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Peregrine Travel Centre

Highlights of Crete

Highlights of Crete

From $ 2,730 AUD

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Description

The island of Crete has so much history and natural wonder to offer, and in seven days on its shores, you’ll see what’s known as Europe’s oldest city, taste some of the region’s best food and wine, and discover some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Visit the Knossos archaeological site and unwind in the secluded seaside village of Sougia. Join a boat trip with a local family through the region’s islands, sip wine in the vibrant port city of Chania and indulge in local dishes like fresh seafood or bougatsa (warm flaky pastry with creamy semolina custard or cheese).

Trip Name
Highlights of Crete
Last Updated
1970-01-01
Days
7
Capacity
12
Highlights
  • Visit the well-preserved archaeological site of Knossos – the former capital of Minoan Crete. Explore the ruins of Europe’s oldest city with your leader and discover the hundreds and thousands of years of history embedded within its walls.
  • Join a local family on a boat trip around Crete's shorelines. Learn about the region’s history and maybe try some local dishes like fresh seafood or bougatsa for lunch.
  • Explore Chania on an orientation walk through the colourful port town. Discover one of its most loved commodities during a wine tasting and maybe join a local workshop to learn to bake kalitsounia (pastries).
  • Unwind in the small fishing village of Sougia. Maybe walk along the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters or simply relax on the beach with a cold drink in your hand during your free time.
  • Hear stories about the area’s historic past from your local leader. Maybe hike to the Entrance of Agia Eirini Gorge, look for endangered Cretan wild goats or relax on the beach in Sougia.

Itinerary

ITINERARY CHANGES Our itineraries are updated regularly throughout the year based on customer feedback and to reflect the current situation in each destination. The information included in this Essential Trip Information may therefore differ from when you first booked your trip. It's important that you review this information prior to travel so that you have the latest updates. Due to weather, local conditions, transport schedules, public holidays, political unrest or other factors, further changes may be necessary to your itinerary once in-country. Your group leader or local representative will keep you up to date with any such changes once your trip is underway and has the authority to amend or cancel any part of the trip itinerary if deemed necessary due to safety concerns. , OPTIONAL ACTIVITIES A selection of optional activities that have been popular with past travellers are listed in the day-to-day itinerary. This isn't an exhaustive list and should be used as a guide only for some of what might be available. Prices are approximate, are for entrance fees only, and don’t include transport to and from the sites or local guides unless indicated. All activities are subject to availability, and maybe on a join-in basis. It may not be possible to do all the activities listed in the time available at each destination, so some pre-planning for what you are most interested in is advised. When it's recommended that travellers pre-book these activities, look for a note in the Special Information section of the day-to-day itinerary. For most, they can either be organised independently on the day, or let your group leader or local representative know you are interested at the Welcome Meeting and they can assist. Where activities are considered medium or high risk, we work with operators whose safety and credentials we have sighted and assessed. Although it is possible that you may find the same activity cheaper with another operator on the ground, we cannot vouch for the safety or quality of that operator. Medium and high-risk activities not listed above have not been assessed by us and as such our staff and group leader or local representative are unable to assist you with organising these activities. Activities that contravene our Responsible Travel policies are also not listed. Please remember that the decision to partake in any activity not listed is at your own discretion and risk.

