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INTRODUCTION
This high-quality holiday in Crete combines luxury accommodation with an imaginative guided walking programme to explore remote mountain villages, treks along old mule paths, beautiful gorges, and areas of outstanding natural beauty. We have
also included the awe inspiring Samaria Gorge - Europe's longest gorge, as an option.
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We have excellent local guides, our own private coach, and we return to the comfort of the Deluxe Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel, located on a 300m sandy beach, about four kilometres to the east of Rethymnon.
A typical day would be to leave the hotel by private minibus around 0830, after a leisurely breakfast, starting the walks before 0900. After about 2-3 hours we stop for coffee or cold drinks in a fairly primitive mountain taverna, then walk for another 2-3 hours for lunch at another taverna where the walk ends. We would aim to get back to the hotel
in time to enjoy the hotel facilities in the afternoon sunshine. |
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| Dates: |
7 - 14 April 2011
(Optional 2nd week 14 - 21 April) |
| Price excl. flights: |
£TBC |
| Price incl. flights: |
£TBC |
| Grade: |
Moderate [M] More info |
| Availability: |
Places available |
| Book this holiday now |
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RETHYMNON
Rethymnon is situated on the western-most point on the north coast of Crete. Its Venetian harbour is particularly
attractive and, along with the adjoining Old Town, the area is a natural gathering place for tourists and
locals alike, with an abundance of good tavernas and restaurants and many interesting historical buildings.
It is a short taxi drive away from our hotel.
WALKING PROGRAMME
The overall grading of the walks on this holiday MODERATE. The optional Somaria Gorge walk is graded HARD.
The guided walks have been arranged in conjunction with an experienced local guiding company based in Rethymnon
that we have been associated with for several years. They will be taking us along little-known mule tracks,
mountain paths and through olive groves to visit some of the pretty local mountain villages.
Walks are graded moderate apart from the Samaria Gorge which is hard but suitable for anyone who enjoys a reasonable
level of fitness. Apart from the Samaria Gorge, which involves a two-hour coach journey, all the walks are concentrated
in areas close to Rethymnon, thus reducing the time spent travelling to the start point of each walk.
Our private coach picks us up from the hotel each morning, returning us on completion of the walk.
April is an ideal time for walking in Crete. It can still be hot, and in order to take advantage of the best walking
conditions and to avoid the hotter afternoons, we plan to make an early start each day, ending the walk with
taverna lunches (including complimentary house wine) in local mountain villages. After lunch, and following our
coach journey back to the hotel, there should be plenty of time for relaxing in the hotel and for swimming -
either at the excellent beach or one of the hotel's swimming pools.
The Weather
The weather at this time of the year should be warm and sunny, with the sea temperature suitable for bathing.
April is usually a dry month in Crete.
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Day 1 - Thursday 7th April 2011 - Travel
Fly from UK to Heraklion. Met on arrival by our agents, Planet Holidays, and transfer by taxi (1 hour) to the Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel, close to Rethymnon. Welcome Reception (time to be arranged on arrival) and introduction to the walking programme. Dinner in the hotel. D
Day 2 - Friday 8th April 2011 - Introduction to the Geology and Archaeology of Crete
As a relatively 'easy starter' the first walk is in the surroundings of the village of Kare. The area is particularly interesting for its geological landscape. We walk down into a valley which long ago was probably connected to the sea. Fossils of large shells tell us about this distant past. After a short climb we have splendid views of the surrounding valleys and mountains. In the area where once was the city of Falanna we come across the mosaic floor of an early Christian basilica. BLD
Day 3 - Saturday 9th April 2011 - Monastery and Folk Museum Walk
Today we first pay a visit to the monastery and the museum of Arkadi, nowadays still a symbol for the freedom flight of the Cretan people through the centuries. Having wide views in all directions, we walk to the almost vanished ruin of another monastery where we also see the church at Ag. Antonios, dedicated to the Cretan victims of a massacre by the Turks. Walking through hilly surroundings we arrive in Amnatos with its small but interesting folk museum. Our walk ends in a friendly tavern in Pikris.
BLD
Day 4 - Sunday 10th April 2011 - The Gorge of Mili
The route of this walk goes partly through a magnificent lush, green gorge, where we find a deserted village with
some of the houses still intact. In Chromonastiri we pass a recently restored Venetian palace. In April the flora and fauna should be at its best.
From a higher point we have wide views over the north coastal area, west and east of the city of Rethymnon.
BLD
Day 5 - Monday 11th April 2011 - Free day or Optional Samaria Gorge
For the more energetic, the Samaria Gorge walk (for which a supplement is charged) is an option today instead of a day of rest.
