Group Tour
The Wonders of Ancient Crete
Did you know we can tailor any tour?
Neil Davis
Platinum Travel Consultant
03301 624 351
03301 624 351
Save £150pp on Wonders of Ancient Crete
Valid on all Europe group tours. Book by 31 January 2025
For Ts&Cs and availability, please speak to one of our travel specialists.
Tour Highlights
The Wonders of Ancient Crete
As a strategic gateway to the eastern Mediterranean, Crete has been ruled by a number of great powers, from the Minoans, one of Europe’s first civilisations, to the Byzantine, Roman and Ottoman empires. This tour explores Crete’s scenic and cultural highlights, including the Palace of Knossos, an incomparable monument of ancient Minoan society.
Dates and prices
Itinerary
DAY 1: Fly to Heraklion - Rethymno
Fly to Heraklion - Rethymno
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Heraklion with British Airways. Transfer to Theartemis Palace in Rethymno (or similar) for 3 nights. (N) Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 2: Aptera - Chania
Aptera - Chania
Morning visit to the ancient site of Aptera. Continue to the town of Chania with its Venetian harbour. Also make a poignant visit to the Allied Cemetery, containing second world war burials. Enjoy a welcome lunch before continuing to Rethymno for a guided city walk. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 3: Arkadi - Eleftherna - Rethymno
Arkadi - Eleftherna - Rethymno
This morning, visit the fortified monastery of Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna with its impressive collection of artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet a beekeeper for an introduction to beehives and their cultivation. (B)
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 4: Phaestos - Matala - Heraklion
Phaestos - Matala - Heraklion
Drive across the island to the Messara plain and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace. Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town, and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach. Drive to Heraklion, stopping en route at the archaeological site of Gortys. Stay 4 nights at the Aquila Atlantis Hotel (or similar). (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 5: Knossos - Pediados
Knossos - Pediados
Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation. According to myth, it was home to King Minos and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive to the Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine estate for an introduction to Cretan wine with tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 6: Kera - Spinalonga - Heraklion
Kera - Spinalonga - Heraklion
Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the finest Byzantine frescoes in Crete. Continue to Elounda and take a boat to Spinalonga. Formerly a leper colony, this fortified island has been imprinted by Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Return to Heraklion via the port town of Agios Nikolaos. (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 7: Heraklion
Heraklion
Morning at leisure to relax by the pool or explore Heraklion's old town. Afternoon guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with its collection of Minoan treasure. Enjoy a farewell drink with the group. (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 8: Fly to London
Fly to London
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London with British Airways or begin your tour extension. (B)
Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals
DAY 1: Fly to Heraklion - Rethymno
Fly to Heraklion - Rethymno
Fly from London (regional connections available) to Heraklion with British Airways. Transfer to Theartemis Palace in Rethymno (or similar) for 3 nights. (N)
Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 2: Aptera - Chania
Aptera - Chania
Morning visit to the ancient site of Aptera. Continue to the town of Chania with its Venetian harbour, and visit the Allied Cemetery, which contains 1,545 burials from the second world war. Enjoy a welcome lunch, then continue to Rethymno for a guided city walk. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 3: Arkadi - Eleftherna - Rethymno
Arkadi - Eleftherna - Rethymno
This morning, visit the fortified monastery of Arkadi. Continue to the Museum of Ancient Eleftherna with its impressive collection of artefacts from Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Meet a beekeeper for an introduction to beehives and their cultivation. (B)
Accommodation:
Theartemis Palace Hotel
DAY 4: Phaestos - Matala - Heraklion
Phaestos - Matala - Heraklion
Drive across the island to the Messara plain and visit Phaestos, the second Minoan palace. Continue to Matala, a pretty seaside town, and enjoy a swim or relax on the beach. Drive to Heraklion, stopping en route at the archaeological site of Gortys. Stay 4 nights at the Aquila Atlantis Hotel (or similar). (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 5: Knossos - Wine Tasting
Knossos - Wine Tasting
Morning drive to the ancient Minoan Palace of Knossos, the centre of Europe’s first civilisation. According to myth, it was home to King Minos and site of the legend of Theseus slaying the Minotaur in the labyrinth. Then drive to the Pediados region south of Heraklion, Crete’s most famous wine-producing area. Visit a wine estate for an introduction to Cretan wine with tasting and a traditional lunch. Afternoon at leisure. (B, L)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 6: Kera - Spinalonga - Heraklion
