CRETE ... In the footsteps of the Minoans

An exceptional adventure to the land of Minos, Daidalos and Ikaros, the minotaur, Zorba, shining seas, starry skies, and gleaming beaches. Crete is the gem of the Mediterranean, meeting place of East and West. It is a sophisticated land of art and architecture, yet a land of simple mountain villages and seaside hamlets. It possesses wildly fantastic topography and genuine hospitality. Join us for an exciting adventure: Minoan art, modern sights, delicious food, and shimmering seas. 

Day 1  -  Board our flight to Greece.

Day 2 - Upon arrival in Athens relax before dinner in a local taverna.

Day 3  -  This morning is free for a visit to the Akropolis, crowned by the Parthenon, symbol of the Classical Age. This afternoon we board our ship for our overnight cruise to Crete.

Day 4  -  Welcome to Crete, the land of antiquities, Minoans, and hospitality. When we reach Chania our hosts will drive us to our first class hotel near the Old City. Today we visit the beautiful archaeological museum, and then the nearby naval museum which records the history of sea power from antiquity to the present. Overnight Chania.

Day 5  -  A scenic drive brings us to the picturesque harbor at Rethymnon, and on through mountain villages to Arcadi Monastery, beautiful in its serenity, but a great standard for Cretan resistance to the Turks. We will stop next at Tylissos, the seldom - visited villa dating from the Early Minoan period. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 6 - Nikos Kazantzakis made Crete known through his novels, most especially Zorba the Greek. This morning we will visit the Kazantzakis Museum in Myrtia. Then, a short ride brings us to Vathypetro, a Minoan villa beautifully located midst vineyards. We will have lunch in the village of Archarnes which has been, like Vathypetro, inhabited and producing wine for millennia. Walk about the village and visit the church of the Panagia  -  -  small, but containing beautiful Byzantine icons. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 7 - Today is free for an optional cruise to the spectacular island of Santorini, site of the volcano which erupted in 1500 B.C. Plato identified Santorini as the lost continent of Atlantis. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 8 - Today, the palace of Knossos: one of the great archaeological sites of the world. After wandering through the labyrinthine complex we will visit the museum which contains treasures from across the island. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 9 - Our destination this morning is the beautiful plain of Lasithi and the Dictaean Cave, legendary birthplace of Zeus. On our way we will visit the Minoan villa at Nirou Chani and the great palace at Malia. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 10 - Now to the south and Gortys, the capital of Roman Crete; Agia Triada, the beautifully situated summer villa; and Phaistos, the southernmost of the palaces. Overnight Heraklion.

Day 11 - From the museum at Agios Nicholaos, we drive through the mountains to Sitia. Our senses delight in the scents of oregano, thyme, and oleander blossoms, accompanied by singing cicadas. Overnight Sitia.

Day 12 - The palace at Kato Zakro is mysterious in its location, set by the sea at the mouth of "The Gorge of the Dead." We will explore this graceful site, then lunch at a taverna in the tiny unspoiled village on the beach. After relaxing by the sea we continue on to visit the monastery of Toplou. Overnight Sitia.

Day 13 - After visiting the museum of Sitia we reach the Minoan town at Gournia, spread over the hill overlooking the sea. After exploring these ancient streets we continue to Heraklion and board our ship for the overnight cruise to Athens.

Day 14 - Our hosts will meet us at the port and drive us to our first class hotel. We will have the day available for walks through the Plaka and to market area of Athens. Overnight Athens.

Day 15 - This morning we board our flight for home, taking with us memories of friendly spirits from 5 millennia past.