Captivating Crete and Aegean Cruise
Captivating Crete and Aegean Cruise
Captivating Crete and Aegean Cruise
15 Days
From:
$3503 (USD) including Flights from the UKTour Overview
Crete is one of the most beautiful and diverse Greek islands and on this tale of two halves, we’ll spend a week ticking off some of the highlights: Heraklion’s Venetian harbour, the Lasithi Plateau, dotted with white-sailed windmills and the mountains of western Crete. Then we’ll board the newly refurbished MS Celestyal Journey for a fascinating 7-night cruise around the Aegean. Its smaller size allows a more in-depth experience of must-see destinations like Santorini, Mykonos, Athens and Turkey’s Ephesus.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1
Titan’s VIP door-to-door travel service collects you from home for your flight to Heraklion. On arrival, we transfer to Hersonissos.
Day 2
Our Crete tour kicks off with a trip to Heraklion. The dynamic capital of the island is the fifth largest city in Greece. Its inner harbour is guarded by the well-preserved Venetian fortress of Rocca al Mare and the bustling city has a rich cultural history, some of which can be seen in the Archaeological Museum. After a guided tour, it’s a delight to explore its streets of cafés and small shops.
Day 3
We journey to the Lasithi Plateau, famous for its centuries-old white-sailed windmills, formerly used for irrigation. We’ll stop at the monastery of Panagia Kera, for a guided visit, before heading to the village of Psychro and nearby Dikteon Cave. In Greek mythology, the cave was recognised as the birthplace of Zeus and is still a significant place to visit today. The energetic may wish to walk 200 steps and through five chambers into the cave, to see the stalactites and stalagmites. Elsewhere on the fertile plateau, we’ll enjoy some free time in the picturesque village of Tzermidao.
Day 4
The island of Crete is well known for its ancient Minoan past and the power of this civilisation is illustrated on an optional visit to the Palace of Knossos. Visit the vast Minoan Palace, believed to be more than 4,000 years old. The complex has a number of buildings on four levels and most of what remains belongs to those built after 1700 BC. In Greek mythology, it is said that the Palace was the home of King Minos, whose wife bore the Minotaur who was imprisoned within the labyrinth and slain by Theseus.
Day 5
Our holidays in Crete also have some leisure time. Today you can relax on Hersonissos’ small sandy beaches, enjoy excellent shopping facilities, and sightseeing boat trips. The main centre has plenty of relaxing cafés and Greek tavernas from where you can watch the world go by. Or learn more about Crete’s folk traditions and culture at Lychnostatis Open Air Museum.
Day 6
The wild and rugged landscape of western Crete, including snow-capped mountains, delightful villages and beautiful coastlines, are highlighted on today’s excursion. We visit Chania for a guided tour, the former capital, known as the ‘Little Venice’ of Crete is home to a street devoted almost entirely to leather goods. There’s also a beautiful Venetian harbour, which was the location for some of the scenes from the film Zorba the Greek.
We continue to Rethymnon, Crete’s third-largest town, on the north coast. Known as the ‘City of Scholars’, the old part of the town has numerous Venetian palazzos, Turkish houses with wooden balconies and a number of small 18th-century mosques. After a tour, there’ll be free time to wander the old streets of the town, or perhaps spend time in a harbourside coffee bar.
Day 7
There’s more time today to relax in your surroundings, or perhaps join an optional excursion to visit the island of Spinalonga. The island has had a varied past, from Venetian rule in the 16th century to the setting for a leper colony four centuries later - a subject covered in Victoria Hislop’s 2005 novel ‘The Island’. It’s now an uninhabited island skirted with small pebble beaches.
Day 8
Later today we’ll transfer to embark our ship, ready to set sail this evening.
Day 9
With an early arrival, we have a full day to explore one of the world’s most spectacular islands. You could choose to take a cable car to the capital, Fira, and wander through the picturesque streets of whitewashed houses cascading down the cliffs. Or excursions are available to visit the newly reopened excavations at Akrotiri, the ‘Pompeii of the Aegean’, and the stunning clifftop village of Oia, known for some of the best sunsets in the world. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 10
The playground of Hollywood A-listers and footballers, Mykonos was the first of the smaller Greek islands to open up to tourism in the 1960s. Its picture-postcard harbour leads to a charming labyrinth of tiny streets full of fashion boutiques, high-end restaurants and blue-shuttered houses framed by pink bougainvillea. A short boat ride away is the small uninhabited island of Delos, sacred to Apollo and the largest archaeological site in the Aegean. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 11
Laid-back Milos is known for its amazing coastline, full of hidden coves, grottoes and unbelievably crystal-clear water. It’s far less busy than its near neighbours and if you venture inland, you’ll discover a thriving and unique island culture. Ship to shore tender service.
