12 day tour of Crete
Iraklio - Elounda - Agia Galini- Chania - Rethymno
Your journey at a glance
- The stops on your journey:
- Heraklion (2 nights)
- Elounda (2 nights)
- Agia Galini (3 nights)
- Chania (3 nights)
- Rethymno (1 night)
- Further highlights:
- Knossos
- Festos
- Cave of the birth of Zeus
- Mountain village of Zaros
- Samaria Gorge
Geotoura – Hotel concept
When we include a hotel in our programme, it is not only a high standard of quality that is important to us. We prefer typical local accommodation, often boutique hotels with a special ambience. They emphasise the character of an individual trip: Panoramic views, particularly lovely furnishings, a location in historic centres, no mass tourism and, of course, exceptionally friendly hosts – these are important criteria for us.
We divide our hotels into four separate Geotoura categories. Of course, you have the choice and can also combine the categories on one trip.
Boutique Hotels – Four categories
Encantador (“Charming”): Our most affordable option. Lovingly furnished rooms that offer everything the discerning traveller expects.
Especial (“Special”): Hotels with a special ambience – historic palaces, monasteries, haciendas or beach hotels with exceptional charm. Perfect for the classic cultural tour.
Extraordinario (“Extraordinary”): Luxurious hotels in excellent locations and with the highest level of comfort, often in centuries-old aristocratic palaces, old oil mills or haciendas.
Luna de Miel (“honeymoon”): For the honeymoon – span. Luna de miel – or if you want to treat yourself to something out of the ordinary …
Character of this travel idea
Experience culture
It must have been an impressive sight in earlier times when the fortress of Koules came into view for ships bound for Crete. Not nearly as famous as the palace of Knossos, this fortress is no less fascinating and knows how to cast a spell over its visitors. In addition to its own history, Koules also takes you in the footsteps of Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who unearthed many a treasure from the Cretan past.
Your hire car will take you to another fortress on this 12-day tour of Crete in Rethymno. The Venetian Fortezza was once also considered a city within a city – which gives you an idea of the dimensions of the impressive fortress.
Compared to the town itself, it is actually quite young. Rethymno was here long before the Venetians arrived. The town is more than 2,300 years old, making it an exciting history book written in stone that invites you to open it.
Experience nature
When you visit Preveli beach, you will quickly feel transported to the South Seas: fine, white sand, countless palm trees and a lush green canyon whose river flows into the sea here. Preveli is not just a dream for swimming. Take off your sandals and hike barefoot through this wild paradise on Crete’s south coast.
Not far from the beach at the monastery of the same name, researchers found 130,000-year-old tools from Homo erectus – making it one of the oldest human traces in Europe. A hire car will take you inland near Zaros to another natural wonder: the Rouvas Gorge. A hike here is quite sporty, but rewards you with the cool spring water for which the region is so famous in otherwise rather dry Crete.
Crete – healthy delights
Cretan cuisine is simple and rustic, regional and seasonal, healthy and … above all delicious. In addition to freshly caught fish and seafood, the menus also offer numerous dishes with lamb, mutton, rabbit and goat meat. What makes Cretan cuisine special is the variety of starters, the mezedes or pikilia. Prepared with the best olive oil, aromatic herbs, plenty of vegetables and pulses, they spoil the palate whether fried, baked, deep-fried, marinated or puréed.
Soups, stews, casseroles, desserts and wines complete the culinary programme of your tour of Crete. Start with dips and purees such as fáva, melitzanosaláta, skordaliá or chtipití and savour the delicious fish and meat dishes, accompanied by tasty tomato or cucumber salads or dákos or choriátiki, filling salads with plenty of sheep’s cheese.
The authentic Crete
Why can't I find any prices on geotoura.com?
We do not offer standardised packages. Your Geotoura trip is customised according to your wishes.
We make this possible thanks to our high level of expertise and in-depth knowledge of the country as well as our excellent network of partners. You can look forward to extraordinary experiences, charming boutique hotels and very special insider tips on site.
Geotoura stands for the perfect planning of your personalised dream trip. Your individual price will therefore only include what really enriches your holiday.
Compared to standard holidays, this price is competitive. You will usually receive the comprehensive holiday design within 24 hours on working days.
Highly personalised trips are our speciality and the pleasure you deserve.
