Discover Crete

Day 1: Chania

Accommodation: Domes Zeen Chania

Arriving in Heraklion, you’ll be met by your driver and taken to your hotel in Chania. The rest of the day is yours to relax at the beach or around your hotel pool, or you can head out to explore the local area.

Day 2: Chania

Accommodation: Domes Zeen Chania

Meet with your private guide this morning to explore the artisan culture of Chania’s old town. You’ll meet small-scale producers of leather shoes and other traditional crafts from the area. You’ll also have a chance to visit some local food vendors to sample traditional foods from the area.

Day 3: Chania

Accommodation: Domes Zeen Chania

Set off with your private guide to hike Samaria Gorge, one of the longest gorges in Europe. The narrow gorge cuts through the White Mountains and it can be challenging to navigate the rocky terrain, but the scenery of steep cliffs scattered with vegetation is worth it. You’re rewarded at the end with some free time to swim and relax before returning to Chania.

Day 4: Elounda

Accommodation: Domes of Elounda

Head east to the coastal town of Elounda. On the way, you’ll stop at the ancient Palace of Knossos for a private tour of this hugely significant archaeological site. Afterwards, you’ll head inland to visit a winery for some tastings accompanied by local snacks.

Day 5: Elounda

Accommodation: Domes of Elounda

Take a private boat out to the island of Spinalonga, which hosted one of the last leper colonies in Europe. It was also once home to a 16th-century Venetian fort, whose remains you can still see. You’ll have a guided tour of the island, can swim in the surrounding aquamarine waters and enjoy a light lunch before returning to Elounda.

Day 6: Elounda

Accommodation: Domes of Elounda

Meet your driver this morning for a one-hour journey to the traditional mountain village of Mochos. Here, with a private archaeological guide, you’ll explore the region’s Minoan culture, learning about the cooking techniques they used in a hands-on lesson before trying to paint pottery in a traditional Minoan style.

Day 7: Elounda

Accommodation: Domes of Elounda

Spend your last day in Elounda at leisure, perhaps relaxing and enjoying your hotel’s amenities or unwinding on the beach. If you feel like exploring, you can visit the nearby port town of Agios Nikolaos, where you can stroll its tree-lined promenade lined with cafes, bars and tavernas.

Day 8: Return home

Meet with your driver for the journey to Heraklion’s airport, where you’ll catch your onward flight.