Discovering Crete, Self-drive
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
$562
Discovering Crete, Self-drive
8 Days
Visiting: Greece
Tour operator:
Tour code:
613272
Group Type:
Independent
Guide Type:
Self Guided
Interests:
Tour Overview
To Greeks, Crete is the Megalonissi (Great Island), a hub of spectacular ancient art and architecture. Fabled as the land of King Minos, it is a unique world where civilization is counted by the millennium. From every point of view, travellers discover landscapes of amazing variety. Mountains split with deep gorges and honeycombed with caves, rise in sheer walls from the sea. Snow-capped peaks loom behind sandy shorelines, vineyards, and olive groves. Miles of beaches, some with a wealth of amenities and others isolated and unspoiled, fringe the coast.
Highlights
Itinerary
Day 1 : Arrival Crete / Car-Pick Up – Heraklion (3Km – 15Min)
Upon arrival at Heraklion International Airport, make your way to the car rental office and pick-up your vehicle. Drive to the hotel and enjoy the rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight in Heraklion.
Day 2 : Heraklion
Enjoy a mouth-watering breakfast at the hotel. Start the morning with a walk through the capital of Crete, Heraklion. Visit the Heraklion Archaeological Museum which is one of the largest and most important museums in Greece, and among the most important museums in Europe. Continue by car to the most famous and popular of all attractions in Crete, the Palace of Knossos. A journey back 5000 years into myths and legends and learn secrets of the oldest civilisation in Europe, the Minoans.
Overnight in Heraklion.
Day 3 : Heraklion – Chania (141Km – 2Hrs)
After recharging your energies with breakfast at the hotel, drive to Chania town. Chania is a great town for just walking around. It has a gorgeous harbour front. Try starting in the harbour’s eastern edge in the marina, where the Venetian boatyards are and maybe have your eye on a dockside tavern for later. If you are up to it you can walk out to the Egyptian lighthouse from here but definitely do this before dark because it can be a little bumpy. From the lighthouse, you have a great view of the main harbour.
Overnight in Chania.
Day 4 : Chania – Elafonissi – Chania (165Km – 4Hrs)
Start early in the morning with your car towards the south-west to Elafonissi. Elafonissi ( some people also call it Elafonissos or Elafonissi ) is something like an island and a peninsula because to reach the island you have to walk through the sea. What characterizes the area of Elafonissos and makes it such an exotic place, are the little sand islets formed, the shallow turquoise waters of the sea, which at a point looks like a lagoon, and certainly the fine white sand, pinkish at several spots because of the crushed shell powder.
Overnight in Chania.
Day 5 : Chania – Rethymnon (65Km – 1Hr)
Indulge in a tasty breakfast at the hotel before check-out. Drive to Rethymnon and after settle in your room, discover the beautiful old town and harbour and explore the winding back streets. This will be a day full of discovery, beautiful scenery, and interesting history.
Overnight in Rethymnon.
Day 6 : Rethymnon – Agios Nikolaos – Elounda – Spinalonga – Agios Nikolaos (160Km – 2.5Hrs)
Have breakfast at the hotel and check-out before driving to your next destination: Agios Nikolaos. Located just a 10-minute drive down the coast from Agios Nikolaos, Voulisma Beach is a spectacular, shallow beach with clear turquoise water. It is considered one of Crete's best beaches for its curving ribbon of soft sand backed by cliff walls. One of the best places for shopping is 28is Oktovriou, a pedestrian street just back from the port and the lake, where you can find a wide range of stores that cater to tourists. Other stores line the waterfront of the port area. Continue by car to the small fishing village Elounda where you can take a small boat to the island Spinalonga, which is one of the better- known features in Crete and the location of the top-selling novel “The Island” (author Victoria Hislop). It was a former leaper colony (until 1957) and Venetian fortress and has centuries of history.
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos.
Day 7 : Agios Nikolaos – Sitia – Agios Nikolaos (190Km – 4Hrs)
Sitia is a small and pleasant coastal town, built in a semicircle on the western side of the Bay of Sitia, a typical, peaceful Mediterranean port. Close to Sitia is the Monastery of Toplou – It is a historical monastery of the 15th century, which collapsed in the earthquake of 1612 and was rebuilt with the financial aid of the Venetians. During the Ottoman conquest of Crete, the monastery was destroyed and devastated by the Turks. Continue east for Vai is famous for its palm forest located right on the beach. It is the largest palm forest in Crete and these palms are endemic Cretan palms (Phoenix theophrasti).
Overnight in Agios Nikolaos.
Day 8 : Agios Nikolaos – Car Drop-Off/ Departure Crete (60Km – 1Hr)
Wake up to one last breakfast at the hotel. Drive to Heraklion International airport and return your car hire and enjoy your flight home!
