Your holiday summary
| Holiday type |
Sun Tours |
|---|---|
| Country |
Greece |
| Resort |
Crete |
| Travel type |
Fly |
| Price range | From £985 |
| Travel partner | Travel Editions |
| Duration | 7 nights |
|
Need help with your booking? 0330 333 6761 |
Hidden Gems of Eastern Crete
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You'll love this tour if you like: History Archaeology, Natural beauty, Spectacular scenery, Mediterranean sunshine, A 5-star seaside hotel .
As the largest of the Greek islands Crete is too big to be able to do justice to its wealth of fascinating sites and places of interest in one visit so we have devised two tours, our Minoan Crete tour based in Rethymnon, which focuses on the central and west of the island, and our Hidden Gems of Eastern Crete tour, which focuses completely on the east of the island and encompasses a diverse range of stunning scenery, spectacular sites as well as a very comfortable base at the 5 star Istron Bay Hotel, which has a fabulous position right on the bay of Mirabello.
Heading east from the island's capital, Heraklion, a glorious panorama unfolds as you approach the spectacular bay of Mirabello, a stunning location situated on Crete's north east coast. The gulf sits beneath the dramatically soaring Thripti Mountains that cast the most glorious pink glow across the bay in the evening light. Highlights of this lovely area include the pretty bay of Elounda, the attractive harbour town of Agios Nikolaos and the fascinating island of Spinalonga. Heading just a little inland from this delightful bay we find the 14th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera with its well-preserved frescos and the atmospheric traditional village of Kritsa.
During our tour we will discover this area close at hand as well as the wild rugged beauty of the far east of the island, known locally as the 'hidden Crete'. We will visit some of the islands ancient Minoan sites as well as some of its scenic highlights. You will be introduced to the island's vibrant, colourful, ancient history by our local guide, the knowledgeable Constantine Kakoudakis, who will accompany you throughout the week.
As the largest of the Greek islands Crete is too big to be able to do justice to its wealth of fascinating sites and places of interest in one visit so we have devised two tours, our Minoan Crete tour based in Rethymnon, which focuses on the central and west of the island, and our Hidden Gems of Eastern Crete tour, which focuses completely on the east of the island and encompasses a diverse range of stunning scenery, spectacular sites as well as a very comfortable base at the 5 star Istron Bay Hotel, which has a fabulous position right on the bay of Mirabello.
Heading east from the island's capital, Heraklion, a glorious panorama unfolds as you approach the spectacular bay of Mirabello, a stunning location situated on Crete's north east coast. The gulf sits beneath the dramatically soaring Thripti Mountains that cast the most glorious pink glow across the bay in the evening light. Highlights of this lovely area include the pretty bay of Elounda, the attractive harbour town of Agios Nikolaos and the fascinating island of Spinalonga. Heading just a little inland from this delightful bay we find the 14th century Byzantine church of Panagia Kera with its well-preserved frescos and the atmospheric traditional village of Kritsa.
During our tour we will discover this area close at hand as well as the wild rugged beauty of the far east of the island, known locally as the 'hidden Crete'. We will visit some of the islands ancient Minoan sites as well as some of its scenic highlights. You will be introduced to the island's vibrant, colourful, ancient history by our local guide, the knowledgeable Constantine Kakoudakis, who will accompany you throughout the week.
Included
- Return charter flights from Gatwick to Heraklion including all payable taxes.
- 7 nights' accommodation in standard room on dinner, bed and buffet breakfast basis at 5-star Istron Bay Hotel.
- Transfers and excursions as detailed in the itinerary
- Tour manager and local guide throughout
Not included
- Single room supplement
- Superior twin room supplement
- Holiday insurance
- Regional flight supplement - regional flights are available from a number of UK airports including Manchester, Leeds Bradford, East Midlands, Birmingham, Newcastle, Glasgow and Bristol. These are subject to availability and supplement. Please contact us for a quote.
- Meals other than those stated
- Items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, telephone calls etc
- Porterage and gratuities
Day 1
Fly to Heraklion from Gatwick or choice of regional airports (subject to availability) and transfer by coach to the Istron Bay Hotel for check in for a 7 night stay on dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Leisurely first day tour to Minoan Gournia, the 14th Century church of Panagia Kera, the village of Krista and the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
Full day tour to Sitia, the Monastery of Toplou and the palm forest of Vai. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4
Half day scenic tour to the hill village of Kalamafka and south coast Ierapetra. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5
Day free or optional tour (charged locally) to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Archaelogical Collection at Heraklion. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6
Full day tour to the Palace of Malia, the Monastery of Kera, and the plateau of Lassithi. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7
Full day tour to the Island of Spinalonga and harbour town of Elounda. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8
Transfer to Heraklion airport for return flight to the UK.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour managers discretion.
