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CrEtE - rESort StAy
Hidden Crete
8 days £699
HALF BoArD
Fly from... Heathrow
Or from your LOCAL AIRPORT
from
Highlights Include White Mountains & Samaria Gorge Akrotiri Peninsula & Chania Megala Chorafia & Aptera Optional Excursions knossos & Heraklion Chora Skafion & Frangokastello Polirinia
Whats Included
n n n n n n n Return flights to Crete Transfers between airport and hotel Services of an air-conditioned coach Seven nights half board accommodation Services of a Travelsphere Tour Manager Three excursions as detailed All UK and overseas airport taxes and security charges
GREECE
CHANIA HARBOUR
The beautiful island of Crete is steeped in myth and fables, and is the legendary birthplace of Zeus. Discover Cretes historic treasures, dramatic scenery, forested slopes, beautiful wild flowers, orchards and vineyards.
YOUR ResORT The coastal village of Aghia Marina on the west of Crete is just under five miles from the picturesque city of Chania. Situated on a long, sandy beach, you will find plenty of bars, tavernas and shops to enjoy and the old town on the hill is a delightful place to visit. InCLUDeD eXCURsIOns White Mountains & Samaria Gorge - A drive takes us through the majestic White Mountains to the omalos plateau, passing beautiful scenery and quaint villages on the way. Xyloskalo, at the end of the plateau, is the entrance to the Samaria Gorge, one of the most spectacular national parks in Europe. There will be free time in omalos to have lunch (not included) in a typical Cretan tavern, before returning to your hotel. Akrotiri Peninsula & Chania - The Akrotiri Peninsula is a vast unspoilt area on the north of Crete. Our first stop is the impressive gardens of the Byzantine monastery at Agia triadha. With its castle-like appearance, the monastery is home to spectacular wall paintings and Byzantine icons. From here, we drive on through flowerfilled scenery and stop once more to admire the panoramic views over the beautiful town of Chania, the bay and the impressive White Mountains. On reaching Chania we will tour the towns old walled quarter, magnificent Venetian harbour and the archaeological museum. There will be free time to have lunch in a local taverna if you wish, before returning to the hotel. Megala Chorafia & Aptera - The lovely hillside village of Megala Chorafia overlooks the Souda Bay. From here we will walk to Aptera, one of the most important ancient towns in western Crete and home to the site of an ancient city protected by massive walls. We drive on to the town of Chania for an included lunch in a local tavern before returning to the hotel. CHOICe OF OPTIOnAL eXCURsIOns knossos & Heraklion - We enjoy a guided tour of the fabled 4,000 year old Minoan Palace of knossos before continuing to Heraklion, the islands colourful and lively capital. Here we can walk along the old city walls and visit the beautiful Venetian harbour, the Byzantine church and Lions Square. There will be time for lunch at a local taverna if you wish, before driving on to Peza for a tour and wine tasting at a local vineyard. Chora Skafion & Frangokastello - A scenic drive takes us through the imposing White Mountains across the Plateau of Askirfou and the beautiful Imbros Gorge, to visit the pretty costal village of Chora Skafion. We continue to picturesque Frangokastello, for a tour of the impressive Venetian castle that overlooks the white sandy beach. There will be free time for an independent lunch at a local taverna, before returning to the hotel. Polirinia - After travelling through beautiful landscapes to the ancient village of Polirinia, you can take the opportunity to walk along a wild flower-strewn path to the local church overlooking the village. There will be free time for lunch at a local taverna, if you wish, before returning to the hotel. YOUR HOTeL You will stay at the excellent Santa Marina Hotel in the village of Aghia Marina. All rooms feature private facilities, balcony, TV, telephone and minibar. The hotel has two restaurants and bars as well as a swimming pool.
SPECIAL DEPArtUrES
GrADE 2
Walking in Crete
Departs April 20 from only £769
This special departure includes four scenic walks as follows: Imbros Gorge - 3 hour walk from Imbos through the delightful gorge in the majestic White Mountains filled with wild flowers, Cyprus trees, herbs and shrubs to the pretty village of Chora Sfakion, then along the road to Frangokastello with free time for a swim and lunch at a taverna. kefalas-Georgioupolis - 4 hour walk along the spectacular coast line from the hillside village of Kefalas down to the fishing village of Georgioupolis with free time for a swim and lunch at a taverna. Diktamos Gorge - 4 hour walk through the beautiful gorge from Malaxa to Katochorina and on to the historic village of Stilos with free time for lunch at a taverna. kourtaliotiko Gorge - 4 ½ hour walk along the river past the gorges impressive cliffs, clear waters, beautiful flowers and trees to spend the afternoon relaxing on the palm fringed, sandy beach at Agios Savas. Optional excursions feature: A walk through the narrow streets of rethymnon past impressive Venetian and Ottoman buildings and fortresses, followed by a visit to the 16th century monastery at Arkadi, before reaching Margarities, a traditional Cretan village famous for its hand-made pottery. A visit to the Minoan palace at knossos, continuing to Peza for a tour and tasting at the local winery. Single room: £145
SANTA MARINA HOTEL
Dates, Prices & Flight Information
Holiday ref: FGCR
Heathrow 2008 Sep 22 2009 Apr 06 Jun 22 £699 £829 Sep 21 £799 £739
Olympic Airlines (via Athens) Depart 1220 hrs Return arr. 2110 hrs
Deposit £100 per person n Single room £145 For insurance information, please see page 199. All prices are per person based on two people sharing a twin or double-bedded room with private facilities FLY FROM YOUR LOCAL AIRPORT You can fly to your destination from the following airports at the supplement shown below (per person). Gatwick £NIL For details of airlines and approximate flight timings please see pages 192-193. TRAnsFeRs MAke YOUR Own wAY Transfer time from the airport to your hotel is approx. 2 hours. Save £150. Please see page 7 for further details.
HOLIDAY ReF: GeGCR
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