Jewels of Crete - 2026

Itinerary

• Day 1 - Fly UK to Crete, Greece
  We fly to Crete and transfer to the Minos Hotel, where we spend the next ten nights.
• Day 2 - Heraklion & Knossos Palace
  We start the day with a tour of Heraklion, the capital of Crete and one of the island’s most popular cities. This is a city full of ancient history, being home to many civilizations including the Mycenaeans, Romans, Venetians and Ottomans. Traces of these cultures can be found in the fortified Venetian walls and the Valide Mosque. There is so much to see and enjoy, from the vibrant town centre and the modern Daidalo street, named after the legend of Daedalus, the craftsman behind the Labyrinth, to Lion Square with the Morosini Fountain. Next, we visit Knossos, a Minoan Palace, one of the most famous sites on the island. The palace was home to the legendary King Minos who constructed a large labyrinth to hold the Minotaur. Knossos is steeped in myth and legend, as written by Homer in his Odyssey: “Among their cities is the great city of Knossos, where Minos reigned when nine years old, he that held converse with great Zeus.” During our tour of Knossos, we enjoy wine tasting before returning to our hotel.
• Day 3 - Day at Leisure
  Enjoy a relaxing day at leisure in Rethymno. Stroll along the charming harbour, unwind on the beach or simply enjoy the Minos Hotel’s welcoming hospitality and poolside serenity.
• Day 4 - Chania & Souda Bay (full day)
  We head to a wonderful destination and a historically very popular one! Many of the ancient civilizations who settled in Crete stopped over in Chania at one time or another. The result? A flourishing town, with a multicultural blend of architecture, culinary delights and cultural legacy. We enjoy a walking tour of Chania Old Town, exploring the narrow alleyways to find some of the trendiest tavernas and souvenir shops, as well as museums. There is much to see in this truly beautiful place, a perfect blend of old and new. Afterwards, we travel to the coast and Souda Bay. Here we make time to pay our respects to the fallen soldiers of the Second World War with a visit to the Commonwealth War Cemetery. At the entrance, we find the names of the fallen, all 1, 527 soldiers who bravely fought and died at the Battle of Crete. The brilliant archaeologist John Pendlebury is also buried here, the curator of Knossos from 1930 to 1934, who joined the British Intelligence Service to return to Crete and organise the Resistance when World War Two started.
• Day 5 - Day at Leisure
  Spend the day as you wish in Rethymno, enjoy the local sights or relax at the resort.
• Day 6 - Lassithi Plateau (full day)
  Today we are treated to a trip to the largest mountain plain in Crete. At an altitude of 850m, the Lasithi Plateau runs some 11kn east-west and 6km north-south. On the plateau, we are treated to a breathtaking view of green fields dotted with thousands of small windmills, used for irrigation until a few years ago. We visit some of the traditional villages on the Plateau such as Krasi, Tzermiado and Ano Kera. The area has been inhabited for thousands of years and the Dictean cave above Psychro is where, according to Greek legends, Zeus, the Olympian God of Gods was born.
• Day 7 - Day at leisure
  Spend the day as you wish in Rethymno, enjoy the local sights or relax at the resort.
• Day 8 - Spinalonga & Agios Nikolaos
  If you are a first-time visitor to Crete, a trip to Spinalonga is a must. This tiny island in Elounda Bay has enough history to fill a book itself - it has played its role within Crete from ancient times to modern times. Made famous once more recently by Victoria Hislop and her book The Island. After spending time here, we head to Agios Nikolaos or St Nicolas in English for a chance to wander the streets of this popular destination.
• Day 9 - Optional tour Chrysoulas Traditional Cretan Cooking
  Our optional excursion (£39pp) invites you to experience Chrysoulas Traditional Cretan Cooking, a delightful journey into the heart of Cretan culinary traditions. Under the guidance of Chrysoula, a skilled local chef, you will learn how to prepare authentic dishes using fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The session combines hands-on cooking with fascinating insights into the history and culture behind each recipe, ensuring a truly immersive experience.
• Day 10 - Day at leisure
  Today is yours to enjoy as you wish. Perhaps browse Rethymno’s shops, sip coffee in a local square or unwind at the Minos Hotel with a dip in the pool.