Discover South Western Crete

DAY 1 Thursday: Rethimno - Imbros Gorge* - Chora Sfakion - Komitades - Fragokastelo - Rodakino - Agouseliana - Preveli Monastery - Fortetza - Rethimno (B-L-D)

Breakfast at the hotel. Departure for Chora Sfakion. Arrival at Imbros Gorge**. Imbros Gorge is the second most known gorge in Crete after Samaria Gorge. Its length is about 8km of spectacular views and takes no longer than 3 hours. The path is not particularly difficult to walk. The gorge is fairly narrow with plenty of trees, so you will have shade most of the time. After a 3 hour walk you will end up at the village of Komitades where you will meet the bus to continue the tour to Fragokastelo, Rodakino and the village of Agouseliana for lunch. After lunch we continue to Preveli where you will visit the famous Byzantine Monastery of Preveli (10th Century) near the southern coast of Crete. The Monastery has a glorious history due to the active and leading involvement of its fellow monks in all national endeavours for freedom and education of our people. Thus, it merits specific recognition and respect throughout the island of Crete. After our visit to Preveli we return to Rethymnon to visit Fortezza. Fortezza is the citadel of the city of Rethymnon. It was built by the Venetians in the 16th century (1573) to protect the city and was occupied by the Ottomans in 1646. In the early 20th century many houses were built inside the citadel. Finally, we return to Rethimno for leisure time, to visit the city, dinner and overnight.

*sturdy walking shoes are necessary

**In case you do not wish to walk through the Gorge, while other members of the group are hiking, you can continue with the bus to visit Chora Sfakion (Sfakia) for a few hours of relaxing, shopping and a swim at “Vrissi” (the Spring), a well organized sandy beach with crystal-clear waters, sunbeds and umbrellas, at the western end of Sfakia.

DAY 2 Friday: Rethimno - Chania - Rethimno - Knossos - Heraklion (B-L-D)

Breakfast at the hotel. We start our tour driving along the north coastal road, passing the resort city of Georgioupolis, popular for its fine beaches, to the city of Souda, port of Chania, to visit the principal Allied War Cemetery designed by architect Louis de Soissons and next, to visit the Venizelos Graves at the historical location of Profitis Ilias in Akrotiri where the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos lays, one of the long-standing prime Ministers of Greece. We continue to the city of Chania for a visit to the small market, where local products can be found, such as the famous honey, cheeses, souvenir shops etc, before descending to the famous Venetian harbor of the city with the LighthouseFaros and then returning to Rethymno for lunch. We continue driving across the north side of the island along the Cretan Sea and crossing the coastal villages of Bali, Fodele and Agia Pelagia, and reach the city of Heraklion, where we visit the archaeological site of Knossos and its palace sited 5kms southeast of the city of Heraklio. The first Minoan palace (1900 BC) was built on the ruins of the Neolithic settlement where the Minoan dynasty ruled. The site was discovered in 1878 by Minos Kalokairinos. The excavations in Knossos began in 1900 A.D. by the English archaeologist Sir Arthur Evans and his team and they continued for 35 years. After the visit of the site we return to our Hotel.

• Air-conditioned Motorcoach (pick-up from Rethymno or Heraklion)
• Hotel accommodation (1 night) in 3* superior at Rethimno on HB basis
• 2 Lunches at local restaurants (Agouseliana, Rethimno)
• Professional guide Thursday & Friday included
• VAT and all legal taxes included

• Entrance Fees at the museums and the archaeological sites
• Entrance fee at the Imbros Gorge
• Drinks and beverages during meals
• Hotel taxes / Overnight stay tax (1,5 euro per overnight for 3* hotels or 3 euro per overnight for 4* hotels)
• Gratuities
• Porterage service
• Anything that is not specified in the program as included

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