Travel Type
Self-Drive
Duration
8 Days/7 Nights
Country
Greece
Crete is the largest island in Greece, and the fifth largest one in the Mediterranean Sea. Here, you can admire the remnants of brilliant civilizations, explore glorious beaches, impressive mountainscapes, fertile valleys and steep gorges, and become part of the island’s rich gastronomic culture. Crete is, after all, a small universe teeming with beauties and treasures that you will probably need a lifetime to uncover!
Inclusions
7-night accommodation (2 nights in Heraklion, 2 nights in the Rethymnon region, 3 nights in the Chania region)
14 meals: 7 breakfasts, and 7 dinners
7-day car rental: Category B, Opel Corsa (or similar), with manual transmission. Includes unlimited mileage, CDW insurance, theft protection, airport or city surcharges
Exclusions
Flights – Fuel, additional vehicle insurances, GPS – Meals and drinks unless indicated – Entrances to sites, museum and monuments – Optional excursions – City tax (paid locally at the hotels) – Travel insurance – Any other item not mentioned in the Inclusions.
1
DAY 1 ARRIVAL IN HERAKLION, CRETE
Arrival at Heraklion International Airport, in Crete. Pick up your rental car and make your way to your hotel in Heraklion. The remainder of the day is free at leisure to enjoy the city at your own pace. If you arrive early enough in the day, be sure to visit the world-famous Heraklion Archaeology Museum. If museums are not your interest, make sure to visit the Rocco e Mare Fortress, the Venitia Loggia, Koules Fortress and the Saint Titus Church, just to name a few. Return to the hotel for dinner in the evening.
Meals : Dinner
Accommodation : Heraklion for 1 night
2
DAY 2 KNOSSOS – WINERY – RETHYMNON AREA
Breakfast at the hotel this morning, then check out. Drive approximately 15 minutes south of the city of Heraklion to the Minoan Palace of Knossos, home of King Minos and the legendary Minotaur. Make sure to book your tickets online in advance for the skip-the-line entrance to the Palace. For those with an interest in wine, we suggest a visit the Lyrarakis Winery. After experiencing the hospitality of the winery continue your drive to the Rethymnon area. Time permitting, stop for a quick swim at Aghia Palagia Beach before checking into your hotel near Rethymnon. Dinner is at your hotel this evening.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Rethymnon region for 2 nights
3
DAY 3 ARKADI MONASTERY – ELEFTHERNA – MARGARITES
Breakfast at the hotel. Depart in the morning in your rental car for the visit to the beautiful Arkadi Monastery. The Arkadi Monastery is an Eastern Orthodox monastery and one of the most famous on the island of Crete. Afterwards, continue to Eleftherna, an ancient site approximately 25 km southeast of Rethymnon. The ancient city of Eleftherna flourished from 3000 BCE the until the Byzantine era. The ruins have revealed the remains of villas, baths and other public buildings. Eleftherna started to decline due to a large earthquake in 7th century followed by the Arab invasion. Return to the hotel for dinner at the hotel in the evening.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
4
DAY 4 RETHYMON AREA – CHANIA REGION
After breakfast, say goodbye to Rethymnon and make your way to the Chania region in the western part of the island. The drive takes approximately 1.5 hours. Check into your hotel and explore your surroundings.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Chania region for 3 nights
5
DAY 5 SAMARIA GORGE – ELAFONISI BEACH
Breakfast at the hotel. Depending on your interests there are two options to consider today. For hiking enthusiasts, the Samaria Gorge is a must do! The Samaria Gorge is the largest gorge in Europe and is part of the White Mountains National Park, the only national park on the Island of Crete. The Samaria Gorge is home to over 450 species of plants and animals and some endemic to the island of Crete. If hiking is not your cup of tea, another suggestion is the pink beaches of Elafonisi Island, on the extreme southwest of the Crete. The journey takes approximately 1.5 hours by car. It is famous for its unique pink sand, whose color was created by the thousands of tiny, shattered seashells. Its dazzling turquoise waters are truly magical, and the fact that they’re warm and shallow during the summer makes them perfectly suitable for children. Return to the hotel for dinner.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
6
DAY 6 CHANIA REGION
Today is a day for exploring the area outside of the city of Chania. Here you can find the beautiful Monastery of Gouvernato at Stavros. This monastery is one of the oldest on the island of Crete as it was established in the year 1537. The monastery’s architecture looks more like a Venetian fort than a monastery, with towers gracing the corners of the surrounding wall as protection. Only two of the towers are still standing today. Another option is to drive to Marathokefala to visit the Cave of St. John the Hermit. The cave is 135-metres long, is easily accessible and open to the public. Inside the cave, there are impressive mineral formations such as stalactites and stalagmites. You will also see icons and other objects that worshippers have brought over the years. For beach lovers, the area west of Chania has many beautiful beaches to explore, such as Falasarna, Balos Bay, or Paleochora. Return to the hotel for dinner at the end of the day.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
7
DAY 7 CHANIA REGION – HERAKLION
After breakfast, check out of the hotel and begin the drive back to Heraklion. Check into your hotel and the rest of the day is at leisure. Dinner at the hotel in the evening.
Meals : Breakfast, Dinner
Accommodation : Heraklion for 1 night
8
DAY 8 HERAKLION – DEPARTURE
Breakfast at the hotel this morning, then make your way to Heraklion Airport and return your rental car before boarding your flight home or to another beautiful destination in Greece.
Meals : Breakfast
HOTEL OPTIONS OR SIMILAR
3* Hotels
Heraklion: Central Hersonissos
Rethymnon Region: Daedalus Beach
Chania Region: Elotia
4* Hotels
Heraklion: Castello City
Rethymnon Region: Sentido Pearl Beach
Chania Region: Theo Hotel
5* Hotels
Heraklion: Galaxy Hotel
Rethymnon Region: Rethymno Mare Royal
Chania Region: Porto Platanias Beach Resort and Spa
Rates in CA$, per person, starting from, in double occupancy | |||
| Daily departures – 2025 | 3* Hotels | 4* Hotels | 5* Hotels |
| April | 739 | 1105 | 1469 |
| May | 775 | 1125 | 1515 |
| June | 985 | 1415 | 1829 |
| July | 1260 | 1825 | 2605 |
| August | 1270 | 1799 | 2265 |
| September | 1099 | 1510 | 1765 |
| October | 800 | 1089 | 1565 |
| Supplements | |||
| Single | On request | ||
| Car upgrade to an automatic transmission | On request | ||
Product Code : H
**Prices in this document are for information only; they were issued at press time, for the current year. Please note that due to exchange rates and temporary promotions, they can increase or decrease at any time. Contact your travel agent for the price and promotion of the moment. Prices include the contribution of customers to the Compensation Fund for clients of Quebec travel agents.
*** PLEASE CAREFULLY READ OUR TERMS & CONDITIONS. ***
Crete on Wheels – Detailed itinerary
Crete on Wheels – Detailed itinerary
