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Sample
Itinerary - Minoan and Ancient Culture of Crete
DAY
1 -
ATHENS
Arrival at the airport of Athens by morning flight ex Athens.
Meet and greet at the airport and transfer to Athens central hotel.
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Visit the
Acropolis and the new Acropolis museum. The most famous monument of the ancient city of Athens is. The Athens Acropolis includes the
Erechtheion, the Temple of Athena Nike and the Propyla and of course the
Parthenon, the trademark marble temple on the Acropolis Hill. The
Acropolis Museum houses the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis and was built in order to exhibit every
artifact found on the rock. It covers artifacts from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. The new museum opened to public on June 21, 2009.
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Rest of the day free for your own explorations of Athens.
DAY
2 - RETHYMNON
After breakfast, transfer to the airport in Athens for your domestic flight to Heraklion.
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Arrival at the airport of Heraklion (HER) in Crete. Meet and greet at the airport by a local licensed English speaking guide.
Enjoy a city walk in the city of Rethymnon, a historical city, occupied since
Minoan times. The Old Quarter maintains its old aristocratic appearance. See historic buildings dating from the 16th century with wrought-iron balconies, Venetian and Turkish houses, arched doorways, stone staircases,
Byzantine and Hellenic-Roman remains. The small Venetian harbour and palm trees give the city an exotic atmosphere.
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DAY
3 – KNOSSOS & HERAKLION
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After breakfast, transfer to the
Palace of Knossos in Heraklion, the most impressive and best known palace of the Minoan civilization. Famous from
Greek Mythology as the capital of the Minoan culture, Knossos is inextricably linked to many thrilling myths and legends like the
‘Labyrinth of the Minotaur’. |
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Afterwards head back to
Heraklion. Attend a guided tour in the city and afterwards take some free time in the city of Heraklion for shopping and relaxing. Visit the renewed
Archaeological Museum, the best museum in the world regarding the Minoan
art (due to re-open in 2010). The exhibits, collected from
excavations carried out in all parts of Crete, form a valuable record of the artistic, social and economic life of the island during the ancient period. |
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DAY
4 – ARKADI & CHANIA
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In the morning, visit the nearby
Monastery of Arkadi. This 16th century became well-known for the 1866 massacre of 3000 Turks by the Greeks during the Turkish occupation of Crete. Today the monastery
still houses 2 monks.
Then continue your journey to Chania (also known as Little Venice) with its picturesque harbour front. After
a guided tour in the city of Chania, enjoy free time in the local market with its famous leather lane. |
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Afterwards, you will visit the “Akrotiri” peninsula with the monuments of
Venizelos graves. Enjoy the panoramic view of the Souda
Bay and learn about the history of later times of Greece.
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DAY
5 –
SAMARIA
GORGE
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Today you will visit
Samaria Gorge. Transfer by coach to the plateau of
Omalos. Hike along the rugged terrain of the Samaria Gorge cutting through a limestone plateau. At 16
kilometres it is Europe’s longest gorge.
At one point the walls are only 3 metres apart and are known as the ’iron curtains’ with sides rising sheer up to
100 feet.
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The hike ends up at the village of
Agia Roumeli and it is followed with a short cruise around the southern coastline to the pretty coastal village of Chora Sfakion. Return transfer back to the hotel in
Rethymnon.
DAY
6 – GORTYS & ATHENS
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The ruins of
Gortys date from a much later period than Crete’s other palaces, which are mainly
Minoan. It was probably established by the Minoans, but it flourished in the 6th century BC. The main sites are the
Basilica of Agios Titos, the Praetorium, the Roman Baths and the
impressive Roman Code of Law, built into the walls of the
Odeon.
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Evening transfer to Heraklion for
flight back to Athens.
Arrive in Athens and transfer to the hotel.
Traditional Farewell dinner in Athens DAY
7 - DEPARTURE
Departure transfer to Athens
International Airport by coach.
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