Experience Crete (Margarites, Arkadi Monastery and Rethymno & Chania and Georgioupoli )

Day 1
Meet with your guide at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel, across from the entrance of the Heraklion
Archaeological Museum, in front of Hari’s Creperie, Heraklion at 08.30. We start our tour driving to our
first stop Margarites, a small traditional village located in the prefecture of Rethymno. The village is
known for its unique pottery tradition, its picturesque alleys, and its well-preserved architecture.
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,Afterwards we reach the Arkadi Monastery, which constitutes a landmark of architecture and
civilization considering the magnificent facade of the church, the highly developed spiritual tradition as
well as the flourishing development of fine arts. However, the holocaust, which took place in 1866,
gave the monastery an eminent place in history, elevating it to an eternal symbol of freedom and
heroism, recognized worldwide. Rethymno is our last stop, one of the best preserved medieval towns
in Greece with many intact historical buildings and it’s one of the most beautiful towns in Crete. We
will visit the picturesque old town of Rethymno and have lunch (optional). At the end we will visit the
Venetian stronghold of Fortezza which is built on top of a low hill above Rethymno Town. The hill is
known as Paleokastro, which means old castle in Greek and suggests the existence of an older
structure in that place. This huge fortress, with its turbulent history, was built between 1540 and 1570
by the Venetian maritime power as a bulwark against Turkish pirates. More than 100,000 Cretans on
compulsory labor and over 40,000 pack animals were used in the construction of this mighty fortress.
However, the Fortezza was conquered by the Turks in 1646. After many upheavals during the next
three centuries, only the outer fortifications of the Fortezza remain intact and few buildings are still
under restoration. The Fortezza is visible from every part of the town and provides the visitor a
panoramic view of Rethymno town. The visitors enter from the East Gate through an impressive
archway. Dinner and overnight at the hotel.
Day 2
Breakfast at the Hotel in Rethymno. At approximately 09.30 we start our tour driving along the north
coastal road, to the city of Souda, port of Chania, to visit the Venizelos Graves at the historical location
of Profitis Ilias in Akrotiri where the tomb of Eleftherios Venizelos lays, one of the long-standing prime
Ministers of Greece. We continue to the city of Chania where we will visit all the main highlights of the
city, historic neighborhoods, churches and museums and take a walk to the beautiful Venetian Port
with the Lighthouse Faros. During your tour of the picturesque alleys of the old town, you will come
acrosss unique monuments such as the Rimodi Fountain, the Neradze Mosque (or Gazi Hussein) with
its high minaret, churches and squares. Have lunch (optional) and free time for shopping. At the way
back we will stop at the resort city of Georgioupolis, popular for its fine beaches, for a coffee break.
Late in the afternoon at 18:00, we return to Heraklion at the terminal of Cretan Spiti Travel

Included Air-conditioned Motorcoach, Hotel accommodation in 3* or 4* hotels during the tour on HB basis (1
night), Professional Guide/Escort, VAT and all legal taxes included
Not Included Pick up-drop off transfer, Entrance fees to the archaeological sites (AD / RED) , Lunch in restaurant
throughout in the tour (40,00 €), Drinks and beverage during the meal, Gratuities, Anything that is not specified
in the program as included

Activity info