Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Tours Walking Holidays |
|---|---|
| Country |
Greece |
| Resort |
Crete |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £995 |
| Travel partner | Travel Editions |
| Duration | 7 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6761 |
Walking in Western Crete
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You'll love this tour if you like: Walking The great outdoors, Nature, Scenery, Tradition and culture
Far from the crowds and purpose built resorts, the far west of the island gives you the opportunity to discover a more authentic Crete and its traditional culture.
The base will be at the provincial town of Kissamos, predominantly an agricultural working town, which offers a glimpse of local life mixed with a touch of tourism. It is situated in the middle of a bay that sits between the 'fingers' of two peninsulas, Gramvousa and Rodopos on the north coast.
The itinerary includes 5 guided walks, graded easy to medium, covering a distance of 6 to 12 kilometres a day. The walks will take you over mountain ridges, along secluded coastlines, amongst slopes covered in olive groves, through valleys bordered with chestnut trees and abandoned villages. There is one free day included in the itinerary and our local guide will be happy to suggest places to visit. If you are feeling energised you may like to use your free day to join a guided excursion to the 16km Samaria Gorge.
All meals are included in the price of the holiday with the exception of the free day when lunch and dinner are not included. Breakfast is taken every morning at your hotel and dinner will be at a local restaurant every evening with the exception of one evening when dinner will be taken at a taverna in the atmospheric Venetian harbour town of Chania. Most lunches will be at village tavernas. Walking boots are essential and clients should be in good health. The walks are organised by Stelios and Angela Milonakis, a local Greek/English couple, who began their walking company in 1999.
Far from the crowds and purpose built resorts, the far west of the island gives you the opportunity to discover a more authentic Crete and its traditional culture.
The base will be at the provincial town of Kissamos, predominantly an agricultural working town, which offers a glimpse of local life mixed with a touch of tourism. It is situated in the middle of a bay that sits between the 'fingers' of two peninsulas, Gramvousa and Rodopos on the north coast.
The itinerary includes 5 guided walks, graded easy to medium, covering a distance of 6 to 12 kilometres a day. The walks will take you over mountain ridges, along secluded coastlines, amongst slopes covered in olive groves, through valleys bordered with chestnut trees and abandoned villages. There is one free day included in the itinerary and our local guide will be happy to suggest places to visit. If you are feeling energised you may like to use your free day to join a guided excursion to the 16km Samaria Gorge.
All meals are included in the price of the holiday with the exception of the free day when lunch and dinner are not included. Breakfast is taken every morning at your hotel and dinner will be at a local restaurant every evening with the exception of one evening when dinner will be taken at a taverna in the atmospheric Venetian harbour town of Chania. Most lunches will be at village tavernas. Walking boots are essential and clients should be in good health. The walks are organised by Stelios and Angela Milonakis, a local Greek/English couple, who began their walking company in 1999.
Included
- Return charter flights from Gatwick to Chania including all payable taxes.
- 7 nights' accommodation in standard room on bed and buffet breakfast basis at the Galini Beach Hotel or Sunny Bay Hotel or Mirtilos Hotel Kissasmos
- Transfers and range of excursions as detailed in the itinerary
- 5 dinners at local tavernas and 1 dinner in Chania town
- 5 picnic or taverna lunches
- Tour manager throughout
Not included
- Single room supplement
- Holiday insurance
- Regional flight supplement (subject to availability)
- Meals other than those stated
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
- Porterage and gratuities.
Day 1
Fly to Chania or Heraklion (18th September only) from Gatwick or choice of regional airports (subject to availability) and transfer by coach under tour manager's direction to Kissamos for check in to your hotel for a 7 night stay on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Polyrinnia - through Olive Groves to Kastelli. Our day begins with an informative and historical tour around the picturesque village of Polyrinnia after which we walk up to its ancient archaeological site. After taking in the panoramic views over the Bay of Kissamos to the North and the White Mountains to the South we descend on paths through olive groves to Kastelli where a welcome lunch awaits.
