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Our Trip to Crete
May

View from Spinalonga Island

By Katia Luz

Our Trip to Crete - a personalised trip plan visiting both east and west of the island.

Gramvousa Islet & Balos Lagoon

Yiasas !

How exciting to be planning your trip to Crete, it is my pleasure to present our trip plan below.

Season

Travelling 6 to 18 May, this is spring and shoulder season, not too hot, not too cold and the flowers are out. Fewer travellers than other months of the year, fresher locals and lots to see with average daily temperatures 14 to 24 degrees and sea temperatures of 19 degrees Celsius.

East

In the plan below we visit Heraklion, Knossos then eastern Crete - with 4 nights in the same seaside cottages to rest and explore the east on day trips.

West

Then we will make our way across the centre of the island on back roads, see Malia Palace and Phaistos Palace, and explore the central west, then stay in a holiday home in the west for 5 nights, again taking day trips, and rest days, to explore that region.

Meals
I have not included information about cafes, restaurants and tavernas here, rest assured we will enjoy these along the way, carefully chosen for everyone's tastes and for fresh traditional local cuisine.

Features

Ancient sites and museums
Small villages, meet the locals
Mountains and scenery
Beaches and scenery
Historic sites and stories
Cosmopolitan towns
Cafes and tavernas, restaurants and self-catering, local food food food
More beaches and a gorge walk, palm forest
Gorge hike to the coast
Venetian towns, shopping, markets, art, museums, history, culture, atmosphere

Traditional Cretan Home

Overview 12 Nights

Arrive Heraklion Airport HER

Heraklion to Archanes - stay in Archanes Village
Stay in Archanes Village
Archanes to Elounda - stay near Elounda
Stay near Elounda
Stay near Elounda
Stay near Elounda
Elounda to Amari Valley - stay in Amari Valley
Amari to Rethymnon to Chania - stay near Chania
Stay near Chania
Stay near Chania
Stay near Chania
Stay near Chania

Depart Chania Airport CHQ

Chania harbour and the White Mountains

Maps

Combine these two trips into one, starting in Heraklion and travelling east.

Eastern Crete Trip

Western Crete Trip

Day by Day

Knossos Palace

Day One - Mon 6 May
Arrive Heraklion Airport HER
Taxi from Heraklion to Archanes Village 14 km
Meet at first holiday home or B&B
Rest day - stroll in village
Dinner at local village taverna
Stay in Archanes
Stay at Walnut Tree Villa

Day Two - Tue 7 May
Early start to see Knossos Palace Archaeological Site
Drive to Knossos 7 km
Allow 2 hours to see Knossos
Drive to Heraklion 5 km
Lunch in town - Cretan cuisine
Afternoon at Heraklion Archaeological Museum
Allow 2-3 hours to see museum and/or town
Drive back to Archanes 12 km
Dinner at local village taverna
Stay in Archanes
Stay at Walnut Tree Villa

Day Three - Wed 8 May
Drive through villages, olive groves and farms to Lasithi Plateau
Visit caves or an eco park
Lunch at a traditional taverna in Tzermiado
Drive through mountain roads across Lasithi to Agios Nikolaos and Elounda Total day's travel 120 km
Stay just outside Plaka
Stay at Plaka Beach Cottages

Day Four - Thur 9 May
Day trip options to see eastern Crete or rest
Drive to Agios Nikolaos, Beach and Sitia 80 km
Stay just outside Plaka
Stay at Plaka Beach Cottages

Day Five - Fri 10 May
Day trip options to see eastern Crete or rest
Boat trip to Spinalonga & BBQ
Or drive to Vai Beach & Toplou Monastery & Winery 130 km
Stay just outside Plaka
Stay at Plaka Beach Cottages

Day Six - Sat 11 May
Day trip options to see eastern Crete or rest
Local olive oil farm or museums
See distillation of local spirits
Stay just outside Plaka
Stay at Plaka Beach Cottages

Day Seven - Sun 12 May
Drive from Elounda to Amari Valley total km 175
Visit Malia Palace Archeological Site
Lunch in wine region
Visit Phaistos Palace Archaeological Site in the Messara Valley
Stay at Villa Taf near Kamilari Village

Accommodation

In Archanes Village

In Archanes Village is the Walnut Tree Villa - a traditional home with gorgeous modern features, four bedrooms and plenty of space for a party of 4.

Total privacy
Walk to village
Affordable
Self-catering

Near Elounda

Sweet cottages by the beach - directly on the beach and gazing at Spinalonga. For this option two would need to share a room - as there are only 3 cottages. The location is heavenly.

Plaka Beach Cottages

Absolute beachfront
Walk to cafes and tavernas
Affordable
Sharing a room

Elounda Beach

Week Two

Day Eight - Mon 13 May
Amari Valley to Arkadi Monastery to Rethymnon 33 km
Visit Arkadi Monastery
Explore the Old Town of Rethymnon
Lunch in a traditional taverna in the Old Town of Rethymnon
Rethymnon to Chania 60 km
Stay near Chania in self catering holiday home
Stay at Harmony Villa

Day Nine - Tues 14 May
Day trip options to see western Crete or rest
Stay near Chania

Day Ten - Wed 15 May
Day trip options to see western Crete or rest
Samaria Gorge walk or Chania Old Town
Stay near Chania

Day Eleven - Thur 16 May
Day trip options to see western Crete or rest
Agia Irini Gorge walk or gourmet tours in town or country
Stay near Chania

Day Twelve - Fri 17 May
Day trip options to see western Crete or rest
Final lovely big night out at local taverna
Stay near Chania

Day Thirteen - Sat 18 May
Taxi from holiday home to Chania Airport 20 km
Depart

Accommodation

In Rethymnon

Villa Taf is near the village of Kamilari

3-bedrooms
Pool
Self-catering
Views
Drive to village and beach
Close to Phaistos

Near Chania

Harmony Villa - in the countryside west of Chania town 4 km to beach and 23 km to town. Close to a hamlet. Views and space all around.

Walk to small village
Pool
Self-catering
Views
Gardens
Close to beaches and Chania
Drive to beach and town

Experiences

Organised tour options - to do together or separately.

Options below, we can discuss closer to the dates.

Pre-book a 'skip the line' guided tour of Knossos. Learn about the history from a local history guide. Day 2.

Day Trip to Spinalonga

A visit to a Venetian fortress and former leper colony in Elounda Bay, followed by snorkelling and BBQ. Option for week 1.

In Chania region we can experience town or rural gourmet short walking tours or day tours with knowledgeable local guides. Or cooking classes. Options for week 2.

Samaria Full Day Experience - best to do as a tour due to logistics. Walk the 16 km gorge, experience the White Mountains of Crete. Relax at seaside village on the south coast then return by ferry and coach to Chania town. Option for week 2.

Elafonisi Beach - is on the far western tip of Crete in a protected natural area. This pristine beach and inlets shimmers with turquoise waters. Ideal for a day trip visiting rocky gorges along the way. Option for week 2.

Of course, choose to explore any of these destinations independently.