Mystical Crete, Greece

This incentive tour offers a unique combination of rich history and folklore, beautiful nature, friendly people, stable weather and Mediterranean cuisine.

Crete is the largest Greek island located in the Mediterranean Sea. According to ancient Greek myths, Crete is considered the birthplace of Zeus, the ruler of the Olympian gods. The history of the island is very rich and turbulent. In the 3rd and 2nd millennia BC, the island was the main center of a very advanced Minoan civilization, which already knew the principles of air conditioning or flushing toilets and left behind incredibly elaborate pieces of pottery and metalwork. The capital of Crete is Iraklio.

Crete is a mountainous island made up of limestone crust. The island is relatively dry, with only 500mm of rain a year, most of it in winter. Even in winter, temperatures rarely drop below 10 degrees on the coast, while on the mountains snow can still be lying in May. Agriculture here is mainly represented by the cultivation of olives, vines, fruit and vegetables.

Activities

Crete is Greece's largest island and getting from one end of the island to the other is quite a time-consuming affair. Therefore, the location of the hotel in which participants will be staying should be considered when designing a specific program.

We recommended dividing the program into the West and Central part of the island, but some activities can be done in both.

Western Crete

In addition to relaxing on the sunny beach or by the pool at your resort, you'll enjoy the following during your stay:

  • the ancient city of Chania with its typical atmosphere of a Greek port town
  • sightseeing cruise to the island of Gramvousa with its eponymous Venetian fortress, swimming in the fabulous lagoon of Balos
  • visit to the capital of Crete, Iraklia, the Minoan palace of Knossos and the Archaeological Museum
  • the sporting feat of descending Europe's longest gorge, the Samaria, from an altitude of 1300m to the Libyan Sea, or the less demanding, shorter and more desolate Agia Irini gorge
  • folklore evening with a feast and dance performance
  • a trip to one of the most beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean, Elafonissi
  • water attractions in the form of snorkeling, scuba diving, jet skiing, parasailing, etc.

A getaway: For the fittest, an extraordinary hiking experience can be arranged in the form of a climb up the beautiful Gigilos mountain, which boasts a kilometer-long, second highest wall in Greece, and from which there is a magnificent and unobstructed 360° view of the whole island. The height of the mountain is 2080m above sea level, we start at 1300m, making it an elevation gain of almost 800m, followed by a descent through the aforementioned Samaria Gorge to sea level. The whole trek is almost 30km long and due to its difficulty, it is intended only for the fittest participants.

Central Crete

Here, too, you can relax by the waves of the Cretan Sea during your stay. In addition, the following is waiting for you:

  • a visit to the Minoan palace at Knossos and the archaeological museum at Iraklio
  • vwater attractions such as snorkeling, jet skiing, parasailing, windsurfing, etc.
  • folklore evening with a feast and dance performance
  • cruise to the island of the lepers – Spinalonga – with the Venetian fortress
  • visit to the picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos
  • a round of golf

A getaway: A night in Santorini. Arguably the most beautiful island in the entire Mediterranean, you probably know it from the advertising posters and catalogues that promote Greece. Here, dazzling white buildings with blue shutters and doors are literally suspended on the cliff edges of a former gigantic volcano, whose eruption destroyed the Minoan civilization and may well have given rise to the legend of the mythical Atlantis. Day trips are usually organized to this small archipelago, a large part of which is spent on the journey there and back. We offer you the opportunity to extend this trip over two days. This will give you a unique chance to see the fabulously beautiful towns after the flood of tourists has passed and, most importantly, to enjoy one of the most beautiful sunsets in a truly romantic location.

Tips for accommodation

For the West Crete option, we recommend the hotel:

MINOA PALACE RESORT & SPA * * * * *

This five-star resort is set in 3.5 hectares of gardens in the popular resort of Platanias, 12km west of Chania. The resort is less than 20km west of Chania airport. It offers luxurious rooms or suites with a private pool, plus a further four swimming pools, two hot tubs, a gym and other sports facilities. The distance from Chania Airport is less than 20km.

For the Central Crete option, we recommend the following hotels:

ALDEMAR KNOSSOS ROYAL * * * * *
AlDEMAR CRETAN VILLAGE * * * * *

The neighboring sister hotels are built in the Minoan style. None of the buildings exceed two raised floors and without exception they are set in gardens or right on the edge of the sandy beach. There are several specialist restaurants, bars and snack stalls, entertainment areas and sports facilities, plus a luxury spa and wellness center at the Cretan Village Hotel. The hotels are located 25km east of Heraklion Airport.

PORTO ELOUNDA * * * * *

Located in the town of the same name, this luxury resort offers accommodation in several categories, including suites with private pool. In addition to other sports facilities, there is a nine-hole golf course and a luxury spa and wellness center. The resort is located 70km east of Heraklion Airport.

TRANSPORT TO THE DESTINATION

Crete is most conveniently reached by a direct charter flight from Prague, which usually takes between 2:45 and 3:00 hours.

In the case of West Crete, the flight is to Chania, the other option is Iraklio airport. If you have non-charter requirements or length of stay, you can fly from Prague to both destinations by connecting flight in Athens. This option usually takes just over five hours even with a transfer, but a lightning visit to Athens can be included on the transfer.

Crete lies on the border of Europe, Asia and Africa and, apart from the small island of Gavdos, which lies within sight of it, is the southernmost point of Europe. Holiday temperatures here exceed 40°C, it rains only briefly at most once or twice a month, and the sights are literally under siege by tourists. During the low season, which lasts from the beginning of May to the end of October, all activity ceases and only the necessary tourist infrastructure is in place. Therefore, we recommend the end of May or the second half of September or the first week of October for exploring the island.

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Crete

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