Kera - Spinalonga - Heraklion
Visit the Church of Panagia Kera to view the finest Byzantine frescoes in Crete. Continue to Elounda and take a boat to Spinalonga. Formerly a leper colony, this fortified island has been imprinted by Greek, Ottoman, Byzantine and Venetian occupation. Return to Heraklion via the port town of Agios Nikolaos. (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 7: Heraklion
Heraklion
Morning at leisure to relax by the pool or explore Heraklion’s old town. Afternoon guided visit to the Heraklion Archaeological Museum with its collection of Minoan treasure. Enjoy a farewell drink with the group. (B)
Accommodation:
Aquila Atlantis Hotel
DAY 8: Fly to London
Fly to London
Morning at leisure. Afternoon flight to London with British Airways or begin your tour extension. (B)
Meal basis: As per itinerary - B: Breakfast, L: Lunch, D: Dinner, N: No meals
Sorry, this itinerary is not Available on the selected date
Please try using different date to see our available options
The Cox & Kings signature experiences
- Beekeeping experience & honey tasting
- Visits to the archaeological sites of Knossos & Eleftherna
- Boat trip to the isle of Spinalonga, once home to a leper colony
- Wine tasting with traditional Cretan lunch
Important information
Private & tailor-made travel
This itinerary can be taken privately on a date that suits you. Alternatively, it can be tailored to your exact requirements. So, should you want to spend longer in a particular location, or add another experience or destination, we can make all the arrangements for you. Please contact our travel specialists for guideline prices.
Guaranteed departures
Where a tour date shows ‘Guaranteed departure’, this tour is guaranteed to run.
For all other departure dates, once the minimum number of people booked has been reached, this tour is also guaranteed to run. Our sales consultants will be able to advise how many people are booked for your chosen date at the time of enquiry, giving you the confidence to book safe in the knowledge your tour will go ahead.
Dates and prices
Unless otherwise stated, the tour prices and upgrade supplements are all per person in pound sterling, based on two people sharing a twin/double room. The online price is a guideline price; your final quote may differ due to flight availability, and you may be asked to pay a flight supplement.
Moderate activity level:
Medium pace, some longer travel days, with uneven terrain and longer walks requiring good fitness and mobility
What's included
- Small group size - average 14 people (max 18)
- 4- & 5-star accommodation
- Flexible - extensions, room & flight upgrades available
- Direct international flights with British Airways
- Transfers in air-conditioned vehicles
- Experienced local tour manager
- 7 breakfasts, 2 lunches
- Guided sightseeing & entrance fees
- Welcome lunch and farewell drink
Other tours you may like
Superior
Offer available
Group Tour
General Interest
Classic Sicily
8 days 7 nights
From £2,595
The Mediterranean’s largest island, Sicily, is as culturally rich as it is beautiful
Superior
Offer available
Group Tour
General Interest
Classical Turkey
9 days 8 nights
From £1,995
Turkey has played a major role in the history of the Mediterranean world
Superior
Tailor Made
Rail Journey
Andalucía by Train
7 days 6 nights
From £1,400
Using Spain’s fast and efficient AVI rail service, this journey takes in the Roman, Moorish and Catholic heritage of Andalucía
Latest from Compass
Where to travel in 2025
Cox & Kings experts reveal their must-visit destinations and trends for 2025
Touring Italy: Puglia & Basilicata Q&A
Considering a Puglia and Basilicata tour, or simply wish to know more about these unsung regions of Italy?
Land of glaciers Exploring Iceland
Nigel and Elizabeth Jones were looking for a holiday with a difference; driving round Iceland proved to be a truly memorable journey for them.
The 9 islands of the Azores: a brief guide
Nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic promise an experience of Portugal a world away from Lisbon or the Algarve.
Snow, Ice and...northern lights
As winter sets in, embrace the cold with a bit of Nordic know-how
Meteora Monasteries: A brief guide
Nestled away in the Thessaly mountains, there are six active monasteries to visit – all unique, breath-taking, and steeped in religious history.
Made in Britain...with Nicholas Crane
President of the RGS and former Coast presenter, Nicholas Crane publishes his acclaimed book The Making of the British Landscape
Where to go for your autumn adventure
Autumn travel is for colour, culture and smaller crowds – as these six destinations prove.
Why book your holiday with a tour operator?
Here are the top reasons to book your holiday with a trusted tour operator.
Make an enquiry
Inspired to visit Europe? Enquire online or contact one of our experienced Europe specialists.
Order a brochure
For more travel inspiration, request a copy of the latest Cox & Kings brochure – a comprehensive collection of our group tours.