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GREECE, CRETE AND SANTORINI
$2,895 PER PERSON This tour is run every Sunday in May, June and September. Frist Date: Sunday, May 7 to Sunday, May 14, 2023 EXTENDED STAY IN SANTORINI Quoted depending on dates. Sunday, May 14 to Wednesday, May 17, 2023 |
To book this tour now,
click "Add to Cart". We require a deposit of US$400 per guest. |
itinerary
Day 1: Get to know us better and adjust to the Mediterranean climate
Arrival, Airport Pick-Up, Check-in and Settling, Snack, Time to Rest, Introductions and Briefing, 19:30 Group Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Explore your new neighborhood
Morning is free of activities in order to rest deeply and shift your body clock by sleeping late if needed. Early afternoon we will meet for a 2h Greek Language Lesson. This will include the Greek Alphabet, the basics of Greek pronunciation, and a few key phrases. The logical structure of the Greek language and its continuity from the ancient years up till today will be presented in examples. This deeper understanding of the language will hopefully make your trip more enjoyable and help you read the Greek signs with ease or connect with the locals by using a Greek greeting. Later on, you will be toured by car or a fun train around your new neighborhood enjoying stunning views. The tavern that will accommodate us for dinner will introduce you to your first authentic Cretan recipes.
Day 3: Discover the wonders of the Cretan landscape
Early in the morning, we will depart to the southwestern mainland. We will cross mountains and drive along a gorge to reach an old Orthodox monastery that is built on a large rock 35 meters above sea level. Over a breathtaking view of the Libyan Sea, you will be introduced to the dogma of Orthodox Christianity in a spiritual, non-dogmatic way. The monastery has a “hidden school”. What is this and which situation created the need for hidden schools in Greece? Time to be introduced to Greek modern history and better understand the present of the land via its turbulent past.
After that, we will drive to the famous beach of Elafonissi, where you will enjoy the crystal clear waters and the pink sand from the thousands of shells being shattered over the years. Elafonissi is an island to which you can go on foot! A short but beautiful hike on the island is possible towards a secluded chapel overlooking the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lunch at a picturesque family tavern.
Return to the hotel to enjoy beach or pool time.
Day 4: Discover Chania, the most beautiful Greek town
Today’s privately guided cultural tour uses food (and optionally wine) as a means of getting to know and having an experience of the local traditions, the authentic people, the history, and the modern lifestyle of Crete. You will be guided around Chania city and learn about the Cretan food culture over tasting:
– Alatsoelies (salted olives) and various kinds of cheese,
– the famous Cretan yogurt with local nuts and thyme honey,
– traditional sweets and pastries with Malotira beverage (the local mountain herb),
– and finally the famous Gyros (pie with pork meat) or alternatively a vegetarian version with mushrooms and local cheese. This will be your lunch of the day.
At the end of your food-tasting tour and lunch, you may enjoy a 45min wine tasting experience. You will be given plenty of time to stroll around the city for sightseeing or shopping before heading back to the hotel.
Arrival, Airport Pick-Up, Check-in and Settling, Snack, Time to Rest, Introductions and Briefing, 19:30 Group Welcome Dinner
Day 2: Explore your new neighborhood
Morning is free of activities in order to rest deeply and shift your body clock by sleeping late if needed. Early afternoon we will meet for a 2h Greek Language Lesson. This will include the Greek Alphabet, the basics of Greek pronunciation, and a few key phrases. The logical structure of the Greek language and its continuity from the ancient years up till today will be presented in examples. This deeper understanding of the language will hopefully make your trip more enjoyable and help you read the Greek signs with ease or connect with the locals by using a Greek greeting. Later on, you will be toured by car or a fun train around your new neighborhood enjoying stunning views. The tavern that will accommodate us for dinner will introduce you to your first authentic Cretan recipes.
Day 3: Discover the wonders of the Cretan landscape
Early in the morning, we will depart to the southwestern mainland. We will cross mountains and drive along a gorge to reach an old Orthodox monastery that is built on a large rock 35 meters above sea level. Over a breathtaking view of the Libyan Sea, you will be introduced to the dogma of Orthodox Christianity in a spiritual, non-dogmatic way. The monastery has a “hidden school”. What is this and which situation created the need for hidden schools in Greece? Time to be introduced to Greek modern history and better understand the present of the land via its turbulent past.
