Arrive in Heraklion on suggested flights and make your own way to the hotel. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements including travel insurance (a condition of travel), private hotel transfer, accommodation before or after the tour and a room category upgrade.

At 20:00, attend a welcome reception at the hotel with your tour leader Christopher Allen and fellow travellers.

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After a morning talk by Christopher, embark on a walking tour of the city, including the old town and Venetian harbour, and visit the Church of Saint Catherine, established in the 10th century.

In the afternoon, visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum and marvel at its outstanding collection of artefacts from the Minoan and Mycenaean palaces of Crete. Exquisite frescoes, the sarcophagus from Hagia Triada, the Knossos snake goddess and the Phaistos Disk are among the museum’s many treasures.

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This morning, visit the famous Minoan palace complex of Knossos. Inhabited from the Neolithic period until Roman times, this fascinating site was the seat of the legendary King Minos and was where Theseus slew the Minotaur.

In the afternoon, enjoy some time at leisure to relax or explore Heraklion at your own pace, before dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

In the morning, travel to Gournia, one of the few Minoan towns to have been fully excavated. Stroll along the paved streets of the archaeological site and see the well-preserved houses, Minoan palace and cemetery.

After lunch, visit the picturesque village of Kritsa and the Byzantine church of Panagia Kera, the walls of which are adorned with 14th-century frescoes.

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Depart Heraklion in the morning and visit Arkadi Monastery, perched on a fertile plateau. The church is a historic Eastern Orthodox site renowned for its Renaissance-influenced architecture and its role as a symbol of resistance during the Cretan revolt of 1866, where defenders chose self-sacrifice over surrender.

After lunch, continue to the picturesque harbour town of Rethymno, arriving in the afternoon. The evening is at leisure.

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This morning, after a talk with Christopher, visit Rethymno’s Archaeological Museum, housed in the evocative Venetian-built Church of St. Francis, built by the Barozzi family around 1530.

The museum collection offers an insightful overview of Minoan, Byzantine and Venetian findings, featuring highlights such as intricate Minoan ceramics, a 9,000-year-old limestone deity statue and a Hellenistic bronze lamp depicting Dionysus on a panther.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. before dinner at a local restaurant.

(BD)

In the morning, visit the ancient remains of Gortyn, famous for its Law Code dating from 500 BC, written in the Dorian dialect of Greek and covering criminal and civil matters. Gortyn flourished in Roman times and was the capital of Crete and Roman North Africa.

Then, drive through the beautiful countryside of southern Crete to the ancient sacred centre of Phaistos, a Minoan royal palace complex on a dramatic hilltop site overlooking the Messara Plain. The mysterious Phaistos Disk was discovered here.

The evening is at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, en route to Chania, visit the Greco-Roman ruins of Aptera. Founded around the 7th century BC, it became one of the most powerful city-states and commercial centres of Western Crete.

Then, continue to Chania, founded in the Bronze Age by the Minoans as the city-state of Kydonia, and subsequently fought over by the Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, Genoese, Turks, Egyptians and, finally, the German Army in 1941. Explore this multi-layered history in the fortified Venetian harbour and old town.

Return to Rethymno in the late afternoon for an evening at leisure.

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After checking out of the hotel, board a ferry across the Aegean Sea towards the emblematic island of Santorini. Renowned for its stunning sunsets and iconic white-washed buildings with blue domes, Santorini played a crucial role in the Minoan expansion as it served as a key trading hub. It was the island’s volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE that led to the decline of the advanced Minoan civilisation and shaped the island’s unique geography.

Upon arrival in Santorini, enjoy lunch in before checking in to the hotel in Fira.

The remainder of the day is at leisure.

(BL)

After a morning talk with Christopher, discover Ancient Thera, located on the summit of the Mesa Vouno hill. The city was founded around the 9th century BCE by Dorian colonists and thrived as a major trade hub and cultural centre until its decline in the 7th century CE. The archaeological site features well-preserved ruins, including public buildings, homes and elaborate frescoes, offering insights into the island’s ancient history and daily life.

Enjoy a visit to a local winery before continuing to Pyrgos, the largest preserved village on Santorini and the island’s former capital. Perched on a hill, Pyrgos is constructed in an amphitheatrical layout and is a fine example of medieval architecture with its winding, narrow streets and concealed passageways.

Return to the hotel in the late afternoon and enjoy the evening at leisure.

(BL)

This morning, travel to the southern tip of the island, to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan settlement that was buried under volcanic ash from the massive eruption around 1600 BCE. Thanks to the presence of remarkably well-preserved ruins such as multi-story buildings, a sophisticated plumbing system and vibrant frescoes, the site gained the name of “Minoan Pompeii”.

Enjoy the afternoon at leisure before a special farewell dinner with Christopher and fellow travellers at a local restaurant in Oia, perched on the island’s northern tip.

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Tour arrangements conclude after breakfast.

For those returning home today, make your way to Santorini Airport for suggested flights to Australia or New Zealand. Renaissance Tours or your travel agent can assist you with your flights and other travel arrangements, including a private airport transfer, additional nights’ accommodation either before or after the tour and travel insurance (a condition of travel).

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