Day 3
Village of Milia & Topolia - The Cave of Agia Sophia. Our walk takes in local villages allowing us to see a continuing traditional way of life. We pass through a small hamlet with an abundance of trees - walnut, orange, lemon, cherry, and of course olive - and then follow a track that takes us to the traditional village of Milia where original stone houses have been beautifully renovated. After a stop for refreshments we follow a track high up in the hills with splendid views to the mountains and the gorge of Topolia. The walk culminates at a cave which houses a small chapel before we descend to a local taverna to sample delicious Cretan food.
Day 4
Coastal Crete - Falassarna. The walk begins from the hotel heading West through undulating countryside. Approximately half way through the walk we have a refreshment stop at the tiny village of Kaliviani. Suitably refreshed we then head off to one of the loveliest beaches on Crete - Falassarna. The walk encompasses the beautiful scenery of far West Crete and at the end there is an opportunity for a swim in the crystal clear sea and time to enjoy our packed lunch. Dinner this evening is in a taverna in the picturesque Venetian harbour town of Chania.
Day 5
Today is free for you to do as you wish. We will be happy to offer suggestions. It might be possible to join an organised excursion to the infamous Samaria Gorge - 16km in length - that begins high in the White Mountains and descends to the sea on the south coast. Or take a boat trip from Kissamos to the fantastic lagoon of Balos. Alternatively you might like to return to explore the delights of Chania Town.
Day 6
Mountains & Gorges - Deliana. Today's walk is beautifully picturesque along paths high amongst the mountains that lead to a gentle gorge, resplendent with flora and fauna. Birds of prey may be spotted wheeling overhead. The end of the walk is at the village of Deliana where there is a fascinating church to visit.
Day 7
Sirikari to Polyrinnia. Our walk begins high with panoramic views over the bay of Kissamos. We will pass through the peaceful gorge of Sirikari where eagles live amongst the rock face. There is time for a welcome rest stop at a beautiful old Venetian stone bridge under the shade of Platanos (Plane) trees before we start our descent to Polyrinnia where we will enjoy lunch before returning to Kastelli.
Day 8
Transfer to airport for return flight to the UK. The walks are organised by Stelios and Angela Milonakis, a local Greek/English couple, who began their walking company in 1999.
NB: This itinerary is for guidance only; it is possible that the order and/or details of the walks may change dependent on weather and other conditions.
Fly to Chania or Heraklion (18th September only) from Gatwick or choice of regional airports (subject to availability) and transfer by coach under tour manager's direction to Kissamos for check in to your hotel for a 7 night stay on bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Polyrinnia - through Olive Groves to Kastelli. Our day begins with an informative and historical tour around the picturesque village of Polyrinnia after which we walk up to its ancient archaeological site. After taking in the panoramic views over the Bay of Kissamos to the North and the White Mountains to the South we descend on paths through olive groves to Kastelli where a welcome lunch awaits.
Day 3
Village of Milia & Topolia - The Cave of Agia Sophia. Our walk takes in local villages allowing us to see a continuing traditional way of life. We pass through a small hamlet with an abundance of trees - walnut, orange, lemon, cherry, and of course olive - and then follow a track that takes us to the traditional village of Milia where original stone houses have been beautifully renovated. After a stop for refreshments we follow a track high up in the hills with splendid views to the mountains and the gorge of Topolia. The walk culminates at a cave which houses a small chapel before we descend to a local taverna to sample delicious Cretan food.
Day 4
Coastal Crete - Falassarna. The walk begins from the hotel heading West through undulating countryside. Approximately half way through the walk we have a refreshment stop at the tiny village of Kaliviani. Suitably refreshed we then head off to one of the loveliest beaches on Crete - Falassarna. The walk encompasses the beautiful scenery of far West Crete and at the end there is an opportunity for a swim in the crystal clear sea and time to enjoy our packed lunch. Dinner this evening is in a taverna in the picturesque Venetian harbour town of Chania.
