GYROS CRETE

Πρόγραμμα

DAY 1 M. FRIDAY: ATHENS – HERACLEION – LASSITHIO PLATEAU – SPINALOGKA – ELOUND
Flight to Heraklion. Arrival and departure for the Lasithi Plateau which, according to mythology, is where Zeus was born to Diktaion Andron. Visit to the cave and continue to Agios Nikolaos, where we will have free time for lunch. Our next stop is Spinalonga, where we will take a boat to tour the castle and see the old settlement. Transfer and accommodation at the ELOUNDA VILLAGE 5* hotel, in Elounda. This is followed by dinner with fasting and non-fasting dishes and watching the Epitaph Procession. Overnight.

DAY 2 M. SATURDAY: SITEIA – TOPLOS MONASTERY – VAI
Breakfast and departure for Sitia, home of Vicenzos Cornaros and Erotokritos, with the Venetian fortress Kazarma and the ruins of the Minoan civilization. Pilgrimage to the Stauropygian Monastery of Toplou, one of the richest on the island, with its characteristic Renaissance bell tower. We continue to the palm forest of Vai, one of the most beautiful and special locations with thousands of palm trees ending on the sandy beach. Return to the hotel and rest. Dinner with traditional cooking and local dishes and then we will go to a nearby church to watch the Resurrection Mass.

DAY 3 EASTER SUNDAY: EASTER LUNCH – SAINT NIKOLAOS
Breakfast and free time to relax at the hotel. The roasting of the ovelia has started while appetizers and raki are offered by the pool. This is followed by a traditional Easter meal with dancing and feasting. In the afternoon we will go to the picturesque port of Agios Nikolaos for a walk. Overnight.

DAY 4 EASTER MONDAY: HERAKLION – KNOSSO – ARCHANES – RETHYMNO
Breakfast and departure for the center of Minoan civilization, the archaeological site of Knossos. Free time for coffee in the traditional village of Archanes and then we will tour the city of Heraklion. We will see the tomb of Nikos Kazantzakis on the Martinego bastion, the beach with the Venetian castle, the Morosini Fountain, etc. We continue to Rethymno, arrival and check-in at the AQUILA RITHYMNA BEACH 5* hotel, in Adelianos Kampos. Dinner and overnight stay.

DAY 5 TUESDAY: ARKADIOU MONASTERY – RETHYMNO – FORTEZA
Breakfast and our day begins with a pilgrimage to the historic Arkadi Monastery. We will get to know its history and admire the Bank, the Cellars, the Silicate Warehouse, the Museum and the Monastery Gallery. We continue for a tour of the old town of Rethymno, Venetian and Ottoman architecture and end up in the Venetian harbor with the Fortezza of 1573. Return to the hotel. Dinner, overnight stay.

DAY 6 WEDNESDAY: KOURNA LAKE – MOURNIES – CHANIA – VENIZELON TOMBS – ATHENS
Breakfast and departure for Lake Kourna, the largest natural lake of Crete, on the western slopes of the White Mountains. We continue to the village of Mournies where we will see (from the outside) the house where El was born. Venizelos. We will tour the old town of Chania, the Municipal market of 1913, the church of Trimartiri and the Venetian harbor with its many mansions and picturesque cafes. Free time for lunch followed by a climb through the Halepa district, to the grove of Prophet Elias, with the panoramic view, the famous Venizelos Tombs and the Statue of Liberty. Transfer to Chania airport for the return flight to Athens.