BIG BLUE CRETE NORTH WEST TOUR – 8 DAYS B&B (from 4)

Crete: A Land of Timelessness.

Discover the history of Crete, its mythologies, and its exceptionally well-preserved sites, nestled between mountains and sea where nothing has changed since the beginning of time, with the Crete Grand Bleu Tour (Northwest).

Soleil de Crête Voyages offers the Crete Grand Bleu Tour:

Discover the Crete of the Gods, ancient sites, legends, and myths, but also a land where nature remains untouched, in its purity and original beauty, both pastoral and maritime.

The Crete Grand Bleu tour is organized over two weeks: the Northwest Tour and the Southwest Tour, which can be taken consecutively or separately.

You can choose either the SELF-GUIDED option with a road book provided, or the GUIDED option, with a local French-speaking guide for customized excursions (full or half day).

The guide also knows the best restaurants and dishes and how to order them. They will share with you the Cretan way of life. They can tell you about Greek myths and legends and introduce you to the arts of the ancient civilization.

An opportunity for a genuine encounter with the country and its people, a moment of sincere friendship.

ACCOMMODATION

In small 2-star hotels near Chania (to be customized according to the season).

TOUR ITINERARY

DAY 1

ARRIVAL

Arrival at the airport and pick-up of the rental car.

Welcome by the Soleil de Crète Voyages team and presentation of the CRETE GRAND BLEU (Northwest) travel guide

Check-in at the hotel in Chania.

Stroll and dinner on the old Venetian harbor

DAY 2

DISCOVERING CHANEA, ITS HISTORY, AND ITS HISTORIC REMAINS

Welcome and history of Venetian Chania: You will be welcomed by the President of the Franco-Hellenic Cultural Association of Chania in the oldest monastery in the old city. This will be an opportunity to get an overview of the city’s points of interest and enjoy a welcome drink offered by Soleil de Crète.

Self-guided or guided tours: Explore the old city of Chania on foot, discovering its ancient walls, port, Venetian arsenals, a faithfully reconstructed Minoan galley, an imposing lighthouse, a cathedral, and churches. Stroll through its picturesque alleyways. Enjoy lunch in the covered market and sample traditional dishes. Visit the archaeological, Byzantine, and maritime museums. Spend an evening in a lively taverna under the shade of jasmine and orange trees.

Recommended guided tours: We recommend hiring a guide for your visit to Chania and its contemporary art galleries. You can also opt for a Greek philosophy course if you’re interested!

DAY 3

CHANIA AND AKROTIRI PRESQUILITY TOUR

Excursions to the 17th-century Aghia Triada Monastery and the 15th-century Gouverneto Monastery.

Stroll and stop at a beautiful beach and a taverna.

Return to Chania for dinner.

Note: It is highly recommended to hire a guide for visiting the monasteries to fully understand the Orthodox rite and the history of these places of worship.

DAY 4

ANCIENT SITE OF APTERA, SOUDA BAY, AND MOUNTAIN PASTORAL ROAD TOUR

Aptera is a collection of beautiful ruins dating from the 1st century BC (public baths, amphitheater, cisterns) and also Roman (remains of a Roman villa) overlooking the entrance to Souda Bay. The site also features well-preserved water cisterns from the Ottoman period.

A timeless atmosphere pervades this strategically important location, offering a splendid view across the entire bay, the deepest in the Mediterranean and still home to a NATO naval base.

Lunch in a mountain taverna.

Explore ancient olive groves and hike in the mountains with stunning sea views.

Travel through pastoral areas (goats, sheep, ewes, thyme honey production) and discover small Orthodox chapels dating from the 12th and 13th centuries.

Return and dinner in a traditional village.

Note: This tour does not require a guide and can easily be completed using the provided itinerary.

DAY 5

THE MILLENNIAL OLIVE TREE CIRCUIT, 4TH-CENTURY CHURCH AND CITY, AND THE CAVE OF SAINT JOHN THE HERMIT

The world’s oldest olive tree was found in Crete, not far from Chania. You can then visit the Olive Museum.

Along the way, visit sacred monasteries with exceptional architecture. Discover restored 10th-12th century frescoes, churches, and tombs dating back to the 4th century, the oldest in Crete.

Cross a beautiful 3-km-long gorge.

Lunch in a village taverna.

Explore an ancient city overlooking an impressive gorge (remains of dwellings, roads, cisterns, and water channels carved into the rock). Visit to the Cave of Saint John the Hermit

Return and dinner in Chania

Note: This tour does not require a guide and can easily be done with the provided itinerary.

DAY 6

KISSAMOS BAY AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM TOUR, POLYRRHENIA MINOAN SITE

Just 40 minutes from Chania lies the unspoiled Kissamos Bay, a Natura 2000 protected area. Its two headlands are ideal for hikes overlooking the sea.

After visiting the Kissamos Archaeological Museum:

Lunch in Kissamos at the port.

Then explore the Minoan site of Polyrrheinia, dating from the Archaic period of the 6th century BC. Later inhabited by the Romans, this promontory served as an observation post against frequent invasions from the sea, giving the inhabitants time to flee into the mountains. Enjoy exceptional views across the entire bay.

This completely self-sufficient city has been inhabited for millennia (fishing, terraced farming, livestock breeding).

Return to Chania

Note: This tour does not require a guide and can easily be done with the provided itinerary.

DAY 7

FALASARNA BEACH AND ANCIENT PORT OF EMPEROR ADRIAN TOUR

After a final morning in Chania (souvenir or local product shopping), depart for Falassarna Beach and visit its ancient port, once home to the Roman Emperor Hadrian.

Magnificent fine sandy beach. Swimming.

Dinner while watching the sunset over the sea.

Return to Chania.

Note: This tour does not require a guide and can easily be done with the provided itinerary.

DAY 8

DEPARTURE

Departure for the airport and return of the rental car.

THIS PRICE INCLUDES:

2-star accommodation with breakfast (4-star hotel option + €250 per person).

Category A rental car at the airport with basic insurance included (full insurance option + €8 per day).

The CRETE GRAND BLEU road book, featuring a circuit in the Northwest region of Chania, highlighting the most beautiful ancient, natural, and historical sites. A guide to good restaurants and tavernas along the route is also included.

A welcome session and introduction to the history of Chania with a complimentary aperitif.

A 5% discount on the second consecutive week of the discovery tour (15 days).

IMPORTANT: This price does not apply to the high season (July, August, September) or requires a supplement of 20%. This price is applicable for a minimum of 4 adults (over 12 years old), if only 2 adults add 25%.

THIS PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE:

Round-trip flights from France to Crete

Lunch and dinner at the tavernas along the tour

Tour guide (upon request)

Note: Those arriving at Heraklion Airport can visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum, the Palace of Knossos, and the Palace of Phaistos.

Accommodation in a 4-star hotel (+ €250 per person)

Tour guide (upon request)

Additional information

member	6