After that, we will drive to the famous beach of Elafonissi, where you will enjoy the crystal clear waters and the pink sand from the thousands of shells being shattered over the years. Elafonissi is an island to which you can go on foot! A short but beautiful hike on the island is possible towards a secluded chapel overlooking the deep blue of the Mediterranean Sea.
Lunch at a picturesque family tavern.
Return to the hotel to enjoy beach or pool time.
Day 4: Discover Chania, the most beautiful Greek town
Today’s privately guided cultural tour uses food (and optionally wine) as a means of getting to know and having an experience of the local traditions, the authentic people, the history, and the modern lifestyle of Crete. You will be guided around Chania city and learn about the Cretan food culture over tasting:
– Alatsoelies (salted olives) and various kinds of cheese,
– the famous Cretan yogurt with local nuts and thyme honey,
– traditional sweets and pastries with Malotira beverage (the local mountain herb),
– and finally the famous Gyros (pie with pork meat) or alternatively a vegetarian version with mushrooms and local cheese. This will be your lunch of the day.
At the end of your food-tasting tour and lunch, you may enjoy a 45min wine tasting experience. You will be given plenty of time to stroll around the city for sightseeing or shopping before heading back to the hotel.
Day 5: FREE DAY with options
Today you can enjoy the SPA, the swimming pool, or the sandy beach in front of your luxurious hotel. Optionally a cooking class at a farm may be booked for this day. Other add-on tour options for the day may be available too depending on your preferences.
Day 6: Beekeeping experience and honey tasting – Scenic trip to famous Southern Crete
We will be starting our day with a drive to a beekeeper’s place for a breathtaking introduction to the world of bees and some honey tasting. Next, we will drive to the wildest and most impressive part of Crete, a part where tradition is alive and time refuses to run fast. To reach this part of Crete we will have to cross the White Mountains, which is an excellent opportunity to visit some beautiful mountain villages on the way and enjoy great landscape views and a traditional pastry shop using rosewater in its recipes! Paleochora, our final destination, is a small seaside town with exotic beaches facing the Libyan Sea and Africa.
After beach time and group lunch, you will have time to enjoy the town’s market before heading back to our base.
Day 7: Day dedicated to olive oil including an olive oil tasting
We will start today’s adventure by visiting the oldest olive tree in Crete, and an olive oil museum. Then you will get a guided tour around a traditional olive oil press where you will learn about traditional olive oil production and why Cretan olive oil is of unique quality. You will get the chance to taste different gourmet olive oils and buy a small special bottle that can safely be transferred back home in your luggage. Beach time after the tour on a small picturesque beach with a small family-owned tavern where we will have our farewell lunch. Return to the hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s departure. For those in the group having enough energy for a live-music late dinner in town, this option will be offered to them.
Day 8: Departure
Check out at 11:00 latest, airport drop-off.
Today you can enjoy the SPA, the swimming pool, or the sandy beach in front of your luxurious hotel. Optionally a cooking class at a farm may be booked for this day. Other add-on tour options for the day may be available too depending on your preferences.
Day 6: Beekeeping experience and honey tasting – Scenic trip to famous Southern Crete
We will be starting our day with a drive to a beekeeper’s place for a breathtaking introduction to the world of bees and some honey tasting. Next, we will drive to the wildest and most impressive part of Crete, a part where tradition is alive and time refuses to run fast. To reach this part of Crete we will have to cross the White Mountains, which is an excellent opportunity to visit some beautiful mountain villages on the way and enjoy great landscape views and a traditional pastry shop using rosewater in its recipes! Paleochora, our final destination, is a small seaside town with exotic beaches facing the Libyan Sea and Africa.
After beach time and group lunch, you will have time to enjoy the town’s market before heading back to our base.