Day 1 - Heraklion
Welcome to Greece! Your island adventure begins with a welcome meeting at 6 in Heraklion – a port city and the capital of Crete, known for its ancient frescoes, baths and large collections of Minoan art. If you arrive early, maybe visit the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion, see the Palace of Knossos or wander through the Museum of Ancient Greek Technology by Kotsanas. After the group meeting, get your bearings around the capital with a leader-led orientation walk of Heraklion, then maybe head out for dinner with the group.
Day 2 - Heraklion to Knossos
This morning, head out of the city to the renowned archaeological site of Knossos, considered to be Europe’s oldest city. Explore the ruins with your leader and soak in thousands of years of history within its walls. After, discover one of Crete’s most celebrated commodities (vino, of course)! with a visit to a nearby winery for a tasting. Learn about the different varietes of grape grown here and sample a range of small-batch vintages. Then it’s time to slow things down – continue to the small village of Omalos, set at an altitude of 1000 metres, offering a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in the authentic Cretan countryside.
Day 3 - Sougia
Lace up your boots as you set off on a hike through the gorges this morning, stopping at the entrance of Agia Eirini Gorge along the way. Hear stories about the area’s historic past and how it once hid Greek rebels during the Turkish Occupation. Look out for the endangered Cretan wild goats and dittany trees as you walk. After, travel along the beautiful south coast to the village of Sougia. This is Crete at its very best – an undiscovered sweep of beach overlooked by mountains. When you arrive, the afternoon is yours to spend at leisure.
Day 4 - Sougia
After breakfast, set off on a boat trip , where there will be a couple of swimming stops and later join your leader for a traditional homecooked meal in a rural area. Discover the region’s rich history as you cruise, then join the family for lunch. Maybe try some seasonal local dishes. The rest of the afternoon is yours to spend as you please. Maybe explore one of the coastal trails, take a swim in the warm waters or simply lay back on the beach with a drink in hand.
Day 5 - Chania
Say goodbye to Sougia this morning and catch a local bus to Chania. When you arrive, join your local leader on a guided tour of the Old Town. As you walk, you’ll explore the city markets, the Ottoman neighbourhood and Jewish quarter and pass by the workshops of traditional artisans of local pottery. The rest of the day is free for you to explore at your own pace. Tonight, maybe venture out into the bustling night life and sit down to dinner at a local restaurant – your leader will have the best recommendations!
Day 6 - Chania
Today is a free day for you to enjoy how you like. Maybe set off on a boat tour of the Balos and Gamvousa Islands or join a kalitsounia workshop where you’ll learn firsthand how one of the most famous Cretan pastries is made. Kalitsounia is commonly enjoyed as an appetizer or for breakfast, and you can choose your fillings according to your taste – Cretan mizithra or anthotyro cheese with Cretan greens or maybe a sweet filling instead. You could even take them with you to enjoy later in the day. This evening, maybe to head out to a local restaurant for a final dinner and use your knowledge of Cretan wine to pair with your meal.
Day 7 - Chania
With no activities planned for the day, your adventure on Crete comes to an end after breakfast this morning. If you’d like to spend some more time exploring the island, just get in touch with your booking agent ahead of time.

Trip Dates

StartEndPrice FromRoom Type
26-04-202602-05-2026AUD $ 3,495-
17-05-202623-05-2026AUD $ 3,495-
24-05-202630-05-2026AUD $ 3,520-
07-06-202613-06-2026AUD $ 3,480-
23-08-202629-08-2026AUD $ 2,730-
06-09-202612-09-2026AUD $ 3,195-
13-09-202619-09-2026AUD $ 3,180-
20-09-202626-09-2026AUD $ 3,490-
27-09-202603-10-2026AUD $ 3,190-
04-10-202610-10-2026AUD $ 3,360-
11-10-202617-10-2026AUD $ 3,030-
25-04-202701-05-2027AUD $ 3,145-
09-05-202715-05-2027AUD $ 3,145-
23-05-202729-05-2027AUD $ 3,145-
06-06-202712-06-2027AUD $ 3,145-
27-06-202703-07-2027AUD $ 3,145-
01-08-202707-08-2027AUD $ 3,145-
22-08-202728-08-2027AUD $ 3,145-
29-08-202704-09-2027AUD $ 3,270-
05-09-202711-09-2027AUD $ 3,270-
12-09-202718-09-2027AUD $ 3,270-
19-09-202725-09-2027AUD $ 3,270-
26-09-202702-10-2027AUD $ 3,270-
03-10-202709-10-2027AUD $ 3,145-
10-10-202716-10-2027AUD $ 3,145-

Accommodation

Hotel (3 nights), Guesthouse (3 nights)

Transport

Public bus, Private vehicle, Boat, On foot

Map

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