The Samaria Gorge walkers make an early start for a fascinating coach ride to the entrance of the Samaria Gorge
at Omalos, where you can enjoy an optional snack and coffee before setting off along the 16km trail and 4000 feet
descent through the gorge to the Libyan Sea at Agia Roumeli. About halfway along the route you pass through
the deserted village of Santa Maria, set deep down in the valley amongst lush vegetation. Time has been allowed
for you to swim and enjoy a taverna lunch at Agia Roumeli before catching the ferry and cruising along the south
coast for about one hour to Chora Sfakion, where our coach will be waiting to take us back to the hotel.
BD
Day 6 - Tuesday 12th April 2011 - Original Cretan Landscapes and Ancient Tracks
Today's walk starts near the late Minoan cemetery of Armeni. Archaeologists are still searching to find the
settlement, or maybe even a palace which should have been nearby. We walk through the village of Kastellos and
have our coffee stop in Ano Valsamonero. From there the walk leads us down to the village of Gonia, following
field roads and mule-paths, partly alongside low dry-stone walls. These are the old connections between villages, taking us
through a variety of typical Cretan landscapes. BLD
Day 7 - Wednesday 13th April 2011 - Ceramics and Old Stone-built Walls - Margarites
Five different villages are part of this interesting walk. The walk starts in Margarites, known as a pottery
village since olden times. We walk along a beautiful green river valley and pass interesting old wells. The valley
has been used for agriculture, but now is mainly overgrown. We will see the oldest bridge in Crete (circa 450 B.C.)
and Roman burial caves that have been cut into the rocks. We pass through wooded surroundings with beautiful views
of the Ida Mountains. BLD
Day 8 - Thursday 14th April 2011
- Free time and Departure
Free time in Rethymnon before our transfer by taxi (1 hour) to the airport for return flights to the UK.
B
OPTIONAL SECOND WEEK 14 - 21 April 2011
You have the option of extending your holiday for a second week to further explore this fascinating island
or just to relax and enjoy the facilities of the Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel on a half-board arrangement.
It is also possible to join The Happy Walker for additional walks during your second week at a supplementary cost.
B = breakfast L = lunch D = dinner
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GRECOTEL CRETA PALACE HOTEL
This Deluxe graded hotel is beautifully located on a 300m sandy beach, about four kilometres east of Rethymnon.
The accommodation, facilities and the level of service of this luxurious holiday resort are impressive and will appeal
to the discerning traveller looking for something special. Amenities include lovely landscaped gardens, swimming pools,
sauna, massage, poolside brasserie, beach bar, floodlit tennis courts and fitness club. We have reserved Garden
Bungalow rooms which have private facilities including bath, shower, hairdryer, telephone, air conditioning,
satellite TV and private patio sitting area.
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Please note that the following flight details are the latest known and are subject to confirmation and change by the airline. All times are local. Crete is two hours ahead of the UK.
| Outbound - Thursday 7th April 2011 |
Depart Manchester (T1)
Arrive Heracklion
or
Depart Manchester (T2)
Arrive Heraklion
or
Depart Gatwick (South)
Arrive Heraklion
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1010
1630
1355
1955
1045
1645 |
TMYT285
FSCA2206
TBC |
| Inbound - Thursday 14th April 2011 |
Depart Heraklion
Arrive Manchester (T1)
or
Depart Heraklion
Arrive Manchester (T2)
or
Depart Heraklion
Arrive Gatwick (South)
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1730
1955
1800
2010
2105
1955 |
TMYT286
TBC
FSCA2207 |
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| Price per person, sharing a twin or double Garden Bungalow room with full facilities excluding flights |
£TBC |
| Price per person, sharing a twin or double Garden Bungalow room with full facilities, including flights departing from Gatwick |
£TBC |
| Supplement for departure from Manchester |
£TBC |
| Single supplement, occupying a double room |
£TBC |
| OPTIONAL SECOND WEEK 14 - 21 OCTOBER |
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| Price per person on half-board, including flights departing from Gatwick or Manchester |
£TBC |
| Single supplement |
£TBC |
WHAT THE FULL PRICE INCLUDES
- Economy class flights from Gatwick or Manchester to Heraklion
- Transfer from airport to hotel both ways by taxi
- Guided walking programme with English-speaking guides, private transport, and morning coffee in tavernas
- Seven nights dinner, bed & breakfast at the Deluxe Grecotel Creta Palace Hotel
- Wine and fruit in your room on arrival
- Taverna lunches with house wine on four walking days
- Welcome Reception
- Accompanying Tour Leader
- Airport taxes and security charges and all other local taxes
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED
- Holiday/Travel Insurance
- Samaria Gorge walk, which is optional
- Beverages
- Gratuities to guides, which are optional
- Any Government taxes or compulsory charges that may be introduced after the publication of this web page
E&OE
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