Echoes of Crete
Athens & Chania & Elounda
10 Days & 9 Nights
10 Days & 9 Nights
Culture, Gastronomy, Sailing
Archaelogical visits, Food Tour, Sailing
A WAY OF INTRODUCTION…
Take this carefully planned itinerary to the island of Crete, and embark on an idyllic journey filled with history, spellbinding stories, and some of the most uplifting natural landscapes in the Mediterranean.
Start your journey in Athens, the vibrant capital of Greece, is a city that bridges the gap between ancient history and modern sophistication. Nestled within a basin surrounded by mountains and lapped by the Aegean Sea, Athens is not just a destination; it’s a journey through time and culture.
Then travel to Chania, a captivating coastal town located on the northwest coast of Crete, the largest of the Greek islands. With its charming Venetian harbor, labyrinthine old town, and stunning beaches, Chania is a delightful blend of history, culture, and natural beauty.
Continue your journey in Rethymno, where history dances with modernity, and the captivating charm of Crete unfolds before your eyes. Nestled along the azure shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Rethymno invites you to wander through its cobblestone streets, explore its ancient ruins, and savour the flavours of authentic Cretan cuisine.
Finally, head to Elounda, perched upon the northeastern coast of the island. Elounda enchants with its postcard-perfect beaches, picturesque fishing villages, and panoramic views of the Spinalonga Peninsula.
The Basics
WHEN TO GO
With over 260 days of sunshine annually and its mild Mediterranean winters, Greece can be visited throughout the year.
GETTING THERE
Athens connects with direct flights to major airports in the US and Canada,. A direct flight from New York to Athens is approximately 10 hours. The airport of Chania has direct flights to/from Athens, while the airport of Heraklion is connected with several major cities in Europe.
GETTING AROUND
You can use a private vehicle for moving around in Athens, and for covering small distances on land. Archaeological sites and most beaches can easily be reached by car.
Get ready to embark on an extraordinary adventure through the captivating destinations of Athens and Crete, meticulously designed to immerse you in the essence of Greece’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Join us as we embark on this unforgettable trip, where every moment is an opportunity to discover the magic of Greece
Day 1
Welcome to Athens
Welcome to Greece! Ancient and full of legends, yet vibrant, contemporary and spontaneous. A seductive Mediterranean country, Greece is a traveler’s heaven, surrounded by beaches, mountains and beautiful islands. Sit back and relax, a wonderful and exciting journey is about to start!
IN A NUTSHELL…
- Arrival in Athens International Airport
- Upon arrival, meet your driver and private transfer to your hotel (50 min approx.)
- Check-in & relax
Day 2
Athens
IN A NUTSHELL…
- Breakfast at your hotel (light)
- 09:00 Meet your guide at the lobby and start your tour
- Visit the Acropolis Hill with a history expert
- Then continue your walking to Athens city center
- 13:00 End of the tour, return to your hotel
- Afternoon at leisure
Discover the heart of Athens through its most iconic landmark and its vibrant flavors on our Acropolis & Food Tour. This experience seamlessly combines history and gastronomy, beginning with a guided visit to the Acropolis, where you’ll ascend to the majestic Parthenon and uncover stories of ancient Greece’s Golden Age.
Day 2
Athens
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
Paying homage to Parthenon and tasting the real Athens with food expert! (Morning tour)
Embark on an immersive 5-hour journey that brings the Acropolis and the flavors of Athens to life. Begin with a guided ascent to the sacred rock of the Acropolis, where you’ll stand before the awe-inspiring Parthenon, one of the most significant monuments in world history. This tour reveals the grandeur and deep heritage of Athens, showcasing the remarkable achievements of Greece’s Golden Age. After exploring the Acropolis, dive into a 3-hour culinary experience that captures the true essence of Athenian life. Savor the tastes of Greece on a food tour through the lively heart of Athens, sampling iconic dishes and discovering hidden gems. Visit family-run artisan shops, specialized food purveyors offering the finest products from across Greece, and explore the bustling central market. This tour is designed to make you feel like a local, immersing you fully in the city’s vibrant culinary culture.
Day 3
Athens / Chania
There is a kind of flame in Crete – let us call it “soul” – something more powerful than either life or death. There is pride, obstinacy, valor, and together with these something else inexpressible and imponderable, something which makes you rejoice that you are a human being, and at the same time tremble. (Report to Greco)” – Nikos Kazantzakis
IN A NUTSHELL…
- 05:30 Meet your driver and private transfer to Athens International Airport (50 min approx.)
- 07:55 Take your flight to Chania at 07:55- 08:45 by A3332
- Upon arrival, meet your driver and private transfer to Chania Old Town
- Start your food and cultural walking tour
- End of the tour, lunch at local tavern
- Afternoon at leisure!
Day 3
Athens /Chania
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Enjoying your food and cultural tour in Chania’s Old Town
An alternative walking tour in the Old Town exploring Chania’s cultural identity while tasting exquisite, delicious Cretan street food; a great introduction and orientation to this beautiful town with a local insider guide. This is one of the best things to do on your first day. Food and wine of Crete… healthy and wholesome, it is widely considered the original Mediterranean diet. Dedicating your day to a food tour of Chania is just as rewarding as discovering the region’s famous culture and culinary heritage.
