Cultural buffs and explorers

Meet and greet at Heraklion Airport and transfer to your hotel in Agios Nikolaos.

Crete is the largest Greek island and, apart from its four Minoan palace complexes Zakros, Malia, Knossos and Phaistos, it has numerous other relics from its turbulent past. A visit to the island of Spinalonga, one of the last inhabited leper colonies of Europe, a visit of the monastery Arkadi and the old trade metropolis Aptera   are not to be missed on your study trip through one of the most varied regions of Greece. The port towns of Chania, Rethymnon and Agios Nikolaos also have much to offer and last but not least Heraklion, a modern hub of the island. Join our journey through Crete and enjoy the mild climate and the great island cuisine on an island with thousands of years of history.

Today you will visit the island of Spinalonga. From Plaka you can reach the island on a 10minute boat trip. In ancient times there were fortifications on the island but it is most known as the last leper colony in Europe. After the sightseeing you will visit the church of Kera from the 13th century, near Kritsa. It is a three-aisled dome, decorated with numerous Byzantine frescoes. On the way to Heraklion you will visit the Minoan palace complex of Malia. You will then check-in at your Heraklion hotel for the next three nights.

You will start today with a visit to the most famous Minoan palace complex on the island. In his Odyssey, Homer told us about Knossos as the capital of Crete and the seat of King Minos. After a visit to the grave site you will continue to Heraklion to see the archaeological museum. After the National museum in Athens it is home to the most important antiques collection in Greece. There will be free time for lunch and a tour through the old town to the Ve- netian port and the opportunity to see the fortress Koules. You will then pass the fountain Morosini, the Markus-basilica and the Titus-Church.

In southern Crete you will first visit Gortys, the Roman capital with the famous law boards. We then continue to the Palace of Phaistos, the second largest Minoan Palace complex in Crete and not far from Agia Triada, a Minoan settlement. Then on to Matala for a late lunch before returning to Heraklion.

After a ‘hearty’ breakfast you will leave your hotel and head towards Chania to visit the excavation site of the ancient city of Eleutherna. The first settlements here were from the late Minoan period. Then continue to Arkadi Monastery. It is romantically situated amongst flower meadows near Rethymnon. It was part of the struggle for the independence of Crete and is considered the “national sanctuary” of the island. You will spend your lunch time in Rethymnon. In the port area and in the alleys of the old town, between Venetian buildings and houses from the Ottoman period, are many traditional tavernas that will tempt you with their delicious specialties. In the afternoon it’s onwards to Chania to your hotel where you will spend the next 2 nights. An evening tour of the old town is offered from the centrally located hotel.

In and around Chania are numerous sights. Your first stop today is the ancient settlement and commercial metropolis Aptera. The ruins include the remains of several thousand years of Cretan history. After sightseeing you will return to Chania and visit the archaeological museum following a tour of the old town and a lunch break. In the old town near the Kastellihill, you will discover the remains of the oldest settlement from the Neolithic period, 3400 BC. Today there are still buildings visible from the Venetian and Ottoman times. Time allowing, there will be a visit to the Byzantine collection in the chapel of the former San Salvatore Monastery. In the evening, free leisure time to explore the romantic city on your own.

On the way to Heraklion you will stop in Armeni if time allows. It has a post Minoan cemetery, where over 200 grave chambers were discovered. It is then onwards to the airport and your return flight.