Discover Crete

Rethymnon's beautiful waterfront

Take a leisurely look at Greece's 'Great Island', birthplace of Zeus and centre of the ancient and glorious Minoan civilisation.

Your Itinerary

DAY 1: UK - Heraklion - Aghios Nikolaos.

Fly to Heraklion where you will be met by our representative and transferred to your hotel in Aghios Nikolaos for four nights. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 2: Aghios Nikolaos.

You can spend the day exploring more of Aghios Nikolaos, one of Crete's most popular holiday resorts, and the surrounding countryside, or you could join one of our interesting optional excursions. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 3: Lassithi Plateau, Dikte Cave & Selinari.

Today, enjoy a full day included excursion, beginning with a picturesque drive up to the mountain-fringed plateau of Lassithi Plain, once home to 10,000 windmills. After admiring the lovely views, take a scenic drive, past traditional white-washed villages, to Psihro for a visit to nearby Dikte Cave. Reputed to be the birthplace of the great Greek god Zeus, you can take a stroll around the deep, cool cave to admire the extraordinary rock formations and unusual stalagmites and stalactites. This afternoon, continue to Selinari close to the area of the plateau to view the eagles hovering above and the quaint church set against the roadside, also a stop at Seli with its magnificent views across the island before returning to Aghios Nikolaos. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 4: Aghios Nikolaos.

Set on a small peninsula between the sea and Lake Voulismeni and offering excellent views of Mirabello, Aghios Nikolaos still retains much of its traditional charm. Enjoy a stroll around the bustling harbour area or relax in one the lively tavernas. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 5: Aghios Nikolaos - Heraklion Museum & Knossos - Rethymnon.

Today, visit the Cretan capital for a visit to the Heraklion Museum. Admire the priceless exhibitions of relics from ancient Crete and the Minoan civilisation before enjoying some free time in Heraklion. This afternoon, marvel at the intriguing Minoan culture evident in Crete's best archaeological site on an included guided tour of the legendary Palace of Knossos, home of the famous Labyrinth where Theseus fought the Minotaur. Later, continue to Rethymnon for three nights. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 6: Rethymnon.

The long sandy beach, quaint fishing harbour, charming old town and lively nightlife combine to make Rethymnon a popular place to holiday. Walk around the winding streets of the old town with their fountains and minarets and along the palm-fringed promenade, or relax at one of the bars, tavernas or cafés that line the waterfront. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 7: Soude Allied War Cemetery - Chania - Olive Farm - Lake Kournas.

Today's included excursion starts with a visit to the Soude Allied War Cemetery and then on to delightful Chania, a former capital with a colourful Venetian harbour. You'll have time to wander around shops selling the high quality leather goods this charming town is renowned for. After this you will visit an Olive Farm to see how olive oil is produced and for a chance to sample fresh local produce. On the way back to Rethymnon there's a visit to Lake Kournas, Crete's only official lake and an area of natural beauty, which is home to migratory birds depending on the time of year. (Meals as per hotel details).

DAY 8: Rethymnon - Heraklion - UK.

Transfer to Heraklion airport for your flight to the UK or extend your stay in Rethymnon. (Meals as per hotel details).

Resort Only Holidays

Rethymnon or Aghios Nikolaos

If you'd prefer to spend your holiday just relaxing by the pool or on the beach, you can choose to stay for a week at any of our hotels in Aghios Nikolaos or Rethymnon. Excursions are not included but can be booked from our representative in your resort. Please call or see our website for details.

Pearl Beach
3 plus diamond rating

Ideally located overlooking the seafront promenade and a stretch of golden shingle beach, Pearl Beach is a friendly, welcoming hotel set amongst well-kept, colourful gardens and offering a good selection of facilities.

Location: Set just 10m from the beach and within 2.5km of Rethymnon resort centre.

Facilities: 2 swimming pools; poolside snack bar; buffet restaurant (long trousers must be worn to dinner); lounge bar; TV lounge; table tennis; fitness room; sauna; internet corner; 4 lifts; safety deposit box and minibar in bedrooms.

Price includes: Half board in a twin room with private facilities; air-conditioning; satellite TV; radio; hairdryer; balcony or terrace.

Options: Single room

Official category: 4 star.

Discover Crete 7 nights

Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the calendar.

Earlier 2012 Later
Sep Tue 11 Sep Tue 25            
Make your
own way

Make your own way

This is the price of the holiday without flights
             
Birmingham

Departure Times

17:20 Monarch Airlines

Departure Times

17:20 Monarch Airlines
             
London Gatwick

Departure Times

12:50 Monarch Airlines

Departure Times

12:50 Monarch Airlines
             
Manchester

Departure Times

13:00 Monarch Airlines

Departure Times

13:00 Monarch Airlines
             

Discover Crete 7 nights

Availability and our best prices for all dates
Select the number in your party and accommodation options. Then select your holiday from the grid.

Earlier Dates Date Depart From Price from PP   Later Dates
  11 Sep 2012 Make your own way

Make your own way

This is the price of the holiday without flights
Select  
  11 Sep 2012 Birmingham

Departure Times

17:20 Monarch Airlines
Select  
  11 Sep 2012 London Gatwick

Departure Times

12:50 Monarch Airlines
Select  
  11 Sep 2012 Manchester

Departure Times

13:00 Monarch Airlines
Select  
  25 Sep 2012 Make your own way

Make your own way

This is the price of the holiday without flights
Select  
  25 Sep 2012 Birmingham

Departure Times

17:20 Monarch Airlines
Select  
  25 Sep 2012 London Gatwick

Departure Times

12:50 Monarch Airlines
Select  
  25 Sep 2012 Manchester

Departure Times

13:00 Monarch Airlines
Select  

Discover Crete

Price from £847.00

What's Included

  • Flights UK - Heraklion - UK
  • Accommodation as per hotel details
  • Meals as per hotel details
  • Services of a tour director on tour
  • Transfers between overseas airport and hotels
  • All local and airport taxes/service charges

All this included

  • Lassithi Plateau
  • Dikte Cave Visit
  • Heraklion Museum visit
  • Knossos Archaeological site visit
  • Soude Allied War Cemetery Visit
  • Chania Visit
  • Olive Farm
  • Lake Kournas

Departures from

  • Birmingham
  • London Gatwick
  • Manchester

Departures between

11 Sep 2012 to 25 Sep 2012

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NO HIDDEN EXTRAS: All prices shown include ALL compulsory charges (Fuel Supplement, Air Passenger Duty & Flight Supplement where applicable). Book with confidence: We are members of ABTA and all our air-inclusive holidays are financially protected by the Civil Aviation Authority under the ATOL scheme

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