Minoan Palaces, countless monasteries, ever-changing and breathtaking landscapes, deep gorges and enchanting villages, Crete captivates every visitor. This programme also includes a visit to Athens and the ancient oracle in Delphi as well as a tour round the highlights of the beautiful Peloponnesus. It is quite an experience!

Day 1: Flight to Heraklion
Arrival in the airport of Heraklion where you are greeted by your guide and transferred to your hotel in the area of Heraklion. After room-allocation we all meet for a welcoming cocktail and to go over the programme of the next few days.

Day 2: Knossos and the Archaeological Museum
Today we visit the most important Minoan Palace, the Palace of Knossos which is on the outskirts of Heraklion. Under the reign of King Minos, the Cretan folk enjoyed sanitary facilities with clean water for bathing and a drinking water supply among others. In the Archaeological Museum you can admire the elegant gold jewellery, the detailed cutlery and dishware as well as the professional tools of their time. Your professional guide give you a detailed tour into the past and the story or myth hidden behind every artefact. You have the rest of the day free. Overnight stay in Heraklion

Day 3: Festos, Gortys and Matala. (approx.230 km)
Today you journey towards the inner part of Crete to Messara the largest plateau of the island. Messara was used 2000 years ago by the Romans as a wheat field and was ruled 4000 years ago the brother of King Minos, King Radamanthys of the Festos Palace. In short distance from Messara you come to the old Roman capital of Crete, Gortys, surrounded by olive groves. This is where the first European law texts were found inscribed on stone plaques. Your final destination for the day is Matala, a small village on the south coast known for its numerous caves and pretty bay. After you have had a relaxing swim and a meal you can begin your return trip to Heraklion.

Day 4: Rethymnon, Monastery of Arkadi and Chania, (approx. 280 km)
Along the panoramic north coast you journey towards the west to Rethymnon. The town clearly covers many of Crete’s historical chapters with its Venetian houses and the momuments from the Turkish occupation. You continue to Chania, where a walk through the narrow streets of the old town and port are a must. On the way back you visit the islands national sanctuary, the Monastery of Arkadi, where on 09.November 1866 the greatest tragedy of the Greek resistance against the Turkish occupation took place. Overnight stay in Heraklion.

Day 5: Day-trip to Santorini
This day if free for you to visit the centre of Heraklion for some shopping or visit the beach. As an alternative we can offer you a day-trip to the island of Santorini, the famous volcano-island with white houses, the black sandy beaches, the deep blue seas and the amazing views. Even though the architecture is true to the Aegean style as with all other Cycladic islands, Santorini’s wild beauty has no comparison. Overnight stay in Santorini.

Day 6: Lassithi-Plataeu, Monastery of Kera and Agios Nikolaos. (approx.180 km)
Today you travel through picturesque landscapes towards the Lassithi Plataeu with the thousands of windmills. The plateau lies 800m high up in the Dikti mountains. From here you visit the famous cave where according to myth the father of all Greek gods was born and the nunnery of Panagia Kera with the Byzantine frescoes. On the way back to Heraklion you make small stop at the port town of Agios Nikolaos. Overnight stay in Heraklion.

Day 7: Wine tasting in Peza. (approx.50km)
This day is free for you to enjoy as you please. As an alternative we propose a visit to the Peza-plain, situated near Knossos between the mountains Dikti and Psiloritis. You can visit the famous winery and try the popular Cretan wine. Only traditional Cretan grape varieties are used in the wine production here and combined with the experience and love of the Cretans for the art of wine making, Peza have been recognized worldwide for their rich cellar.

Day 8: Akropolis and Plaka, City-Tour os Athens, Delphi. (approx.160 km)
Arrival in Piraeus. After breakfast you visit the famous Acropolis and continue from there for a tour of the Greek capital and its old town, Plaka. The narrow streets, the low houses and the traditional taverns make Plaka one of the most popular destinations in Athens. You then leave the capital and take the national road over Thiva and Arachova, the idyllic mountain village in the Parnass-Range, to arrive in Delphi. Overnight stay in Delphi.

Day 9: Delphi und Tour of Peloponnesus. (approx. 220 km)
Today you take a tour through the ancient Delphi where you visit the Dome, the Treasury , the Apollo Temple, the Theatre and the Museum. Leaving Delphi you journey along the beautiful coast of the Corithnian Gulf to Nafpaktos. You cross over Antirion to Patras and continue to Olympia. Overnight stay near Olympia.

Day 10: Olympia and Nafplion.(approx.180 km)
The day begins with a visit to Olympia and the ancient Gymnasium, the Palaestra, the Zeus Temple, the Sadium, the Hera Temple, the Phillipeion and the Museum. From Olympia, through the wonderful landscapes of Arcadia you reach the mountain village of Lengadia. After a short stop you continue to Tripoli and from there to Naflion. Overnight stay near Nafplion.

Day 11: Mycenae and Epidavros.(approx.150 km)
First destination for the day is Mycenae. Here you can visit the famous Acropolis with the Lion Gate, the Cyclopean Walls, the Royal Tombs, and the Treasury of Atreus. You continue over Nafplion to Epidavros to visit the Theatre and the Museum. In the afternoon you drive along the coast of the Corinthian Channel back to Athens. Overnight stay in Athens.

Day 12: Flight home
Transfer to the airport of Athens for your flight home. Prolonging your stay in a hotel of your choice is also possible.