What's Included
ACCOMMODATION:
- 7 nights´ hotel accommodation
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Heraklion
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic or similar 3*
Day 3-4 Chania
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Arkadi or similar 3*
Day 5 Rethymnon
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Palladium or similar 3*
Day 6-7 Agios Nikolaos
Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Apollon or similar 3*
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
Car Group A = Nissan Pixo A/C or similar
Car Group B = Fiat Panda or similar
Car Group C = Skoda Fabia or similar
MEALS:
- 7 Breakfasts
CAR HIRE:
- 7-Day care hire
- Pick-up and drop-off at Crete International Airport
- Unlimited mileage
- Full insurance package with zero excess and VAT (CDW, theft protection, third party insurance and fire protection)
What's Not Included
- Tour guide
- Entrance fees
- Visa fees
- Domestic flights
- International flights
- Drinks during meals (unless specified otherwise)
- Optional tours (if any)
- Overnight city tax for the hotel overnights effective from January 1st 2018. Clients will have to pay the TAX on the spot at the hotels
- Any visit not mentioned in the program
- Porterage and gratuities
- Expenditures of a personal nature, drinks and meals or items not stated explicitly in the program
- Any alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, mineral water, camera/video camera fee (if any)
- Travel Insurance or any loss or extra cost arising due to unforeseen circumstances such as flight delays, accidents, etc.
CAR HIRE EXCLUSIONS & RESTRICTIONS:
- The insurance does not cover all damages caused to the vehicle while using it on a non–asphaltic road (i.e. Balos) or when violating the traffic law (i.e. driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, exceeding the speed limit, red light etc.)
- Insurance paid on the spot: for Glass insurance coverage and coverage for tires and under part of the car
- Age Restrictions: Drivers must be between 21-68 years old. The renter must own and present a valid driving license for at least 12 months prior to rental
- After working hours: Deliveries and collections between 21:00-23:30hrs and 23:30-07:00 hrs will be charged extra
- One way fee: There is a charge for one way rentals
- Deliveries and collections to hotels will be charged extra depending on the location of the hotel
Requirements
Comfortable and light clothing is the most suitable for travelling in Crete. Visitors should not wear sleeveless shirts, shorts, short skirts or skimpy clothing when visiting temples, religious or official buildings. Sun protection, sunglasses, a hat and mosquito repellent can be very useful during your stay.
Please Note
- Please note that this tour is a suggested itinerary. While the sites listed may be visited independently, the package does not cover any applicable entrance or tour fees
- Please consider that the driving times and distances are estimated and that they can vary because of many circumstances, such as the specific route is taken, hotel location, traffic, weather, road conditions, etc.
- We reserve the right to change itineraries and activities due to weather conditions, technical problems or security reasons
- Early check-in, late check-out, connecting or adjoining rooms in the hotel are subject to availability and not guaranteed
- No refund for unused services. Splitting of the package is not allowed
Accommodation options
ACCOMMODATION OPTIONS
Day 1-2 Heraklion
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic or similar 3*
Day 3-4 Chania
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Arkadi or similar 3*
Day 5 Rethymnon
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Olympic Palladium or similar 3*
Day 6-7 Agios Nikolaos
- Standard Hotel Category = Hotel Apollon or similar 3*
CAR HIRE OPTIONS
- Car Group A = Nissan Pixo A/C or similar
- Car Group B = Fiat Panda or similar
- Car Group C = Skoda Fabia or similar
Check out our Q&As
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What does the price include?
What is included is stated specifically on the product Description. Gratuities are at your discretion. Prices do not include (unless stated otherwise) - gratuities to the guide, driver or tour manager.
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What happens if I need to change my holiday date once I’ve booked?
You can change it by logging into your profile and click on Bookings. Please check your cancellation policy.
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Do you offer any travel insurance?
We do not offer Travel Insurance but would strongly recommend that you purchase a comprehensive Travel Insurance Policy prior to departure.
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Are Visa fees included in the price?
No, visa fees are not included
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Are flights included in the tour?
No, they are not included
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What documents will I receive before I travel?
Booking confirmation with Itinerary and confirmation vouchers
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Is there any option for solo traveller?
Yes of course. Please note that the default selection shows the price per person per double room. For solo travellers, you will have to select a single room when available.
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When are there specific hotel names confirmed?
Confirmed hotel names are informed latest 10 days prior to client´s arrival
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Low Deposit
Destination Services Greece requires a minimum deposit of 30% or the full booking value, whichever is less, with the final balance not due until 35 days before departure.
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Cancellation Policy
We don't charge a cancellation fee, here is a summary of destination services greece charges.
Up to 30 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of deposit.
At 14 days before tour starts: Forfeit 50% of booking price.
At 7 days before tour starts: Forfeit 100% of booking price.