Day 4
Chania / Rethymno
Cretan hospitality displays the same characteristics as the island’s famous landscape: grand, generous and infinitely welcoming. Families are only too happy to share the island’s many specialities – a dakos salad, free-flowing raki or the experience of the mantinades, poems often accompanied by a Cretan lyre or lute.
IN A NUTSHELL..
- 09:00 Meet your driver and guide at the lobby and head to Rethymno city (1 hour drive)
- Enjoy your tour with your dedicated guide at Rethymno Old Town, Margarites Village and Arkadi Monastery
- 15:00 (approx.) End of the tour stay for lunch at the old city
- Return to Chania
- Evening at leisure!
Day 4
Chania / Rethymno
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
Walking in Rethymno Old Town and exploring Margarites village and Arkadi Monastery!
Explore Margarites, the famous village of the potters. Meet Giorgos, a local pottery artisanal who uses the know-how of his family combining it with his own more modern style, and enjoy a demonstration of his art. After a coffee break, we will continue to Arkadi monastery with his serene and emotionally powerful vibes for the religious and historical part of our journey. Before a well deserved lunch in a taverna, we will explore a magnificent small gorge.
DAY 5
Chania
Discover the breathtaking beaches of Crete, where crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and dramatic landscapes create a paradise for beach lovers. From secluded coves framed by rugged cliffs to expansive stretches of white sand and hidden turquoise lagoons, Crete’s coastline offers something for everyone. Relax under the warm Mediterranean sun, dive into the vibrant underwater world, or simply soak up the natural beauty and unique charm of each beach.
IN A NUTSHELL…
- Day at leisure!
- Spend your day on the beach!
DAY 6
Chania / Elounda
Sung by Homer in his Odyssey: “Among their cities is the great city of Knossos, where Minos reigned when nine years old, he that held converse with great Zeus” King Minos, famous for his wisdom would give his name to the people of Knossos and the ancient civilization of Crete. Visit Knossos, the ancient Minoan palace, and the surrounding city.
IN A NUTSHELL..
- Breakfast at your hotel
- 08:00 Meet your driver and guide and head to the Palace of Knossos (2 hours drive)
- 10:00-11:30 Enjoy the tour at the archaeological site
- End of tour, drive to Elounda (1 hour) or have a unique winetasting experience and light lunch
- Afternoon at leisure
Day 7
Elounda
Elounda’s sea glows like a sapphire under the azure light of the sky, rose-hued in summer afternoons, silvered on moonlit nights. It is a sea whose light infuses you gently but swiftly, having the power to touch you emotionally. To float in this sea, or to observe it from further away is like dreaming with open eyes. Cross the beautiful lagoon of Elounda.
IN A NUTSHELL…
- Day at leisure!
DAY 8
Elounda
The rocky islet of Spinalonga is located in the Gulf of Elounda, directly opposite the village of Plaka in North-Eastern Crete. Known in the past as ‘the island of the outcasts’, it covers an area of 8,500 square meters and is most famous for housing the leper colony that Victoria Hislop wrote about in her bestselling book ‘The Island’.
IN A NUTSHELL..
- Breakfast at your hotel
- 14:30 to 16:30 Have a traditional caique experience – guided tour of Spinalonga island with a licensed guide, and then end our sailing in Plaka
- Visit the traditional village and have some time to shop around
- Walk back to the hotel where we can have leisure time to relax and unwind
DAY 8
Elounda
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
Sailing to Spinaloga with a traditional wooden boat and visiting the site with your history expert!
Your trip will start with a memorable journey to Spinalonga. In 1575 the Venetians constructed there a most impressive fortress, which was later converted into a colony for the lepers. Your guide will walk you to the area and tell you the hidden stories of this place. Spinalonga is also known as Leper Island, as that is where lepers from Crete and the rest of Greece were quarantined.
DAY 9
Elounda
Step into a journey back in time with our immersive farm-to-table experience, set on a serene organic farm in Crete. This tour invites you to reconnect with nature and ancient agricultural practices, offering a hands-on introduction to biodynamic and regenerative farming methods.
IN A NUTSHELL…
- Breakfast at your hotel
- 09:00 Meet your driver and private transfer to a local farm
- Spend your day by collecting vegetables, visiting the farm and cook like a local
- Enjoy your lunch
- 16:00 Meet your driver and private transfer to your hotel
- Afternoon at leisure!
DAY 9
Elounda
COLLECT LIFE STORIES BY…
…Learning about the Cretan agriculture
In this unique experience, we invite you to spend a day on an organic farm, exploring the principles of biodynamic and regenerative agriculture. Discover the farm’s crops and animals, delve into time-honored farming techniques still in use today, and learn about innovative organic methods of bio-agriculture specific to Crete. Next, gather fresh vegetables and produce from the farm to bring to the table, where, guided by your hosts, you’ll take part in an interactive cooking class featuring recipes that date back to 2000-500 BC. Inspired by ancient dishes from Crete’s coastal and mountain regions, the menu artfully combines flavors from land and sea, blending history with tradition.
DAY 10
Farewell
Your journey to Greece has come to an end. Your dedicated driver will take you back to Heraklion Airport, where you will fly to Athens International Airport and from there, take the flight back home. Make sure you have packed all the memories from your amazing Grecian voyage!
IN A NUTSHELL..
- 05:15 Meet your driver at the lobby and private transfer to Heraklion Airport (1h approx.)
- Take your flight to Athens at 08:10-09:00 by A3303 and then your flight back home
