Crete - Gateway

Price

QAR1450 per person

Duration

5 Days

Destination

More than 1

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Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, the 88th largest island in the world and the fifth largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountain landscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover! Heraklion is the largest city of Crete and one of Greece’s major urban centers. Its development begun in the wake of the 9th century AD (in antiquity, Knossos was the island’s most important center, followed by Gortyn). In later times, Heraklion came under Arabic, Venetian and Ottoman rule; its conquerors initially gave it the name. A priceless gift of culture and history. On Crete, you’ll find some of the most significant attractions in Greece: famous archaeological sites such as the Minoan palaces of Knossos, Phaistos, Malia of course the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion which hosts the most important finds from all over the island. Cretan hospitality displays the same characteristics as the island’s famous landscape: grand, generous and infinitely welcoming. You’ll eat to your heart’s content in Crete, whether enjoying gourmet gastronomy or a simple homemade rusk salad with sea salt, extra-virgin olive oil, artichokes and cheese. Discover the secrets of a Cretan diet, considered one of the healthiest in the world.

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Destination

Crete , Europe Discover Destinations

The Itinerary:
Day 1 “Heraklion – Crete”
Arrival to Heraklion airport, you will be met at the airport and transferred to your hotel.
Overnight at the hotel.
Day 2 “Heraklion- Crete”
Heraklion has the major archaeological museum, smart and trendy cafes and shops, and a noisy business bustle – it also offers many hidden treasures, which we happily reveal. Today – after breakfast – we will visit Knossos and the Museum (included in the package).
The tour to Knossos and the Heraklion Archaeological Museum is a more fulfilling experience, an ideal tour for the travelers that want to see the site of Knossos and the artefacts of the Minoan collection of the museum. Just after the guided tour of the palace of Knossos head for the city of Heraklion in order to visit the recently reorganized museum and admire the wealth of the Minoan treasures. The Heraklion Archaeological Museum is the largest museum of Crete and one of the most important museums in Greece. It houses representative artefacts from all the periods of Cretan prehistory and history, covering a chronological span of over 5,500 years from the Neolithic period to Roman times. The archeological Museum of Heraklion is a highlight of the city and definitely a must for those who want to understand the level of the Minoan civilization.
Return to the hotel and free evening. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 3 “Heraklion – Crete”
Bathed in clear sunlight much of the year, the climate is one of the best in Europe. The largest island in Greece, it is understandably a most popular travel and vacation destination. For today we suggest you discover the splendid beaches of the island with some of them at just 10 minutes far from the city center. Or, join an optional cooking lesson tour. This tour will take you close to an authentic village, up on the mountain slopes, where you will meet a real Cretan Uncle, who’s eager to show us how he cooks traditional dishes with a gourmet touch.You will feel welcome, as soon as you step inside the courtyard of his traditional taverna. After a hot cup of Greek coffee, we ‘ll get hands-on experience of making fresh tzatziki and traditional dishes like his mouth-watering “gemista”, impressing your friends back home with your authentic Greek cooking. Enjoy preparing authentic Cretan food with some glasses of excellent wine and as the food is baking in the wood-oven, put your swimsuit on and take a dive in the pool, while enjoying the breathtaking views of the valleys underneath.As a bonus, savor a jug of great Cretan wine with your lunch!
Overnight at the hotel.

Day 4 “Heraklion – Crete”
Breakfast the hotel.
Free day at leisure or join an optional full day boat tour to Spinalonga – the island of tears. The tour takes you to the island of Spinalonga, which was the last leper colony in Europe. Spinalonga is a small island located at the entrance of Elounda lagoon and north of the Gulf of Mirabello. It has an area of 85 acres and its maximum height is 53 meters. The history of the island still inspires awe. It has been a Venetian fortress, a castle colony, a rebel refuge, a place of exile for lepers from Crete and rest of Greece, a communication link with Cairo during the Second World War. The island has been well fortified by the Venetians during their presence in Crete. From structural and architectural point of view and from an aesthetic view of the whole landscape, the island still retains an unsurpassed beauty.Evening free at leisure. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 5 “Heraklion – Crete”
After Breakfast, pick up from the hotel and escorted transfer to the airport for departure flight.