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Packages in Greece: Special Interest packages: SUGGESTED BOTANICAL AND HISTORICAL TOUR – CRETE Day 1: CHANIA Arrival in Chania – assistance and transfer to the hotel. Balance of day at leisure. Overnight in Chania. Day 2: CHANIA - SAMARIA GORGE Breakfast at the hotel. We begin our visit to Crete with a drive to the Omalos Plateau. Our journey takes us past farms and orange groves before we begin to ascent through the spectacular scenery of the White Mountains to the Plateau. It is hoped that peonies, tulips, daphnes and anemones will be spotted in the foothills of the mountains. For those who wish there will be also the opportunity to walk the last few kilometers to the top of the Samaria Gorge, the biggest in Europe, and enjoy stunning views. After time for lunch we return to the hotel. Overnight in Chania. Day 3: CHANIA - AKROTIRI - AGHIA TRIADA Breakfast at the hotel. This morning we drive to the Akrotiri Peninsula, a vast unspoilt area. Our first stop is to see the garden of the Byzantine Monastery of Aghia Triada where the stately Verbascum Arcturus grows in abundance. We follow the road to the monastery of Govanetu through flower filled scenery before returning to Chania. Here we visit the impressive Venetian harbor and the archeological museum. There will be free time to perhaps enjoy a lunch in one of the taverns lining the harbor and then explore the fascinating local indoor market before returning to the hotel. Overnight in Chania. Day 4: CHANIA - KNOSSOS - HERAKLION Breakfast at the hotel. Today we drive along the North coast to Knossos, site of the great Minoan city which was inhabited since the Neolithic era. The first palace was built around 1900 B.C. Two hundred years after it was destroyed by an earthquake and rebuilt, becoming grander and more luxurious. The final catastrophe occurred in 1500-1400 B.C. with the eruption of the volcano in Santorini. The Minoan palaces were not only the residence of the ruling house, they were also administrative and religious centers for the whole region. The ruins include the palace of King Minos, the homes of officials and ordinary people. The palace was a labyrinthine complex built around a central court and this multi storeyed construction covered an area of 22.000 sq. m containing also workshops, storerooms, treasuries, etc. Afterwards we shall visit the archeological museum in Heraklion. here is assembled almost all the finds from the Minoan era excavated in various sites on the island. Among them you will see the unique painted limestone sarcophagus from Aghia Trias. In the afternoon return to Chania. Overnight in Chania. Day 5: CHANIA - CHORA SFAKION - FRANGOKASTELLO Breakfast at the hotel. In the morning we travel South through the imposing White Mountains, across the Plateau of Askirfou, via Imvrou Gorge to the pretty village of Chora Sfakion. After some free time we continue along the shores of the Lybian Sea to Frangokastello where we visit the impressive Venetian fortress dating from 1371. The fort played a crucial role in the battle between the Cretans and the Turks in 1828. Overnight in Chania. Day 6: CHANIA - POLYRRENIA Breakfast at the hotel. Heading in a westerly direction this morning we go to the ancient village of Polyrrenia. The drive is through beautiful rural landcapes. On arrival there will be a chance to walk to a lovely church overlooking the village along a path strewn with wild flowers including euphorbia, anemones and poppies. Overnight in Chania. Day 7: CHANIA - MEGALA CHORIA Breakfast at the hotel. We continue our exploration with a visit to the lovely hillside village of Megala Choria and continue by foot along the ancient paved way to the Aptera. Here we find the site of an ancient city protected by massive walls, dating from the 5th century B.C. Temples, a Turkish fort and a Byzantine monastery all stand deserted in this romantic landscape ablaze with wildflowers. Overnight in Chania. Day 8: CHANIA Breakfast at the hotel and transfer to the airport. For details and prices, please contact us by email: info @ argonautravel.gr and let us know of the number of participants as well as your requested dates   Book     Back to packages page
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