This excursion lines up everything you need for a night out – your reps will get the party started with a cabaret show, there’ll be special offers on drinks, and the music will be a back-to-the-old-school mix of R&B, hip hop and garage.
Sunday nights are sorted with Malia Live. We’ll take you to the busiest place in town, where you can expect knockout performances from the likes of Kissy Sell Out and Ms Dynamite. And to top it all off, there’s a free bar, so drinks are taken care of.
Crete is steeped in ancient myth, much of it surrounding the Minoan people who lived here around 4,000 years ago. Their capital was Knossos – a mighty palace complex once ruled over by King Minos. It’s here that his mythical Minotaur lurked in a labyrinth, feeding on humans thrown into the tunnels. And on this morning trip, you’ll hear the fascinating stories linked to this eerie place, told in a fun style great for the whole family. Listen as your guide brings the weird and wonderful tales to life as you wander through the palace ruins. Afterwards, you'll visit the Cretan Thematic Park. The exhibits here include period outfits and recreated scenes from Greek mythology and everyday life - you'll even get to sample the kind of snacks that the locals ate in Minoan times.
If there’s one must-see in Crete, it’s the Palace of Knossos. Just south of Heraklion, it’s the island’s most popular attraction. And for good reason - it’s absolutely fascinating. Dating back to 1900 BC, it was the hub of Crete’s Minoan civilisation and where the fearsome Minotaur was said to have lurked in a labyrinth. Your guide will explain the myths surrounding the palace and its kings as they lead you round its treasures, including its throne room, royal apartments and frescoes. With your explorations over here, it’s then on to Heraklion, Crete’s capital. See the Venetian lion fountain and the loggia that is now the town hall before finishing up at the entrance to the old harbour. Then the time’s your own to explore how you want, perhaps shopping at the market, walking round the harbour walls or visiting the 16th century Venetian fortress. A great day of discovery for history and culture buffs.
This trip will take you to Leper Island – but don’t let the name put you off. Spinalonga is a small rocky island just off the coast of north-eastern Crete. Lepers from Greece were quarantined here from 1903 to 1957 – hence the nickname. You’ll learn about the island’s turbulent history, as your guide leads you around the abandoned village. Spinalonga has a battle-filled past with the Venetians converting it into an island fort, to protect Elounda harbour. You’ll have time to wander the huge Venetian fortress and well-preserved houses and churches. Or take in the views over the surrounding turquoise waters – the same sights which inspired bestselling novel The Island. After your tour, you’ll be treated to a traditional Cretan lunch, washed down by some local wine.
Crete’s western corner offers up some fantastic history and scenery. And this day trip is great for taking it all in. Your first stop is the World War II cemetery at Souda Bay. With its green lawns edging the bay’s shores, this poignant place is home to over 1,500 graves of British and Commonwealth soldiers who died here during the 1941 Battle of Crete. After visiting the nearby grave of Crete’s national hero, Eleftherios Venizelos, you’ll then continue on to Chania. Set around an old harbour and threaded with cobbled lanes, it’s one of Crete most beautiful harbour towns. After a guided tour, you’ll get the chance for a spot of shopping, perhaps snapping up leather goods along the town’s famous ‘Leather Lane’. Before the trips ends you'll drive to Lake Kournas - Crete's biggest lake. Here you'll have a bit of time to relax and take in the the views, before heading back to base.
This trip sets it's sights on Elafonisi, an idyllic island off Crete's southwest coast. First though, you'll travel to the village of Voulgara, where you'll stop for coffee or snacks. From here you'll go to the Topolia Gorge, and walk up to Agia Sophia, a colossal cave famous for its stalactites and interior chapel. Wander round as your guide explains the myths surrounding this place. It's said the hoof-print of St. Georges's horse can be found here. And if you look hard enough you'll find what looks like a horseshoe print in a rock. Later, you'll continue to Chrissoskalitissa or the "Golden Staircase" monastery. Standing high above a bay, it's 1,000 years old, commanding breathtaking views. Next, it's on to the star attraction, Elafonisi. Ringed by pink sands and light blue seas, this uninhabited island could hardly be more beautiful. Spend the afternoon on it's beaches or swimming in its shallows or take an optional boat rip to the port of Paleochora before heading homewar
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This cruise has everything - scenery, beach time and a helping of medieval history. Everything starts at Kastelli on Crete’s northwest coast, where a boat awaits to carry you around the Gramvoussa Peninsula. Keep your camera handy as you sail past steep cliffs and caves and then dock at Gramvoussa Island. Once a pirate hideout, this massive chunk of rock is crowned by a half-ruined Venetian castle. Here, you can stay sunbathing on deck, take a swim or trek up to the castle to drink in the views. After that, your boat will make its way back to the peninsula and Tigani. Lapped by the shallow Balos Lagoon, it’s a beach that looks like something from the Caribbean. Laze on the white sands, snap photos of the views or splash about in the waters - they’re as warm as a bath and stay knee-deep for a really long way out.
The volcanic island of Santorini lies north of Crete. And this day trip by fast boat is a great chance to take a close-up look at it. Curved around a colossal, sea-filled caldera that was formed by a volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago, it’s all black cliffs, whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches, so it’s picture-postcard Greece. Once you’re off the boat, you’ll take off on scenic tour, ticking through many of the island’s highlights and learning about its history. Explore a caldera-edge town, where whitewashed houses, cobbled streets and tavernas descend down the cliff-face in steep terraces. Snap up treats at the island’s shops and boutiques. And visit some of the best viewpoints to take photos - the views over the caldera are great.
One of the most famous spots in Crete, Spinalonga is sometimes called the ‘island of tears’ due to its past as a leper colony. Between 1903 and 1957, it was home to hundreds of Greece’s lepers, who were shipped here and then forbidden to leave. On this trip, you’ll ride a boat to the island from the fishing harbour in Elounda. Once on Spinalonga, you’ll take a guided walk around the remains of the colony, which was established within the walls of a huge Venetian fortress. See its main street, still lined with the shops and houses where the lepers attempted to live ordinary lives. And look round the old hospital and graveyard. Later, you’ll sail across Mirabello Bay to Elounda. Swim in the sea, stretch out in the sunshine or watch the world go by at a waterside café. You'll also have lunch in a local tavern. A fascinating if poignant day.
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