Ancient Wonders & Wellness in Crete

May 17 – May 23, 2024

$2,649 per person based on double occupancy
$3,449 per person based on single occupancy
Book by September 1, 2023 and save $150 per person!
Deposit amount of $500 per person is due no later than December 20, 2023
Final payment is due no later than February 17, 2024

Welcome to Crete where you will experience the largest island in Greece. This 7-day journey will allow you to explore the must see areas in Crete, an island with over 160 miles of beaches!

Enjoy cooking lessons that showcase some of the most authentic meze dishes while you take in these remarkable coastlines. In addition to hiking, you will also visit a winery, see the island from the water on a catamaran cruise and learn about the Minoan history while visiting ancient ruins!

Hotels:

The Royal Blue Resort

Included:

Meals:

6 Breakfasts
1 Lunch
6 Dinners

Activities:

Daily Wellness Activities
Visit Heraklion Archaeological Museum & Knossos
Catamaran Cruise Including Snorkeling Equipment, Fruits, and Drinks
Mili Gorge Hike & Rethymno
Visit an Olive Oil Factory Followed by a Wine Tour and Tasting
Hands-on Cooking Lesson

Other Services:

One round-trip group airport transfer in an air-conditioned vehicle
Transportation throughout the program in an air-conditioned vehicle
Transfers and tours with an English-speaking guide
Entrance fees, road tolls, VAT

Not Included:

Hotel early check-in and late check-out
Meals not mentioned in the program
Entrance fees for any extra sightseeing or optional activities
Personal expenses
Travel visa (please confirm visa requirements prior to travel)
Travel insurance
Tips for porters, guide and driver - the value of the tip is up to the client

Notes:

International flights should arrive into and depart out of Heraklion International Airport

Day1

Arrival in Heraklion

Welcome to Greece! Your journey will start in Crete, the largest and most populous of the 230 inhabited Greek islands. Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, you will be transferred to your hotel. Spend the rest of the afternoon relaxing at your accommodation before joining your group for a celebratory welcome dinner.

Meals: Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day2

Cooking Class

After a wellness activity, breakfast and morning in Heraklion, you will be transferred to a traditional Cretan Village for a local and authentic cooking lesson. Learn about the local ingredients and recipes as you sample fresh produce and savor the fruits of your efforts at lunch. Transfer back to the hotel for relaxation on property or spend a few hours at the beach. Later in the evening, enjoy dinner at the hotel.

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day3

Explore Heraklion

After a wellness activity and breakfast at your hotel, you’ll start the day by visiting Heraklion’s Archaeological Museum with one of the largest collections of Minoan artifacts in the world. This is an excellent crash course for the next stop located just outside of town: the 3,500-year-old Minoan palace of Knossos, a sprawling maze of royal chambers, grand staircases, storerooms, and workshops. This evocative Bronze Age site is believed to be Europe’s oldest city. A professional English-speaking guide will escort you on these visits. From here, you'll head toward Heraklion's surrounding vineyards, where locals believe wine has been produced for several centuries. You'll then make your way to the traditional village of Archanes for free time to explore the town on your own. In the evening, dinner is included.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day4

Mochos - Malia Hike

Get ready for a beautiful hike in Crete! After breakfast and a wellness activity, you’ll head to the picturesque Mili Gorge, where you will embark on a two-hour hike. On the way, we will stop at Rethymno for those who wish to opt out for shopping and independent exploration instead.

Upon arrival, explore the lush natural beauty of Mills Gorge in Crete, where a delightful array of trees and flowers awaits. The hiking trail, spanning a manageable 1.24 miles, offers a scenic stroll through this picturesque landscape. Named after the nearly 30 historic watermills once scattered throughout the gorge, these mills served as essential tools for the local inhabitants, who worked as millers grinding wheat for nearby farmers.

Today, visitors can marvel at the remnants of these mills, with only one having been meticulously restored. This restoration provides a glimpse into the design and functionality of these historical structures, offering walkers a fascinating insight into their purpose. Additionally, the gorge is adorned with a continuous flow of water throughout the year, creating charming small cascades and ponds for an enchanting and tranquil experience. After the hike, return to Rethymno for leisure time and lunch before heading back to the hotel in the afternoon where the remainder of your day is at leisure.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day5

Catamaran Cruise

Start your day off with a morning wellness activity and leisurely breakfast while enjoying the ocean view on the horizon. Later, transfer to the small fishing village of Bali. Upon arrival, board a 3-hour catamaran cruise to take in a fresh perspective of the island. The beautiful coastline and majestic shades of blue waters will leave you awestruck as you take in the cool ocean breeze. Enjoy drinks and fruits on the boat in addition to snorkeling equipment. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure with dinner on the property.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day6

Wine and Olive Oil Factory & Tasting

After breakfast and wellness activity at the hotel, spend the rest of the morning at leisure to relax at the pool, sink your feet in the sand, or explore the town nearby as you pass through quaint shops and cafes. In the afternoon, we set out to learn about the process of making cheese and olive oil. After visiting the factory, we will continue to a wine tasting nearby. Learn about the different types of grapes native to the island of Crete. Return to the hotel to relax and freshen up, before we head out to enjoy our farewell dinner. Take in the last sunset and your memories from the past week together.

Meals: Breakfast & Dinner
Accommodation: The Royal Blue Resort

Day7

Depart Crete

It's time to say farewell to Greece! Today, you'll savor one more breakfast in Crete before your transfer to the airport for your flight home.

Meals: Breakfast

The activity Level for this tour is:

Demanding - There is a more strenuous hike and some training or frequent exercise is ideal prior to travel. But we will take things slow as a group! However, if this is not accessible for you, you are welcome to opt outare welcome to opt out of any activity

Have Questions? Email Us

Terms, conditions and restrictions apply; pricing, availability, and other details subject to change and/ or apply to US or Canadian residents. Accommodation names are subject to availability. Should accommodation mentioned on specific itinerary not be available, a similar or higher rated accommodation will be substituted. Single room allotments are subject to availability and booked on a FCFS basis. Fit4Travel will work with each vendor or supplier to secure as many single rooms as possible to accommodate each traveler.