Day 12
The birthplace of democracy, Athens was the intellectual powerhouse of the ancient world. Today’s lively metropolis is still crowned by the awe-inspiring Acropolis, but there’s lots more to discover: the winding lanes of the Plaka district are like walking through a picturesque village, the National Gardens are the cool lungs of the city and the Archaeological Museum houses the most extraordinary ancient art from the whole country.
Day 13
Greece’s second city is known for its vibrant food scene, fascinating old town and seafront promenade with its lively cafés. Maybe join an excursion to visit Pella, Alexander the Great’s capital city and the UNESCO site of Vergina, where the Macedonian royal tombs (including that of Phillip II, Alexander’s father) have yielded priceless treasures.
Day 14
Today we visit Turkey’s buzzy port of Kusadasi, for the opportunity to explore nearby ancient Ephesus, the second largest city in the Roman empire. It’s remarkably well preserved and walking through the Hercules gate you’ll gaze wide-eyed at the two-storey Library of Celsus and the magnificent 25,000-seat open-air theatre, said to be the largest in the ancient world.
Day 15
Back in Greece, we’ll disembark in Heraklion and transfer to the airport for your return flight to the UK. Upon arrival, your Titan vehicle will be waiting for the journey home.
What's Included
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7 nights in hotel and 7 nights cruise on MS Celestyal Journey
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International flights. Prices are based on return flights with British Airways or easyJet from London Heathrow or Gatwick.
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Titan tour manager
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35 meals: 14 breakfasts 7 lunches 14 dinnersundefined excursions and visits
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Half-day excursion to Heraklion
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Full-day excursion to Lasithi Plateau, including entrances to Panagia Kera monastery and Dikteon Cave
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Full-day excursion to the west of the island, including Chania and RethymnonPlus
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Celestyal’s ‘Enhance’ package
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Gratuities for crew on MS Celestyal Journey
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Drinks with meals on cruise (house wine, beer or soft drinks)
Check out our Q&As
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Do I have to pay a Single Supplement?
In most cases a single supplement will apply. If the price for a Single room for sole occupancy is not shown, please ask our team for details and we will be able to check the details for you.
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Will the accommodation included meet local health and safety regulations?
Yes
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How long has the tour company been trading?
We've been taking our customers across the world on escorted tours for more than 40 years
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What Ethical Travel credentials does the tour company have?
Our commitment to sustainable travel is part of our ethos. We love exploring the world and hope that, alongside our customers, we can be part of a bigger change in respecting the people and wildlife on our planet and minimising the impact we have on our environment.
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What policies are in place for Covid-19?
With some COVID-19 rules and restrictions still in place there are a few details that you need to know. This information is subject to change. It’s your responsibility to monitor changes and ensure you fulfil all relevant criteria for travel. Rest assured that we’re on hand to help and answer any questions you might have.
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
You’ll receive your Final holiday documents via email approximately 14 days prior to your departure.
Reviews of this Operator
Dates & Availability
Tuesday - Tuesday
May 28, 2024 - Jun 11, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 11, 2024 - Jun 25, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Jun 25, 2024 - Jul 09, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 03, 2024 - Sep 17, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 10, 2024 - Sep 24, 2024Tuesday - Tuesday
Sep 24, 2024 - Oct 08, 2024Book with Confidence
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Free Date Changes
Titan Travel allows you to make 2 free date changes, as long as the change is made at least 75 days before the start of the tour.
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Transfer as credit to Future Tours
Titan Travel allows you to transfer existing payments to a future tour to avoid cancellation fees if you can't travel and inform titan travel, 75 days before departure.
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Low Deposit
Titan Travel requires a minimum deposit of 395 GBP per person or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 75 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of titan travel charges.
Up to 75 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 74 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 42 days before tour starts: Forfeit 75% of booking price.
At 28 days before tour starts: Forfeit 90% of booking price.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.