Day 7: Day dedicated to olive oil including an olive oil tasting
We will start today’s adventure by visiting the oldest olive tree in Crete, and an olive oil museum. Then you will get a guided tour around a traditional olive oil press where you will learn about traditional olive oil production and why Cretan olive oil is of unique quality. You will get the chance to taste different gourmet olive oils and buy a small special bottle that can safely be transferred back home in your luggage. Beach time after the tour on a small picturesque beach with a small family-owned tavern where we will have our farewell lunch. Return to the hotel to rest and prepare for tomorrow’s departure. For those in the group having enough energy for a live-music late dinner in town, this option will be offered to them.
Day 8: Departure
Check out at 11:00 latest, airport drop-off.
This tour includes:
- A small group of 2-16 travelers to maximize quality and personal attention
- Private pick up/ drop off from/to Chania port (Souda) or airport (CHQ)
- 7 nights of quiet, seafront luxury accommodation in a handpicked resort
- Half board meals (breakfast and either lunch or supper daily). Free day and departure day include breakfast only.
- Authentic cultural experiences on 5 privately guided day trips eating at Crete’s best taverns or gourmet restaurants
- Introductory 2h Greek language lesson
- An olive oil tour and tasting
- A live music dinner
- A wine-tasting tour
- A honey-tasting tour at a beekeeper’s place
- A city food tour
- Add-on tour options to tailor the trip to your very own needs and preferences (optional at an extra cost)
- All admission to sites listed above
- English speaking guide throughout your stay
- 1st class motor coach/ minivan
- Taxes
- Hotel and restaurant gratuities
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Crete is perhaps the most famous travel destination in Greece, especially among those who seek the traditional side of Greek culture. Offering a unique and diverse landscape, a chance to come close to the local customs, native people with authentic hospitality, and the Cretan cuisine, famous worldwide for its taste and health benefits, Crete is a “must explore” for the conscious travelers of today.
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To book this tour now,
click "Add to Cart". We require a deposit of US$400 per guest. |
Frequently asked questions
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How many hours a day will we be walking or on a bus?
Every day we will be walking for a minimum of 3 hours. There will also be uphill streets and stairs. The bus rides vary in time of 20 minutes to 2 hours. I am traveling alone, will I be the only one? No, on average we have about half the group that are singles. Is there a single supplement? And why? Yes, there is. It's $425 for a private room. The reason we have a single supplement is because some hotels do not offer a single rate. So as a single person you are paying a full rate of the room instead of it being divided by two. How can I avoid paying the single supplement? We can match guests with same-sex roommates. We will connect you by email and you can see if you are compatible to share a room. Is my deposit of $400 refundable? No, we have limited space and need a commitment from each guest. Please note that the deposit of $400 per guest is NON-REFUNDABLE except in the case that the trip does not meet the minimum number of participants. The trip's go-status will be confirmed no later than July 10, 2021. How do I book my flights? As soon as the group is formed we will be sending out a confirmation email with all necessary information. You can contact our agent or if you are booking your own airfare, departure dates and airports will be listed in the confirmation email. How do we pack? We have a Zoom conference with the group before the trip to explain packing and general information, plus a packing list. Do I need Travel Insurance? Where can I purchase Insurance? We highly recommend Travel Insurance. Travel insurance is based on many factors and the price varies from person to person. You can get a quote from our agent Carol Symington, csymington@AAASJ.COM . Please mention your tour, the dates, price and that it is Tierno Tours. Is my flight included? No, This is a land package only. |
If booking your own airfare:
Departure from USA or Canada no later than Saturday before your trip date. Is an upgrade possible? Yes, in some of our accommodations upgrades are possible. Many times they are limited and we recommend that you contact us to reserve the room as soon as possible. You will be given a price and charged at the time of booking. All upgrades are non-refundable. Where are we staying? Base on availability we stay at one of the following hotels: Atlantica Kalliston Resort (adults only) Thalassa Beach Resort (adults only) Minoa Palace Myrion Beach Resort Solimar Aquamarine Porto Platanias How do I get from the airport to the Hotel? Please book your flight to arrive at Chania International Airport (CHQ). There are many international flights to Chania airport, direct or via Athens. Airport pickup (and drop-off) is in your price included. How much is the cost of the Transfer? Airport pickup (and drop-off) is in your price included. |
To book this tour now, click "Add to Cart".
We require a deposit of US$400 per guest.
You can choose the number of guests at checkout.
You can choose the number of guests at checkout.