Fly to Heraklion from Gatwick or choice of regional airports (subject to availability) and transfer by coach to the Istron Bay Hotel for check in for a 7 night stay on dinner, bed and breakfast basis.
Day 2
Leisurely first day tour to Minoan Gournia, the 14th Century church of Panagia Kera, the village of Krista and the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 3
Full day tour to Sitia, the Monastery of Toplou and the palm forest of Vai. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 4
Half day scenic tour to the hill village of Kalamafka and south coast Ierapetra. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 5
Day free or optional tour (charged locally) to the Minoan Palace of Knossos and the Archaelogical Collection at Heraklion. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 6
Full day tour to the Palace of Malia, the Monastery of Kera, and the plateau of Lassithi. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 7
Full day tour to the Island of Spinalonga and harbour town of Elounda. Dinner at the hotel.
Day 8
Transfer to Heraklion airport for return flight to the UK.
NB: Exact order of excursions may vary according to local conditions and tour managers discretion.
5-Star Istron Bay Hotel, Istro
The 5-star Istron Bay Hotel is tucked into a hillside just above the turquoise blue of the Aegean sea, in a peaceful location a few kilometres east of the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos. This well established hotel offers comfortable, spacious rooms, all with sea facing balconies or terraces, two restaurants, a snack bar, lounge bar, a large sea water swimming pool and a pretty, private beach where some water sports are available. In addition to its many facilities the hotel exudes the legendary warm Cretan hospitality, and, as you will soon discover during a stay here, many of the staff have been here for years and add to the unique large family of the management who built and continue to run this excellent hotel. The rooms included in the price of the holiday are standard twin/double rooms, all of which have balconies and sea views. Dining arrangements for all standard rooms is in the main restaurant with the option to dine in the ‘a la carte’ Meltemi Restaurant at an extra charge (paid locally) whenever you wish. If you wish you can upgrade your room to a superior room for a small supplement. A superior room offers slightly more space as it has a sitting area within the bedroom. Superior rooms all have direct sea views and balconies. Superior room occupants have the option to eat in either of the two restaurants at no additional charge. Single rooms are standard twin/double rooms for sole use and all have balconies and sea views.
Extend Your Stay
After a busy week touring the island you may like to opt for an extension to your stay and enjoy a relaxing second week at the hotel. We can arrange this at an additional per person charge of £500 per person based on sharing a double room, including flight extension and return transfers to the airport. Alternatively we can arrange an additional week at one of our other hotels if you would like to see a different part of the island. Please call for more information.
The 5-star Istron Bay Hotel is tucked into a hillside just above the turquoise blue of the Aegean sea, in a peaceful location a few kilometres east of the harbour town of Agios Nikolaos. This well established hotel offers comfortable, spacious rooms, all with sea facing balconies or terraces, two restaurants, a snack bar, lounge bar, a large sea water swimming pool and a pretty, private beach where some water sports are available. In addition to its many facilities the hotel exudes the legendary warm Cretan hospitality, and, as you will soon discover during a stay here, many of the staff have been here for years and add to the unique large family of the management who built and continue to run this excellent hotel. The rooms included in the price of the holiday are standard twin/double rooms, all of which have balconies and sea views. Dining arrangements for all standard rooms is in the main restaurant with the option to dine in the ‘a la carte’ Meltemi Restaurant at an extra charge (paid locally) whenever you wish. If you wish you can upgrade your room to a superior room for a small supplement. A superior room offers slightly more space as it has a sitting area within the bedroom. Superior rooms all have direct sea views and balconies. Superior room occupants have the option to eat in either of the two restaurants at no additional charge. Single rooms are standard twin/double rooms for sole use and all have balconies and sea views.
Extend Your Stay
After a busy week touring the island you may like to opt for an extension to your stay and enjoy a relaxing second week at the hotel. We can arrange this at an additional per person charge of £500 per person based on sharing a double room, including flight extension and return transfers to the airport. Alternatively we can arrange an additional week at one of our other hotels if you would like to see a different part of the island. Please call for more information.
2 results
Most enjoyable holiday. Best points - Guide & Tour Manager, Hotel accommodation, Excursions excellent.
May 2011
Mr P Lusher
Mr P Lusher
Very pleasant break and really interesting and knowledgeable local guide.
Sep 2010
Ms Fayers
Ms Fayers
2 results
