged, mountainous landscape of western Crete slides by, and enjoy a drink with new friends in one of charming Rethymnon’s harbourside bars.
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3 excursions & visits
14 meals
Easy going pace
Your itinerary
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to Heraklion (morning)
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to Lasithi Plateau, including entrances to Panagia Kera monastery and Dikteon Cave (all day)
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to the west of the island, including Chania and Rethymnon (all day)
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 - Hersonissos
Say goodbye to your tour group for your onward travel.
Hersonissos
Day 1 - Hersonissos
Day 1 - Hersonissos
Join your tour group at the hotel.
Hersonissos Maris Hotel (4-star)
Day 2 - Heraklion
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to Heraklion (morning)
Day 3 - Lasithi Plateau
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to Lasithi Plateau, including entrances to Panagia Kera monastery and Dikteon Cave (all day)
Day 4 - Hersonissos
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
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
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)
Today includes…
Excursions & visits: Excursion to the west of the island, including Chania and Rethymnon (all day)
What's included
14 meals
7 breakfasts
7 dinners
Accommodation
7 nights in hotel
Transport
Travel in destination by coach
Tour highlights
3 excursions & visits
Half-day excursion to Heraklion
Full-day excursion to Lasithi Plateau, including entrances to Panagia Kera monastery and Dikteon Cave
Full-day excursion to the west of the island, including Chania and Rethymnon
Adventure made effortless with Titan Travel
Experts
Titan tour manager
Portable audio
Headset system on excursions
Porterage
Services included
Key information
Important notes
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Titan Travel have always been about seeing more and doing more – which is why we meticulously plan our award-winning escorted tours so that our expertly crafted itineraries make sure that so much is included. Once you book your holiday, you can relax knowing that every element has been taken care of. Choose the tour that gives you more.
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More flexible
Feel free to amend or extend your travel plans, up until final payment, and enjoy free time on your tour with us too.