Day 5
Today is free for you to do as you wish. We will be happy to offer suggestions. It might be possible to join an organised excursion to the infamous Samaria Gorge - 16km in length - that begins high in the White Mountains and descends to the sea on the south coast. Or take a boat trip from Kissamos to the fantastic lagoon of Balos. Alternatively you might like to return to explore the delights of Chania Town.
Day 6
Mountains & Gorges - Deliana. Today's walk is beautifully picturesque along paths high amongst the mountains that lead to a gentle gorge, resplendent with flora and fauna. Birds of prey may be spotted wheeling overhead. The end of the walk is at the village of Deliana where there is a fascinating church to visit.
Day 7
Sirikari to Polyrinnia. Our walk begins high with panoramic views over the bay of Kissamos. We will pass through the peaceful gorge of Sirikari where eagles live amongst the rock face. There is time for a welcome rest stop at a beautiful old Venetian stone bridge under the shade of Platanos (Plane) trees before we start our descent to Polyrinnia where we will enjoy lunch before returning to Kastelli.
Day 8
Transfer to airport for return flight to the UK. The walks are organised by Stelios and Angela Milonakis, a local Greek/English couple, who began their walking company in 1999.
NB: This itinerary is for guidance only; it is possible that the order and/or details of the walks may change dependent on weather and other conditions.
Our base for the week is the friendly Galini Beach Hotel or the Sunny Bay Hotel (15th May only) both of which are situated on Kissamos' small promenande, right next to the sea. The hotel used is date specific and is shown on the booking page. Both hotels offer simple comfortable bedrooms with private bath/shower, airconditioning, TV, and balcony.
New date added: 18th September will be accommodated at the Mirtilos Hotel, Kissamos
The Mirtilos Hotel, which offers studio style rooms, is situated just 150 meters from Kissamos promenade and a similar distance from the Cellar taverna where you will have most of your evening meals. All rooms are equipped with fridge, kitchenette, air-conditioning, telephone, safety deposit box and TV. All rooms have sea views. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and bar.
All hotels offer simple, comfortable bedrooms with private facilities and balconies. Breakfast is taken at the hotel and dinner will be provided by our hosts Angela and Stelios Milonakis who look after all aspects of this tour including leading the walks and providing delicious Cretan cuisine in their local taverna, which is also situated on the promenade, overlooking the sea.
New date added: 18th September will be accommodated at the Mirtilos Hotel, Kissamos
The Mirtilos Hotel, which offers studio style rooms, is situated just 150 meters from Kissamos promenade and a similar distance from the Cellar taverna where you will have most of your evening meals. All rooms are equipped with fridge, kitchenette, air-conditioning, telephone, safety deposit box and TV. All rooms have sea views. Facilities at the hotel include a swimming pool and bar.
All hotels offer simple, comfortable bedrooms with private facilities and balconies. Breakfast is taken at the hotel and dinner will be provided by our hosts Angela and Stelios Milonakis who look after all aspects of this tour including leading the walks and providing delicious Cretan cuisine in their local taverna, which is also situated on the promenade, overlooking the sea.
3 results
3 results
We would like to thank you for one of the best holidays we have had. This is the third walking tour we have been on and it was far superior to the other two. The organization was superb , the food incredible, the company couldn't be faulted and the weather was glorious - we are convinced you organized that as well!
The choice of walks was very suitable for the range of people on the tour and Bob and the other guides were informative, friendly, caring and always available to help. I hope we meet again and we certainly wouldn't think about going anywhere else for a walking holiday. We wish you, your family and your company every success.
The choice of walks was very suitable for the range of people on the tour and Bob and the other guides were informative, friendly, caring and always available to help. I hope we meet again and we certainly wouldn't think about going anywhere else for a walking holiday. We wish you, your family and your company every success.
Oct 2009
Mr G. Ayres
Mr G. Ayres
