Magical Crete & Santorini!

Day 1 Arrive in Crete and transfer to lovely apartments high on the hill overlooking the seaport village and sea below. Time for rest and naps and recovery from jet lag. Dinner out this evening at wonderful restaurant with fresh fish and other selections including Greek specialties, in Agia Pelagia, near the beach. While here on Crete, we will be staying at Nymphes Luxury Apartments on a hilltop above Agia Pelagia, a small village on the sea. Pepy Chatzimarkaki is the lovely woman who is the owner of this beautiful, enchanting place. Our apartments have balconies or decks and lovely furnishings as well as a beautiful swimming pool on the grounds. Pepy also loves herbs and has gardens around the grounds and will be sharing her love and knowledge of herbs while we are staying there. She serves us lovely breakfasts while we are staying here.

Day 2 - Introductions and introductory information on Crete and its mysteries. We will start to explore the ancient goddess, the ancient sites, history and mythology of Crete. Today we will visit Knossos - ancient palace or funerary site? We will explore the variety of theories out there about its use.

Day 3 Today we will have an unforgettable tour through the countryside of Crete, to the unspoiled village of Zaros. After a short walk through the Zaros gorge, along a unique path full of trees, flowers and herbs, accompanied by singing birds, arrive at the monastery of Agios Nikolaos, with the remarkable hospitality of its nuns. Lunch is a delightful surprise - fresh fish from a local fishery, served with Cretan specialties and unlimited house wine.

Day 4 - Explore the herb garden with Pepy and learn about the herbs growing there. We will pick and taste fruits, grapes, herbs, to dry and take with us, as well as prepare a lovely smelling tea from different spices, which we pick that morning from her garden. (all optional - nothing required - could have this time for free time if you like for swimming & sunbathing). During May the weather is perfect & the earth is full of wild flowers. This afternoon Pepy will organize a tour along the mountain, where a guide can show us the wild flowers and herbs.

Day 5 - Today we will explore some beaches and villages. Spend time in the lovely seaside village of Matala with its tiers of ancient caves and beautiful beach. There is a beautiful 300 metre half crescent shaped sandy beach which is protected on both sides with great cliffs forming a pretty little bay. In the 60’s and the 70’s Matala became renowned as hippies came from around the world to live in the caves carved out of the cliff sides of the bay. These famous Neolithic caves, are now undergoing archaeological research.

Day 6 Travel to Heraklion and explore the city as well the Heraklion Museum which is truly incredible with its ancient Neolithic, Minoan, Mycenean & Classical remains & art - a mesmerizing place. This evening, we will visit a unique, typical mountain village, with traditional Cretan life and handmade articles. While you are entertained with the sounds of the bouzouki and lyra enjoying the colourful folk dances, you will be served an original Cretan dinner with unlimited house wine as well as enjoy dancing with the dancers.

Day 7 Travel to the intriguing Lassithi Plain surrounded by mountains and Psychro Cave - ancient sacred cave. Pilgrims dedicated many offerings, such as figurines of humans, gods, animals, double axes etc. The excavators and several scholars identify the cave as the famous “Diktaian Cave”, where Zeus was born and brought up with the aid of Amaltheia and the Kouretes.

Day 8 - Flight or boat to Santorini - Overnight for the next 3 nights here, staying in lovely accommodations overlooking the beautfiul Caldera. Santorini is known as one of the most beautiful islands in the world famous for its imposing landscape; the volcanic cliffs & the magnificent caldera with its impressionistic contrast of colours; the beautiful black sand beaches; the incredible white-washed houses, breathtaking sunsets, deep blue sea, & so much more. The light is magnificent here. The eruption of Santorini in approximately 1,650 B.C. was one of the largest in the last 10,000 years.

Day 9 Sightseeing around Santorini to Akroteri, ancient Minoan Village excavated from under the volcano ash - destroyed in approximately 1500 BC after earthquake & volcano. Akroteri, a Minoan city on the south part of Thera, is being excavated. About 3-6 feet (1-2 m) of ash fell on the city which had a population of about 30,000. The residents appear to have been successfully evacuated prior to the eruption. No bodies have been found in the ash like those at Vesuvius. Time here for swimming; shopping; relaxing.

Day 10 - Today we will visit some beautiful beaches for sunbathing or swimming. Also we will explore the villages of Fira & Oia and time for shopping, sumptuous lunch and dinner. Also optional boat trip on your own (extra cost) in the caldera and to the volcano island in the middle.

Day 11 More of the above and later afternoon flight to Athens. Overnight near airport for those going home on Day 12. Overnight in Athens or near the airport for those continuing on for the next 3 nights on the Optional extension for Delphi & Athens.

Days 12 & 13 - For those continuing on optional extension - visit the Plaka which area stretches from Syntagma Square to the base of the Acropolis and was settled in the 19th and early 20th centuries by wealthy merchants. Tavernas also sprang up. In the 1960’s this area deteriorated but in the last few years the government and private citizens renovated and restored the area into a wonderful neighborhood with narrow, mazelike streets, tavernas & shops. Sightseeing on Day 12 & 13 - Acropolis with Parthenon & other temples; Flea Market; & National Archaeological Museum (containing one of the most exciting collections of antiquities in the world). Late afternoon travel to Delphi for overnight.

Day 14 - Delphi is famous for her Oracle. About 100 miles NW of Athens, is the ancient site of the sanctuary of Delphi. The complex of buildings, which includes the Temple of Apollo near where the famous oracle sat. The sacred Corycian Cave, and the Castalian Spring, is nestled in the forested slopes & rocky crags on the south side of the sacred mountain. According to legend, the shrine was originally guarded by the she-dragon Pytho. She was killed by Apollo who then took over the oracle. In antiquity, Delphi was regarded as the centre of the world. We will visit the Ancient Temples of Apollo & Athena, amphitheatre & gymnasium. Drive back to Athens airport for overnight. Day 15 - Flights home or longer on your own.

Costs: Main portion (Crete & Santorini - 11 nights) starting at $2595 USD (1300 UK pounds/1855 Euros - other currencies can be calculated) + all airfare extra
Deduct $650 if only partcipating in Crete portion and not Santorini

I can easily help you with your flights and good airfares as I am a travel agent
Single occupancy extra
Cost includes accommodations, continental breakfast daily, admission to sites listed, transportation around Crete & Santorini via mini-buses and/or cars; and workshops. Flights not included

Optional Extension for extra 3 nights in Delphi & Athens, starting at $350 (190 UK Pounds/250 Euros)